0 Memorial Day in Austin

For the third year in a row, we headed to Austin for Memorial Day weekend. Last year and the year before, we went to watch Matt in the Capital of Texas Triathlon. He didn't do it this year because he was on an awesome trip to Tibet, but we went anyway and stayed with the Doughertys. Despite the fact that Leighton, Georgia, and I all had colds, we managed to have a great time. The kids all had fun running around playing, and we had fun catching up with our Austin friends.

This is Brady. He is now 2.5 years old and has an older sister, Caroline. Because of her, Brady had painted toenails and wore princess dresses. Chad said he thinks it's probably a good idea he does not have a boy after having two little girly girls!

If Georgia could talk, she would say her favorite part of the whole weekend in Austin was the stairs. Whew. We could not leave her alone for one moment because there she would be, crawling up the stairs again. She's really fast too!

Caroline and Brady actually have a bouncy house IN their playroom. This was a big hit with all the kids, especially Leighton.

Look at these babies checking each other out! This is Bradley and his son Dylan (Bradley and Chad used to live together in Austin). What a difference a year makes! Check out these two last year at this time!

Our good friend Lisa came by. Can you tell she's almost 5 months pregnant? Cause I can't! She looks great. I had quite a lot to tell her about what it's like having two kids (she already has a son, Ethan, who is 3). Talking about it while traveling with sick children might not have been the best time to give a positive spin on multiple children.

I don't even know what game Richard and Walter were listening to, but I know it was a UT game, and I know they were very interested in the outcome. Gig 'em.

Ok, so Leighton is definitely going through a phase where she likes to stick her tongue out for pictures. That is fine, since I now know that most weird things kids do don't last long. Can I just say...WOW. My hair really is dark! And that's my natural color, by the way! People ask me all the time if I color my hair. I do not! I went from blond to dark about 6 years ago and have not done a thing since then.

I had a really cute picture of Erin with David and Mary Louisa, but David put a basketball in front of their faces at the very last second!

I did mention to Richard (David's father) that David appears to be pretty good with the basketball. He was all over it in the playroom!

Georgia enjoyed playing with some of the other younger kids there, including sweet little Alice. I don't think I've ever seen Alice cry. (Not that there's anything wrong with that!)

And of course, Dylan. Look at this sweet little smile. I'm hoping we keep up our Memorial Day get-togethers in Austin because it sure is fun watching these kids change from year to year.

So I thought it would be SO cute to get a picture of Alice and Georgia together in their jammies. Alice was totally on board and cooperative. Georgia, on the other hand, was not.

So I thought we should change the setting, and we moved up to a bed. Alice, still totally into it and ready to pose. Georgia, no dice.

I still think that the pictures are pretty cute! Nothing better than babies in footed pajamas, right?

I believe the goal of this game was to try to throw these washers into the hole in the middle of the board. I guess we didn't explain that to Leighton. Because she was just making decorative shapes with the washers and then running over to us with high-fives saying "I did it!!"

We had a great weekend. I mean, yes, we were all sick the whole time. But here's what made it ok: Georgia slept all night both nights. (Leighton, of course, slept all night.) But Georgia...she's our wildcard, and we were shocked she went the whole night. And so that made it a good trip! Along with seeing many of our good friends.

We came back Sunday afternoon so we would have the Monday holiday to "relax," as much as you can relax with two small kids. Georgia enjoyed playing in our baby pool.

Seriously, I cannot take it. Those little baby legs kill me! I guess they aren't necessarily chubby. But they are just baby baby cuteness and I love them!

1 Leighton's last day of school

Today was Leighton's last day as a Yellow Duck at school. I can't believe her first year of school is over! She has changed so much this year, in all different ways, because of school. For example, she now sucks her thumb and is attached to her blanket, lovingly called "soft blankie." But she also is more adventurous, outgoing, and she will actually go down a slide on the playground now! School has been a great experience for her, and I'm sad to see this group of kids and teachers come to an end. Chad and I went up to her school this afternoon for a picnic and I got pics of Leighton with Shana and Elizabeth (Leighton was in the mood to stick out her tongue today).

My goodness is was hot outside today, but it didn't affect any of those kids! We let Leighton run around on her old playground one last time before we left. Here we are with our Yellow Ducks graduate!

I was room mother this year and while it was a challenge, I was glad to be so involved during Leighton's first year. But next year, I think I'll let someone else take their turn!

I found this sweet poem that I put in a card to both of Leighton's teachers. I thought it summed up the parent/teacher relationship wonderfully!

