I just knew that as soon as Madeline started school again the kids would get sick. Well sure enough, not even 2 weeks after the start of school, all my girls now have a cold. At first I thought it was going to be a minor cold, but it has now turned out to be fevers, croup, and a bit of wheezing. I am really amazed that Madeline actually got sick, she hardly ever gets sick. Poor little Ava seems to have the worst of it. I just hope they all start to feel better soon.

Chris came home today after being gone for four days at his side business job. The girls were absolutely thrilled to see him!!! We were reading night time stories when he popped his head around the corner of the girls' room. They were so excited! They all got up and ran over to see him. Of course one of the first things the girls love to do with their papa after hugs is a little rough play. I thought this picture was soooo cute of the four of them. Chris was running up and down the hallway pretending to be a horse and the girls were all laughing hysterically. So cute... we are glad you are home for a few hours papa!

Thank you for the pretty pink and flower matching dresses you got us for our Birthday Grandpa!!! We love them and we think we look very pretty. Don't you think? :) Love, Lucy and Ava

First Soccer Game!

Madeline had her first soccer game today! (actually, three soccer games!) Wow, these girls did great! I am so proud of our team, the Fair Oaks Freedom! The twins did great all morning long, and even let me help coach a bit here and there. It is so much fun coaching these girls, to see them gain skills and confidence. It is so rewarding when you see them get so excited and happy when they score a goal. What a great season we have ahead of us!!!

The twins did soooooo well today!!! I am proud of them too. :)

Welcome to the world baby Alexis!

My brother that lives in Washington became a daddy again today, and me Aunt again. :) Alexis Renee was born today at 12:50pm. She weighed 6 lbs 8 oz. and is 20" long! CONGRATS Michael, Salli and big sister Liberty!!!

First day of 1st Grade!

Wow, the First grade already? When did my baby girl grow grow up and become old enough to go to first grade? Gosh... time really does go fast.

The day started off a bit hectic, just as I anticipated it would. The girls are not used to be rushed around in the morning. When we finally got Maddie to school she did just fine. She already started complaining that the first assignment was too easy. LOL She had a bunch of friends in her class that were also in her Kindergarten class last year. Her teacher seems nice, a bit reserved, but nice.

We did okay here at home without Maddie. It was a strange feeling to have her gone ALL day! I don't like it one bit... she is now spending more of her awake hours at school with her friends and teacher than at home with us. :( Lucy and Ava cried for her quite a bit.. "nana?" They wanted to see her and didn't understand why she was gone all day either. The house was definitely a bit quieter, especially at nap time. It was nice to see Maddie's bright smiling face once we picker her up. She gave a big hug and said, "I missed you mama!". Ahhh.. that just melted my heart.

Happy 2nd Birthday Lucy and Ava!!!

My babies turned two today. It is so hard to believe that they are two already! These first two years of raising twins has been both a challenge and a blessing. I never knew that raising twins could be so hard, and yet so rewarding. When one pushes your buttons, the other one does too, when one starts crying, the other one does too. But, when one gives hugs and kisses, they both do, and when one starts giggling, they both do. There is nothing more rewarding as a mommy than to have them give me hugs and kisses, or watch them giggle over something completely silly. Oh, those times are so precious. Lucy and Ava have also formed a bond that I am sure happens with many twins. They seem to know when the other one needs a hug, a silky, or a drink of milk. They love to play together, chase each other, or just sit in a chair and "read" together.

When you think of the name Lucy, what kind of person do you think of? A wild, rambunctious, giggly, happy, pushing the limits kind of child? Well... that explains Lucy! What kind of person do you think of when hear the name Ava? A quiet, almost angelic little girl who is sweet and sensitive, yet serious and shy. That would be my Ava. :)

My little Lucy is still my clingy child. She loves to be held all the time, she loves to give hugs, and she loves to help mommy, papa and big sister "Nana". Lucy has the most contagious laugh, biggest smile, and cutest cheeks. :) Lucy loves to talk, and play with her babies. She is always carrying around her baby with her everywhere she goes, along with her silky blanket.

Ava continues to be my independent daughter, only needing reassurance every once in a while. She is definitely more athletic than her sister and seems to be a bit more on the quiet side. She is the observer, but once she warms up to you she is such a pleasure to be around. Ava is so easy please and will go along with just about anything you are doing. I love Ava's cuddles, she is very good at that. Ava would fall asleep in my arms at night any time... my other two would never do that.

Camping

Our camping trip over the last four days was a blast and an experience with three young kids. Madeline did fantastic, like she was an old pro. Lucy and Ava did pretty well considering this was their first real camping trip. The first night was a little tough, but after they realized that this was our temporary home, they did fine. I was impressed at how well they traveled in the car (4 hour car ride) and impressed at how well they did overall. One of the best items we took with us were our Kelty kid carrier backpacks. These backpacks are FANTASTIC! I was able to carry a 30 pound child on my back for a wonderful 3 mile hike down to the ocean. It is hard to find a comfy backpack, and this one fits the bill. I highly recommend this one if you are considering buying one. My only regret is that we didn't buy one when the babies were smaller because I was always carrying one baby on back in a not so good backpack that we had. Anyway, enough about backpacks... camping was great and I can't wait to do it again!

Wonder girls, Wonder girls we're on our way, to help an adult frog and save the day, we're not to big and we're not to tough, but when we work together we've got the right stuff. GO wonder girls!

If you watch the Wonder Pets, or I should say, if your kids watch the Wonder Pets, you will be familiar with the song above. Last night we saved a frog from my cats. The girls and I were outside after dinner and suddenly I saw something jumping in the lawn! My hunter cat was right behind it. The frog already had a cut on his back, maybe from the cat, so I picked it up and washed it off. We have a pond behind our house, so we let the frog go there. Hopefully he will be safe. :)

What's new?

Maddie and I taking pictures of ourselves. Maddie can almost never make a straight face! Goofy girl..
Chris' mom, and Maddie and I at the wedding.
Maddie took this picture, what a photographer she is!
Chris' second cousins came to visit us the day after the wedding. They were at the wedding the night before, and they wanted to meet the twins before they went home. We haven't seen them in over 7 years! It was nice to be around family, even if they are my second cousins by marriage, 3rd cousins to Maddie, Lucy and Ava!

I go off and on with blogging.. I wish I would be a bit more consistent! Sometimes I just go through busy times at home and the computer does not get much attention, so neither does my blog.

Chris came home last Friday and it was great to see him. Maddie was ecstatic and the twins would not let him put them down. We went to Chris' cousins wedding last Saturday. It was so nice to get out and dance the night away! I forgot how much fun Chris and I use to have doing that, even if I am not a great dancer. :) Maddie started soccer on Tuesday (remember, I am helping to coach the team?) and I have decided that the chaos is officially beginning. Maddie will start 1st grade next Monday- Friday, soccer on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and then I start school the Monday after that and go on Monday and Wednesdays! . There will be some activity or school related event going on every day of the week except Sunday, which is church day. Phew!!

We have since planned a camping trip for this weekend to the ocean. I am not sure how the twins will do, but I am so excited. I LOVE camping. I love the outdoors and I can only hope that the girls will come to love it too. I am going to start packing today for the girls.. this will be fun! LOL