Adria and the shoes

I don't remember what age Julia was when she started loving shoes. She still loves shoes, although not quite as obsessively as she used to. Adria has started loving shoes just as much. I find it to be adorable. Before bed almost every time now, they each pick a pair of shoes they want to wear to bed. Julia will keep hers on all night, but Adria usually takes them off and cuddles with them. I think either way would be terribly uncomfortable, but hey, whatever gets you through the night, right? Also, I just want to mention that Adria HATES having her feet covered by the blanket. Like really, just hates it more than anything in her life. Random.

Sharpie doodles

I just want to start this post by saying that I love my girls. I have to say that because when I found Sharpie all over my bathroom, love was what stopped my from sending them to live with my mom for a few months. See how much I love them? Well, the story is pretty simple. Julia - our quiet, helpful, angel child - found a Sharpie in a box in my closet. She went in the bathroom and shut the door. It was about 10 minutes before Ben found her. In that time she pretty well covered all the various surfaces in the bathroom with some kind of doodle. Here are some of my favorites.

I love how she included the little toy.

This is pretty much what was around the bathroom, little marks like she was afraid to make too much of a mess.

And in case you thought the toilet got off easy...

Yeah, I love my girls.

Julia's first dance class

On Wednesday Julia and Tori started their dance class. They were both SOOO excited. Julia was so excited that she wore her ballet shoes everywhere for several weeks as she waited for class to start. I think her excitement has dimmed a little. Her teacher, Miss Karen, had to keep reminding Julia to stay in the circle and not just look in the mirror. But, other than that, Julia had a fun time. The first half of the class they do ballet and the second half is tap dancing. I'm glad that Tori is in Julia's class. I think it makes it much less scary. When we were looking at these pictures, she pointed and said, "That's my best friend Tori, and that's Tori's best friend, Julia." Then she turned to Adria and said, "And that's my best friend Adria." I'm glad she has best friends!

A party for Julia and Tori

Thanks to everyone who came! The girls had such a fun time.

What does the bunny say?

This morning we were reading Curious George and the Bunny. Adria pointed to the bunny and said, "moo!" That's her default if she doesn't know what noise an animal makes. I told her the bunny doesn't say "moo" the bunny just wiggles its nose. Julia corrected me, "The bunny says, Get it hoppin'! Get it hoppin'!!" I asked her who told her that and she pointed to herself, "I did!" Can't argue with that.

Its a horse...oh, I mean a dog

I can't imagine owning a great dane. These dogs are just so darn big! Adria is our little animal lover. She runs pell mell to any animal she sees. She helps me feed our fish every day. But I thought that two huge great danes would be enough to make her pause. I was wrong. I hesitated even when the owner assured me they were friendly. So Adria turned her pleas to Ben who naturally took her right over. The dogs were actually some of the nicest dogs I've ever met. Even Julia was coaxed into petting them. They really loved kisses.

If you run out of hair gel...

Just use syrup.

My dad mentioned how fun it was that I was posting more lately. With kids like this, it's hard not to. Every day is a new adventure. Adria ate 1 1/2 pieces of french toast and made this mess in the time it took me to make myself a bagel. Seriously. Also, she had just gotten out of the bath for the second time today.

Learning new words

Yesterday I told the girls they were being goofy. I explained to Julia that goofy means silly or funny. This morning I was tickling Adria and Julia said, "Mommy, you're so goopy." I said, "I'm goopy?" "Yes, you're silly." I laughed and said, "Julia, I think you're goofy!" Her reply, "No, I'm aborable!" Then she started laughing really hard. I'm pretty sure that's as "aborable" as it gets.

Bedhead

I think she had a good sleep...

Pictures from Labor Day

We spent Labor Day with Ben's sister, Autume. The last thing we did was go to the Fashion Island Mall to let the girls see the fish pond and all the fountains. They had a great time and I wanted to share a few cute pictures.

Happy birthday Julia

Dear Julia,

Today you turned three. I honestly can't believe how fast three years have gone. I'll never forget the day we brought you home from the hospital. The first thing you did in your new home was take a nap on the couch with your daddy. What a sweet feeling it was for me as a new mom to know that your daddy and you were already best friends. That hasn't changed as you've grown. Your favorite things to do are things with your daddy. He takes you over all the time to watch the little league games at the park. Your favorite game to play or watch is baseball. But you don't get bored of soccer and football either. I really enjoy your love of sports because it shows me that you like what you like no matter what daddy and I think. You also love dressing up. For your birthday you told me all you wanted was ballet slippers and wings. I even showed you a doll house and you didn't want it. You love learning new things. Whenever you hear about something new you ask me to show you pictures and movies. Today daddy told you about a lake where frogs live and we spent 20 minutes looking up pictures of frogs. Your favorite were the blue poison dart frogs. A few days ago you watched an hour of the Nutcraker ballet on YouTube because you wanted to see how ballerinas dance. I hope you hold on to that love of learning your whole life, it is such a great gift. It seems like every day you are saying something that makes me smile. I love hearing you talk and tell us all about the world as you see it. Today I asked daddy if he liked a car and you said, "Let's talk about that, mommy." I love you so much! You are also a wonderful big sister. You and Adria play so well together. You even gave her the last cupcake today because she was sad that I gave it to you. Your love for your little sister makes me so proud. I love that you are best friends, it makes me so happy. Thank you, Julia, for trying so hard to be a good girl. You help me clean up toys, cook in the kitchen, sing Adria to sleep or give us hugs when we are sad. We are so glad you are in our family. And of course no birthday would be complete without your best friend, Tori. You are such a great friend to her. I am so proud of how nicely you two play together (most days). Thank you for being who you are. I love you sweetheart! Happy birthday!

I lived in Heaven

Tonight I was reading the girls scriptures and we read about the premortal life. I explained to the girls that Jesus is our brother and we all lived together. Then there was a picture of angels rejoicing and the text said that "We all shouted for joy when we were told that Jesus would be our Savior." Julia started naming everyone she loves, "Jesus is my brother, Jesus is mommy's brother and Daddy's brother and Heather's brother and Tori's brother." Then she crouched to the ground and said, "We all shouted for JOY!" and she jumped up and threw her hands in the air. Then she gave me a kiss and said, "Jesus loves us." It was so pure and sweet. It touches me so deeply that my daughter already has a testimony of how much her Savior loves her. I love you too, Julia.

Berry picking

My parents have an amazing selection of berries growing in their garden and Julia's favorite were the blackberries. She and Adria loved that they could go back and pick berries whenever they wanted. Julia was quite good at picking out the best berries. She rarely picked a berry that wasn't perfect for eating. I think these are my favorite of all the pictures I took in Utah.

If you read a muffin book...

The girls will want to play with the muffin tins.

Playing with muffin tins will remind them how fun baking is.

Baking is fun because they like to hold the mixer.

When they are done mixing, they'll want to try a bite... Or two... Or ten...

Then they'll want wear oven mits to watch the cupcakes bake.

While they wait, they'll probably have a tea party.