Special Delivery from NY

I am taking C with me to NY in November to visit Aunt Marcey (and to celebrate Aunt M's birthday), along with Mimi and Aunt Laura. Can't wait! So Aunt Marcey sent us this special care package this week, filled with Statue of Liberty crowns, a NY coloring book and board book and some fun NY pencils with Statue of Liberty erasers. By the way, did you know there is actually more than one way to wear the crown? The girls quickly came up with multiple ways! And thank goodness Aunt M is safe and sound in NY and hasn't even lost power despite Sandy's brutal assault on the east coast.

Connections

C and her cousin recently got to go see the Cincinnati Children's Theater perform Seussical, Jr. They had a terrific time despite the rainy day! The other day when I used the word "possible" in casual conversation with Corinne she said, "Like in Seussical, mom?" At first I wasn't sure what the connection was...and then I remembered that there was a song in the musical called "Anything's Possible". Sometimes I'm amazed at how she connects the most random or trivial things in our day to something I've never even given a second thought to. It's so true, though: kids are sponges. They are soaking everything in, constantly trying to apply and connect things in order to make sense of their ever expanding world.

Two Peas In a Pod

Ellen (left) and Sophie (right) very often are partners in crime. They enlist each other to hide from me, play games, get things for each other, etc. I really think they are the best of friends at times...if they aren't fighting over a book, baby doll, polly pocket princess, snack and the list goes on. It's so amazing to see their relationship become closer all the time. They comfort one another when they're in a new place and one of them is upset or hesitant. And just today when they were supposed to be napping at Grandma and Grandpa's house while Brett and I were out, Brett's mom found them cozied up together with their blankets-- laying not in the twin beds where they were left --but on the floor together. They were "spooning", quiet, and content.

Just Like Big Sister

Notice the backpacks Ellen and Sophie are wearing...just like Big Sister.

Sophie-Spider

It remains to be seen what Sophie will really be for Halloween this year. C wants to be Belle and Ellen wants to be a princess, too. Sophie likes to put on this spider costume each morning to start her day and says she wants to be a spider for Halloween. But I'm guessing that when it comes time to get into costume and she sees her sisters dressed like princesses she'll want to be one too. I guess we'll find out soon.

First Pile

I'm not sure which one Ellen and Corinne enjoyed more: jumping in the leaves or taking a wheelbarrow ride while Brett and I were mulching. Sophie wasn't interested in either of those activities!

The Crew

Here they are! Our three sweet girls. They are growing up quick and each with their own distinct personalities. We have been working on memorizing Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind and compassionate to one another." And working harder to apply it! But we've encouraged one another by writing down examples when we've seen this in each other. (Sophie in purple, Ellen in pink)

No Wrong Way

All three girls recently had a cookie with balloons and icing on top. Yet interestingly, they each chose a different way to eat their cookie. Corinne was extremely neat and careful and ate around the blue balloon, leaving it for last (blue is one of her favorite colors). Sophie chose to eat the three balloons off the top by scraping off the icing with her mouth when she took a bite. I don't think she ever finished the cookie itself. And Ellen, she just enjoyed the cookie and ate it with no particular strategy in mind--the way most of us do it. (Sophie is in purple, Ellen in pink)

E & S: busy coloring

Even though C is in school three mornings per week, only one of those days do the girls and I get to come home in between drop off and pick up. On that day each week it's been so fun to let E and S play together, and even more fun to just sit back and observe them. They talk to each other--half of which in their own language-- and they are just so cute together. I have loved this short time each week, as it shows me a different side of their relationship. It's the side that demonstrates their twin bond, a side that is usually buried due to life's busy schedule or the dynamics that evolve when Corinne, myself or Brett are around. But when they are allowed this time together, with no one else interfering, it is fascinating to behold. They follow each other, make up their own games, give each other directives, and just generally play back and forth with one another. On this particular day they were just hanging out doing some coloring...while sitting on their own little "bench". (Yes, that is their diaper box. No, I have not attempted potty training them)

E & S

More of E & S...one day they hid under the desk together. And the wooden puzzles they're doing are from when my sisters and I were little. They bring back memories from my childhood and they're one of those familiar things from long ago that my mom saved after all these years. My mom brings the puzzles over sometimes and the girls immediately go for them. I love that E & S love them so much! The middle picture I put in because... really. Do people still think E and S are identical? Come on! It's Ellen in polka dots.