So Much Family, So Little Time

 We had a very busy Labor Day weekend. Half of the weekend we spent celebrating birthdays and the other we spent with family. On Friday night, we celebrated with our friends, Greg and Sarah, for their daughter Caroline's 5th birthday. Then we got up Saturday and celebrated Reese and Riley's 3rd birthday. I can't believe how old on these kids are getting. Time really flies.

After the party on Saturday, we loaded up the car and headed to Oklahoma City to see family. Instead of staying with my mom like we normally do, we stayed the first night with Wes's grandparents, Grandma and Grandpa Potter, and the second night with my sister. Both we very happy to have us and we were happy to stay.

We did have a little drama, we woke up at the Potters in the middle of the night to hear Gracie crying. Wes leaped out of bed to see what was wrong. He found her with a bloody nose. So we were up for about an hour dealing with that. Then later that next day, she had another bloody nose. It was so weird.

Sunday morning after breakfast, we headed to my mom and dad's house to get ready to have lunch with my sister's family and cousins' family. We had a great time. We ate, the kids all played, the men slept/watched TV and the women talked. 

Sweet Kassidy and Sydney. I am so thankful for the cousins that the girls have. They are all so sweet and patient with the girls even though they are all big kids.

Gracie playing with the Barbie that Kassidy gave them. She brought two of her Barbies to give to the girls. So sweet.

Lizzie busy sticking whatever she can find in her purse. Grandma has so many toys (even ones from when my sister and I were little).

For dinner that night, we all went over to my sister's where Paul, my brother-in-law, made Philly cheese steaks. They were really good.

Because we were staying with my sister, she asked if Kassidy could spend the night too. So, we had 5 little monkeys in jumping on the bed, literally. I think around 10:00 pm they all went to sleep. They girls had a blast and thought they were so cool because they got to stay with the big kids.

For lunch on Monday, It was back to my mom and dad's. Again, we ate, the kids played, the men slept/watched TV and the women talked.

Then, it was time for everyone to go home and get ready for Tuesday. We headed home. On the way home, we stopped for a bathroom break and at the gas station was an big cat rescue mission set up. They had two Bengal tigers out for people to see. We got out because the girls love the episode of the Wonder Pets where they save the Bengal Tiger.  We loaded back up and watched the episode the rest of the way home on the DVD player.

At the Library

The girls and I were suppose to meet up with Reese and Riley and Anna,
Isaac and EJ for story time. Through various missteps (and one sick
boy) we missed the earlier story time and had to go to a later one
with only Reese and Riley. All the girls loved it and they got to pet
a fake stuffed animal tiger.

Will That Be For Here Or To Go

We went to the mall earlier this week to play. After playing we went
to the food court for lunch. While we were waiting to get our order
taken, the girls climbed into the tray spot and sat down. I snapped
this with my phone.

Put on Your Big Girl Pants

Lizzie put on her big girl underwear this week. I decided I was really going to start working hard to get Lizzie to use the potty. Last Sunday, we had a big talk with her about how she was starting big girl Sunday School and big girls don't wear pull ups. So, Monday morning we started wearing underwear.

Monday and Tuesday had me rethinking this whole thing, but by Wednesday she got the hang of it! Something clicked (like it always does with her). On Friday, we went to the mall to play and she went in the potty there! We are so proud of both the girls and I am so relieved.

To get ready for potty training and big girl Sunday School, I went to the Dollar Store. I wanted to get stuff to put in a bag to play with during church. For fun, I found foam fairy wands that could be decorated. Lizzie is intently decorating hers.

Apparently, fairy wands can also double as swords as some of you saw on Facebook. Gracie is decorating her weapon, I mean wand.

As I mentioned before, this was "promotion Sunday" at church. Which means, the three year olds move from the nursery to Sunday School and big church. They also blessed the kids backpacks for the start of school. As you can see, Gracie did not want her picture taken.

Lizzie was all ready to have her picture taken. We had donuts for breakfast and then headed to church. She got a little nervous going in saying she wanted to go to the nursery not big girl Sunday School. Once we got in the classroom and one of their favorite VBS teacher showed up, they were done with us!

When I say they went to big church, it was really only for about 10 minutes. They stay for a little bit then after children's time they go to Wee Worship. They both got upset, not because they were leaving their parents, but because they were leaving Sarah. She's the sweet big girl in this pic with her cute little brother Kyle. They are the girls "Big Sister" and "Big Brother" at church. The girls love Sarah and Kyle a lot and we are so thankful for them (and their wonderful parents).

