What a difference a year makes. Now we have three trick-or-treat-ers and way too much candy!
Ellen, Sophie and I went to watch Corinne in her school's Halloween parade this morning. It was cold, but worth the experience. Corinne chose to be Sleeping Beauty ("Aurora is her other name" she'll tell you) this year which was super easy to pull off. (Those Disney princess dresses are everywhere!) And at the beginning of the week my mom brought over a sparkly tiara she wore to her prom back in the 60's (gasp!) for C to wear with her costume...except it is now part of C's everyday attire and has taken the place of her regular headband. Here are a few quick pictures from the parade.
This past weekend I got away with my Monday Night Girlfriends (as they've become known around our house). These girls represent so much more than I could write about here...but suffice it to say we have walked a lot of life together. And their friendships, wisdom, encouragement and faith have been so integral in my own life and how I've grown and changed through the years. I am SO thankful for our weekend together and for the depth of our sharing and conversations.
Sometimes I am still amazed that we have twin girls. Lately we are seeing more of their twin sister bond shine through. I think before now they were only showing their awareness of one another in small, inconsistent and subtle ways. Probably this was as much due to age and normal development as anything. But these days they interact daily and just today Sophie took some toys (all the way across the room and around some furniture) to Ellen, even though they were playing separately. Sophie handed Ellen toys and Ellen gladly took them...there were some sweet giggles at some point, too. Often times they give kisses, hugs, and sometimes feed each other their food as well. I didn't know many twins going into this thing, but I can say that it is getting really fun to watch them grow and play together. Ellen and Sophie will be 18 months in just two weeks! (Ellen in pink)
Corinne and I went to see The Wizard of Oz at the Taft Theater downtown today. In the spring we're looking forward to seeing Disney's My Son Pinocchio and Rapunzel! Rapunzel! And judging from today's performance I think we are in for some great performances. Corinne loved the show (apart from the scary Wicked Witch of the West...then again, I still get scared at that part) and wanted to act it all out when she returned home (no surprise there for those of you that know Corinne). It was a terrific experience and time well spent together.
Sophie in blue, Ellen in pink...in case you still don't know :)
I think the warm weather is probably gone for good! So long summer dresses.
Once again it was a great visit to the pumpkin patch, a trip that has become a tradition with our friends each year! Good food, lots of pumpkins, interesting animals, and this year it could not have been a more perfect (or more beautiful) day.
Ellen found a new lap to sit on the other day! Ellen is famous for backing up into our laps --walking backwards to us from miles away it seems (which is why it is so funny) -- when she wants to sit in our lap for us to read a book. One morning before we packed up to take C to school Ellen pulled her "backing up move" on Corinne! It was so funny to witness and Corinne just went with it. C thought it was pretty great and read Ellen the book, too.
Sophie (blue pants) and Ellen love to play ball. They are both really good at throwing it (no kidding) and they are also good at taking things from each other. However, we noticed months ago that when they have something that they don't want anyone else to get they automatically turn away and shield the coveted object while they walk or play. And have I mentioned that they have both gotten very good at throwing tantrums?! Oh my. It has been quite a learning experience for Brett and I since Corinne never threw a tantrum until she was 2 1/2--and even then it was a total walk in the park compared to Ellen's and Sophie's. All I can say is: watch out! The doctor said it's "normal" but geez...they're just now 17 months old! It's quite a show. But they are doing so many fun things now that it's just so entertaining around our house these days. They still not don't say many words, although Ellen will answer "yeah" for yes and both of the girls shake their head for yes and for no. They communicate quite well with us even if it's not with their own words. It's quite endearing to see Ellen take Sophie her cup or vice-versa. Ellen and Sophie are so different, and even more different from Corinne. And yet all of them have a sweet side.
We love to read around here! Corinne still loves to sit on our lap to read book after book after book...after book. Reading has been a slightly different experience for Ellen and Sophie though they do (thankfully) still like to read. I'd say only about half of the time they are "reading" books they are doing it in our laps--and even then they might only have half a lap. (But usually they strategically wait until there is a free lap so that they don't have to share) The other half of the time they are enjoying a book by themselves. They will sit and page through it, gawk at it, point excitedly, or silently read it by themselves either off in a corner, on a pillow (as Ellen is doing above) or next to us while we're busy with someone or something else. So I caught a few instances of the girls reading independently for you to see. On a related but separate note, I also love to read but have had little time over the last year to do so. It's only the last few months that I've found the time to finish some good books...and it has been so wonderful. Brett even got on a reading kick over the summer and for a while there we each spent time reading before bed. (Isn't that what all the research says you're supposed to do before bed? Not watch TV or email or text or surf the Internet because it aids in helping you fall asleep--not that I have ever had a problem with that though). But I must say it is so refreshing. And I'm looking for a book to read currently so if you can recommend one I'd love it!
