Monday, October 31, 2011

Minnie Mouse and Fancy Nancy

Today was Halloween. This year, you could tell it clicked. They got everything about it. We practiced our trick or treating today before going out. One girl would go inside our Dora tent and the other would stand outside and say "trick or treat". Then the one on the inside would put a toy in the bucket. They were really good about taking turns.
As an extra treat, Nana came today for a few days and was able to go trick or treating with us. As we have done for the last 3 years, we have gone to the Sher's house and had a yummy dinner and then went trick or treating. This year, we had Fancy Nancy, Minnie Mouse, a pink bunny and 2 Rapunzels join us. The kids were so excited they could barely sit still for this picture.

A gaggle of girls
Where's Waldo? He's leading the girls to their trick or treat fun!

The first house, it didn't take long for the younger ones to catch on.

Sweet Minnie, she was always bringing up the rear. You can't hurry her.

Energetic Gracie was running from house to house.
 Every time we went to a house, all the girls would run up and then Gracie would come back and say "look at my trick or treats!". Then toward the end she would say "Happy Halloween". So cute.

Lizzie showing us her haul.
 After we had been up and down one of the streets, we hit two houses that ran out of candy. The first house didn't answer the door and the second the woman was really apologetic to the girls. They just kept staring at her with their pails out. They all finally got it and turned away. They actually all took it well and want to go to the next house.
Checking the stash!
After we were done, we went back to the Sher's to eat a little and get really cute treats from Jill. We then headed home. Before we called it a night, we had to trick or treat at our neighbor's house, Rocky and Amy. After that, the girls were really tired and Gracie told us she was ready to go home.

We all had lots of fun and the weather was perfect. Not too hot and not too cold. Everyone that we meet was really nice and polite. All the other trick or treaters waited their turns and the people giving candy were really nice.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Busy Week with Fall Activities

This week was busy with Halloween activities. The girls really love Halloween and want to wear their costumes all the time. Its so fun!

Wednesday was the Halloween festival at church. The girls were so excited that when they took a bath before we went, Wes asked who wanted out the tub first and they both said me. Usually, Lizzie says Gracie. They both love staying in the tub. So, we got them dressed, realized Gracie's costume was a little big and made a Walmart run for a tank top to put underneath it. When we got to the church, we saw all our friends all dressed up. We ate our hot dogs and waited for the parade to start. Our friend Drew led the parade dressed as Where's Waldo. All the kids followed him all over the playground and into the church. It was cute but reminded me of the Pied Piper.
Minnie Mouse aka Lizzie

Fancy Nancy aka Gracie
Next up was a Halloween party at our friends house. This is our third year to go and we had a blast. The girls love playing with all the big kids. We enjoyed our time with the adults.

Lizzie decorating cookies

Several of the girls came down the stairs dressed up. This is how Gracie came down.
 Today was the last of the pre-Halloween activities. It was our annual Fall Festival for MPOM. It was at the pumpkin patch at the Lutheran Church. It turned out great. Amy and I were in charge of planning and organizing. The only hitch was my cute craft. It was suppose to look like this, but all the cookies kept breaking. Fortunately, 2-4 year olds don't really care. We had about a dozen set of multiples show up! So great. The girls were so happy they got to see Reese and Riley and Anna, Issac and EJ.

Multiple Multiples!
Next up is Nana coming and Halloween! It should be really fun!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Making Our Tree Scary

As we were driving around yesterday with Grandma and Papa looking at some Halloween decorations, Lizzie informed us that we needed some scary ghosts in our tree. I remembered that I had some white plastic bags and markers. So, we got to work. We all decorated our trash bags and tied them with twine. Then put them in the tree.

Both girls were really proud of their tree and Lizzie told us that she wanted all the neighbors and her friends to see her "scary tree". This is the year for them to really start understanding the holidays. If they are this excited about Halloween, I can't imagine how Christmas will be!
Notice who is doing all the work? Of course its Grandma.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Pumpkin Patch with Grandma and Papa

Grandma and Papa stopped through town this weekend after a trip to see their good friends in Wilmington, DE. We picked them up at the airport and headed to Babe's for some yummy chicken.  For a week now, Lizzie has talked about going to the scary Target. She likes to look at the Halloween decorations and that's whats so "scary". She wanted to have Grandma and Papa go to Target with her to show them how scary it is. So after nap and dinner, we all headed over to Target to have a look.

This weekend turned out to be about pumpkins, for breakfast Grandma and the girls made us pumpkin muffins. Then later, we took Grandma and Papa to the pumpkin patch to pick out some pumpkins. Grandma was going to help the girls decorate their pumpkins. So of course, we had to get pictures. We came home, the girls napped, and then got to decorate their pumpkins. The used Dora and Diego stickers and markers to make their pumpkins "pretty". I couldn't tell who was having more fun, the girls or Grandma.