So today went well, no accidents at church and a momma that got a little emotional because her little babies are growing up!

Closing My Etsy Shop

I have decided to close my Etsy store. I still like to craft and make stuff, but the store was not successful because I didn't promote like I should. All that to say, I have all the inventory for the shop in my house and I want to get rid of it. If you want anything, just make me an offer.

Below is a link to the jewelry album, there are two pictures for everything. Just one item of each.

https://picasaweb.google.com/116239684975797877659/Jewelry#

Just leave a comment with what you want!

Fun Road Trip to Great-Grandma's

On Saturday, we made a quick trip to Oklahoma for the day to see my grandma. We got there right before lunch and we ate at our favorite Italian restaurant. It is really yummy and the girls ate so good. We then went back to grandma's and the girls played while we talked. My grandma really loved seeing the girls and they were really great with her. Gracie had lots of things to tell her.

The most expensive toy, the massage/chair lift. All the great-grandchildren love to play in this chair. They will get in it and push the buttons to go up and down.

Lizzie sitting and looking cute. Grandma has an ottoman that the lid lifts off of and the girls loved to put stuff in it.

The girls with great-grandma.

No trip to great-grandma's is complete with out a ride in the walker. Lizzie liked to push and Gracie likes to ride.

Museum of Nature and Science

Because its been so hot and we haven't really got to take the girls anywhere, we decided to go to the Museum of Nature and Science. The girls loved it. I told them we were going to see dinosaurs and they were thrilled! It was so fun to see them run from one display to another and loving it! The pure joy these girls have can't help but make you smile.

Wes or I would try to show them something and they would run off in another direction. It reminded me of going to science museums with my parents when I was a kid. Being the kid of a scientist, you get to see LOTS of science museums.

My sweet girls hugging.

"Digging" for dinosaurs

Lizzie going down the slide from the fire truck.

Gracie on the slide

Lizzie riding the "tractor"

Gracie riding the "tractor"

Potty Training Update

Well, we have been having some success with potty training. This past weekend, we started a sticker chart and it going well. We've actually got Lizzie to poop and pee in the potty. She is better at pooping in the potty than peeing. So right now, I've got one that will poop in the potty but not pee and another one that will pee in the potty but not poop.

While the mice are away....

So, this cat has been free for a few days. The girls spent some time with Grandma and Papa. Momma got a much needed break from potty training, the terrible 3s and temper tantrums.

So what did I do while they were away?

Day 1
I got up and decided I was going to go to a couple of thrift stores. I keep reading blogs about people who get really cute stuff for really cheap. So, I found a couple of places to try. The first place I went, I found a couple of things but nothing I loved. The entire time, I keep thinking about where these clothes might have been before they found their way into the store. The longer I was in the store, the more I thought about it and got grossed out. I left that store and went to another one that wasn't as nice. I then decided to head to Grapevine Mills and found some really cute jeans.

That night, I went to yoga and then met Wes at the movies to see the last Harry Potter movie. It was a fun date night!

Day 2
I slept in until almost 9 am! I haven't slept in for a long time. Then I made a discovery. I don't normally flat iron my hair, but just started recently. I have been using this huge flat iron and burning my fingers in the process. I thought I had another smaller one but couldn't find it until I followed a cable and there it was! YAY! No more burned fingers. These are things you can do while your children are away.

Needless to say, I was pretty lazy the rest of the day. I did a little cleaning and a little laundry. That night, we went to a lecture from a yogi on fear.

Day 3
I headed to OKC to pick up the girls and spend a couple of days. We napped and had a fun dinner with the family.

Day 4
I met my cousin downtown at her office so she could train me for a part time job I am starting. It is so awesome, I can work from home on my own time! Yay for me! Love her!

While I was being trained, grandma, papa and the kids went to see Winnie the Pooh. The girls pigged out on popcorn (Gracie told me she ate so much it made her knee hurt, ha ha). That evening we went to see Grandma and Grandpa Potter where the girls laughed and played which made the Potters laugh! So much fun!

Day 5
The girls and I went home. Wes was sick almost the entire time we were gone so he was really happy to see us!

What's New?

Notice something new in this picture? Lizzie is sporting a pony tail! Her hair is now long enough for a pony! So exciting.

The girls are "playing checkers" at Grandma and Papa.

Good Things About Being 3

So, I blogged a couple posts ago about the terrible 3s, but there are some good things about being 3. I thought I would write them down to help me through the tougher times.

