Abby and Zoë

Well, Grandma Cindy and Papa Norm finally arrived this evening.  Even after finally getting into the airport, then they had some rental car issues, then they stopped at the store to pick up some ice cream and spinkles at the request of Zoë.  The girls were excited that company had finally arrived, but before we knew it, it was time for Abby and Zoë to get ready for bed.  Grandma Cindy and Papa Norm were going to walk to get some ice cream cones with Reanna and Corey, so the girls were kind of upset that they were being left.  But they went to sleep pretty quickly anyhow, wanting to do a good job to be able to have a day full of excitement tomorrow.

Brooke wasn't able to teach the swim lesson this morning as she had a Dr.'s appointment.  Instead there was a woman named Mary teaching the lesson.  The class wasn't as structured, but even with a different style of teacher, it was good.  There were a few times that each of the girls attempted to get out of the pool for some reason, I think because they saw some of the other kids getting out to sit on the side once they did every little thing.  We did get to see Brooke towards the end of the class.  She wasn't able to get in the water at all today, but she's supposed to be able to see us on Wednesday.

Abby and Zoë are going to be having an extended sleepover in our room for pretty much the whole month of July.  We moved their beds into our room this morning to get their room set up for company.  Grandma Cindy and Papa Norm will be our frist guests.  After church and lunch, the girls and I all took a nap... begining the sleepover.

My mom and Norm were supposed to be flying in to Boston in the wee hours of the morning, but their flight from Denver ended up getting canceled and they can't get out until tomorrow.  Abby and Zoë were bummed, since they have been counting down the days until Monday morning, when they'll be able to see Grandma Cindy and Papa Norm and have them watch at swim lessons.  Now we should be seeing them sometime Monday afternoon.

The girls were excited to hear that we'd be going to see Dakota and have a barbeque.  The weather was very overcast and chilly however, and I knew it would be even chillier what with the breeze over at the commons.  We layered it up, dressing warmly and headed over a little before noon.  Mark was there, holding down their spot, and Leann arrived just after us with the kids.

We went over to the playground for a little bit, until we saw the next guests arrived and then we went back over to the picnic spot and Mark got the grill started.  The girls played this cute game called 'tag tails', which is basically like capture the flag for preschoolers.  Not everyone was dressed as warmly as we were, so Mark made a little wind baracade with blankets and camp chairs and the kids sat right in front of the chairs to eat, while we sat in chairs or braved the chilly sea breeze.  After we ate grill food, noodle salad and chips, the girls got to help make a flag cake.  It was tasty and they were excited since we have a (more difficult) flag cake recipe on our calendar for July.  We went to the playground again after a bit, which is where it became evident that Abby and Zoë needed to get home for a nap.  They bonked heads while riding the little airplane and Abby never perked up after that.  Then Zoë fell back out of a (low) swing into the bark mulch and was very upset.  We visited the bathroom and then the horse once more, since Abby hadn't gotten a turn to ride it and she wanted a picture taken on it so that she could show Daddy how she was pretending to be Felicity riding Penny (from the American Girl series).  Then it was off to the house to get some much needed rest.

Today was another swim lesson, finishing up the first week of lessons for the girls.  There wasn't any going under water today, figures since we had the camera and goggles.  Reanna was able to come and watch the lesson today.  We had the girls take their goggles off after a while, because they were fogging up and causing more difficulties than anything we figured.  Just after that though they went to fish for 'magic sticks' and wanted to rush back for their goggles.

Two of the other boys did get in the water today, but mostly stayed at the side of the pool so Abby and Zoë pretty much had the class to themselves again.  It was hot waiting at the side of the pool, but the girls were still chilly in the water.  Today was the first day that I heard any complaining... once Abby told Brooke she was too cold to do something, but she ended up doing it anyway.

