Pigtails!

Sunday I decided to see if Alice's hair was long enough for pig tails and it was. She looked so cute. And she left them in all day. Even when they fell out at church, she let me put them back in. Now when it hit around 7pm, she no longer let me put them back, but she did great in my book. I didn't know how long they would last, so I whipped out the camera to catch the moment on film before it vanished. He she is before church on Sunday.

All the little curls in the back

For the last two nights I've put the girls to bed because Kevin had mutual last night and then a work meeting tonight. Well, I nurse Alice and then put her in her crib and she cries for at least 30 minutes. Both nights Jane has fallen asleep watching her movie before Alice has finished crying. I thought I'd take a picture.

Let me also share my testimony builder of how much the Lord loves us, knows us, and answers the seemingly simplest of prayers. Last night I wanted the girls to be in bed before the Flamms came over. (I occasionally watch Morgan and Erin while Russ and Tamara go to a martial arts class). So I nursed Alice and put her in her room at 7:30. She cried and cried and I figured if Jane was still up when the girls came over it would be ok, I'd live and so would she. I was just about to read scriptures with her, but when I looked at her, she had fallen asleep. It was now 7:40. The Flamms were coming between 7:45 and 8:00. I didn't know if I should go in and lay Jane on her bed, get Alice and try and nurse her to sleep before they showed up, or what. So I knelt down and said a little prayer. I shared my predicament with the Lord and let Him know my concerns and desires and asked what I should do. The thought came to mind that I should put Jane in my bed (that thought had never occurred to me until right then) and let Alice cry herself to sleep. And so I did. It worked out beautifully. My girls slept the whole time Morgan and Erin were here and we had a good night. I am so grateful for that answered prayer and inspiration. My mission president told me once that we are entitled to the same inspiration the Prophet and his Apostles receive, with what we have stewardship over. It is True!!!! If you don't believe me try it and you will! The Lord does hear and answer our prayers.

Thank goodness for the rain!

It has been really dry here lately, so the heavens decided to give us plenty of rain over the last few days and I think for the next week. Our canals have been very low, just mud. And the alligator hasn't been in there either, but today he was. And even though it's hard being cooped up inside, we make the most of it, going to the mall, going for walks in between downpours, and playing in the puddles.

Kevin was supposed to go to mutual tonight, but lightening struck something near or at our ward building, effecting the sceptic tank and so the sewage was backing up (doesn't sound good), but he got the night off to spend with us, so I'm very grateful. They had a blast splashing around.

Butterball!

So, if any of you were wondering why our girls are such cute and chubby babies, well here's our secret...

Butter!

Yep, we let them eat it right out of the container. Pure fat! Goes right to the thighs and cheeks!

Alice heads straight for the fridge the minute she hears it open. Last night, Kevin and I were trying to get all the food on the table for our dinner guests and Alice swiped the tub of butter out of the fridge. I saw her trying to open it, but figured "Ah, she's fine." So then I forgot about that until Kevin said, "Oh, Alice!" I looked down to find her sticking her fingers in the tub and then putting them to her mouth. We quickly cleaned her up, after capturing the moment on film, of course. She loved the feel of the butter in her fingers because she kept squishing them as I tried to wash them. So, note to self, she can open containers!

Primary Activity - Music, music, music

This morning we had a Primary activity for the kids at our church building. It was tons of fun. Not too many kids showed up, but for the ones that did we are grateful and they seemed to enjoy themselves. They learned all about music and how it moves us. First they learned about the battle of Jericho and how the walls came tumbling down while they blew their trumpets. They also played name that tune with the Articles of Faith, made music shakers (containers filled with beans), and colored pictures while listening to different types of music. It was a fun morning.

That's the arc of the covenant they are carrying.

They also had dance time. We played all sorts of different types of rhythms and beats and the kids showed us their best moves. Oh, it was good!

I love Sami's little ballet moves amidst the crowd and Bobby's handbanging was classic. All the kids did a great job.

Then we got to have sing-a-long time with me and my limited guitar skills. Thank goodness for simple chords. I loved it as much as the kids. I think that is one of my favorite things to do, sing and play, which is why I learned the guitar in the first place. My piano skills weren't quite good enough to sing a long to.

While we were cleaning up, Jane and Mattie discovered the arc and that they could carry it. It was too cute.

And this picture was just too cute not to post!

Family Home Evening

Just some fun pictures from our bike ride to the park for FHE a couple of weeks ago. Both our girls love to be outside.

Jane and Alice about to climb through the tube

Alice and I on the bike. When Kevin's home, Jane doesn't have to share the bike trailer with little hair pulling Alice, so it's a treat for both of them. And yes, we need to invest in bike helmets!

Daddy's little helper...

Jane loves to fix things. When she saw Kevin changing the oil she just had to help Daddy fix the car. These are the priceless moments in life and the reason to have cameras.

Kevin loves how she looks like she's really concentrating hard on what she is doing in the top picture. They love "Daddy and Jane" time. Since I went to a Relief Society service and class day, Kevin had the morning and part of the afternoon with Jane.

They also went to a garden of some sort and Kevin had fun taking pictures of Jane. Jane took her turn at being photographer too. Not bad.

I love this picture

They saw a cool snake too

Peek-a-boo!

Happy Mother's Day!

Every afternoon we go and play out back. Luckily we have three large oak trees which provide lots of shade. It is getting hot here. I was chatting on my phone while pushing the girls on the swings and both of them fell asleep. It was too sweet. Here are the girls asleep in the swings.

Little Alice gets the red swing

Jane gets the blue swing

The sweet life! I sat down in the chair after I took the picture and enjoyed the beautiful afternoon.

Jane wearing my new flip flops this morning. She's got a little ways to go till she'll fill them.

Alice had a rough night last night because she has some kind of cough and drainage with a slight fever, poor thing. Kevin was consoling her this morning while making me waffles for breakfast. A single red rose from Kevin and a fun balloon from Jane and Alice started the celebration. Thank you, family for a wonderful Mother's Day!

Yesterday evening we went to Chick-fil-a for dinner. While there Jane announced that she had to go potty. So I took her. And she peed! We haven't been doing more than asking if she wants to sit on the potty every now and then and in the pool she'll get out and pee on a rock in my parents yard, but other than that I've been laxed on the whole potty training thing. Well, she peed in the toilet all day today too. Not a drop in her pull-up! Happy Mother's Day to me! Here's she's watching a movie while trying to poop this morning. That will take a little longer to master. I think the DVD player will help. She sat there for a good 10 - 15 minutes. Anyway, I just thought I would share. Good job, Janie!