*making M laugh by chasing her

*M wrapping legs around us when we hold her because she doesn't want us to put her down

*snuggling with G on the couch and reading

*making apple juice at school

*M's ponytail on top of her head is just so cute

*listening to the way M says "Dada"

*watching M follow us as we carry the recycling to the tub...She's a great helper!

*having our first quiet meal in a long time with no crying

As I write this, the girls are sick, not napping like they are supposed to be and whining about everything. I thought I better write some of our moments as a reminder that it is not always like this...

*singing My Father's World with Gracie

*dancing to Faith Hill's Fireflies with Madelyn (love that song!)

*listening to Madelyn say "mo" (more)

*listening to Sandra Boynton music and Veggie Tales music with Gracie this morning

*blowing bubbles with the girls

*pumpkin chocoate chip cookies

*Gracie sayinig, "Daddy, you need to vacuum the grass."

*calling Joseph and Lydia and wishing them a happy birthday

*watching Madelyn walk around with socks on her hands

*holding Gracie in the rocking chair

*hearing the thank-you's at church for teaching Sunday school...they go a long way!

*playing out front in the cool morning air

*listening to Gracie read The Runaway Pumpkin with me

*getting excited for all the new TV shows to start...especially Numbers.

*listening to Madelyn sing into the paper towel tube

*smiling as Gracie rubbed Madelyn's back and sang Twinkle, Twinkle to her

*laughing as Madelyn imitated washing her hands while I washed mine

*loving the way Gracie's pigtails bounce up and down as she runs

*making egg-salad...yum!

*homemade blueberry crumble with lots of brown sugar and oatmeal

*the feast we had at school for Royal Day...sparkly crowns, goblets, chicken legs, grapes, and apple juice!

*sweet-smelling play-doh

*loving the book King Bidgood's in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood

*learning to love the Dick and Jane books

*watching Madelyn pick out a book and then sit in my lap

*watching Madelyn sit on the book when I read to Gracie

*hearing the girls' laughter as Jim chased them around the kitchen

*taking the girls for a wagon ride

On a different note, I am missing the Pumpkin Festival and all it's yummy pumpkin treats! I plan to make some pumpkin chocolate-chip cookies tomorrow!

*watching the girls unique dance moves

*Rainbow Rabbit Lucy Regan, Gracie's name guess for Bethany's baby

*listening to Madelyn read Biscuit to us

*holding Madelyn after her nap while she drank her milk. There is nothing sweeter.

*pushing Madelyn on Gracie's bike

*laughing with our new small group

*sending off birthday gifts to two precious kids

*going to the library for new books

Books
Won't You Be My Hugaroo? by Joanne Ryder

Colors Everywhere by Sam McBratney

A Kiss For Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik

Duck at the Door by Jackie Urbanovic

*swinging and sliding with the girls at the park

*watching Gracie climb the "big girl" ladders while I held my breath and bit my tongue

*admiring how well the girls played together in the little tent in Gracie's room

*listening to the way Madelyn says "shoe"...the girl is obsessed with them

*being amazed at how Madelyn put her sidewalk chalk in the box and then carried the box to its spot in the garage, all on her own and without being told

*seeing just how cute the girls were in their swimsuits while they helped Jim wash his car...and seeing just how cute Jim is, too. :)

*enjoying popcorn and movie night with Jim

*finally hanging up some pictures and straightening a very off-center mirror in our house

*watching M dance with the dancing gopher and then watching her cry and move away as G moved the gopher closer to her...I think she is actually afraid of it!

*drooling over more cameras...which one to buy?

*realizing I like the ellipsis...a little too much!

*walking with Gracie while she rode her bike. She's getting so good!

*learning that Bethany's having another girl!

*taking the girls to storytime...and surviving without too much drama.

*tickling Madelyn after her nap

*making Chex Muddy Buddies...yum!

*seeing how cute the girls looked in their dresses yesterday.

*coloring with Gracie while Madelyn walked around with crayons...and even pushed them in the stroller.

*watching Gracie as she learned to make Theo the Puppet talk all by herself.

*watching Gracie's facial expressions as she danced...priceless!

*both girls got a clean bill of health at the cardiologist...and did a GREAT job during the tests! The fact that they had a video playing in the office for the girls is such an answer to prayer!

Favorite Moments and Books

*Madelyn riding on me like a horse and laughing about it the whole time

*trashing the carpet! The kids got to spill and draw all over our friends carpet before they tore it out. Thanks for letting them do that! And the adults even got to play a little game in the middle of the chaos. What a great night of fun! (Too bad the girls were horrible sleepers that night...)

*M can now say baby and dog

*eating WAY TOO MUCH ice cream

*watching the girls walk around with gift bags over their arms and looking so darling!

*the apricot pork roast in the crockpot. I hope you taste good, too!

*the fact that it is cloudy right now

*waiting to hear if my cousin's little baby is a boy or a girl...the anticipation is getting to me!

*the fact that both girls went to sleep, allowing me time to reflect on the day so far!

Book Recommendations
Shoe Baby by Joyce Dunbar
Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion

More Favorite Moments

*Madelyn looked just like a little doctor walking around with the stethoscope around her neck, which she put there herself.

*Gracie loves to put her babies in her old snowsuit. I found one all bundled up in the doll stroller the other night.

*Quiet time with Gracie...I got to sit in my favorite chair in our bedroom while she colored in our bathroom. She even locked the door so no one would interrupt her quiet time! I love it!

*dancing while I held Gracie

*G's air guitar is just hilarious!

*both girls running to the door and giving me hugs after a meeting I went to

*M does a little dance after her naps that is just so cute!

*I think both girls enjoyed school this morning. A lot of water play! I am always exhausted beyond belief afterwards. How did I ever teach first grade all day?

Favorite Moments

*M has such a love for socks and shoes. I often find her carrying them around the house.

*Gracie's hair is in pigtails for the first time! She looks super cute!

*G was so excited to see that Grandmother and Grandpa sent her The Very Hungry Caterpillar video.

*Jim's parents sent us a big box full of stuff for our trailer that came from Jim's grandparents. M was so excited when we were opening it. She didn't know why she was excited, she just knew she was.

*M says Lily now!

*G was so excited to make a card for Lily. Today is her 5th birthday.

*M often gets into my Tupperware and randomly places it around the house. I found it in the doll stroller the other day.

*cuddling with G on the couch while we watched Little Bear.

*G played in our big bathtub this afternoon for no other reason than to have fun in it.

*G would not eat her supper and was being kind of ornery. Next thing I know, she is praying to God to help her eat and be good!