We went to the Target in Somersworth today, they were having a big sale on some items.  I had told the girls that I was hoping to get a body pillow that was on sale and Zoë insisted that she get one too.  When I told her they weren't for her, she said that she'd come sneak in my bed.  She said to me, "And you know what I'll do when you're not seeing me?  I'll lay on it!"  The whole rest of the day she wouldn't let up about her having a body pillow, even after saying it was bigger than her bed and her.  Each of the girls got to choose one thing to get in the store.  It was so funny when we got to the food section and they saw the candy aisle.  They both ran to it and, checking out all of the candy, exclaimed "Candy!"  Abby ended up choosing to buy a $1 container of lays 'stax' cheddar chips and Zoë got and .89 cent pack of licorice rope.

The trip to the store wasn't all fun.  Out front of the store on the cement sidewalk area, they have these big red balls (made of some sort of rock, cement, something like that - though they're smooth) cemented to the sidewalk.  Abby and Zoë were thrilled with these things and began running towards the next one.  I tried to remind them to walk on cement, but it was too late or they just weren't listening I guess.  I see Abby go down, so close to the ball, and began howling.  The way she had fallen I completely expected that she'd slammed her face into the thing and an awful image flashed through my head of what may have happened to her face.  Turns out, her face was spared, besides a skinned chin from the cement.  Her knees and elbows are another story.  Her left knee was really bleeding quite a bit, the right just a tad.  Her left elbow seemed fine, but the right one was bleeding some.  It is just so hard to see your child hurt, something that doesn't get any easier as they grow.  We got her to the car and I got Zoë in her seat, while Chris tended to Abby at the trunk.  While I was putting Zoë in she said to me, "I pushed Abby" and actually giggled about it.  I was shocked!  (Not to mention upset)  I explained to Zoë how banged up and upset her sister was, and how it could have been much worse (thank God she wasn't just inches closer to that dumb red ball) and then she heard her sister wailing in the back, and then she wasn't so giddy.

Luckily we have the travel first aid kit in the trunk, because we needed it.  The paper towels we keep in the car also came in handy, since I had to soak up a very drippy knee before Chris could wipe it with the antiseptic and get a jumbo square bandaid on it.  The elbow was a pretty easy fix, but Abby was just so upset.  Chris got her set up in her seat as she was still sobbing, then Zoë started sobbing and felt really badly about what had happened.  Chris hadn't heard what she'd said to me and thought she just wanted some attention too, but then I told him what actually happened and Zoë was quite sheepish in the back.  She didn't get yelled at or anything, but Daddy did let Abby get the nightgown that Zoë really wanted at bed time, as her punishment.  What an ordeal, let me tell you.  Chris put the girls to bed tonight, after I read to them downstairs for probably half an hour, and then we made home made microwave popcorn and watched a movie as our anniversary date.

The girls had their fishy purses during our Target visit, that Aunt Elizabeth got for them last year.  I told the girls that they could both pick out 1 item in the candy aisle.  They were so excited.  Abby chose a can of potato chips, cheddar cheese variety, and would not be persuaded to get something else.  Zoë was being worked over by mommy to get something with chocolate, but Zoë didn't give in, she bought some Red Vines licorice.  So that Laura didn't mope the whole ride home in our broken down car, I bought her an 8 pack of mini mint 3 musketeers bars, after all it was our wedding anniversary. Thank you Target, you saved another marriage!

Abby and Zoë did indeed get their photos onto the website for one of the local newspapers.  Two of their photos are in the slideshow.  Check it out!

Let me start by saying that I am so bummed that I forgot the camera today.  Abby and Zoë did very well and were the only two kids who'd get in the pool.  There were three other boys there, but they all sat on the side and wouldn't get in.  It was chilly again for the girls, as the sun stayed behind the clouds... until right after we got in the car to go home.

