Random Bits of Summer

At long last, I was able to get the pictures off of my phone...they're not amazing or anything, but they help me remember what we've been up to this summer.  It has been a wonderful and relaxing summer....I took the whole first month to just 'veg out' and relax.

Now, this week, I've started my big projects that I've been putting off and have tried to continue my commitment to exercise.....but, yesterday, it all came tumbling down.  My back had a terrible pain that was so bad, I had to call your Daddy home from work.  I do pray that you both find a mate like your Daddy.  He has taken such great care of me, especially yesterday!  So, our house is in disarray....I'm in the middle of a huge 'cleaning out' and am getting ready for a yard sale, but the wheels are turning much slower now.

Some of the cute things y'all are saying these days:

• Macy, when I walk into y'alls bedroom to settle you down during nap time, you sound so funny saying, "Hey Baby" and "Hey Darling"...it reminds me of what it must be like to be a super attractive lady walking into a bar....with you draped over the side of your crib...pacifier just barely hanging in your mouth....oh you are soooo cute!
• Molly, you like to kiss on the cheek....sometimes when I go to kiss you, you say, "Cheek, cheek" and you want me to turn my head from side to side....kind of European...  :)
• The cutest thing going right now is when Macy says, "Oh my goodness" in a voice that is so cute!!

Here's some random cell phone pictures:

This goes back to the beginning of the summer when we went to have lunch and explore at Old McCaskill's Farm near Camden.  It is a magical place!

Here's Auntie Tajia helping Macy swing.

The new baby chicks were fascinating, to say the least!

Brave Bethany holding a chick, with Macy looking on.

Chickens!!

More chickens!

This picture cracks me up!  I love the way Molly and the pig are looking at each other.

Mrs. Holmberg and Molly looking at the chickens!

LUNCH!!!  Y'all kept Mommy hopping during this delicious lunch...baked spaghetti...
you both loved it....but you just can't sit still!

Goats....y'all are experts in goat feeding, thanks to Grandaddy.

This is at the Clemson Extension property in NE Columbia...
Y'all love to go in and out of Old McDonald's farmhouse!

Molly definitely loves to stop and smell the flowers.
I love that.

Precious!

This is at a Pet Store that is nearby....this time, I let y'all walk in...instead of having you in a stroller....
it was...interesting .... and fun!

This was a fun spot....you were able to stand on the chairs and
watch the grooming!  Love it!

2 Year Old - Doctor Visit

Recently, we went to see Dr. DuBose for your 2 year appointment....he is such a nice man.  We were dreading the shot part of things....but thankfully, that was quick and over speedily.

Here's your "vitals" -

Macy
Height - 35 inches   (up from 33.5 inches @ 18 months)
Weight - 26.7 pounds   (up from 23.3 pounds)
BMI - 15.3  (this is the first time they've charted that measurement)

Molly
Height - 35 inches (up from 34.5 inches @ 18 months)
Weight - 25.9 pounds   (up from 22.2 pounds)
BMI - 14.9  (this is the first time they've charted that measurement)

...and they've stopped measuring your head circumference.....you're growing up!

Mommy, "The Interpreter"

Lately, your Daddy has said several times that he is glad that I know what y'all are saying because lots of times, he doesn't.  I told him that it thrills me to be the one who knows what your sounds and attempts at words and phrases mean.  The look on your faces when I repeat back to you what you're trying to say is such a reward.  You either smile and nod, or you say it again with a "yes, that's what I meant" tone to your voice.


You have a book about Elmo's Birthday Party that has provided lots of fun for you and for me......for one thing, Macy, you've started saying, "Happy to you", meaning "Happy Birthday to You"....you started saying that after we went to our little friend, Faith's, birthday party.  If I start singing the song, y'all will string sounds together, kind of singing with me, and that is a wonderful feeling.  Macy, you will say, "Happy TO you, Happy to YOU..." with the emphasis in different places and in such a light, sweet sound....I can't get enough!  There's a page in the book where Elmo gets a box with a sheep in it as a gift....the sheep is happy...has big eyes....and everybody around is happy.  But for some mysterious reason, I can't figure out why you both say, "Kye, Kye" (cry, cry) when you see the picture of the lamb...without fail.  And every time, I say, "No, the sheep is happy."  Molly, you will desperately search for this book in our big ol' pile of books...and then bring it to me and say, "Happy".

So, in honor of the 108 degree heat, and your fascination with "Happy Birthday", I bought y'all some fun looking ice cream last night.  It was cotton candy flavor with sprinkles on top (this is a big, big treat - y'all rarely get stuff like this). Macy, when you saw it, you said, "Happy Cake".....which I think meant 'birthday cake'.  And, for probably several reasons, you both kept saying, "happy" as you were eating it.



So far, our summer has been filled with lazy days, visits to friends and family....watching episodes of "Yo Gabba Gabba", Mommy rotating toys in and out trying to keep things fresh, playing at the water table in the back yard, going to the Children's Garden Park, and now recently, staying inside - with the blinds closed trying to keep our house cool in the record breaking temperatures.

Good Golly Ms. Molly!