WHOSE CHILD IS THIS?
Author Unknown

"Whose child is this?" I asked one day
Seeing a little one out at play
"Mine", said the parent with a tender smile
"Mine to keep a little while
To bathe his hands and comb his hair
To tell him what he is to wear
To prepare him that he may always be good
And each day do the things he should"

"Whose child is this?" I asked again
As the door opened and someone came in
"Mine", said the teacher with the same tender smile
"Mine, to keep just for a little while
To teach him how to be gentle and kind
To train and direct his dear little mind
To help him live by every rule
And get the best he can from school"

"Whose child is this?" I ask once more
Just as the little one entered the door
"Ours" said the parent and the teacher as they smiled
And each took the hand of the little child
"Ours to love and train together
Ours this blessed task forever."

1 Madelyn Miya

I mentioned previously my little Cabbage Patch Kid experiment. Well it continues on. We welcomed ANOTHER GIRL, Madelyn Miya, to the family this week. Leighton went with me to the toy store and helped pick her out. I believe Leighton wanted a boy, and she kept talking about how it was going to be a boy. I tried to explain to her that we don't know what we are getting when we buy the baby, so we have to be excited whatever it is (just like in real life). I don't think she understood. At all. But she sure was excited to see the little pink diapers on her new baby when we opened her.

When we got home, Madelyn quickly became friends with the other sisters in the family. I bet Chad never knew he'd be the proud father of SEVEN girls! Ha!

You may be able to tell in that picture of Leighton and this one of Georgia that their little outfits match. Georgia pooped on hers before I had a chance to take a picture of them together. Such is life. I'm pretty sure the police are going to arrest me soon for matchy-match intoxication!

Chad just loves when Georgia runs around in just her diaper. It IS pretty cute, with her little chubby butt cheeks peeking out of her diaper. She ran around yesterday in her "Grandpa's Girl" t-shirt that Leighton used to wear. Here's several pictures for those family members out of town who can't get enough of those sweet little baby legs!

Leighton would NOT, would not pose for a picture with her new baby. I got several of her hiding behind the baby. But I finally got her with Madelyn, who actually looks a lot like her.

More pictures for those who enjoy baby legs. I sure do. I can't get enough of em! She's just so tiny! Georgia, if you ever read this when you are older, know that I kissed your little legs and feet and toes and loved on you every second you were in my presence!

1 Happy birthday, Granddaddy!

We love you! Have a wonderful birthday today!

0 Georgie

Both girls have colds right now, so we're running through Boogie Wipes like crazy. But even though they feel cruddy, they are still fairly happy little girls. Leighton wouldn't pose for me yesterday, but Georgia did! Here she is giving me a smooch.

Georgia loves to play peek-a-boo. When we say "Where's Georgia?" she usually covers her face with her hands and hides. I said it yesterday and she hid behind these little blocks.

Georgia's teeth are coming in like crazy. She's got 4 across the top now and 2 on bottom, and it looks like there's a couple more about to burst through on the bottom. Which means she's gnawing on everything in sight.

1 Swimming

After the zoo this afternoon (and after Georgia's nap--she's an awesome napper, by the way), we went outside and played in the pool for a little bit. Georgia had on her birthday suit at first, but we threw on her swimsuit so once again, she and her sister could match.

Georgia LOVED it. She was slippin' and slidin' all over the pool. I think she could have stayed in a lot longer. Good to know she isn't afraid of the water! At all!

Love this picture of Leighton!

1 Matchey-match

I might be going a little out of control with the girls' clothes. But it's just too fun and from what I hear, I only have a small window to get them to dress alike and then it's all over. So I'm going for it in the meantime. They got all cute to go to the zoo this morning, if I do say so myself.

2 Pee pee party

We really are putting some effort into potty training Leighton. Without putting too much pressure on her (man, she can get sensitive!). So Saturday, we had a pee-pee party and we all put Leighton's big girl panties on our heads and waited for her to pee in the potty. She sat on her toilet for THREE HOURS without a drop. Can you imagine? And she wouldn't get off the potty. I'm sure her buns were numb from sitting there. She finally gave a little drop. Yippee! We were pretty over the party by then...three hours later and all. But it was fun. At the beginning.

Georgia loves the potty and I have a feeling she'll be into potty training way earlier than Leighton was. But I guess second kids are advanced like that.

We need to just pull the band-aid off and go for it with the potty. I just need to be emotionally ready. (And pull up all the rugs!)