Saturday

Best picture of the day. Ada in the bocce ball container. We had dinner at our good friends house tonight and a very spirited game of bocce afterward. The food was fabulous and the company was even better.

Best dessert of the week. My great grandmother Adam's chocolate poundcake with a twist. I made a raspberry sauce to go with it this time. Just frozen raspberries, a little sugar, pinch of salt, juice from half a lemon and a little lemon zest. Wasn't half bad if I do say so myself. I brought it for dessert tonight. My cake cover has been doing a bit of traveling the last few weeks. It travels pretty well but I must say, one of those vintage aluminum ones would travel even better. Time to add to the collection.

Chicken and Peas

I had to get this on record. Margot is on her second helping of chicken and frozen peas.



After a week and a half of straight waffles, Goldfish, bagels and Cheerios.. it seems their little bodies were craving some real nutrition. They came running to the table when I offered "Baac-baac" and peas. Running.



Ada brought her own side dish.



At least they are whole grain...right?

Happy Friday to me!

Nap Time

..while the girls napped, Seth, Evan and Aunt Ellen came to visit. Seth made himself comfortable while Ellen and I had a little chat. I think he found my shoulder a touch too bony. I do have bony shoulders Seth.

Dear Residents of Oakwood..

Greetings and salutations. I feel we owe you an explanation, and perhaps an apology.

When we headed out for our walk this morning, the sun was peaking through the clouds and the sky was a brilliant shade of blue. We scurried along the sidewalk on our way to meet some friends for a stroll. As soon as we arrived at our destination, the wind began to pick up and the temperature dropped a few degrees. We enjoyed our visit with the friends we came to meet, very much, and decided to cut it a bit short due to the chilly, windy weather. This is where, gentle readers, things went awry. The girls were ready to be home, but not thrilled about the vehicle of the moment. I strapped four flailing arms into the stroller, and artfully dodged four kicking legs that were determined that they would walk on their own all the way back home.. either that or be carried.

Please accept our sincerest apologies for the ear splitting screams that ensued as we hurried back through your (previously) peaceful streets. I tried everything I could think of, including the biggest treat in our home... animal crackers. Every bribe that I attempted landed with a certain indignant authority right on the sidewalk.

You will be pleased to know that no toddlers were harmed during this journey and that we did make it safely back to our own home, where the girls are now enjoying some pleasant moments with their softs and our good friend, Kipper.

Thank you for your understanding.

Signed - That exasperated looking woman trying to run with the 85 lb. stroller

We made it anyway!

(Ada)

We made it to the park this morning despite the impending headache. The weather was absolutely stunning, and as it turned out we had the place practically to ourselves. I met a sweet girl who was there exercising her greyhound. He was precious with the girls and made me want to adopt him on the spot. I think Oliver could use another playmate, don't you?

This park is a new favorite because it's all on one level, completely fenced in, and all the equipment seems to be designed for kids the girls age. I can sit on a bench and they can wander around and do whatever they want on their own. I can't help wishing we could afford to live in that neighborhood. Such a beautiful place to walk. I am really ready for a porch and a yard. One day perhaps.

Feet

Since the girls can no longer play footsie while they eat, they have come up with a new game.

"Mommy, Margot has her foot on the table!"

..tickle tickle..

The girls and I have been taking a walk every morning this week. We are out of the house by 9:30 and stay at the park for at least an hour, sometimes a little more. The heat and all that running around leave the girls super worn out and they have actually been climbing back into the stroller when they are ready to leave. This is a welcome change from my having to hold them in the seat with my knee while they flap around and I try to strap in their flailing limbs. The torture one must endure as a toddler. When we get to the house they call for their softs and Ollie and proceed to snuggle on the floor until nap time. I was hoping to head out this morning to keep our streak alive but all this pollen and some pending thunder showers having given me another headache - I know y'all are shocked. Sarah, with a headache? Never. Come on coffee and Motrin, don't fail me now.

Speaking of pollen, I wore navy blue yoga pants on our walk yesterday and by the time we got to our destination my pants were actually covered in yellow dust.. just from walking through the air! This is out of control.

So far I have only met one mother at the park. Not met really.. just smiled at and was nodded too.. everyone else that frequents this park in the mornings is a nanny. Yesterday, the parents of one of the children walked by with their dogs and stopped to lean over the fence and greet their child and the nanny before leisurely continuing their stroll. No judgement here, just a little incredulity. I can't help feeling a bit frumpy in the presence of these youngsters pushing strollers. I am slowly coming to understand that I am no longer in my early 20s. I know this of course but I feel it more definitively these days. Good motivation to break out the old Pilates DVD.

Easter

Here we are, all dressed up to celebrate our Savior. Margot is in yellow, and Ada in green.







..my precious, beautiful girls..

Shopping list

Mary caught the girls helping me with my grocery shopping list.

Ada and her first skinned knee (photos by Grammy)

Random picture catch-up...

We have been sick around here and that means I haven't felt much like blogging. We had a great time with Mary and Larry and then just as the visit was coming to a close, the tummy bug made it's way through the family. Ugh. We were all better and non-contagious by Easter Sunday so we were all very thankful for that. We have so many sweet photos of Mary and Larry's visit that I am just going to load a ton of my favorites and let you enjoy them for yourselves...



Farmer Ada at Marbles..











The dollhouse from Great Grandma..













Margot



Margot.. with Ada the bear..



..Margot..



..Margot.. and this one has a funny story. Grammy was having fun taking pictures of the girls trying on their new Easter dresses. She asked Margot to put her pacy down for a second and Margot took it out of her mouth, set it on the step next to her and struck this pose. Girl has nap hair in a serious way.



The grandparents got us a wagon! Contrary to the look of this picture.. the girls love riding in it. I just wanted to document that these girls are such a handful when they are not in the mood to do something.. like ride home from the park.. even 3 full grown adults have trouble getting flapping toddlers into their vehicle.






Aunt Margie.. the strollers are still a huge hit.



Ada and Grammy ready for the hunt..



Dandelion for Ada.



Sliding Margot = Happiest Margot on the block.

Looking back..

... Some of our dear friends had their baby girl tonight.. this afternoon.. not sure of the details yet... couldn't help thinking back to the morning our girls were born. First video is of Ada and the second is of Margot... minutes after their birth.