Gymnastics

August just started a gymnastics class and she LOVES it. Here are a few pictures from the first day. I couldn't take many because we were up in the balcony and Jude thought a fun game would be to throw his toys down on to the floor below. :) Also, she is really cute in her little leotard!

Dinner Blessing

Every night we ask is anyone would like to say the blessing before dinner. Usually, Les or I have something we want to say. For a while August also wants to say something and she always wants to go first. Her blessing is always the same:

"I love Jude".

Going For A Hike

I was thinking Monday night that an outdoor activity would be nice in the morning and then we could be home in the afternoon to do school work. When I woke up after an ALL NIGHT nurse- a-thon with Jude, I knew we needed to get out of the house. We all get along better outdoors when we are running short on sleep. So I packed up my little ones and we were off. It felt so good to be walking up the hills (even if they weren't that big). I love to see Skyla push Jude. She is so determined and her little body is stronger than it looks. We played a little near the creek and Jude LOVED playing in the dirt. Luckily he only ate a little...so gross!

Mimi Visits

Last week Les's mom came to visit for a few days. We all had a great time. Les and I were even able to sneak away for a date night. We had a nice dinner at R. Thomas complete with a big fat piece of vegan chocolate cake. Thanks for visiting Val. The girls always look forward to their time with you and Les and I enjoyed our "splashes" of wine and conversations with you too!

I'm So Proud To Dress My Self

The Nature Center

We went to the Nature Center on Monday with three other home schooling families. It felt so good to see the kids running around outside and holding hands with friends. We saw turtles in the water, butterflies and learned more about the beaver from one of the volunteers. They were seeing, touching and breathing nature and learning while having fun! They even took out their sketch books and began drawing butterflies on the way home with out any suggestions from me. We need more days like these!

Interviews

I have been thinking about interviewing the girls from time to time just to see how their answers change. I knew I had to ask them questions separately otherwise August would just repeat Skyla's answers. Today August and I went on a solo date. We had a nice lunch together and then went to the square to play on the train. I asked her the questions during lunch and Skyla when I got home. Here is what they had to say:

Mama: What is your favorite color?
Skyla: pink, purple and blue
August: pink

Mama: What is your favorite food?
Skyla: dessert
August: carrots and pancakes

Mama: Tell me something that makes you feel happy.
Skyla: love and my family and that you are a really special mama so sometimes you let me have a sugar cookie and stuff
August: I don't like it when Jude licks me. I only like pink lollipops.

Mama: Tell me something that makes you feel scared.
Skyla: The green eyed monster (reference to a Bernstein Bears book)
August: I don't like dinosaurs

Mama: What do you want to be/do when you grow up?
Skyla: Be a mama and have kids and I want to be a dancer and be in the Nutcracker and a bunch of recitals.
August: a teenager

Mama: Tell me something about your family.
Skyla: I like that they do things for me and that they love me.
August: I like when Jude laughs.

Mama: Tell me something that you think is fun to do.
Skyla: Go to the fair, eat ice cream. I have lots more things so I can't say it all- a bunch.
August: gymnastics

A Box From GG

The girls have a new found love (inspired by Eryn) of clip on earrings. During GG's visit she mentioned to Skyla that she would see if she had any to send to the girls when she got back home. Of course, Skyla reminded GG of this frequently during the rest of her visit. Skyla really likes to reassure her requests by telling you again and again and again what she needs/wants. They were SO excited when the box arrived. The anticipation of opening it and seeing its contents was so fun for them. The jewelry of course was a huge hit... THANK YOU GG, they love everything!

Cousins

Here are a few recent pictures of the cousins. I LOVE that my kids get to grow up with my sister's kids.

A Lesson from August

After breakfast one morning I was about to take a shower and August came running after me.

"Mama, before you get in the shower can I give you a hug? Because you are so comfy."

It is easy to forget how nice a hug feels.