‘graciecakes’

It has been quite a week.  Dave went away on a business trip for a couple of days in Salt Lake City, Utah and came home just in the nick of time to take care of two sick kids and to take one “neck-spasmed” wife to the ER and then to the Orthopedist.  I’m sure he’s thanking his lucky stars he came home so soon.  Somehow I think he’d rather have stayed with the Mormons and joined The Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter Day Saints!  He certainly would have found more peace there

I sit here on Saturday, with my neck a little twisted and some pain going down my arm.  But I’m grateful that both my girls are fever free and I’m feeling a little better!

During all of the comotion this week, my little Livi figured out how to climb onto the chair in the green room.  But if you know Livi like I know her, it’s not enough just to be able to sit on the chair.  Nooooooo, she must also stand on the chair and give her mother a heart attack a hundred times a day.

Here’s the proof captured on film!

Climbing Up!

Nicely Sitting!

Must Stand Up!

TROUBLE!!!!!

Can I always dress them in the same outfit?  Will they always want their “paci’s”?  If I could push a button and keep them 1 and 2 for the next 50 years, I would!

Today was a special day. 

First, Sarah asked to use the potty and she made “peepee”!  Truth be told, she squeezed out about 5 drops and scared herself off the toilet :0)  But, she got a present from Mommy anyway….two hula hoops.  Livi Kate couldn’t be left out!  She cheered Sarah on!

Second, Sarah put on her own sneakers by herself…..on the right feet too!!!!

Finally, today in the car, Livi and Sarah had their first official conversation.  It went something like this:

Livi:  “Sarah?”

Sarah:  “Yes?”

Livi:  “Wha doing?”

Sarah:  “What are you doing?”

Livi:  “I U” (in English translates to, “I Love You”)

Sarah: “I U”

Livi: (blows kiss)

Sarah: (blows kiss)

Olivia is 16 months going on 16 years old!

How do I begin to describe my Olivia?  Maybe a picture would help!

This photo truly encompasses Olivia’s personality.  She is undeniably cute, playful, happy, sweet and funny. 

What you don’t see in the picture is how incredibly smart she is.  She has always acted older than her true age.   She started speaking at 10 months old and hasn’t stopped since.  She’s mature and can keep up with her sister and cousins with no problem.  She can sing her ABC’s, count to 10 and knows countless nursery rhymes and songs.  At a year old, she knew everyone in the family and could say their names….even, Aunt Sharlene!!!  

When she  gets excited, she shakes her arms in the air and shouts, “Wooohooo”.  She loves to play and she loves to be free.  Olivia never liked being “put in” anything, ie:  walker, jumper, playpen, swing…etc…. 

In as many was as Olivia is similar to Sarah, she is different.  She LOVES her sister and imitates everything she does.   She is always a little lost when Sarah is not around.  Sarah is her sister, her playmate and her best friend.  Olivia also LOVES..might I say it again..LOVES her Daddy!  He is the first person she asks for in the morning and when he’s working, she asks for him throughout the day.  When he’s home, I may as well be invisible.  Yes…me, her Mother, the person who carried her for nine months and gave birth to her, is now non-existent when Dad is in the room. 

Olivia’s a little bowl legged and pigeon toed and when she walks, she wiggles her head and body back and forth.  Needless to say, she makes me laugh just  by walking into a room. 

Olivia is also a little mischievous.  I never had to lock a cabinet or drawer until my Livi came along.  Not only is she into everything, but she has taught Sarah to get into things Sarah never even considered doing. 

She is a precious, precious little girl and I can’t ever remember a time without her….nor do I want too!

Sarah is just shy of 2 and 1/2.

Sarah is the most delightful little girl.  She is kind and loving to Olivia, and friendly to every stranger she meets.  She is ALWAYS happy, she ALWAYS has a smile on her face, she is ALWAYS ready to play and anyone who knows her will tell you that she is ALWAYS ready for a party!   She is a “people person” and loves to be surrounded by her family and friends.  God help me on the days when everyone is busy and I have to tell her that she’s just stuck with Mom for the day:)  She talks incessantly, sometimes enough to drive me batty.  She has learned and mastered the art of asking a question, and the questions start from the minute she opens her eyes to the minute she closes them.  She must take after her mother.  Nana always said that I was vaccinated with a victrola needle.  She goes to bed each night asking what we’ll be doing the next day and wakes up in the morning only to confirm the previous nights agenda.  Not a day goes by when she doesn’t say or do something to make me laugh.  She’s silly, serious and silver tongued.  She is joy personified.  She fills my heart to overflowing.   She can frustrate me and try my patience when she whines or stubbornly refuses to listen (or…when she pretends not to hear…), but she can also make me extremely proud when she exhibits great compassion or strength or smarts.   She is beautiful.  She is opinionated.  She is fearless.  She is TWO. 

And I know one day I’m going to miss this.

 Here are some of the statements you’d hear Sarah saying these days….

When she wakes up in the morning or from a nap, she always says, “I’m waiting!!!”

“What are we going to do today?”, is the next sentece out of her mouth after she wakes up and about 10 more times during the day.

“Ooooph, it’s cold out there,” is something she says when she comes in from outside, regardless of the temperature.

If we’re doing something without her, she’ll say, “Guys, what are you doing/eating/watching/playing?”

“Libby, follow me!”

More to come…..Olivia just woke up from her nap!

It’s Mother’s Day and I’m blessed.

I’m not sure how I got so lucky.  I have a husband who is the most kind, loving and genuine man I know.   He loves me and always puts my needs before his.  He loves Sarah and Olivia with all his heart ~ he is so gentle and patient with those little girls, it would melt your heart!   He is a dream come true, and I look forward to every minute I have with him.  He makes me laugh each and every day and keeps me from getting caught up in the daily grind.  He makes every day fun!

My girls are the loves of my life…..my heart and soul!  They are beautiful, smart and funny.  Each day, one of them inevitably says or does something to make me laugh!  I love them more than they could ever know and I thank God every day that I get to be their mommy!

…even when it’s not your birthday!!! 

Sarah has been asking for a birthday cake and candles for about two weeks.  When I put her to bed last night, I told her that we would go to the supermarket to buy some cupcakes and candles.  When she woke up this morning, it was the first thing she remembered and quickly reminded Dad that she needed to go and buy her cupcakes and candles. 

Well…a promise is a promise!  And so we went shopping, bought cupcakes and candles, lit them and sang happy birthday to everyone!  As you can see in pictures, fun was had by all

My dear nephew, Lukie-Bob, always insists on teaching my two precious angels who never get into trouble, (hehehe), new tricks everytime he stops by.  Today’s lesson was…..”How to take all the toys out of one’s toybox and turn it into a boat!”  Thank you Lukie-Bob!!

I often think my house is too small and that I wish I could have a big playroom for the girls.   I’m not sure why I want either, when this is where they spend most of the day!!

Hanging out behind the kitchen table!

Margaret, Dave and I took the 5 kids today to get some professional pictures taken.  Presents for the Grandparents….torture for the parents

Usually, I would say that I would rather have a root canal then take children to get their pictures taken.  But today, the kids were sooooooooooo  good and cooperative.  Each of them, even Olivia, listened to instructions, sat where they were asked to and even smiled on occasion!  What more could any Mom ask for?

Dave was brave enough to take all five kids back to our house and watch them while Margaret and I picked out the pictures.  Thank God he did because we weren’t even called to look at the pictures for an hour.  Then it took another hour to choose and have the pictures printed and framed.   Here’s a sample of some BEAUTIFUL kids!

The front row looks like a line-up….don’t you think?

Loving Sisters!

So cute!!!!