Sometimes they look so much alike. Sometimes they totally don't.
Clairey- five months

Hallie- five months

play time

the picnic on her swing
driving to Costco

Claire has had it with sitting
dress-up

October is here!

Sunny September Days

Remember our snowy weather last week? Well, we have been cruising in the low 80s the last couple days. That is totally Colorado weather for you. Even though the warmth isn't quite your typical fall weather, I love it because it means Hallie and Claire can play outside for the meantime. Today Hallie was in love with picking dandelions. I remember loving that at her age. I can remember when my brother Daniel was born when I was three. I am dumbfounded that Hallie is already at an age where she could feasibly remember things like this for the rest of her life.

These will be precious memories though, won't they?

blurry but oh so cute!

These pictures make me want to keep these girls this way forever. Nevermind growing up. Stay little please.

exciting changes last week

We have had lots of exciting things happen this week.

We had our first snowflakes on Hallie's birthday! It looked beautiful and Hallie said "It's snowing for my birthday!" We put on her hat, scarf, coat, and mittens and let her run around in the little flurries. When she came inside, she made "snow angels" on the kitchen floor. I asked her what she was doing and she said "skating." Okay.

We got a swing set! Our kindly neighbors offered us theirs-- for FREE. It is heavenly. I open the windows and let her play in the back while I clean in the kitchen. It has a regular swing, a double swing, and an infant bucket swing. It also features a slide. I can push both girls at the same time. Hallie played in the backyard before, but with nothing but grass her time outside was limited. But now, our new toys lend her endless play. I love to watch her run around. But my favorite part is when she sits and daydreams. I can remember doing that in my backyard so vividly. It was during those times that I imagined what I would be when I grew up and what it would be like to be a mother.

Hallie got a new car. Our same "swing set" nieghbors gave us a little plastic Cozy Coupe. Hallie loves it when Daddy or Mommy push her around. She also loves to load up her princesses in the back and take them for rides. My favorite part of the car is when she takes imaginary trips to the grocery store to run errands for me. She gets me pretend milk, eggs, and bread several times a day. This morning I asked her where she was going and she said she was going to Costco to get me some cheese. It is so sweet it grabs at my heart.

Claire and Hallie have truly become friends. Twice recently Claire has been crying in the back seat and Hallie talks to her and her tears transform into giggles and squeals. Hallie also loves to pick out a blanket and tuck herself and Claire into it. Claire looks at Hallie with so much wonder. It is remarkable. When we found out we were having another girl our friends Luke and Ashley told us how precious it is to watch your children together as friends. We love it. I know as they grow there will be hair pulling, whining, and slugging. But I also know there will be slumber parties, hugs, and inside jokes.

Bad Day/Good Day

Bad Day (two days ago)

• I found out I made a HUGE mistake at work a couple months ago and it came back to haunt me.
• After months of no accidents, Hallie had two (both kinds if you must know) in one day
• Claire was exceptionally fussy.
• I got a crying headache. I hate those.

Good Day (today)

• I took the kids to the store and they were sweet, well-behaved children with only one minor meltdown (Hallie-style).
• We went to the park-- before I went, I gave Hallie a pep talk about how when I said it was time to go, she needed to be nice to me and not scream and run away. When the time came, she was great and followed me to the car. She waited patiently as I buckled in Claire. But when it was her turn to get in the car, she changed her mind and started running to the playground. I reminded her to "make a good choice." And she did! She stopped and thought about it and turned to run to me. Then she stopped and turned to run to the slide but at the last minute stopped again. Then, she turned around smiling and ran into my arms! I was so excited because she is great when we go places but miserable sometimes when we leave.
• Hallie went to the restroom at the restaurant and the store-- no problems.
• It was sunny and bright and the kids played on the swing set for an hour. Claire just hung out in the bucket swing and Hallie went down the slide at least thirty times. After each time she would yell "I did it!" and then come hug and kiss me. Hallie even had a little picnic on the double swing. She sat on one side and set her sandwich, chips, juice, and Oreos on the other side. It was cute and peaceful.
• Hallie called a bee a "bum-bum bee." It cracked me up.
• Chris brought me home some mums and a pumpkin yesterday. He knows I am a fall junkie.
• And my final reason that today is a good day is . . . It's Friday! I get to be with my husband for two whole days. Oh, and neither of us have to work. Yay.

Hallie in her birthday glory!

Here are some pictoral highlights in totally random order . . .



licking the frosting beaters!

Snow Whites and pudding!

this is my go-to princess hairstyle

playing with new toys in a new birthday outfit

birthday cake waffles (cake for breakfast once a year never killed anyone)

licking the spoon and bowl after we made pudding