The Check-Ups

Today was Audra's 4 year-old check up and Claire's 2-year-old check up.

Here are Audra's Stats:
Weight: 36 lb (54%)
Height: 42" (86%)

BMI: 18.8% (85% is considered overweight, so she is doing pretty well!)

Claire's Stats:
Weight: 24 lb (15%)
Height: 34" (42%)

The other day I asked Claire what her name was. She said, "Audra 2." I do not know where she got that from! We have NEVER called her that- I am a middle child, I don't want her having the same complexes I had!

As we were in the car driving to the doctors, Audra asked if she and Claire would have to get shots. I told her I thought Claire would have to get one, but that she wouldn't. So she said, "Claire, you are going to have to get a shot and you are going to cry." I told her not to tell Claire that she would cry and Audra said, "I promise, she will cry!"

The biggest surprise was that the doctor discovered that Claire has a double ear-infection, and a really bad one at that. She said she can't believe that Claire is even able to sleep with it. Well, I guess when you are always fussy, then when you are fussy for a reason nobody knows! (Actually, she hasn't been fussy at all the last few days- I would have never known there was anything wrong)

Claire is starting to tattle on Audra. The other day she went up to Ben and said, "Audra take stroller!" We know this is just the beginning of the sibling rivalries.

Speaking of rivalries, Audra always wants to wear Claire's clothes. It is rather frustrating- you all know Audra has plenty of her own clothes and she doesn't need Claire's clothes. But, she always wants what isn't hers. Sound familiar, anyone?

Let's see...most everything about the girls you already know from this blog- there isn't much else to say. I did want to document their stats, however. So, I'll leave you with a couple of pictures of my two favorite girls:

Museum

We went to the Littleton Museum again, and it was HOT but a lot of fun. And, of course, there were great photo-ops!

They went into the old school house, and there was somebody there role playing as the teacher. It was really neat. She had the students pretend to be real students from 1865. She even made the gentlemen (boys) take off their hats. But the girls got to keep theirs on. Of course, I had to put the pictures in black and white.

 Here they are with their good friend Ava. We sure love her!!! She's about the only girl Claire's age. Notice that huge smile on Claire's face?!? I finally captured it!

 But then, not 30 seconds later, this is what she was doing:

Poor Ava didn't know what to do while Claire tantrumed. Claire has been doing SO MUCH better, but today she wanted me to carry her the entire time. I knew I had to nip that in the bud and she needed to learn that she has her own two feet and she can walk on her own. So she tantrumed. And tantrumed. But, eventually she would walk while I held her two hands above her head- you know, where she kind of drags her feet while I half carry her? Then she would put all her weight on her feet, but still insisted I hold her hands. I don't know if she learned her lesson, but at least my arms didn't get too terribly worn out.

Afterwards we had a picnic lunch at the park nearby. A homeless man came up to us and said, "I don't know if I should tell you this or not, but right here is where I buried my wife." My friend Kathy calmly said, "I hope legally." I thought it was the perfect response.

Cutest Puppies

Audra found this Puppy coat and LOVED it. It's a bit small for her, but she didn't care. And, of course, we had to give Claire a chance as well.

Got Smoothie?

The Wildlife Experience

We went with some friends to The Wildlife Experience today. We got a free pass from our library which was SWEET!

Claire was continually telling me to "stop it!" in regards to pictures- hence her hand being up. Of about 40 pictures that I took, these are the only ones that turned out.

My Cuties And The Fair

I couldn't resist posting some pictures of my cuties.

Claire is eating so her face is a little funny, but I wanted you to see her bow. For the first time, Claire actually ASKED to have her hair done, then she picked out a bow that she wanted. She has only worn a bow about twice before because she always pulls them out. But, dang, she sure is cute with a little pink bow in her hair!

