Potty Trained!!

We can officially say Lola is potty trained! She is 2 years and 2 months. It is almost the exact time Lucy was potty trained. We are so proud of her because really it has been all her! She was the one that said she was ready and really every morning says "panties please". She has been wearing panties for about 2 weeks and the accidents are few and far between. We have been able to get out and about, shop, go out to eat and this week she has gone to school with panties! 2 down 1 to go!

Sneaky Ice Cream

So apparently we have the craziest ice cream ever. I went to put Hank to sleep and the girls were finishing their dinner. I hear squeals down stairs "Mom come quick". Then I hear Lucy say to Lola "This is going to be funny". Well here is the story in the girls words: "Mom this ice cream just jumped out of the fridge and onto the counter and asked us to eat it, can you believe it?"

Hard to believe but if that ice cream did all that work we might as well try some. The more creative you are the more you get away with I guess!

The girls visit the dentist!

The girls had a visit to the dentist today and did fantastic! I was excited for them because our dentist is so awesome I thought they would have fun! The hygentist they clearned thier teeth with cookie dough paste was so good to them and when they were finished neither of them wanted out of the chair. They were so brave and as Lucy said opened" as wide as an alligator". Dr. E is amazing!! It was a great experience all the way around!

Papa Newt has arrived and we are busy!

My dad came this past week and we had such a big visit with him. I am so bummed out though because we spent an entire day in San Antonio at the children's museum which is the greatest place to take kids and my disk in my card broke so I only have pictures from my phone of his visit - boo.

Anyway - we did so much. He arrived on Thursday and the girls and I picked him up on the way home from Mother's Day out - we played with him the rest of the night until all 3 kids and my dad fell asleep. Friday my dad and I drove with the kids to San Antonio and played at the kids museum the entire day. The best part - the grocery store which I think the girls played in for about 3 hours total. They loved it. Hank's favorite part was the mirrored room. He loved seeing himself and practiced getting up on all 4's to crawl - it was the perfect space for this. He was total worn out!! We visited the H&G show on Saturday and went to church, Adam & my dad golfed on Sunday, Monday I had a dr app and my dad made the kids their own shopping store with all of our recycled things - they LOVE IT!!! I do too - it is easy clean up and they shop the entire time I prepare dinner!!! WE have it in little cabinets, they make lists and go after it! While I was gone my dad also painted the girls nails - what a treat for a grandpa to do that. HE stayed home with all 3 kids and did great!!! Tuesday was Sesame Street Live - which was the highlight!

He is the best guest - so easy and go with the flow - helpful and awesome with the kids. I love you Dad I am so lucky to have you in my life and for our kids to have you as a Papa Newt (toot). Thank you for taking time to come spoil all of us! There is no one like you - a true one of a kind!

Sesame Street Live! - Lola was yelling and really loving singing out loud!

Lucy studied the entire show - just like last year. She would pick out specific parts and ask questions. She was great at following the story line. She had a blast!

Mr. Hank - was so chill the entire show and then conked out! He was easy and great at his first live show!

Lola and her "coo glasses"

Lola shopping in SA - "just one more thing" - we heard that several times.

Lucy (pregnant Lucy if you look close) shopping at the store Papa Newt made

Papa Newt and Hank Snuggling!

A little paint project!! Always turns into this - but that is what most of the fun is about!

Happy Valentines Day!

Valentines Day was great! Celebrated with the kids all day, my girlfriends at lunch and Adam at dinner! So in love with my 4 valentines!!!

Date Day with the Milams

This Saturday we spent the entire day with the Milams. It was so much fun! Brooke and I had originally chatted about driving with everyone to San Antonio but the boys (Adam) decided staying in Corpus could be just as much fun. We found some really fun things to do and the kids had a total blast! We went to the Texas State Aquarium, a visit to the Portland Art Center for pottery painting and then cooking hamburgers at our house. The kids loved every minute with Connor and Allie and wore themselves out. The art center was a highlight at the kids really spent more time than ever working on their project. Lucy made a cupcake, Lola a monkey, Connor an airplane and a cupcake. Allie and Hank watched on and Hank gave us his feet for a coffee mug we made. Our time with the Milams is getting so limited as they are soon move to Houston. I know we will still see them often but there is nothing like a last minute day like this together! We love you guys!