Once, when they were doing bobs or blowing bubbles or something, Abby ended up inhaling some water and sputtering a bit, but just kept on going towards the wall and grabbed on to do kicks with Zoë.  Brooke let her know that it was alright to take a break, but Abby didn't want to miss out on anything.  I really began to regret not having the camera when Brooke said, "Come on out to the middle girls (of their section, it's all the same depth in that area), we're going to do something new today!"  I tried to help Abby and Zoë get their goggles on, but it wasn't working with them already being wet and in the pool and me trying to lean over to help, so they just went without them (again) today.  Indeed, they went out in the middle to go underwater for a moment.  I think that both of the girls were feeling hesitant about it, but neither one of them protested.  Brooke counted to three and helped them swoosh under briefly.  Zoë came up with a shocked look on her face, but did manage to get the timing right for holding her breath.  Both girls still seem to struggle with this for some reason.  Another time, while using the kickboards, Abby let her hands go and slipped off her board under the water.  I expected her to just stand back up, but instead saw her sink further.  Brooke was right there watching and helped her up out of the water.  Abby took the opportunity to cling to Brooke for a minute or two for some snuggles.  She did however hold her breath while under.  Later, when we were talking about the incident and not having goggles on and being able to stand in the water, she said to me, "I saw my board up there", I guess she was just confused under the water and didn't know how to get it.

Abby and Zoë both did some kickboarding on their own too.  When they did the 'magic sticks' (the ones that sink to the bottom) Zoë reached down to get one and her face got wet in the process and she exclaimed, "Brooke, I went under water!"  I think she was both proud and wanting attention, since Abby was praised and called an 'underwater swimmer' after her sinking incident.  Zoë and Abby were shivering and bluish when they got out and looking forward to rinsing off in a warm shower, but excited about their class nonetheless.

The kick-off was supposed to be yesterday, but it began raining shortly after we were done swim lessons and so it was postponed.  Luckily today the thunderstroms held off until later in the afternoon.  We first went to the library to return books and pick up some new ones, including the next Jewel fairy book, which we'd put on hold and was waiting on the hold shelf for us.  After picking a few books, including the young reader's edition of "Anne of Green Gables", we went to the café area and had our lunch.  Once we were done eating it was time to head over to Four Tree Island for the kick-off!

The first thing to do was to sign up and get the bags holding their reading charts and other fun things.  The theme this year was an Australian Outback theme with the slogan being "G'day for reading!".  A man asked if the girls would like to get their pictures taken with a (carboard) crocodile head on.  Zoë was all for it and was giggling as she posed for her photo, but Abby opted not to do it.  Everytime we passed by, I asked again but she never did decide to try it out.  Next stop was face painting, where Abby chose to have a butterfly and Zoë chose a flower.  We saw Maren, Miah (beanie), Casandra, and Mathew, whom we know from church, there too.  We went over to the refreshments table and the girls got to frost their own cupcakes.  They got a little cup of frosting, chose a food coloring color and then mixed it up.  There were cupcakes in ice cream cones which they slathered the frosting on.  Zoë had eaten the entire top off of hers before we got a chance to move over to the candy decorating table, so we just decided to leave the candy off.  After the treats were devoured, we went in search for some crafts, the first we found were making 'clapping sticks'.  Each girl got two paint stirring sticks and decorated them to their liking.  Once they were done and I was trying to get the girls to stand in a good spot for a photo, a man from the newspaper, who had been giggling behind me, asked if he could take their picture.  I'm pretty sure it's the same guy that took our photo during the snow storm this past winter. 

At 1:00 we went to wait at the 'platypus races' area for the game to begin.  The way it worked was that two people made a team and raced against another team.  One person from each team was at the start line and the other two people were at another line a little way across the grass.  When the volunteer said 'go', the people at the start had to quickly put on a platypus bill and tail then run down to their teamate and tag them.  Once the teamate was tagged, they had to then get in the 'outfit' their partner had on and race back to the start.  Abby and Zoë were the first to try, racing against Cassandra and Maren... definitely not an evenly matched game.  So, the race volunteers decided to have them try again, this time crawling instead of running, to give the younger kids a little more advantage.  Since all the girls knew each other, they themselves also decided to switch up the teams a little.  Zoë and Cassandra teamed up and Abby and Maren were a team.  Abby and Cassandra were at the start, with Zoë and Maren waiting to be tagged.  Abby had everyone cracking up who was now gathered around watching, because the platypus bill had come down covering her eyes and so she was crawling all over the course, and off the course.  One of the volunteers was calling her and clapping to get her to follow his voice... it was such a funny sight.  Meanwhile Zoë had been tagged and got her gear on and took off sprinting, very focused, until she was reminded that she was supposed to be crawling.  Can you guess whose team won?  After this we checked out the G'Wilickers game tent and then went on a 'walk about' before heading home.

