Susie (on left): “Mom, you’ve been holding out on us.  Good thing Grammie lets us have milk with our cheerios!” 

Becky (on left): “Dad, that is one big bathtub.” 

Becky: “Are you paying close attention to my sliding skills?  Watch and be amazed.” 

Susie: “I think I’m getting choked, but this is still fun!”

Me: “Getting drenched in a sudden downpour is a small price to pay for the pleasure of boating to the ice cream parlor!” 

Susie: “I’m so glad Aunt Angie lets us borrow her colored pencils.  She’s so much more fun than Mom!” 

Becky (on left): “Grandpa’s story reading is so enthralling I’m considering sitting still until it’s over.” 

Susie: “Aunt Angie is a good story reader too.  Even my puppy is entertained.”   

Susie: “I hope one day I can grow up to read just like Aunt Angie.”

Me (taking the picture): “I just hope Susie sticks with her love of Strawberry Shortcake books instead of her aunt’s love of Stephen King!” 

Angie: “I now bequeath upon you, Miss Susanna Joy, your very own Pillow Pet.” 

Becky: “Am I dreaming?  Is it Christmas already?” 

Becky and Susie: “We’re never letting our Pillow Pets go.”

Becky: “I guess I’ll share my Duck with Dad, if I have to.”

Jim: “Hey, these things aren’t so dumb after all.  I think I need one, too.” 

Susie: “My turtle also makes a great reading table.  Who knew pillows were so versatile?”

Becky: “All this pillow talk has me tuckered out.  I’m just gonna chill with Dad for a while.” 

Susie: “Aunt Angie is the best aunt in the world!” 

Susie: “I’ll just be happy if I can sit with the big girls all day.”

Becky: “I didn’t come here to sit and look pretty.  I came here for some speed!” 

Becky: “And for some monkey business.”

Jim: “Gavin, do you think you can ride this tube as fast as Becky can?”    

Susie: “Okay, maybe the water isn’t so bad.  Matt assures me I’ll be just fine.”

Susie: “Umm…the boat is a little far away for my taste.  I did what you asked and got on this silly raft.  Now let’s get back to socializing.” 

Here’s a video to show you what a great time they’re all having:

They enhance games of leapfrog:

They make you a better artist:

They enhance your “what are YOU looking at?” expressions:

They improve your four-wheeling skills:

And they make you look Arabian princesses frolicking in a parched land (that happens to be populated by SUVs):

Not to mention they make your mom laugh chuckle and take lots of pictures! 

If only all our desires in life could be utterly satisfied by a spinning musical horse!   

Because doesn’t the picture Becky is gazing at below look a lot like a smiling Susie? 

At least Becky thinks so – every time she turns to that page in the book, she exclaims “Suey!  Suey!” (that’s her pet name for her sister…or maybe she’s calling her sister a pig, who knows).

Anyway, as I was saying, I don’t use body wash.  Therefore I don’t buy it.  So what was it doing in my bag?

The only answer I can come up with is that the girls felt I was in need of some body wash.  Their arms are now long enough that, given the narrow aisles of the grocery store and my frenzied let’s-get-through-this-as-fast-as-we-can approach to shopping,  it’s very possible that the girls have been sweeping an additional item or two into my cart.  And since I’m not a fastidious receipt-verifier like I ought to be, it’s probable that I’ve ended up purchasing and bringing home those items without noticing.  In fact, if I know the girls’ tastes at all, they’ve most likely thrown an extra box of cookies or candy into the cart, which I was unconsciously grateful for. 

But they went too far with the body wash.  Especially since it was an “age defying” body wash.  So not only did they get my personal hygiene preferences wrong and imply that I smell bad, they also implied that I look OLD. 

Those stinkers.

Maybe I should use the body wash on them.    

And a slide.

And some tanbark. 

And last but not least, a weed wacker.

Becky: “Look at that weed wacker!” 

Apparently, a weed wacker is much more exciting than the grass, the sky, or swings.    

“Forget these swings, Mom.  We want to watch the power tools!” 

Susie (on left): “Mom left us this white stuff to decorate the garage floor with, right?” 

Becky: “Yup.  I think it looks the best when it’s crumbled into itty bitty, impossible-to-sweep-up pieces, don’t you?” 

Gabe, we wish you all the best and pray that the Lord will continue to guide your steps and maybe even bring you back to Connecticut, Lord willing.  You will be missed!           

Life is good.

Susie: “I’m going to ask Mom if I can have a real puppy, just like Beth’s.” 

Susie: “Mom said I could get a puppy ‘When pigs fly.’  Anybody see a pig up there?” 

