Things that Charlotte likes to do.

Charlotte LOVES to build! And, if you don't know what to do with her for about 15 minutes, stick her in a booster seat and give her a box of crayons! Paper is totally optional!

Girls and Puddles!!!

I would have never known that 'puddle jumping' was intuitive, but when Charlotte was let loose in the driveway - which is full of puddles - she walked straight to the biggest puddle and started stomping! Also, these are the first real shoes that she has worn. She has only worn Robeez shoes or boots up to this point, but she was a natural in rain boots!

Cute girls and Jeannie Bean!

The girls love a sunny day and an ice cream cone. When we were at Ikea on Sunday (all of us love it except Charlotte), the girls were eating a 'reward' ice cream cone. The woman at the table next to us commented on how well the girls managed their ice cream cones. Please! I have raised these girls from birth! They are not rookies in this area! I mean, really! We live in Norwood! The home of United Dairy Farmers!

Here's Ava, drenched from swimming with Ms. Marsha. (darling swimsuit, complements of Wonderful Kira)

Jeannie Bean and Ethan came to help mom with the garden yesterday. The girls loved it because we spent hours outside. The best part was the wagon ride, though! The rest of the time, Charlotte wandered around chattering about outside things, and Ava sat with her feet up in a green plastic chair from Aunt Laura. Ava was playing the part of the supervisor.

Too much fun...

Last week we spent the morning with our friends, the Gilles gang. Here's
how it ended...

Different Girls

This afternoon, as I pulled the car into the garage, I asked Ava, "Are you my girls?" She replied with, "No, we're different girls, and we live in a different house."

Well, there you go!

Formatting

I have lost all control of the formatting on my blog. Does anyone know what to do? Often my pictures end up in the margin...or miles down the page!

HELP!!!

Catch up...

I know. According to my mother, we are tragic blog neglectors...but so are all of you! So, here's my update. You'd better update, too. Otherwise I'll tell my mom where you live, and she'll show up at your door (without her sewing machine).

Ava calls this doll 'big girl', but when Aunt Sandy was over this morning, I think we named her Betsy. There is something written in German on her dress, but we don't know what it is. Maybe Pete will know!
















Wednesday nights are 'Aunt Lynda Nights'! Lynda comes over to read books, play, put the girls to bed, and let mom and dad to go their Reset group (bible study). Last week Ava told Lynda that she didn't have to obey, but this week Ava was so into Lynda. She brought her pretend drinks, acted caring and sweet, and showed her where the lotion is kept. Lynda is very special to us.















Ann and Ladonna came to help mom paint for the weekend. Ann brought baby dolls, baby blankets, baby bottles, pacifiers, and rockin' cool pink camouflage bags for carrying it all. Ava wasn't sure that her baby liked the bottle, so she nursed her...with her Boppy (travel neck pillow). Actually a couple of weeks ago a friend was over and fed her baby some formula in a bottle. Ave kept asking, "Is that milk good for the baby?" Funny little hippie Ava. She also knows about cloth diapers, slings and composting. Sarah Gilles would be so proud!

And, we've had some nicer weather. Charlotte wouldn't hold still for a picture - story of her life - but Ava was a doll!

Precious Monkeys

We've added friends to our blogroll! My friend, Sarah, has started a blog, telling the stories of her days in 'boyland'. Check her blog out at the link over on the right!

Yet another reason that boys are scary to this Norwood Mama!!! (just kidding...all of you with boys are going to teach me all of your Jedi ways!)

Mom didn't say, "Obey Lynda."

On Wednesday nights, mom and dad leave, and Aunt Lynda is in charge. But, tonight, apparently mom forgot to say some 'magic' words when leaving. As Lynda was changing Charlotte into her PJ's, she told Ava to take off her clothes to get her own PJ's on. Ava is a known dawdler in this area and true to form, she wasn't moving fast at all. Lynda said, "Obey Lynda." Ava was looking at the radio, and without even turning, repliled, "Mom didn't say 'Obey Lynda." Oh, that girl is a stinker!

Wonderful weekend with the Henry's!

We have been busy since last Wednesday night with house guests. Danie, Sean, mom and the delightful Havah have been here. It was wonderful! Several nights, the girls were serenaded to sleepiness by Uncle Sean. This is his brand of lullaby! He's hilarious!

Ava and Charlotte love Uncle Sean so much! Ava is drawn to him in more quiet moments. She took a trip to the grocery store with him. About five minutes into the trip, Danielle gets a phone call. "Is Ava allowed to have Pringles? Uncle Sean is asking. Talk about the hero of the day!

Charlotte loves the rough and tumble Uncle Sean. She'd come close to him, hoping for a wild, snuggle hug, full of growling and screaming. She loves it when he's loud and crazy! Once, I saw her walk over to him and sort of hit/nudge him into grabbing her.

Havah was so delightful! Ava wanted to hold her constantly, and Charlotte called her 'Bavah'. Havah was so entertained by the girls, too. She woke up early every morning, excited about playing with and watching them.

It is so much fun to watch Danielle be a mother to this tiny little girl. Little sisters being mothers is really an amazing thing. I guess it seems really special, because Danielle seems a little bit like my girl. I did get to steal a little bit of alone time with Danielle...but not much in this crazy house full of babies, husbands and mom.

And, speaking of mom, Gram was definitely one of the weekend's highlights. This morning as the gang was leaving, Ava started to cry, "Don't leave us, Gram." Gram slept in the same room as the girls, and they LOVED it! They'd wake up every morning excited to see her! Ava snuggled with her on the couch, sat with her for hours of story time and sat on the piano bench with her for almost every meal! This picture is what Ava called 'love together'!