Lots of goings-on this week!

Awww....mommy wanted to catch these jean-clad cuties before we headed out to a horse-ridin' b-day party we enjoyed on Saturday. No, it's not cool enough for jeans quite yet, darn, but we had to pull them out nonetheless.

Such a classic "Lia look" that I had to post it. 'Don't wook at me' :)

So here's Aurie during part of the party...lovin' the warm and cozy day :)

And Ellie, was on cloud nine... it was so interesting to watch our little girl so interested in something that obviously didn't come from us. We've known she's liked horses, but this really showed us, it's a genuine interest. She was so eager, we were worried that she'd dehydrate (it was darn hot, and she would get off the horse, only to get back in line for another turn, waiting in the hot sun). We'd bring drinks over to her, and make her sip, but nothing could get her to get back under the tent with us. She rode, (even saddlin' up on her own by the third round!) then led, and groomed. Apparently, she even walked the horse with the owner over to the barn when they were done grooming him. She came over to us and asked for "Ellie's mommy" and told me how interested Ellie was. I'm so glad she had so much fun! I guess we'd better look into some riding lessons!

Our li'l wrangler...

Lia had no interest in riding the horse...not sure if it truly was that, or just that it would require standing out in the sun ;) Just the same, she hung out in the shade, munchin' on goldfishies and watermelon.

When there was no option for riding anymore, Ellie took in some birthday treats :)

This is Aurie this morning, taking a nap on our bed. She has recently started to suck her thumb, and I think it's so darned cute. She does still take a soother, but it falls out, and personally, I think she was tired of waiting for one of us to come put it back in...presto! discovery of a useful appendage! :) Ellie and Lia never took a soother for long, and never used their thumbs, so it just is a new thing to see. I hope it helps for her to be able to sooth herself when I can't get to her right away...not that my cutie waits long, mind you. The girls have certainly become accustomed to hearing ' just a minute, mommy has to feed/change/get Aurie. Maybe it'll result in longer naps? One can wish...

This was some fun on mommy's birthday, feeding ducks and geese at the pond before heading over for lunch with friends at school. These birds were really aggressive...you can see Lia upset with them- "Get back in that water, ducks! (they were all ducks).

Aurie's conversation

Aurie will have a little conversation with you now, making this distinct noise that is her "talking". It's funny, I'll be doing something (like typing this post) when she catches my eye, I look at her and she's staring at me, and then I smile, she smiles, and starts her "talking". Hard to resist that, no matter what you're up to! Here, you can hear her a bit with Ellie. The girls like getting her to smile, but haven't quite mastered having a conversation yet.

Lia's explanation

This is Lia at breakfast, while we're talking about where we're going for an outing that morning. It's actually the second round of telling me, because the first time was so darling, I ran to get the camera. I was disappointed the second telling didn't live up to the first in detail, but was cute just the same...

Ellie's Dancin' Debut!

It's been a big countdown lately...how many days until Ellie's dance lesson, and the "practice" has been feverish. Today was the big day...and I quote (in the car on the way there) "I'm so excited!". It was darned cute to watch. I think she pretty much had a grin on her the entire time. They started with some stretches, and the some tap. Ballet came next and some work on their "dance" (to 'Oh, Sugar', and started with wiggling hips, which has been practiced and was so fun to see). They even did a bit of tumbling. Ellie did so well, following the teacher's directions and had went in without a hitch- eager and happy. We got to watch from the glass paned double doors, and managed to get a few memorable shots through the glass. I was so glad she had so much fun. (Lia did great watching, and waiting, though questioned why she wasn't going in to "do ballet" as they've been calling it at home. The dancing did continue when we got home while mommy made dinner :) My little dancers :)

Aurie has some funny favorite spots... this big pillow in the living room, on her belly.

In such a strange position on mommy's arm...but it works. She looks like a person on an airplane, with her lids closing and popping open once in a bit. It's quite comical to watch. Do you suppose I can count that as arm weights?

She tried out her floor activity center a few times now. If you can keep Lia from crawling in there with her, she seems to like it.

My Lia...

Oh, my darling Lia. Something's been bothering her lately, and it lifted, suddenly today. Not sure if it was molars coming in, getting used to the baby here now, or what, but she's been a real bear at times. She's always been a stubborn kiddo...remember that bottle?...but when even Ellie starts to call her grouchy, you know it must be bad! :) It was heavenly to enjoy her all morning, with her smiles, and sweetness today.

The girls have noticed, though they haven't said, that the weather is getting "cooler". How very strange to say to your children that they can't get wet when they first go out in the morning because it's cool, and they'd be cold, when it's in the 90s! But, oddly enough, it really does feel cool. So, they have been going out to play more than they've been able to, though Lia has always been a trooper with the heat, and loves to go out, so she'd even be out by herself, red cheeks and all. She's usually first out in the morning, sometimes asking when we just get up. (Coffee first, please? :) I have no idea how they will adapt if we moved. It will be interesting...

(Aurie's a real Arizona baby- zonks out every time we hit the heat!)

Lots o' Toes

We had some pretty light in the girls' room this morning, so we tried to catch some cute new smiles.

It's so neat to see her recognize faces now (and fans). You can see her sort of stop in her tracks, and she really looks at you. I have to say, she does really like Lia. Of course, it's Lia who comes around the most and gives her the most attention. (Sometimes too much!)

A kiss, or a smush?

There it is! Aurie's just starting to give us a tiny smile :)

A cowboy ballerina :) (Better than the ballerina pirate, I suppose) Thank you Nana, for the new tutus! Ellie's funny lately is to say "oh, nuts!" when something happens or goes wrong. It's a darned cute thing to hear a little girl say- she didn't get it from me...I don't even know where she picked it up from :)

Lia's turn! It worked out great that a hand-me-down leotard fit her perfect and a ballet skirt all of her own arrived this week, so it was Center Stage action once more in our living room. (I love her fingers how she's really trying hard, pressing them together). (Oh, and her darling little belly pushing out in her leotard too :) ).

This was the first of the smiles...in her favorite spot, on top of the girls' bed. It's either the polka dots on the canopy or the good view of the fan that she likes so much...

Well, it looks like catching all three is going to be a challenge :)