Becky: “This was the perfect night.  We got to eat pizza and cake, play with Beth, AND watch TV in our jammies.  Mom’s such a pushover when she has company over!” 

Becky took Nana’s walker for a little test drive…

…and we took a nice little stroll…

…and gave Nana lots of little kisses.

A perfect little afternoon! 

Look – aren’t they pretty?! 

I’ll let you know if tomorrow I end up with a centerpiece made of sticks!   

…wheel. 

That wasn’t too mushy now, was it?  

Happy Birthday, love. 

Answer: At the ice cream shop, of course!

(Here they are with Jim’s mom on the ubiquitous pink bench outside the shop that seems to appear in so many of our photos.)

And we even had reason to celebrate with copious amounts of ice cream, because the girls passed their two-year check-up with flying colors.  The doctor was especially pleased with the improvement in their verbal skills since their last visit (Becky now speaks in 3-4 word sentences and has an extensive vocabulary that exceeds what I can count, and Susie speaks in 2 word sentences and has an age-appropriate 50-100 word vocabulary).  The girls’ physical measurements have jumped along with their vocabulary.  Susie now weighs in at 23 lbs 2 oz, and is 33-1/4’’ in height, and Becky is 26 lbs 7 oz and 34-1/2’’ in height.  That puts Susie at the 10th percentile for weight and 50th for height, and Becky at 50th for weight and 75th for height. 

Hooray for growing girls – and hooray for the ice cream that most likely caused their healthy growth!

Today we went for a “hike” in the woods (what I call a hike, others would probably call a leisurely stroll), and the girls proudly showed me each and every rock they came across.  Then they would carry the rock until they stumbled upon (often literally stumbled upon) the next rock that caught their fancy. 

We eventually came to a spot with a picnic table overlooking the lake.  The girls had worked up an appetite hauling all those rocks around, so we happily munched on our PB&J sandwiches.  I had hoped they would appreciate the scenic lake view, and they did, although for a different reason.  While I was admiring the beautiful expanse of water, they were paying rapt attention to the group of middle school-aged kids that were splashing happily around the shore.  It wasn’t quite the peaceful communion with nature I had expected, but it was enjoyable all the same.  The girls were thrilled to be around big kids, I was happy to be outside by the water, our tummies were full, and there was a whole trail full of rocks just waiting to be discovered on our trek back – life doesn’t get much better than that!      

Susie’s not quite sure whether to side with Gabe or her Dad when it comes to soccer.  She likes the net, but so far the only thing she’s put into the goal is herself.

And a purse.  And a rock.  And a rubber ducky.     

I fear Susie may grow up to be one of those girls who will be more focused on whether her ponytail holder matches her jersey than whether it’s her turn to kick the ball.  Her Dad will be so proud!      

…when she tries to plug in her book.

Becky tried to wake Liam up for just one more playtime before they left. 

The girls got in one last Gabe-tackle before their departure.

Jim decided we’d just hold Liam hostage.    

Alas, we had to let them go on their way, baby cheeks and all.  We hope it won’t be long before we can see them again!  

Becky: “I adore you, Kyana.”

Liam: “I got lots of kisses today from lots of little girls.” 

We spent a wonderful afternoon on the water, and everyone had a great time, including…

…The little girls – Becky followed Kyana around like a shadow…

…The little boy – Jim loved bonding with his “little buddy”…

…And the big boy – Jay got the urge to jump off a nearly 60-foot high bridge, so he did…

And don’t worry – I’m not afraid that the girls will be copying Jay’s ways any time soon.  While Jay was scaling the rock face to get up to the bridge, I could hear Susie softly saying, “No no.  No no.”  I’m so glad they’re chickens!  

Their cousin Alli left to go home to Arizona a few days ago, and life just hasn’t been the same.  No more late-night full-body tackles, no more early-morning wake-up calls.  No one who lets them play with grown-up sunglasses or who can sit through long stretches of cartoon programming with them. No one who gives in to their repeated requests to be carried up the stairs, no one who can convince them that their veggies are really “bunnies” that need to hop into their mouths.  

Hurry back, Alli.  We all miss you! 

This evening as they were enthusiastically enjoying their new water table from Grammie, I caught on video a humorous interaction between the girls.  Becky had discovered that if she pleaded enough, she could convince Susie to come over and help her stand up from a kneeling position.  And of course, it quickly became a game and Becky kneeled down again and again and again, and Susie dutifully helped her up again and again and again.  It’s a good thing Susie was there to offer her assistance, because my patience would have run out after the first or second time.  I suppose there’s some sort of meaningful lesson in there somewhere…your sister will always be there to help you get onto your feet…never weary of doing good to those in need…make sure to wear dark pants in case of grass stains when kneeling…in any case, I’m glad they were there for each other.  And I’m glad I was there with the camera! 

