Aria always looks like she's got something to say!! We decided she was telling the camera to get it's big lens "outta my face!" These pics were taken on June 15th.

The girls are always wanting snacks at our house, even if they've just had a plate full of spaghetti, green beans (the only vegetable they'll eat), garlic bread and grapes! In an effort to give them only healthy snacks mom has pulled out the chips and salsa. We get baked tortilla chips and a small ramekin of salsa to share between the two of them. Sienna usually eats one or two chips - the same two chips that she dips in the salsa and licks off until she's eaten about half the ramekin or the chip is too soggy to dip anymore!! Meadow just chows down, and it isn't a good chip unless it's got a spoonful of salsa on it!!

(By the way, Meadow was "posing" for all these pictures!)

Again with the something to say face! Meadow was entertaining Aria when these pictures were taken on June 16th (the same day as the salsa and swimming pictures). She seems to think that Aria was telling her about a dream she had about filling her diaper! Leave it to a five year old to come up with something like that!!

With all the sunny weather, most of our days have been spent outside in our little wading pool. The girls don't seem to mind that it's only 5' in diameter. They play monster and storm and firefighter and all kinds of made-up games when they are in the backyard. It gives them something to do while mommy is trying to tackle the patio project she undertook!

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And here is little Miss "Thang" with her new, automatic Diego and Dora toothbrush. I don't think a 2 year old has ever brushed their teeth as well as Sienna does now. Mommy used to be under the impression that automatic toothbrushes were a waste of money, but she has been shown the evidence that says otherwise. Even Meadow does a better job brushing now.

A few days in the life . . .

I thought I'd just post a few pictures of regular days around our place. After looking at the pictures in this post, I guess no day is really regular. They all come with their own surprises! On June 10th we went to a Family Fun Day hosted by some local businesses in support of the soldiers and families at Fort Riley. The girls didn't want to leave!

It seemed like the whole park was a playground! There was something to play on everywhere you looked. The picture in the middle is Sienna being very concerned that Meadow went in a Fire Safety trailer! I didn't get pictures of that, but Meadow said it was really cool. The trailer is set up like a mini home and comes complete with it's own smoke. The fireman excorts the child through the trailer explaining what to do in case there is ever a fire in their home. It even has a "hot door" for the kids to touch to see if it's safe to open!

The first picture of Aria was taken inside. She is really taking notice of the things around her now! The next three are taken on the driveway. It was such a nice day I didn't want the kids to be inside. Meadow didn't want to go outside - she wanted to play a game, so we compromised! Sienna didn't really play, but she got her turns to spin. Aria certainly didn't play, she was too busy snoring away in the sun!

After we were done playing Chutes and Ladders Meadow helped mommy with a little bit of weeding. Sienna "helped" by pulling all the blooms off the flowers! Then Meadow got to hold Aria while mommy and Sienna cleaned up our toys and the weeds before going inside for dinner.

Meadow got a big surprise before bedtime. We opened a package from daddy (mommy usually gets the mail pretty late and Sienna had already fallen asleep). In the package daddy had put a book and a cd. The cd was a video of him reading the book. Meadow LOVED it! She watched it three times and then mommy had to pull her away to go to bed! We can't wait to share it with Sienna tomorrow!

Camouflage Belt!

"It's just like daddy's uniform!" is what Meadow has proudly told grandparents, friends, neighbors and anyone who'll listen. Meadow tested for her 4th belt in Taekwondo on Jun 8th. She did great! She still isn't sure if she wants to continue - Mr. Hackerott seems to think she'll be more interrested when she can start sparring and breaking boards. We'll see. Mom and Meadow discussed it and decided that she has to go to three classes as a Camouflage belt before she decides that she doesn't want to go anymore.
These are pictures of Meadow doing her form.

Mrs. and Mr. Hackerott are in the back left, his sister and Mr. Rex Willems (2006 World Champion in Sparring and Weapons) are on the right. Mr. Willems was our guest judge. The boy standing behind Meadow started the same day she did. His name is Cody, and he doesn't want her to leave!

And little Miss Aria found the whole thing very entertaining!

Bug Museum

Actually, Meadow corrected me as we got out of the car and she read the sign, "It's not a Bug Museum, mom. It's an Insect Zoo and it's located 'down the path just past the Rose Garden.'" So it's the Insect Zoo, and they got a kick out of it again! This was our second time. The first time was with Daddy last September (I think) and the flowers and plants in the garden had already begun to prepare for winter. This time, they hadn't all quite caught up with Spring yet! We'll just have to go again :) I think it's obvious they were having a good time!