Abby and Zoë were so excited all morning long, waiting to be able to get ready for swim lessons.  I wasn't sure they would even be able to have them.  It was raining last night and this morning it looked like more rain would come any minute.  Their class is at 10:30 and at 10:00 the rain had still not shown up so we started getting suited up.

Both Zoë and Abby did such an awesome job today.  They weren't hesitant at all, even though they knew the water would be cold, and everything that was asked of them to do was met with excitement.  I can't say the same for everyone else in their class.  It was a good thing that they didn't do anything with actually going under water today, because I couldn't remember this morning where I'd put their face masks.  Also because when they were supposed to blow bubbles in the water or reach under to grab the sunken toys, the girls kept doing it with open mouths, especially Abby.  They had a great time and had great attitudes throughout the whole class.

We went this afternoon to Corey and Reanna's.  They weren't home yet, but we just dropped some stuff off and then went to the Wal-Mart in Somersworth.  After that we went back to Reanna and Corey's and prepared some stuff for dinner and hung out to wait.  Chris had brought the blender and pineapple juice, and got some coconut milk and imitation rum extract at the store, to make piña colada 'mocktails'.  He made a batch, with a recipe he found on the side of the pineapple juice can, and tried it out on the girls to see how it turned out... it was pretty tasty so he made more for all of us to have with dinner.

Last night we made our own twix and fruit roll-ups, then today we made pretzels, and pizza.  We've been busy.  Chris made the pizza dough first today then set it in a covered container out in the sun on the porch to rise.  Next he made the pretzel dough and set that to rise.  Since the pretzel dough only needed to rise for 30 minutes, we got to work on those first.  Abby made a pretzel heart, Daddy helped Zoë make an eight, and then Daddy and I both tried our hands at the trick to make the regular pretzel twists.  We also made some pretzel rolls in the muffin pan.  Daddy was dissapointed when they ended up not tasting like the pretzel dough he was hoping for... they tasted more like bread dough.  The search continues for the right pretzel dough recipe, this recipe was supposed to be like Aunt Annie's in the mall.

Next we made deep dish pizza's.  The recipe we had was to make a deep dish like Uno's.  We really liked the crust and it turned out really nice.  We were wishing that we had more ingredients to fill our 'pizza pies', but they still turned out yummy.  In one we put down mozzarella then bell peppers (Abby made it look like a pizza sun), some ricotta and our home made sauce.  The other we did the same, but we put onion slices on top of the mozzarella first.  It tasted just like the old school pizzeria uno's deep dish.

For a little while now, we've been getting different questions about death and also about when the girls are grown up.  Many times the questions are asked with just curiosity, but other times the questions are asked with much emotion... especially from Zoë.  The girls will wonder how far apart we'll be when they're grown up, they'll ask us when different people are going to die... those kinds of things.

 Tonight, with tears in her eyes, Zoë asked if Chris and I would be dead when they grew up and got married.  She said that she wanted to see Nonna again before Nonna dies, and then she got upset when it was time for bed.  She wished I could sleep in her bed, she wished she could sleep with me, etc. etc.  She was just quite emotional this evening.  She snuggled me on the couch and got into this conversation about her bed and my bed.  I was saying to her how her bed is where she sleeps and my bed is where I sleep and mentioned that her bed wasn't big enough for us both to sleep in.  She asked if when she was too big for her bed, if then she'd come sleep in with Chris and I since our bed was bigger.  That led in to a whole discussion on bed sizes, (explaining twin, full, etc.) and Abby thinking it is funny that Daddy sleeps on a queen bed.  Both girls keep mentioning that they are too big for their beds and telling us how much they'd like bunk beds... yeah, they're really subtle with their hints.  I attempted to have Chris go up to brush teeth, but Zoë was a sniffling mess so I went up with her.  After some more teary eyed requests to be able to keep their snugglies even when they're teenagers and even when they're grown up and married, they went off to sleep.

