The Solar System and the questions

We have been really encouraging the girls to learn about the solar system.  Actually, "We" really means David.  He's the science guy; I just go along with it and nod and agree so the girls actually think Mommy is right up there with Daddy in the knowledge department.  Anyways, we started off with making paper mache Earths.  Three strips into it, Natalie hates the glue on her hands.   Claire lasts 2/3 of the way.  I remember paper mache being way more fun when I was a kid.

Moving on...David got this really cool app for his ipad that is like Google Earth but for the solar system.  The girls have been loving it.   So naturally, all of this talk about space, rockets, and planets have planted little seeds of curiosity.

Here are the latest questions that made me smile...

After getting a mosquito bite, Natalie asks, "Awww Mommy,  Why can't mosquitoes live in outer space?  Can we make them blastoff to space and leave us alone?  I want them in outer space not Earth, where they eat me."  Natalie, I couldn't agree with you more.  I love your insight and creative solution.

Claire asked me out of the blue, "Mommy, why are we on Earth and not another planet?"  I told her, "because God searched all of the planets and found one that was perfect for us.   It was not too hot and not too cold; it was perfect."  Later I hear her touching her water in her cup and say, "Ooh, it's not too hot, and not too cold.  This water is perfect."   That Claire.  She is always sponging up what adults say and loves to use the new phrases/terms, and she almost always uses them in the right context.

Mudpies

This is what I loved about my childhood....

Texas Bluebonnets

We attempted our annual Texas bluebonnet pics. This year was very difficult. Patrick came with me, and we quickly realized 3 year olds at 5 pm without a nap were not going to smile for the camera. Wait, they didn't even acknowledge the camera. So I have some pictures that captured their real moods.

Oh, and a tip for those that have DSLR's. Put your aperature on 10-13 (that's what I read post photo attempts) if you want the bluebonnets to really pop. I had mine really open at 2.8 and the flowers are very blurry. I'm used to always wanting blurry background (bokeh), but it just looks bad with flowers, in my opinion. A re-do is definitely on my mind.

I love this pictures of Natalie. I can remember feeling like this when I was a kid during pictures.

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!