The other day, I noticed, for the first time, Molly was pretending!  Macy did something recently, too, that Charles said was like pretending...and this time it was me who caught a glimpse of that.....Molly was trying to feed a little plastic horse....as she was 'feeding him', she was saying, "Nummy nummy."  Love that moment!

Today, she stopped me in my tracks.  I was stunned.  Almost like I was watching her solve an algebraic equation in her little two year old body.  Here's what happened - Macy, alllll day long, had been challenging me, and thinking it was HILARIOUS.  So, when I sat down on the floor to change their diapers, she went running.    I used my stern voice and called her several times....she went behind the recliner, giggling.  Molly walked over to her....got behind her....and started pushing her towards me....very 'directionally' and several times said, "Mommy" as if to say, "Go to Mommy".  I was stunned.  Molly "guided" her all the way to me.  (Macy thought that was funny, too.)  I sat there in disbelief and elation and sadness.....elation that my Molly was smart enough to think to do that, and sadness that Molly was so tired of hearing me fuss at Macy, that she decided to take matters in to her own hands.

These girls are such a huge blessing in my life.  I love them beyond description.

We are having a very simple summer....and it is wonderful.  I'm just enjoying my lazy days....saving all my "gotta get done" projects for July.  The girls are loving the water table that their Aunt Ginger gave them last summer.  Mommy actually has energy to do things....and to give baths....and it is wonderful!  Last night,  the girls played while Charles grilled our supper.  I felt like we were on Leave it to Beaver.  It was so idyllic.

Molly - playing with magnets

....realizing that they stick together!

Macy - playing with magnets

I love this picture!
Coloring is kind of new for us....

I love the way she's holding the crayon!

They kept switching seats....back and forth....with no real discussion...
they would just stand and without much ado, they'd
switch seats, over and over, happily.

Looking at Mrs. Julie James!

A perfect summer night....playing while Daddy grills!

If you look closely, you can see that Molly has her fingers in the "shhhhhhh" position.
If I had taken this picture straight on, you'd be able to see that she holds her finger
a little off to the side and it is so cute.  Macy's started doing it, too.  :)

I love that Molly's peeking from behind!  So sweet!

This Summer - Mommy has energy!

I am enjoying my summer with the girls more than I can say!

It is such a great feeling to not have to hesitate to give the girls a bath when we've been outside playing hard.....or to not be upset when I look in the rear view mirror and see that Charles isn't following behind to help get the girls out of the car when we get home.

THIS summer....we are livin' it up!   I'm not going to worry about cleaning out closets...organizing....etc., until July.  June....is for us.  To live a life of leisure...which for us just means taking our time, getting dirty without worrying, and going to parks and visiting friends.

A few sweet things that are happening:

• Molly does the cutest little "shhhhh" with one finger kind of cock-eyed in front of her pushed out fish lips.  I love it so much!
• Macy is copying words like crazy....and not just copying, but remembering.  Even words like "alligator".  And the way she says "gorilla" is to die for!  
• They have both been enjoying coloring in the bath tub..."kuh - la,  kuh - la"
• They share pretty well 
• They will ask for an extra cracker (or whatever) and say, "Macy"  or "Moddy", meaning that they want to take it to them.
• Sadly, Macy has learned how to open the gate that has kept order  in our world for so long.  TODAY.  Oh my.  I'm so sad. 

Molly got a shoe on her right foot ALL BY HERSELF.
She was so proud.
See the smile in the next picture?

She didn't quite get the other one on, but, as I was
encouraging her, she was so happy...smiling in such a sweet, proud way.

Macy jumped in hoping to follow suit.
We still have some practicing to do.   ;)

Tonight - Macy was sitting on my lap...I sneezed, she turned and looked at me...big cheeks...dimple clad...smiled and said, "Bless You".   OH MY WORD.   OH MY WORD!!!!  It was the sweetest thing....or at least right up there with her recently repeating to me, "I lub you."  When she saw my reaction, she kept saying it, and I of course, was addicted!

Molly - at least at this point in time, marches to the beat of her own drummer.  Yesterday, I was putting away laundry, and heard the girls laughing so hard and for a sustained amount of time.  I ran to see what fun was happening and found that Molly was in the tunnel and Macy was on the outside....they were having a good time playing...doing the "E.T." thing with their fingers....Molly seems to really like to lay in the tunnel....just looking....And the other night, when we were at the park, Molly totally loved getting in the sprinklers...giggling each time it came her way.....Macy wasn't so sure about that.  They're so different and so wonderful and get along so well.

Two Year Olds are So Much Fun!

Molly

• sweet little pose + "peas" 
• Maisy = Macy
• laugh laugh laugh
• "no no, uh uh"
• pace - E = paci
• "da da" = let's trade

Macy

• very verbal...repeat almost anything
• Moddy = Molly
• blink it = blanket
• hit...look...."nice"
• now, really does something nice....and says, "nice"

I am so in love with you girls....so totally amazed as I watch you

interact with each other....as you learn new things...

as you say new things....

and now...you've started putting words together!

This is going to be a WONDER-ful SUMMER!!