• The girls are more independent. They are able to dress themselves, shorts may be on backward, panties may be on sideways (yes sideways not just backward) and shoes may or may not be on the right feet but they can do it them selves.
  
• Their imagination is so wild, anything can instantly become a phone or microphone. Just yesterday, they took turns playing with the garden hose using it as a mic while the other sat in a chair and watched the "performance".
• They also share fairly well. Most of the time when there is a disagreement, we can get them to agree and take turns.
• They tell us sweet things all the time like, "love you mommy/daddy", "you look cute", "thank you mommy/daddy" and when we run out of anything they say "daddy go buy it". That's because Wes does most of the grocery shopping, so he usually does "go buy it".

We have our good times and our more challenging times. I try to spend my time thinking more of the positive times than the frustrating times.

Third Anniversary

Today is a special anniversary for us. Its the third anniversary of bringing the girls home from the NICU. They were there 5 1/2 weeks (40 days). We spent the night before terrified "rooming in" at the hospital with the girls. That means we spent the entire night awake in a room next to the NICU on a pull out couch. We would take turns every couple of hours to watch them because we were too freaked out to sleep! They were born at 4 lbs 10 oz (Lizzie) and 3lbs 10oz (Gracie). They left at 6lbs 5oz and 5lbs 1.5oz (when they are that small every tenth counts).

The other crazy thing about this date is it was my second due date. I had two due dates. A forty week due date (August 11) and 36 week due date (July 21). The goal was to get to the 36 week due date, the girls and my body had other ideas about goal setting.


It was 100 degrees out that day and they are wearing long sleeve onsies with 2 hats on. They were still working on keeping themselves warm.

This when we got home. Who would have thought then that these tiny burritos would turn into.......

These crazy girls! If anyone had told me what kind of ride we were in for, I would never believe them! They are so funny and keep us so busy but we love them so much and wouldn't trade any of it!

The Hardware Store

This weekend we went to the hardware store. The aisle we were in was next to the kitchen cabinets. The girls loved running from kitchen to kitchen and opening drawers and doors. It was so funny because they kept saying, "another kitchen" or "I found it". It was so funny!

The Terrible 3s

Well, we thought we were through the worst but 3 has started off worse than 2 ever was. It seems that the minute they turned 3 they became more difficult. We started with whining and throwing huge fits.

A couple of weeks ago, Wes and I went to Target to get some stuff. We all went in, got one cart and put the girls in the basket. The girls acted up a little while we shopped but when it came time to check out the girls melted down and were screaming while we walked out. Wes and I pretended not to notice that it was our kids screaming.

Because we are stupid people and don't learn our lessons, we head back to Target a week or so later. This time, the girls want to "walk" and not sit in the cart. They both start running in opposite directions and Lizzie pushes the limit and LAYS on the NASTY Target floor (laying on the floor and throwing fits is her new thing, lovely). Wes takes both of them out of the store for a time out. They all come back in and we go to check out again. Lizzie is messing with the end of the cashier stand and TURNS ON the conveyer belt. I quickly turn it off but not before the cashier notices and gives me the DIRTIEST look. I think I better get use to that.

Today was no exception. We were suppose to meet friends at the mall to play. I try 3 times to get Gracie to pee and poop in the potty. No luck on either which means I could get a surprise at any moment. I finally get the Gracie dressed and her hair fixed. Then its Lizzie's turn. I get her dressed but when it comes time to fix her hair she flips out and won't let me. I end up putting her in time out, shut the door and tell her we are leaving. Finally I get her hair done. We are now 20 minutes late to our play date. I know, I know, I should have let the hair go. The problem was that it was half fixed. She only had one pig tail.

To end the day the same as it started, we took the girls up to Wes's work for a party. Lizzie throws a temper tantrum about 10 minutes after we get there. Wes takes her to time out and she calms down. In the 2 hours that we are there, the girls spill 2 glasses of water, run around crazy and Lizzie throws another fit over dessert. She has 3 choices and wants all of them and none of them at the same time. To time out again she goes, when she comes back she is still whiny but finally picks one and eats it. At this point, I'm terribly embarrassed for myself and Wes. As we leave, everyone tells us how sweet the girls were. HA HA!

