PICTURES!!!

There are SO many good ones, but here are a few (okay more than a few) of my favorites:)
Bribing for smiles with M&M's...it didn't really work:)

Wedding - Dancing Queen

We had the privileged of helping with a wedding this weekend of one of Isabel's favorite babysitters, Ms. Tish, and my boss' son, Carl Jr. It was a busy weekend, but we enjoyed it as well. Isabel and Ana didn't attend the wedding because of the responsibilities Lee and I had, but they did go to the reception. From the time they started dancing I don't think Isabel left the dance floor (except for when I had to pull her off because the Bride and Groom were supposed to be the center of attention, not Isabel...go figure). She loves to dance and she loved every minute of it. To even add to the coolness...they had a bubble machine for certain songs...a two year olds dream come true.:)

My boss, Carl, and Isabel - Isabel was doing this leg move. I have no idea where she picked it up, but it was hilarious.

Daddy/Daughter Dance

I think by the end of the afternoon everyone knew who Isabel and Ana were and we were just "the parents." I guess that's how it goes...

Dancing with the BrideThe afternoon before the rehearsal I attend a tea with the Bride-to-be at this little tea house by Idlewild park. It was a fun experience. They have hats for you to put on as part of the "experience" as well.

2 months

(taken on Lee's phone, that's why it's so dark)

Ana had her 2-month check-up today and got her first round of shots:( She was trooper though! She is a healthy 11 lb. 6 oz. and 23 in. long, putting her in the 58th percentile for weight and 80th for height. I can't believe she's already 2 months.

Numbers

I was working with Isabel on her numbers yesterday. She knows how to count, but doesn't really know number recognition. She has this puzzle that is numbers 1-9. I would point to a number, like the number one and say, "Isabel, what number this is?" She wouldn't respond (cause she doesn't really know) and so I would say, "number one." She would repeat after me and we did that for awhile with different numbers. A little later we were doing a different puzzle and I asked Isabel, "what is this?" She responded, "number...turtle."

I guess she doesn't quite get it yet.:)

The "process"

So after the crayon removal process, I can say that 95% of the crayon came out! Everything I thought was ruined, wasn't! And no, I didn't take pictures. I wish I did cause the difference was is dramatic. Anyway, here's what we did in case anyone is every in this situation. It was a combination of things we read online.

Step 1
Spray stains with WD40, I know it sounds weird, but it works. Let soak for an hour. We threw them in the tub to just sit.

Step 2
Scrub stains with dish soap using a tooth brush

Step 3
Soak clothes in washing machine with laundry detergent, Clorox 2, Oxiclean, and Spray n Wash

Step 4
Wash clothes with laundry detergent, Oxiclean, Borax and fabric softener (mainly to get the smell of WD40 out)

Step 5
Rewash clothes with same solution above

Step 6
Dry. Hurray, no more crayon!!!

Step 7
Throw out all crayons and only buy washable ones (just kidding, I didn't do this, but am tempted):)

Things I've "discovered" and my stories

• Shopping is WAY easier with no children (this was not really discovered just reconfirmed, and yet I still try to take both of them with me)
  

I took a quick trip to the mall last week to try to find Lee a tie for an upcoming wedding we are both involved in. I found one...hurray! I thought, I have some time before Isabel needs a nap and Ana needs to eat, I'll run to the Gap and see if they have any good deals. I did find some. The only problem is both girls started melting down right around the same time. I put back the few things I found and told the sales clerk I might be back another day and hopefully without children.

• Check pockets before washing/drying

Last night I went to pull laundry out of the dryer, only to find red and green stains all over every article of clothing. Isabel must have put crayons in her pockets. Ug. I've read online how to try to get it out, which seems like a long process, so it's still sitting in the laundry room awaiting my attempts.

(in between writing this posted Lee and I worked on the "process" and it is STILL in "process" so I'll let you know how it turns out)

• They pick up things so FAST

For some reason we've all of a sudden had an abundance (well maybe not that many, but it seems like ton) of bugs in our house. Maybe they think it's getting cold out and need to come inside to get warm, I don't know. So of course I've been killing a lot of these bugs. Well, I was reading a book to Isabel and there was a picture of bug. All of sudden Isabel smacks the book with her hand. She was killing the bug and she had good intentions:)

• Some days it's okay to let your child throw a grape out the window

I'm usually not an advocate of throwing things out the car window or not making my child eat something she thinks something is wrong with. However, we were in the car one afternoon. Isabel was having some grapes as a snack and as she does every now and then she said, "I don't like this one." Rather than going through my, "it's fine, it's just like your other grapes" routine, I just said, "well, why don't you just throw it out the window." I rolled her window down. She looked at me like I was crazy for a couple of seconds and then threw it out the window.

I could go on and on with many more stories...but it's late and I won't.

Hurray!

So the pictures Lauren took turned out AWESOME! I'll hopefully post some soon, but the family picture above is a sample!:)

Surprise Laura

We had the joy of being a part of a surprise birthday party for our good friend Laura. A friend of hers put the whole thing together. She surprised Laura by not only getting some of her friends together, but having her family from MI come too. Laura was completely surprised. It was a great night celebrating Laura, eating, and fellowship. Oh and our girls ADORE Laura so it was special for them too.:) Happy Birthday Laura!!!I took this picture of Ana right before we left for the party and thought it was cute

Forgot

I forgot to mention my conversation with Isabel before the photo shoot this morning:

Me: Isabel, do you want mommy to braid your hair for your pictures?

Isabel: Nope, my (that's what she says for me, we're working on tenses) wants crazy hair.

Photo Shoot...

This morning we took a photo shoot of the girls (and some with us) with the help of Lauren Bryson. Needless to say, I would never recommend a photo shoot with a two-year-old.:) Just kidding...kind of. Thankfully, we know how talented Lauren is and how she can capture our little squirts so well despite their mood swings...is that slandering Jackie??? Really though, it seemed much easier when she was only one. All in all, I think it went well and can't wait to see the photos!:) Thanks Lauren!!!

I meant to post this earlier, but it's been a crazy week. Last week my good friend from work, Joetta, brought one of her basset hound puppies over for Isabel to see. This is Little Bit. Isn't she cute? She's for sale too!:) See Joetta, free advertising!:)
Did I mention I have to go back to work next week...:( I mean, I'm all smiles Carl (well, I know you are)!:) I can't believe 8 weeks flew by so fast!!!

A budding artist

Isabel desperately wanted to share her crayons with Ana. Maybe Ana will get Ate Mart's artist skills. Nice picture Ana:)

Everyday Life

iBel was talking so sweet to her sister after they both woke up from naps. I wanted to get a glimpse of everyday life on film.

All Smiles - Ana Girl