It was Lola's turn to hang next to Connor.

Connor and Michael checking out a snake.

Focused on his art.

Lola spent so much time painting her monkey purple, I think it was the only color she used.

Lucy painted a cupcake too.

Connor decided to paint his face.

Secret & Magical Closet

I have said many times over how lucky we are to have June and Skip as our neighbors BUT OMG - They are UNREAL! In Adam and my room we have a little storage closet. One day I was telling June that of all the toys the kids always want to play in the tiny closet and I should just paint it. Well, that is all it took for her to get super involved and help me transform this tiny dull closet into a kids play heaven! She had such a vision of what she wanted it to look like and made each room special. Skip was totally in on it too - measuring, building and even getting people at his office involved to help. Now if that is not love...I don't know what is. It was also really fun because for about 2 weeks June would come over and as she put it "hide" in our closet. Somedays the kids wouldn't even know she was there - talk about TRUE LOVE! We love you so much June and Skip thank you so much!!!!!

The curtains - the girls hand prints and Hanks feet. June painted the scene - UNREAL!

After a long day of working in the closet Skip and Hank feel asleep in our room. How many people can say their neighbor fell asleep in their room with their baby - ha thats still funny to me.

Skip and June deciding what to do with the chalkboard he built

June and our babysitter Annika and I painting in the closet while the kids were napping - it was so much fun!

The first time Lucy saw it - SHE WAS PUMPED!

Lola loved that we moved their couch in the room.

Well deserved HUG!

After all her work she still had to beg Lola for a hug.

FINALLY!

A few more final touches!

Now the girls got to help!

Lucy's All About Me Box

Lucy was chosen this week to take home the "All About Me Box". She was allowed to put 5 things in the box that best described her and her interest. Adam and I were excited to let her pick what she wanted. We talked to her about different ideas but she had it very set in her mind what she wanted. Here is what was in her box:

1) Roller Skates - a special gift from Santa

2) My polka dot high heels which now she claims are hers that I can just borrow.

3) Her dance outfit for Tippi Toes - her choice but I was excited!

4) Her flower headband which she wear ALL THE TIME. My sister Jennie gave it to her and she is obsessed with it.

5) Mio - that's right it is flavor enhancer for water....LUCY IS OBSESSED with it! She wanted to let her friends try it at school

We are so thankful for Lucy, her interests and her sweet imagination! Lately she doesn't go by Lucy she answers to Madison - she is making progress. Her first name was Afa, then Kayla and now Madison.

Also, Lucy and Lola have new imaginary friends - Jeff and Robert for Lucy and Pink Robert for Lola. They keep us so entertained and we love them so much!

Grammie comes to visit!

It is always such a joy to have my mom come visit us. I was really bad getting my camera out but I was able to snap some pictures of our activity. We worked on our valentine's, baked cupcakes (a tradition with my mom), went to the park, did some serious decorating, and pinterest in the evening once the kids went to bed. My mom is so great with the kids and they just love Grammie to piece. She rolls with our craziness and every time she leaves my house is cuter and our laundry is always done! Thank you Mom for another great visit. The time is never long enough but always always cherished! Excited to see dad in a few weeks! Can he handle all that you did?

Tennis Anyone?

Aren't these adorable? My parents got the girls tennis dresses - now I get to teach them how to play!

Valentine's!

We worked on serious art projects!

Hank loves chilling out with Grammie!

That's right - Lola in panties! Another post later!

Tea party curtesy of Lucy! It was very fancy!

Cheers!

Hank and Grammie are big buddies!

Lola Potty Training - HERSELF!!!!

Lola has told us IT IS TIME...to potty train her. She was the one that said "mom I don't need a diaper no more". I have to say I have taken my time a little bit because it is such a major task but as long as I have her "tiny potty" she is golden. Pee and Poop in the potty!! Not to say we have had accidents because we have but she loves her panties! She still is wearing a diaper out and about but getting closer and closer. Lola you are the best and we are so proud of you and love you SO MUCH!!!!