Water fun

It has been hot here already.  Yesterday was up close to 90 degrees.  This does not look good for the summer, but has allowed us to have some fun outside with water.  Last week we joined some friends at the local splash park.  I was really unsure about how the girls would like it, especially because they are not walking yet.  I also was nervous about the logistics of two tiny girls, only one mama, and lots of water, but it went really well.  After they got comfortable with the splashing water they enjoyed crawling around in it.  I am learning to relax a little and try things even though they might be difficult.  It is easy for me to say "I have one year old twins, this will be too difficult."  Sometimes that is true, but most of the time it is just an excuse.

We also went to walmart and purchased a small blow-up pool to use at our house.  We couldn't wait and got it ready while the girls were napping.  After nap we popped them in.  It is really interesting because again it took them a little while to figure out what they thought about being in the water and what they wanted to do.  They were not scared, just cautious.  I guess I keep forgetting that these are all new experiences for them.  They have never been to a splash park or sat in a baby pool before, amazing!  I am thankful that I get to experience these firsts with them.  What a gift.



Swing with us!

My dad took these photos of the girls swinging.  I love how he captured what fun it is to swing through the air.

Hair Cut and Visitors

My husband's parents and grandmother are here visiting.  It is such a special treat to have them here and also works out great because John is out of town, so I have extra help.  It is very fun to watch the girls play with their grand and great grand parents.  Here are some action shots of fun being had by all today.

Charlotte was telling Great Grandma (GG) a story.

Grandma is watching Charlotte and Emma share the walker.

Grandpa's adoring fans.

This was so funny.  Grandpa put Emma's hood up and it made Charlotte laugh and laugh.  She patted Emma's head and tried to head bump her. 

And to finish things up, I got a hair cut today.  It was so nice to be able to take an hour and do something just for me.  I have been in the after holidays/ my parents went home/ my cat died blues for a couple of weeks now and this lifted my spirits.   I am realizing that time like that is few and far between, but important to grab when I can.   

Also notice Charlotte's awesome outfit.  Yes, that is a purse and puppy stitched into her jacket!  My Aunt sent the girls those clothes for the girls to wear, and I love them.

Jingle Bells make a Joyful Noise!!!

In the middle of December a dear family friend (hi Mary Jo!!) sent the girls some jingle bells to play with.  Both girls love anything to do with music, especially Emma.  When any music comes on she will bebop back and forth, and they both love to bang toys together to hear the noise.  As soon as I opened the package, I placed the jingle bells on the floor for the girls to explore.  They immediately were interested with the shiny bells and each grabbed one.  Once they figured out that the bells made a sound they became intent on making them ring.  Such fun was had by all!

What is this thing?  Why does it have holes on the side?

Emma making a joyful noise, while Charlotte studies the string.

How do I make this work?

A fun play date!

I am very thankful to have met another new mom who has a daughter just a couple of months younger than Emma and Charlotte through our church.  We have been getting together every couple of weeks to let the girls play and spend time visiting.  It is wonderful.  On Tuesday we were able to get together for lunch.  While there Charlotte and Emma were able to try out this pink pedal car, and boy did they enjoy it.

Emma playing with her friend, who's name happens to be Emma also.  John calls her Emma "too".

Charlotte and Emma "too" watching Emma in the pedal car.

Standing up

Today Emma worked on standing up at the learning table. She is very unsteady right now, but loves it. Charlotte was rolling all over the room while this was going on. Also, we went to the doctor's office today to get their second flu shot and got their current weights. Charlotte is 20 lbs and 11 oz and Emma is 19 lbs and 10 oz.

Play date

Today we went to play bunco at a fellow mom's house. One of the other moms there has a little boy who is six months old. Emma had a lot of fun playing with him. Granted, her idea of playing involves taking his toy.

Got Milk?

This milk jug was a huge hit.

Playing Together

Today was busy for us. This evening the girls actually had fun playing together. They were pushing blocks around and saying different noises at each other.

Reading Time

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I have been trying to make sure that we have a book and reading time every day. Here are the girls during that time. Once I read to them, I let them have some time with the books. Right now all they want to do to them is chew, but I am hoping eventually it will become more than that. The girls are now eating three meals a day and the last couple of days we have successfully done two naps! 

Sitting Up

Both girls are sitting up well these days. Here they are playing with toys. They love to grab different toys to shake, bang and chew on. If they are close enough they will take each others toy.

Spending Time in Bed

This morning Emma spent a little time in her bed while I got Charlotte ready. She enjoyed playing with a book and some stuffed animals. We had a fun day going to the park and playing a lot with grandma, grandpa, and great grandma.

Playing with Our New Toy

I got out a new toy today that Aunt Mary gave the girls for their baptism. It is a table that has lights and music and is interactive. They loved it so much, and I liked that it is big enough they can both play on it.

Sitting and Rolling

Today we had a quiet day at home. This is a typical scene here these days. Emma is sitting up unassisted playing with something and Charlotte is rolling around her grabbing various toys, sometimes what her sister is playing with. Also note the animal print! We were stylish today.

Playing

This evening we had fun playing in the play room. Both girls started next to each other but as you can see Charlotte rolled off of the quilt. She is really becoming quite a mover. Emma loved playing on her piano and was reaching for it when I went to put it away. Charlotte has also started to get the hang of playing peek-a-boo. 

Sharing

While playing, Charlotte rolled over near Emma. Emma saw her opportunity and took charlotte's toy. And so the "sharing" has started at our house. Also note the mizzou shirts!

Playing with New Toy

We had a very busy day today. This morning we went to the park to swing and slide, and then to walmart. At walmart we got the girls a couple of new toys, one of which is this tiny piano. Both girls love playing with it. I like that it has encouraged Emma to really sit up on her own. We also worked outside some, and up in the bathroom. The girls had more fun in their wagon, as well as laying outside. Charlotte had fun feeling grass. Charlotte has had another tooth come in in the last couple of days. 

Playtime

Today was a great day at our house. We had fun playing in our highchairs this morning before our breakfast. It was such a cool day today that we were able to be outside a lot. we even went to a park this afternoon and the girls got to swing for the first time, they loved it, and I loved having John home. 

Playing

Here is how we have spent the afternoon, busy playing. We had two very good naps today, so we are all in pretty good moods. We also went for a walk this morning, had our breakfast oatmeal, ate peas, carrots and sweet potatoes for lunch, and read books. All in all a busy day.

Playing together

Here we are playing together in our bumbo seats. We like to take toys from each other and pull on them.