Time Flies

Seriously, where does the time go?  I apologize for the lapse in updates.  But I can tell you that a lot has changed in the past few months:
Elinor gave up the 6 pacifiers at bedtime.... finally.  That was rough for about 2 weeks.  I think if she had the chance now, she would go back in a second for the fix.
Twins are 3 years old.
Potty training.  Oh lord, I just threw the damn diapers away and said that was it.  However... John is still having many accidents... even at preschool.
Family vacation  of 18 people in the Outer Banks.  Great company.... %$#*&* weather. John never wanted to go to the beach even when it was time for the group picture by a professional photographer. So frustrating. However, I have the best family. They were so patient and understanding.
Twins started preschool.  So far so good. However, I have received a few calls from the preschool teacher about John John. She feels that he may need more individual attention then she can give.  I think she just needs to be a bit more creative. He will never be the learner that fits into a nice square box.  He has not been overly excited about school either. Every morning I get "No school Mama. No school." It breaks my heart. But then one day he said, "No school Mama. Just church."  What??? So now I have to bribe him with a visit to the church before we head over to the preschool. Early calling???? Wait until he discovers that he has not been baptized. Oops.
With the cooler temperatures upon us.. (my favorite time of the year) we are enjoying more time outside.  Guess what we did today? See the new header?  We played in the leaves. So fun.

So, we are still here. Busy as ever.  But trying to be the best that we can be.  

Great shots

Sometimes, if our neighbor is outside while we are - she might grab her camera and take some shots of the kids.  Elinor was picking her Black-Eyed Susans and making fairy houses.  John was climbing rocks and helping Andy with the lawn before he sat down fully clothed into the pool.  

Jackson (2001-2012)

He was the best dog ever!  He did not belong to me though. He was my sister's dog and I spent a lot of time with him.  I welcomed him into my house and spoiled him every chance I got.  He died yesterday. He was 11.  Oh, how we loved him so! 

Summer

We have been keeping very busy around here. I apologize for the lapse in blogging.  When it is too hot outside we keep ourselves busy inside with different activities or we go to the library.  The twins love the children's area because there are toys and puzzles and computers.  However, when I try to take them to the adult section on the second floor, they start running through the aisles like crazy people. Needless to say, I rarely come home with a book of my own.
We went to a pool party on the 4th of July. John loved the pool and the water slide.  It was hard to get him to come out of the pool.  I would love to get him some swim lessons.... that's when work gets in the  way.
Potty training is at an all time low.  No one is interested anymore.  I may have to face the fact that they won't be able to attend preschool in August... Ugh!
We will be traveling to Olean this weekend. I can't remember the last time we were there.... January maybe???? I am excited to take the kids to the pool where Morgan lifeguards.
Today we painted outside with homemade sidewalk paint. The kids went nuts over that. It will be a regular activity for sure. I also baked a loaf of bread in the crock pot. I love homemade bread and I do make it often in the winter months.. by hand, without a bread machine.  But I don't want to heat up the kitchen. So I found a recipe on Pinterest and gave it a try. It turned out perfectly.  I did broil it for 2 minutes to get it slightly brown on top... but that was the only time the oven went on today.  Delicious.  So easy.  I will be doing that again.
39 days until OBX with the entire family. We are looking forward to time away and family.

Girls' Weekend

Spent the weekend with my besties.  We met up in Baltimore. It has been years since we did this... before weddings and babies.  Our time was spent walking around, shopping, talking, laughing, eating, drinking, more laughing, etc. 

And thanks to this guy

and great Father, 

I was able to go.  

A Day in the Sun

Today, we took advantage of the sunshine. First, I took the kids and dog on a nice long walk around town this morning.  Then we hopped in the car and drove over to Marblehead.  We picked up some snacks and headed over to the Marblehead lighthouse for a picnic.  We climbed on the rocks and dipped our feet in the water while we watched a bunch of people catch fish. The kids were super fun!

We are a fair-skinned family for sure!

Happy Birthday Cindy!

Friends by chance.... 

 

 

 

 

 

We are so blessed to have her friendship!  We miss you and love you Cindy. 

Have a wonderful birthday.  CHEERS!