Lizzie and Changes

Lizzie and changes don't mix. If anything is not like how she thinks it should be, she gets really upset. Here are a few examples:

• As a treat for the girls, we will drive thru McDonald's and get a McDonalds Water for the girls. They think this is the best water on the planet and its a real treat. Anyway, I usually pour a little out before I give it to them because they tend to spill ALL OF IT! Today, I was lazy and decided to just give them the whole thing. Lizzie threw a fit. She said it was too full. So, when we got home I poured some of it out.
• If we are at a restaurant and the waiter comes and tries to take her plate, she freaks out.
• Certain things are "hers" and if Gracie gets them, she will wrestle her to the ground to get them back.
• She's really into orange right now and wants everything orange. I give them a gummy vitamin and all that was left was pink. So, I had to explain that there were not any orange left and she was ok.
• She always wants to sit behind momma in the car when we go places, we have to make her take turns with Gracie.

We are working on trying to help her be a little more flexible.

Silly Girls

This stage is so fun and exhausting at the same time. One moment I can't believe how cute they are and the next I'm yelling at them because they are into something they shouldn't be. The girls' imagination is really developing and they are always pretending.

This morning I walked into this. They were being cute and were laying in the same bed. They were pretending to sleep.

Here the girls are posing in some new pjs they got for their birthday. Thanks Chris, Angie and Kassidy! The girls love them!

This was on Wes's birthday. We sat outside the restaurant while the girls played ring around the rosie. They would sing and then fall down! So funny.

When we can, we spend our time outside in the pool. The girls love to play in it and they think the water hose is fun too. Gracie was making Lizzie spray her with the hose. She kept telling where to spray. It started with her back and then each arm and leg. They are so silly.

Sharing

Wow. We have turned three for sure. The girls have their cute and monster moments. They either share really well or not at all. A poor defenseless cow was the victim this morning of a wrestling match between the girls. They take after Wes who wrestled in high school.The poor cow was put in time out.

Other times, they share so sweetly. Like in this picture. They took turns pushing and riding. There were giggles galore!

Each day is an adventure, I just hope I make it to their fourth birthday.

Crafting again

I got the bug again to create. I'm working with my clay again to see how to make different flowers.

My mom gave me a ring that was a flower and I tried to recreate it with clay

Also, I started experimenting with a mold. I bought it ages ago and tried to use it once. The directions say to put corn starch on it so the clay comes off better. All it did for me was get EVERYWHERE. This time I didn't use the corn starch and it came out fine. The other thing I experimented with was blending two colors. I really like how they turned out. I'm tempted to use this method to make beads for necklaces and bracelets.

Another one from the mold but instead of a ring, I made a pendant.

This is another pendant I made at the last minute. I had marbled clay left over so I rolled it out, etched a heart into it and then distressed it.

3 Year Old Pictures

The girls were finally in a good mood and my friend Allison was able to get some great pictures of them. I love the pictures, she is such an awesome photographer! These were their "Olivia" dresses that Nana found. Just like Olivia, they had to accessorize with headbands that I made! I love how they turned out. I made them with Dollar Tree headbands and flowers!

Sweet Lizzie, finally not cranky!

Lovely Gracie, so cute

Such sweet sisters. They can play so sweetly and fight so bitterly! Notice Gracie's hand on her hip. She is so prissy.

The choke hold, AKA hugs. Lizzie is a little wrestler. She muscles Gracie into doing what she wants.

Love how they are such little hams! Gonna frame this!

Thanks so much Allison for the great pictures! I'm so glad we both had multiples so we could meet!

Week in Review

The week started off quiet. We started trying to potty train Lizzie with no luck. Then we went to their three year check up and the pedi told us to just wait Lizzie out. So, I decided that Lizzie's lack of potty training was no reflection on my parenting skills and gave up. That evening, she peed in the potty for the first time! Silly girl. She has gone a handful of times since. So, we are going slow.

Later in the week, we met our twin group at a splash park in Carrollton. It was really fun. It had play ground equipment on either side with the splash part in the middle. At first the girls only wanted to play on the equipment, but I dug up some buckets from our van and they had a blast.

Gracie with her towel on. My friend Allison said that this would be a good picture so, I pulled out my camera. Gracie said "no mama, Allison take picture". So, Allison had to take the picture

Lizzie drying off to eat lunch

Some of our friends at the park

Lizzie and Gracie with Reese and Amy

Wearing our birthday present tutus from Nana to church. They twirled like ballerinas when the put them on. They also had to wear their butterfly shoes. When we got to church, one of minister's was wearing butterflies on her shoes too. The girls thought that was really cool.