We asked Grandma to take a family picture for us.

Grandma and Papa with the girls

Sitting on a little bench in a sea of pumpkins

With their pumpkins they picked out
My sweet momma and daddy
We had a really great time. Grandma and Papa both took turns reading the Fancy Nancy Halloween book that Nana sent. The girls loved the book (it was read a zillion times). Wes and I even squeezed a date in while Grandma and Papa watched the girls. We will be sad when Grandma and Papa head back to Oklahoma.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

How Are They Different?

People ask me all the time how the girls are different. While they were still in the womb, I was concerned about their movement and I told the perinatologist that one was more active than the other. He said to me, they are totally different and not to compare them. Later I learned, that they were both active and that they were both laying with their feet in the same spot. Lesson learned. It is still some times hard not to compare but I keep telling myself they are two different girls.

And different they are. I wouldn't say night and day, but different. To explain it, lets look at their hair. Lizzie has very straight hair, so straight that it really doesn't hold a curl. Her personality is very straight and narrow. Methodical and organized. Things have to be a certain way, you have to tell her about change and then she will be ok. She was one of the first kids in her preschool class to master rolling up her nap mat. Gracie has curly hair and is very bouncy, springy (like her curls). Compassionate and hyper. She comes up with some of the most imaginative things. She loves to carry some sort of bag and loves her babies.

I wouldn't say that one is more outgoing than the other, but different. In some situations, Gracie takes the lead while in others Lizzie does. They both like girly things but have different tastes. I can start to see their sense of style coming out. Much to their mother's happiness, they love shoes!

Both girls reflect their parents personality. Gracie is very similar to me and Lizzie is very similar to Wes. They show me every day how different they can be. The one similarity is their love for one another. They are always looking out for sissy and want to see her happy. I am thankful every day for these two precious souls.




Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Fair Day 2011

Riding in the train
Today, Wes took the day off and we went to the fair. This year, we decided to take the train and the girls loved it! The train drops you right at the gate.We look at the cars, toured several bathrooms and got our Borden's milk by visiting Elsie the Cow. We went through the petting zoo where a zebra almost ate Lizzie's hand. The girls really liked feeding the animals and learned to use the shovels provided after a couple of goats ate the paper cups with the feed in it.


This year, we took the girls through the "Little Hands on the Farm" where they got to pretend to be farmers. Both girls loved it. It was really fun and took the kids through the entire farming process. They were even given "money" to "buy" something which was a bag of Cheetos in the girls case.


We had a great time. The train ride home was a little long because the girls needed a nap and were bored on the train. I was really proud of the girls because we didn't have any potty accidents and they told us when they needed to go. 


Getting ready to look at the cars and holding hands
Feeding the animals at the petting zoo

The girls with their aprons on (or as they call them capes) getting ready to "farm"

At this point they have already fed the chickens, watered and picked the peaches, and milked the cow. Now they are planting their crop

Taking turns riding the tractor




Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Pumpkin Patch

Today the girls had a field trip to the pumpkin patch with school. They loved it. A cold front came in last night that brought rain, colder temperatures and a cold wind. The girls were excited they got to wear their rain boots and coats (Nana if you are reading, everyone told me how cute the coats were).

The girls did really well until the juice from snack time and the cold wind got to Grace and she peed her pants. We then ran home, changed clothes and went back up to school. 

The girls class getting ready to go into the pumpkin patch

Waiting for a snack

Getting ready for the pumpkin relay race

The girls class with their teacher. Love how Gracie and Lizzie are the "bookends" and posing.

My little scarecrows (this is right before Gracie peed her paints)

Friday, October 7, 2011

Fire Station

Today, the girls and I met up with our twin group to tour the fire station. We had a great time and all the firemen were really nice. Our tour guide was Fireman Brian, who luckily has a 3 year old and knows their attention span. They really scaled the tour for a bunch of 3 and 4 year olds. We saw the kitchen, where they slept, where they watched TV and the trucks. The first truck he showed us was the ambulance. Both girls must remember their scary ride when Gracie had her seizure because they both were scared and freaked a little. 

Next, we moved on to the big trucks and they let the kids look in and walk around it. After all the kids went through, Brian put on all his gear to show the kids that firemen are not scary. He was really sweet with all the kids. He is also one of the first people to get Lizzie and Gracie's names right immediately.

Hugs in the fire station
Lots of twins at the fire station

Fireman Brian letting the girls hold a hose

Ready to go out and fight some fires!

We had a really fun time and will have to go back next year!

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Getting Our Nails Done

The girls have been asking to have their nails painted ever since they saw their cousin, Sydney, paint hers. Finally, I got the courage to paint theirs for them. I make them put their feet on wax paper and splay their fingers out while they let their nails dry. They love it!