When the girls were going down for nap today Chris told them to do a super job getting right to sleep and having a nice rest and that after nap they'd go get a treat, just them, no Mommy.  Well, they just all couldn't decide where to go for their treat or what kind of treat they should get, and they ended up just deciding to go to Wal-Mart and do a little shop while they were out.

 2 hours later they got back home with groceries, and junk, in hand.  I had given specific orders not to bring any treats (read: junk) back to the house - Mommy has no will power with that stuff.  Not only did Daddy bring home pre-made junk, he also brought home ingredients to make our own.  I said to the girls that they were supposed to tell Daddy not to get any of that stuff and Zoë (sarcastically, can you believe it?!) said, "Oh, I thought you said bring junk home"

Almost 25 weeks anyway, I will be 25 weeks tomorrow.  I saw a different doctor today, Dr. Ethier.  She was in and out in a flash, I'm surprised I even got to ask a question.  I had received papers from the nurse about doing my glucose test at 28 weeks, which will be July 11th, however Dr. Ethier didn't give any explanation of it.  This test will be something new for me, as I was in the hospital at this point with the girls, and at 28 weeks they didn't do a glucose test that I remember, and I'm pretty sure I'd remember it.  When I got home I noticed I'd also been given a paper about circumcision, again that didn't get discussed with me at all.  Oh well, we do our own research around here anyway.

At 23 weeks I was in the hospital with the girls, and 25 weeks was the very first hurdle we were hoping for me to get past.  Now here I am up and about at 25 weeks, so that definitely feels nice.

Zoë was very upset that she wasn't able to help with anything at dinner time, since it was Abby's night to help with dinner alone.  However, after dinner (salad) I remembered that Chris had saved a recipe for me that he'd come across online.  So, off to the kitchen Zoë and I went to try them out.  'Mrs. B' whose website this was found on, says that she adds a good deal less sugar, and sometimes substitues some of the butter with other things.  We liked the taste of them, Chris didn't like the texture of the oats though.  Next time I'll add probably just a little over a cup of sugar and tinker with the other stuff... maybe using applesauce for some of the butter or something.

2 cup sugar
1/2c milk
1/2c cocoa
one stick of butter
1/2c Peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups of oats


Put the first four ingredients in a pot, bring to a boil add the pb and vanilla, let boil one minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the oats. Spoon onto a cookie sheet adn let cool (or eat hot out of bowl if you are impatient like me )

The girls and I licked the spoons, then we let the others cool.  Before dropping the mix onto parchment paper to cool, I let is set in the pan a few minutes.  By the time they were cool enough for the girls to have for snack, they did hold together but were still pretty gooey.  Later in the evening, when I was packaging them up, I noted that they did indeed set much more to handle like an actual cookie.

The girls new favorite thing to do for breakfast (besides have Daddy make them veggie filled cheesy eggs) is to make their own raisin bran.  They get to pour their bran flakes in their bowl and then scoop some raisins in and drizzle a little raw honey on top.  So after this and then getting the girls and I showered, it was time for me to leave the house.  With as much time as I've spent out of the house to have the car repaired lately, I might as well have gotten a part time job.  I'd be out of the house the same amount of time and I'd be the one having money handed to them.  Anway...

I'm sure Abby and Zoë had some big plans for while I was out.  They usually do get to do fun stuff with Daddy while I'm away.  The manager took the car for a spin, apologized that the guys yesterday didn't realize there was one more problem, and gave me a discounted price for what it would be to fix it.  After a call home to Chris, I got to spend another couple of hours waiting for the car.  When I got home, both of the girls were quite silly.  So I read them a few stories before nap.  They decided to put themselves to nap, "Like big girls" today.

