When they use your words

I experienced a very surreal moment the other day.  It was when Claire used my words to defend her position and give backing to her argument.  Just to give you a little background on Claire.  She is very confident, very inquisitive.  She wants things explained to her, and she would like supporting evidence to back up any position that Mommy or Daddy take.  

As we were walking out the door to go to the playground, I look back and see Claire with 6 toys in her arms: a doll, baby bottle, stethoscope, marker, etc.  She looked like she could have been working at a doll hospital.  Anyways, I quickly stopped her and told her how we can't take toys to the playground because they might get broken, lost, drooled on by some sick kid (didn't say that but was thinking that).

She looked up at me, very matter of factly, and said "Mommy, you need to worry about yourself.  You shouldn't worry about what toys kids want to take with them.  You need to worry about yourself." 

Wow, I didn't know what to say.  She and her sister are in that stage where they are always telling me about what other kids are doing wrong, and if they aren't sharing.  I always tell them they need to worry about themselves and not worry about other children (unless they are doing something dangerous).  I guess Claire thought this line applied to Mommy too.  All I can say is that she is following in her Daddy's footsteps.  She may be the next Sandra Day O'Connor.

Spring for a second

We have been playing indoors since it has been so rainy.  The girls are looking less like babies and more like this:

Even though they are growing and maturing, sometimes I still feel like this:

With maturity, comes exploring, questioning, questioning authority, and distinct preferences. They don't quite go with the flow anymore.  I just have to revise my current tactics and get a new game plan.  Isn't that what parenting is?  Constantly changing your game plan, what worked last week may not work today.  What they couldn't physically do yesterday, they somehow accomplished that today.  I remember thinking that when they could reach the door knobs; that had to be a milestone and my life would never be the same after that milestone. 

Anyways, we did have our first warm and sunny day and what's the best way to enjoy it.  My girls quickly begged for the sprinkler.

One of my favorite childhood songs

and it fits perfectly with the news that the girls want to share.....

# 3 (yes, only one) due to arrive this Fall.

Here are the lyrics to the song in case you can't understand Claire:

Oh, the Lord's been good to me and so I thank the Lord.  For giving me the things I need; the sun, and the rain, and the apple seed.  Oh, the Lord's been good to me.

- From one of my favorite Disney movie shorts, Johnny Appleseed.  Anyone remember when the Disney channel used to play cartoons from our parents' day and the original Mickey Mouse Club show?

I also have the cutest song from Natalie but when I went to look for recent pictures, I have about 2.  My average is about 100/week.  This pregnancy has made me so tired that I don't even want to get out the camera.  I'm sure the girls are happy about that :)  So, I will be sure to get some pics soon.  It's about to be azalea bloom time, so I'm sure I'll make up my deficit very easily.

I'm Dreaming of a Pink Christmas....

Santa couldn't help it.  He granted the girls' wishes, and most of their requests just happened to be pink.  Despite having coughs, runny noses, and fever, we had a wonderful Christmas.  It was extra special because we got to spend it with Poppa, Sugar, and Jen Jen. 

Here's our birthday cake for Baby Jesus with the "squirrly" (curly) candles!

Gotcha!

Yes, I caught ya Claire!  She thought she was in a good hiding place :)  She and Natalie went over to our wonderful twin friends' house and made these gingerbread houses.  You can read all about that fun playdate at our friends' blog, Seeing Double.  Their mom is like a real life Martha Stewart.

The Simple Things Create the Biggest Smiles

Santa Claus is coming to town....