Brian's Birthday Weekend

Tony and Charlotte (Big Daddy and Nanny to the girls) were kind enough to come babysit the girls while Brian and I ran in the Gate River Run 15K. They stayed with us for several days. As you can see from the pictures we were busy. Following the race, we dug up dead grass and planted 3 pallets of sod (not all in one day) and we spread two truckloads of mulch. It was a lot of work! We made time to celebrate Brian's birthday at Singleton's Seafood Shack. It is literally a shack, but the seafood is awesome! Matter of fact, the restaurant was on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives. 

The weather here has been so nice. The girls enjoyed a birthday party at the beach. We've also made a couple of trips out there since the party. 

The girls are on Spring Break this week so we are off to visit Grandma and Grandpa in Panama City. Brian has to work so it's just us girls. Wish me luck on the 4 hour car ride!

Addison in purple, Emma in pink

They love yard work.

Look what we have! WORMS!

Who knew worms could be so exciting!

Stand up, Emma. I'm going to put this worm on your back.

Big Daddy with Emma, Nanny with Addison

Addison and Nanny

Emma ate several packets of sugar or "cugger" as she calls it at Brian's birthday dinner.

Addison having fun at her friend's birthday party.

Exploring with one of their friends.

Running!

More running! (Addison)

Addison sitting, Emma standing

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

This week was attempt #2 at potty training these strong willed girls of ours. We’ve spent the better part of the week in big girl underwear (pull-ups at nap, bedtime and school). I cannot tell you how many puddles I have cleaned up. They did great the first few days. And when I say great, I mean they did not fight me on going to the potty.  Somewhere along the way the whole process turned into a power struggle. I tried to be positive, give rewards, and encourage them through the whole process. On Thursday they started asking me for a diaper. Perhaps, this request happened since Emma stripped herself and pooped on our bedroom floor and Addison climbed on top of our bed a urinated all over our new down comforter. I swear it is like they conspire together to drive their mother insane. I don’t know how it is even possible to not react to an event like that. I called their pediatrician today and she said to try again in a couple of months. They were not concerned with their progress until they were over 3.  I don’t know why I am taking this so hard, but it is frustrating to get this process going and have to stop.  I have to let them go at their own pace. 

As of this morning they both asked for a pull-up. I told them over breakfast that mommy was not going to take them to the potty today, and if they wanted to go they needed to tell me. They have been perfectly content to do their “business” in their diaper or pull-up. I have to admit it has been much more pleasant today. We could leave the house, play outside, and not worry about potty training. 

Emma with pink undershirt on left, Addison white undershirt on right: Valentine's Day 2012

Take 2

(Sweet Addison) Her favorite things to say to me lately are: "I Wove You" and "HEY MOMMY! Whatchyou doin!"

(Rambunctious Little Emma) Her favorite things lately are to strip naked and run all over the house! And, she is also very into having a "dance party".

(Addison) We picked flowers and fed ducks today!

Sweet sisters

Emma eats the peeling off of oranges! She picked this one from our neighbor's tree.

Cheese!

This is what happened to our garage door a week ago. It just popped right out of the tracking. Kind of scary actually and we were thankful it didn't mess up my car or one of us! A new garage door took car of the problem. Now we just have to figure out why all our neighbors' garage door openers open our garage.