When they have their nails painted, they hold everything so dainty. Its so funny!

Waiting for their nails to dry

Watching TV and looking around me while I take their picture.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

September 2010 vs September 2011

 I was looking through my cell phone pictures and was completely surprised by how much these little cuties have grow and change! Wow!
The girls on their "stage", a couple of step stools

Gracie with her pout

Lizzie's pout face
Cheesy faces. I love how Gracie is looking at Lizzie. Sister love!




Gracie September 2010
Lizzie in September 2010

The girls in September 2010, 2 years 3 months

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Whew, I'm Tired!

It has been a busy week and a half! We started out a week ago preparing for Grandma and Papa to come for a visit. Monday they arrived and that night Wes caught a flight to Las Vegas to stay for 8 days. On Tuesday, I caught a flight to Las Vegas to have a mini vacation and stayed until Thursday. It was nice to get away but I missed the girls a lot. I spent the days by myself and the evenings with Wes. I shopped, play $1 in the slots and lost, walked A TON and shopped some more! It was nice to have the time to myself and do whatever I wanted. 
While I was away, the girls were having a blast with Grandma and Papa. I think they hardly missed us. Not only were my parents taking care of the girls, but also converting my dining room into a play room. My mom decided our toys had gotten out of hand and she and my dad worked really hard to organize them!
I arrived back home on Thursday. Then Friday started my final weekend for my yoga training. Friday was the written test, Saturday was my practice teaching and Sunday was the graduation party. I passed everything and have just a couple of things to finish up and then I'll be certified to teach! Yay for me!
My wonderful parents with Lizzie and Gracie
So for about a week, I was running non-stop! I'm ready for a break!

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Fun Lunch and a New Experience

Today was a great day for the Potters. The girls woke us up this morning around 7:00. Unfortunately, they have learned how to open doors which means they get to get us up instead of the other way around. Wes made breakfast while I worked a couple of hours.

After I was done working and we got cleaned up, we met one of my best friends, Candace, for lunch. She moved about 2 years ago to Waco. So, I don't get to see her very often. We have been friends since 2001 when both of us moved here. We had so much fun at lunch catching up. The girls at first were shy and then the both crawled into her lap and ate her crackers.

Candace and the girls

After lunch, we split up. I had my yoga training and Wes took the girls to a birthday party. This is the next to last weekend for my yoga training. Anyway, after my yoga training we had dinner with my yoga friends as the girls called them. And then attended our first Kirtan. A Kirtan is a sort of a "yoga concert". Its chanting with instruments.  We went to Om on The Mat in Grapevine. It was a lovely place and the people were so friendly. We were greeted by the sweetest little boy. He told us all about where to put our shoes and where to sit. As we were waiting for the Kirtan to start, an elderly man and young women walked in. He needed help walking in and everyone was trying to offer a chair, but before we knew it he was sitting cross legged on the floor. Turns out he was 96 and probably been practicing yoga for much of his life!

The girls were so great through the entire thing and they loved it! We stayed for about an hour and a half. Everyone was so sweet about the girls, one man let them play his drum. The girls danced and played! At one point Gracie was sitting in a friends lap and the lady leading the Kirtan made a comment because she had a note book and sun glasses on at night. Gracie being the diva started blowing kisses to her "audience".  We left before it was over and were putting on our shoes, a women came up to us and told us how good the girls were. First time for everything!

As we were driving home, Lizzie said "momma I had fun with your yoga friends, we sang and danced!". Yes Lizzie, we all had fun!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

First Day of Preschool

Today the girls started Preschool. Last night, Wes and I were frantically getting their stuff all together to take this morning. Wes went into work late so he could help get them ready and to school. They were both really excited but nervous too. When I told them that mommy and daddy were not staying Gracie said her tummy hurt and she couldn't go. After that, she was a little obstinate about getting ready and out the door. They both decided to ride in daddy's car, so they helped him put their backpacks in the car.

 Gracie not wanting to get her picture taken

 Lizzie helping daddy put her backpack in the car

 Wes with the girls.

Gracie wanted daddy so the girls were not as cooperative for the picture with mommy.

 Love this shot of them with daddy walking in to school.

 Lizzie walked right over and started playing with play doh.

Gracie required a little more coaxing so Ms Ashley their teacher sat with her. Wes and I were trying to sneak out and the little stinker ran after us. Wes walked her back and she stayed.

When I went to pick them up, they were so happy. They had a blast. Lizzie was happy because she got to paint AND play on the playground. "School Gracie" has decided to play shy.Which I find funny, because this kid has never been shy. We got home and I put them in bed and they were asleep in no time! They are ready to go back Thursday!