Clouds bumping into each other

We have had some pretty wild storms the past few nights and Ana has been terrified of the thunder.  Since she is in a big girl bed she now comes into our room when she is scared.  The first night she came in I went and laid in her bed for a few minutes and explained to her that the loud noise of thunder was when those big rain clouds all full of rain bumped into each other and made a loud noise. 
She started giggling at that and told me those are just silly rain clouds and they are not scary at all!
She has still been scared and come in but I go put her back to bed and talk to her about those silly rain clouds and she gets to giggling and goes back to sleep.  Emily got scared this morning and so Ana had to enlighten her as to the source of the sound.  So darling.
They got into bed with each other instead of with me! 
Too bad it was time to get up and get ready for church!  waking up at 4am and not getting back to sleep is rough!

Crib Shenanigans

The girls have figured out how to jump over the edge of the crib and get in.  Also they love to "plank" on the top of their crib as well as make bridges.  I guess it is time to ask Granny and Poppie to bring the big girl beds...

Cold Cereal

I have waited for this moment for quite some time; not in anticipation, but in wanting to have the girls be prepared!  I hate messes and have been working on them eating with a spoon on other things.  Like Trader Joe's yogurt which is made with cream and doesn't fall off when the spoon accidentally turns upside down while navigating to the mouth!
This morning I decided that it was time for the girls to be able to eat cold cereal with milk out of a bowl. 
They did awesome! They kept asking for more and more!  WooHoo!!!
They are growing up so fast and push to know more and more things.  As well as pushing hard for independence. 
I have always tried to let them do things for themselves like eat a whole apple off the core, peal their own orange and eat it.  Peal their own banana, ect. 
I feel like I have been unprepared for motherhood at every step of the way (come on ladies who is with me!)
Yet, I just try to keep up.  They have such joy in being able to accomplish anything by themselves pretty soon they will be driving and going off to college.
I can wait for those days.  I want to take time to treasure these moments where they are learning and growing at every single moment.
Many mothers cherished the infant moments where their baby only snuggled and cried.  When they didn't whine, throw colossal temper tantrums or spill dozens of cups of milk each week.
I am a little different. 
I couldn't wait for my children to be able to do these things.
I like to be able to interact verbally with my kids.  I like to be able to see them grasp new knowledge and run with it.  I have fun everyday with them at this age.
One thing I miss about them being a bit younger... NAPS.  Oh how I miss them sleeping peaceful and quiet during the day so I can also have just a bit of quiet solitude!
I have been persistent in putting them down for quiet time at least.  But I think the naps are things of the past.  

Arbor Hills Nature Preserve

We have found a great little spot in the middle of the city!  The girls and I go there often and whenever Ben can he comes too.  We have tons of fun going on little hikes and exploring new things in nature!

Dirty?

I have girls who love to play outside in the mud and dirt.  So this is a common occurrence at our house.  I am glad they like the outdoors, The dirt throwing I could deal with a little less of, but I suppose it is a small price to pay!

Random Photo Bomb

The girls got new magnetic dress up dolls..

My beautiful little patcher

Start em young

They thought this hydrant was pretty cool

My very first attempt at homemade biscuits and gravy!

Bass Pro Shop

The girls loved it!

fun stuff

Trying to both fit in a box way to small!

All this fresh air and outside time to enjoy!  What are they doing?   Sorting out the rocks they found!
Who doesn't love a good rock collection!

Love to sit together

Watching a felt story at the Library.  Sitting so close together they are about sitting on each other!
They love to sit right next to each other.
Lately it does often end in punching and hitting BUT...They still love each other!

Post Bath Antics

These girls are so funny in their towels

Rain Boots

From Granny!
These are still a bit too big, but the girls love putting them on and stomping though the house!

Feather Pillow mishaps

Wow.  what a mess!!

Oh well.  I was a little sad because this was the feather pillow I had as a child.  But I guess there isn't much that can last forever!

"You're a Toy"

We were playing at a park and a little boy was playing with the girls.  One of the times he came over the girls were in a toy school bus and he looked at Emily and said loudly.  "you're a Toy".  Emily was facing away from me at the time and I didnt think anything of it.  But a few moments later Emily turned around to look at me and her eyes were full of big crocodile tears and she walked over and quietly said "Momma, I'm not a toy." (sniff sniff).  It broke my heart that my little girl was so hurt by just words.  (and not really mean ones at that)  Ana then got involved and said Ya mom, Emily is a girl.  That boy was being mean"

It was quite random and the only thing I can think of was that he overheard his mom and her friend talking about the girls and maybe they mentioned they looked like little dolls or the like.

Anyway, fast forward to a few minutes later and the boy comes up to play with them again. Ana plants herself in front of Emily and points her finger at the little boy and said in a very firm pretty loud voice "You are a mean boy, and you made my sister cry.  Go away"

lol! Oh.My.Heak.
Anyway at least I know that my little soft hearted girl has a pitbull on her side.
I love having twins!

They love this swing

Here is Ana shielding Emily from the "mean boy"

Reading

Dad reading to his girls.  I am so thrilled that these girls love to read and I hope it continues way past when I read books to them.

Hair Do's

Pops house

Pops house is always an adventure!  They found an old tricycle and had a great time!

Visiting Friends

We have some friends who live a little over an hour away and when we visit we usually end up staying the whole day.  Here are some funny pictures of the girls while we were there!
They also picked up some dog poop and played with it...Ah the things kids do while at other peoples houses!

They had a hole in the fence and so Emily had to check it out!  There was a big dog on the other side and she loved that (this girl loves animals!)  

Lounging in the gaming chair

Firetruck

When we went to the grocery store today there happened to be a firetruck in the parking lot.  The girls wanted to go and see it.
The firefighters inside had them climb in and gave them firebadges!  They thought it was soooo cool.

Such as it is

Springtime then Winter.

Beautiful Daffodils

Then freezing rain hit... so sad.