I love how your little body holds such a big personality.  You are a social butterfly, a charmer, with your impish grin and twinkling eyes.  You are a child of few words, but many songs; I love to hear your sing-songy babbling as you climb the stairs or lay in bed.  Your soft yellow blanket (you call it your “B”) is your constant companion when you’re in your crib or the car, and you can sit quietly and contentedly for hours, holding your “B” and sucking your thumb.  You love to draw (and I’m usually your subject of choice).  You have a strong desire to pick out your own clothes and you love to change your outfit multiple times per day.  You adore wearing hats, especially when they’re pulled down over your eyes.  You are never happier than when you’re messy – covered in dirt or sand or especially cake. You test my nerves with your clinginess at times when you’re tired, but I love how much you love being near me.   I can never get over how light your petite frame is, and how wonderful it feels to have your little body tucked under my chin for a snuggle.

Happy Birthday to my little peanut.  I’m so blessed to have you in my life.

Love,

Mommy

I love your appetite for life – for books (the larger the better), for outdoor exploration, for puppy dogs, for waffles and bananas and Fig Newtons, for big kids, for boating and hiking, for holding my hand, for making your sister laugh, for listening to music.  You are my little narrator, telling me everything you’re thinking and everything I’m doing.  You test my patience with your strong will, but I admire your strength and determination and independence.  Every day, I am more and more impressed with your intelligence (you absorb new words like a sponge), your sensitivity (you become very distressed when your sister is upset, soberly informing me “Sue cry.  Sue cry”), and your cleanliness (you love nothing more than making sure that everything is in its place, including the rocks in the yard).

Happy Birthday to my little punkin.  I’m so blessed to have you in my life.

Love,

Mommy

Yesterday, we were driving home from church, and as we often do, we quizzed the girls on the landmarks along the way. 

Jim: “We’re turning onto Route XYZ.  What comes next?”

Becky: “The bridge!  Bridge come!  Bridge come!”

Jim: “That’s right, Becky.  And Susie, what comes after the bridge?”

Susie: “CAKE!”

My Elmo-dified kitchen.

The girls thought the balloons were very exciting.

They loved watching the big kids in the pool – especially when the boys did cannonballs.

It was great to have the pool so people could cool off from the ninety-degree (at least) temperatures.

The pool also offered a convenient gathering place for us non-swimmers to enjoy the view of other people goofing off in the water.

A little background to the above picture where Susie is pointing to her right hand: I had been holding Susie near the pool when I was stung by a wasp.  I yelped and bit my lip, and quickly handed off Susie to my mother-in-law.  A few minutes later, we noticed a welt on Susie’s hand where evidently she had also been stung, but she never made a sound.  She’s a whole lot braver than her mom!    

Becky was very excited that her friends let her eat as many cheese puffs as she wanted.  I think her expression in this picture reflects her fear that I was going to put an end to the puffs consumption (I didn’t – it was her birthday, after all!)

Becky was so enamored with the party scene that she even let multiple people hold her, which was cause for a celebration (and photo documentation) in my book! 

Alli was so glad she could reconnect with Connecticut friends that she only sees once a year.

We were very thankful that so many of our dear friends drove a distance to enjoy the day with us.

Becky is displaying great self-control by refraining from diving into the cupcakes until I got my camera in place and gave the go-ahead.  Maura was nearby as my back-up in case her inner strength wavered.  Susie kept carrying her party hat around upside down and saying “cake cup, cake cup.” 

Susie with a mouthful of Elmo’s nose.

This picture of Landon typifies the joy of summer: swimming, grilling, and sweets.  Life is good! 

Speaking of sweets, here we are enjoying plenty of them (and now I finally know how Becky ended up with frosting on her back). 

It didn’t take much detective work to figure out how she ended up with a chocolate mustache.

Here are two of the world’s best party planners.  Thanks, Maria and Alli, for all your prep work!

Susie thought her new hat went perfectly with her half-naked birthday suit, as did plenty of kisses for her new Madeline. 

Becky was entranced by a singing birthday card.

Susie insisted on feeding a donut to Alli and cookie monster at the same time.

And lastly, here is Becky’s expression of sheer birthday bliss.  And most likely an overabundance of sugar.  All’s well that ends well. 

And even if the cupcakes we made didn’t look exactly like the furry, red, obnoxiously cheerful Sesame Street character…

…the girls still thought they tasted good!

More pictures to come!

Which of course involves copious amounts of ice cream.

Susie says, “Bottoms up!”