Baking With Dad!

I was at work the other day when Daniel posted these pictures. While Morgan was at school, he and Charlotte baked some Banana Nut Bread.

My heart just swells with this kind of stuff and it absolutely brightens my day. He even put a little apron on her. An apron that used to be my grandma's and one that I often wore while cooking with her when I was younger.

 They did a great job!

Recently Enjoyed!

I was texting my girlfriends at work one day and they were asking about my new striped shirt so I took a picture and sent it to them. 

The morning after the loosing the tooth/bounce house incident we went out for donuts. Daniel and I were still getting used to her toothless grin. Adorable!

 And the winner for cutest puppy dog eyes goes to Charlotte!

Our goofy girl.

Shopping With Mom!

I'm so enamored with these two that I sometimes take pictures of them while we're out shopping. I have fun with them and can't help but stop and play sometimes. 

But in my defense, Morgan requested the pictures below and then of course that made Charlotte ask for pictures too.

 She was just so cute and funny while at the grocery store the other day that I had to take pictures and yes, people look at me like I'm psycho while I do it.

Of course I spend some of my shopping time scolding and pleading with them to behave but who wants to dwell on that!

Swim Class!

Morgan is taking swim classes again. I’ve been wanting to sign both girls up for a swim class but due to Charlotte’s age, I needed to do an actual Mommy & Me class with her which meant I had to get in the water and swim with her. This meant that Morgan’s class had to be at the same exact time because otherwise I wouldn’t have anyone to watch Morgan. 

Daniel works early and late hours that change each week. Because of this, I can’t plan a time where Charlotte and I can take a Mommy & Me class and know that there will be someone to watch Morgan. I’ve often gotten sad because I was able to do Mommy and Me classes with Morgan but have never gotten the chance with Charlotte. 

But now, thanks to swim class, I’m able to do a class with Charlotte! We just barely met the deadline too because at 3 years of age, the little ones swim on their own and Charlotte turns 3 in a couple of months!

The girls were really excited to swim! They not so patiently waited outside the pool to be called in. 

Morgan went to her class and Charlotte and I headed over to our pool. Charlotte did really well. She was a little antsy at certain parts but hands down, her favorite part was jumping off the side into the pool.

Charlotte ate up the attention I was able to give to just her and it was just as important to me. 

After our classes, Morgan’s instructor told us that she had already passed level one and got a medal and got to ring the bell! 

Morgan received one other medal in swim class years ago, yet she still talks about it to this day. You should have seen the smile on her face as she rang that bell and got her medal! She held that bell up and rang it as loud as she possibly could. She exuded self confidence and pride. It was a good moment for me too.

We’ve just discovered that the girls love to ride in the car with the windows rolled down. They squeal with excitement and act like having the windows down is the most exhilarating thing they’ve ever experienced. Not only was the class a hit but we even enjoyed our car ride home. It was starting to be dusk so it was finally cool enough to let the outside air in. The setting sun gave us gorgeous views as the wind whipped through the girls pool wet hair and we rocked out to blaring music. We were all together and happily enjoying the little things in life, just the way I like it.   

Some time has passed since the above post. Tonight is actually our last class. Morgan recently received another medal and it was sweet because she handed it to her sister so she could ring it too.

We've continued to enjoy our car rides home with the windows rolled down. I know the girls will be sad that tonight is our last class but I'll sign them up again next summer. I feel so grateful that I'm able to do these things with my girls.

School Carnival!

We just got done with Morgan's school carnival. I learned my lesson last year that this event is really important to Morgan and not going is not an option.

We had a great time! We spent $20 worth of tickets for 3 hours of fun and helped her school at the same time. Win Win!

The girls checked out the inside of a firetruck.

 I've never seen the ladder fully extended in person. It was impressive!

 The school had an amazing section of bounce houses and slides set up. The girls had a field day with these!

 Look at our little two year old climbing up these stairs to go down the slide. Daniel and I were discussing the situation together while watching her and we were both sure she wouldn't even make it up the ladder thing.

But she did! We were so impressed! It's steeper than it looks.

 And our little spunky girl went down the slide! Of course Morgan was there to encourage her. Man, that Morgan is such a good big sister who adores her little sis!

 We also had something else a little shocking and exciting happen at this event! See Morgan below bouncing in the bounce house?

 And do you see the rainbow mesh that keeps the kids in the bounce house? Well Morgan managed to get her two front teeth caught in this mesh while on her way down from a jump and one of her front teeth was yanked out. Daniel and a stranger helped her find her tooth so we could give it to the tooth fairy that night. Daniel was actually concerned at first that it was one of her permanent teeth but it wasn't. However, I did schedule a dentist appointment next Tuesday just to make sure we're on the right track with everything. The other front tooth is now loose too.

I definitely think Morgan wins for the most original way of loosing a tooth!

 And oh this girl!

 Daniel and I watched multiple older kids attempt the game below. You were supposed to bounce a ball on the table and try to make it land in a cup. No one won. Charlotte gave it a try and got a ball in a cup all by herself! 

 She was so proud of herself and so were we! What a champ!

 Sometimes she just amazes me with how capable she is. When she walked up to the game I told Daniel that he'd probably have to help her and Daniel said, no, that she'd been closely watching the others play the whole time, studying how to do it, and he was right! She knew exactly what she was doing.

 She won a prize!

 We looked, we bounced, we slid, we got prizes and face tattoos, did a cake walk, lost a tooth and ended the evening with cotton candy. It was a great way to spend a Friday night as a family!

Nana & Papa!

As I've mentioned, Nana and Papa came to visit recently. We all sure enjoyed our time with them and were sad to see them go. My girls cherish them as much as I do.

Nana played with the girls in the playroom.

 And Papa did lots of puzzles with the girls.

 Charlotte crawled into the guest bed and informed me she was going to sleep with Nana and Papa.

 Nothing better or as important as family time!

Water Park!

We recently spent a day at the water park! Morgan dressed Charlotte the morning of to get her ready for the park. I think she missed the mark on this one but Charlotte did look cute.

 Nana, Papa, Dusty and Chase joined us at the water park too! Thankfully we were able to get discounted tickets through my work because man, those things are expensive.

 We rented a cabana so we'd all have a nice, cooler space to relax while not in the water.

Nana helped keep on eye on Morgan who was old enough to play (somewhat by herself) on a pirate ship that was directly in front of our cabana.

 Daniel did a great job of hanging out with Charlotte all day. He's a good daddy.

 Daniel was impressed because she wasn't scared of the bigger slides.

Thankfully Dusty was able to take pictures for us. Daniel and I were too busy chasing after our little ones.

Below Charlotte is being silly and showing Aunt Dusty her chip. I just love that sweet little face.

 Here comes Papa and Charlotte!

I adore the below picture of Papa. There are no words to express my love for my mom and dad.

Swim classes are paying off because Morgan did great! She didn't wear her floaties all day and went on the largest slides they had for kids.

 And we were so proud of little Charlotte because she was going on these big slides. There was a large pool above and below the slide that she had to navigate but she happily did it! Of course Daniel and I stood with one of us at the top pool and one of us at the bottom pool to assist her. As soon as she hit the water at the bottom of the slide she'd say, "I want to do that again!" The girls went down the slide over and over again.

The girls were so helpful. They pulled our wagon all the way back to the car. Of course Charlotte fell and skinned her knees some more (she had already banged herself up pretty good at the water park throughout the day) but they were happy. We had a really great day!