So, it actually wasn't much fun at all.  This morning I went over to Meineke to get an estimate for some stuff going on with the car.  It didn't take all that long and I was home.  Then we called Midas to see how their prices differed.  Midas was cheaper so off I went again.  This time I had to go to North Hampton and there they checked it out, and we decided to get the necessary work done there.  Unfortunately they didn't have any sort of shuttle service, so I just had to wait.

Meanwhile, Abby and Zoë got to watch a movie at home, had a nap, played dolls, all that good stuff.  By the time I got home, I had been gone for around 5 hours.  The girls aren't used to not seeing me for so long, but they were just fine at home with Daddy.  Abby kept telling me stories of the day and she'd start them with, "When you were gone today, the time you were gone for a long time..."  Unfortunately with all of the work done on the car today, it didn't fix our complaint so I get to go back again tomorrow to complain a little and  find out what's up.

Chris and I were talking recently about chores and allowance and all of that stuff.  We decided to first get a chore list and expectations together for the girls, and have them get used to having specific things to do each day for a while before we introduce allowance.  Ultimately, I do not want chores tied to allowance, but right now there aren't that many 'extra' things a four year can do to earn money besides household stuff.  So, I put together a list of the girls responsibilities and family jobs - things they are expected to do just because they're a part of the family.  And then I put together a chore chart.  As they get older, the chores will evolve and certain chores will move from the chore list, to being something they do just because they live in the house, and then more difficult tasks will take their place.  So for now, here's what it all looks like:

Everyday responsibilites: 
- Cleaning up after themselves, which includes: Folding their pj's in the morning and clothes in the evening and putting them away, Making their beds, Clearing their place at the table, Putting things away when they're done using them, and Cleaning up any messes they make.

- Being considerate and respectful to other family members

Family jobs:
- Helping to fold the laundry and putting theirs away

- Helping to put away the groceries

Chores look like this:
Monday:
Zoë gathers the bathroom and bedroom trash in the evening
Abby is the dishes helper (dries the dishes and puts away utensils)
Tuesday:
Zoë is dishes helper
Abby is crumb cleaner (sweeps and/or dust busts the crumbs under the table after meals)
Wednesday:
Zoë sweeps the porch (if it's raining she can sweep something inside)
Abby is dinner helper.
Thursday:
Zoë is crumb cleaner
Abby is dishes helper again
Friday:
Zoë is dishes helper again
Abby gathers the bathroom and bedroom trash
Saturday:
Zoë is dinner helper
Abby sweeps the porch
Sunday:
They get a day off :)

Both of the girls were super excited to start their chores today.  I have their responsibility/Family Jobs posted right above their chore chart, where they can check off the day after they've completed their job.

Abby was first to come into our room this morning.  She has taken to coming in and snuggling with Chris in the mornings.  After a minute, she remembered the card she had downstairs and asked me if she could go get it.  Zoë then got up and went down to get hers too.  Abby's card had a cute little cartoon monkey on the front, with a banana on his head (and green polka dot pants) and said "Happy Father's Day Daddy" and then on the inside said "From your little monkey".  Abby saw this card at the store and thought it was funny and just the right card for Daddy.  She wrote 'Love Abby' on the inside and drew a heart and colored it in by herself.  On her envelope she had written 'Daddy'.   Zoë opted to just  write 'Dad' on the envelope,  saying that  Daddy had too many letters.  She picked out a card that wasn't meant to be from a little kid, but the front had a beach scene and she said that she liked going to the beach with Daddy, so she wanted that card.  When we were all downstairs, the girls gave Daddy a wrapped picture frame with a picture of the three of them in it.  The frame looked like it was made from different coins all saudered together.

After nap we went over to the Valley's, where Grampy was already waiting.  They made burgers and apsaragus on the grill, and Uncle Tommy arrived just in time for the meal.  Afterwards we had Reanna's home made apple pie, hot from the oven, with vanilla ice cream of course.  Today is also Corey's birthday, so Reanna made two pies to be sure that there would be one left over after everyone dug into the first one.  Abby and Zoë had made Uncle Corey cards, which they gave to him when we arrived.  Zoë did some very careful coloring (she's been doing just scribbles and titling them, though she's quite capable of doing more) and drew a cute picture of Reanna and Corey holding hands with a heart in between them.  Then beside Corey she drew a grill (with fire underneath) with burgers cooking.  Abby's card had "Happy Birthday Uncle Corey" on the front, which she wrote on her own, and on the inside was a picture of herself and Corey with flowers in their hands.