Then, this little girl has some big news: She is no longer wearing a diaper to bed! For the past several months she has woken up dry, but I have been too afraid to switch her over at night. But on Saturday I asked her if she wanted to wear underpants to bed and she laughed and said, "NO! That's silly, mommy! I wear a diaper to bed!" So every night I asked her if she wanted to wear underpants, and every night I got the same response. But last night she came up to me and said, "I want to wear panties to bed!" And, she did, and she woke up dry and very excited, so I think we are done with diapers for her completely. (I never bought the Pull-Ups, they seemed like a waste of money to me, and Audra can put on her own diaper and take it off, so she didn't need them)

Volunteer Fair Update: I went to the fair. There were dozens of places seeking volunteers. Some of them seemed kind-of cool, and certainly they were all great causes, but none of them had that, "oh, I HAVE to do this one!" feeling. I did get excited because a couple of places need volunteers for helping organize big events, which I enjoy. We'll see. Like I said, I am incredibly happy with life right now, so I don't want something that I just think is cool- I have lots of cool stuff in my life. I want something that I think is unbelievably awesome and I just HAVE to be involved with in a small way. It would be much easier if I just really LOVED scrapbooking and that's what I delved into!


I just had the thought that maybe baking cookies will be it. I mentioned earlier that book that had the woman who made 2 pies a week to deliver to people who she thought needed a smile. Maybe I'll bake cookies with Audra once a week and we'll deliver them. Hmmm....maybe that's it. I like that it's a service that Audra and Claire can help me with, and it's something that wouldn't change my lifestyle or make me have to get a sitter. And, I would have complete control over it (I like having control), and I could choose who to give them to and it would be different people each week. It wouldn't change the world, but that isn't really my goal. I will have to think about it some more.

Fun At The Rec Center

Last week I took the girls to a local rec center with some friends. We had a great time! There was a lot more to do than just this huge "pillow pit", but this is where the girls had the most fun:

 Claire LOVED it when I would throw her into the pit. She thought it was hilarious, and I have to admit- I thought it was a little fun as well! We need one of these at home so when I am getting frustrated with her, I can just throw her into a pile of pillows and help both of us to feel better!

 There's this cool ladder the kids can climb up. Here's Audra being a monkey:

I really do love these girls- I mean, my Little Monkeys- SOOOOOO much!

Perfect Day For The Zoo!

We decided to go to the zoo today. Actually, this has been in the works for a couple of weeks because we decided to go to a zoo that is a bit far away- about a 90 minute drive. But, I had heard it is the best zoo EVER, so this morning we went with some friends to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

They actually get to feed the giraffes at this zoo- how cool is that? That was definitely the best part!

Audra was a little scared of the giraffes, actually. But, she overcame her fears and did great.

 

 You can see Claire here behind Audra- she LOVED this! It was very hard for me to keep with her, however.

 Audra got to pretend to be a monkey.

 At this exhibit, the kids got to feed the birds with sticks with birdseed on them. As hard as they tried, however, the birds would not eat. They must not have been hungry.

 Claire in a spider web.

 Audra hatching.

 On the Merry-go-round, a favorite for the kiddos.

 And Audra telling me to "stop taking pictures, mom!"

Overall, a GREAT day- but I am really tired!

Feeding The Geese

On Tuesday we went to the park and had a wonderful, albeit slightly cold, time. We even got a special surprise: one of Audra's friends brought some bread to feed the geese! I am not sure if we are allowed/supposed to feed the geese, but the girls absolutely LOVED it! Claire was the happiest I have ever seen her- she seriously thought it was the greatest thing ever. Here are the pictures to prove it:

 I had to be right next to Claire the entire time. The dock actually seemed quite dangerous, and I was worried she would fall in. She probably would have thought it was great to swim with the geese, however!

 She wanted the geese to come up and eat the bread out of her hands- thankfully, they never did or she would have had a nice little bite.

 Audra also thought it was wonderful, though thankfully I didn't have to worry nearly as much about  her as I did with Claire.

 I was holding onto Claire the whole time!

 Here are Audra and one of her best friends, Hannah, on the swings.

 Claire playing in the woodchips- she could do that all day!