Not only is today our town does 'Market Square Day', it's also Flag Day and Nonna's birthday.  Nonna had sent dresses a while back for Abby and Zoë to wear on flag day, and there hasn't been one day that the girls haven't thought about them and they were so happy that today was warm enough to wear the dresses.

Kate came over this morning and we walked in to the very busy town square and went first to where there was a dance team performing.  We watched this for a while, and then went to find a bathroom.  We checked out the food booths on Pleasant street, where we had hoped to get a fried dough treat to share, but at $4 for a piece of fried dough much smaller than what you'd get at the fair, we passed on that.  We didn't go down to check out any of the other booths, we just headed back home, to enjoy our salads that Daddy had made while we were out.

At today's ultrasound we saw Ronnie, whom I've had once before.  Chris and I think that she is an intern.  The procedure took longer today, lots longer, than expected since it wasn't a full measurement of the baby ultrasound.  Enzo's head was pushing down on the cervix, which made it hard to get an accurate measurement.  Chris said that he could actually see him repeatedly head butting my cervix... that should be helpful.  She took a bunch of measurements, some with his head pushing, some where he moved away long enough for her to measure that way.  When she went to check with Holly, one of the apparently higher up, more qualified ladies, she came back saying that the verdict was no real change from last time.  Next she wanted to get a heart beat, and try to get a profile picture.  Little Enzo was being shy and not wanting to show his entire face all at once.  We did see him working his tongue to swallow and also saw a big yawn though.

We received a package from Daddy's friend, Lena, today.  Inside were some adorable baby boy clothes.  Her son, Aidan, was born in late September of last year, just about a week before our due date of October 3rd, with this one.  So, the clothing style is the perfect size for the season, if that makes sense.  The first thing I commented on to Chris when I opened the package, was how nicely organized it was... I was quite impressed.  I think I just looked at the contents for a moment before unpacking, I was so impressed.  It may seem a small thing to be thrilled about, but well organized hand-me-downs, especially those little socks and things all matched up, is something I can appreciate.

The clothes themselves are adorable and look brand new.  There were some plain short sleeved onesies, some long sleeved onsies, a couple of little two piece outfits, some one piece outfits, a few little cotton pants, socks, a couple of little beanie hats, all in newborn or 0-3 month size, which was fun to look through.  There was even a dress for each of the girls.  The dresses are adorable, Zoë tried one on right away.  She thought they looked like something  the 'Island Princess' would wear.  There was a cute card too that I have to share because it got a laugh out of me anyway.  On the front it says "What is a baby boy?  10 little fingers , ten little toes, two little ear lobes,  one little nose, one little tummy, (with different pictures of babies beside each thing) and then on the inside it says "... and yes, one of those."   Thanks so much Lena, Jason, and little Aidan!

Abby and Zoë each got post cards from Nonno Ernie, from Merck forest.  Zoë's had a picture of a cow on the front, and she thought it was funny that Nonno wrote that the cow wouldn't give him any milk.  Abby's had chickens, and she giggled when I read her the part about the chickens giving Nonno a dozen eggs.

We are so happy to be having some nice days.  The other day was uncomfortably hot, but today was very nice.  At the beach, it was even a little cool.  It was a chore to get Abby and Zoë to stay in the shade at all.  Though we did get sunscreen, and I did put some on their shoulders, I didn't want to use more than needed.  After Chris and I ate the majority of our salads, Abby and Zoë came to sit a little bit to each eat the rest.  After a while I just put their tank tops back on, which doesn't do much for the shoulder area.  Abby ended up with multiple swimsuit tan lines across her back, since the girls wore different suits today.  (Only because their pink polka dot suits are waiting to be washed)

Digging with sand toys was the big hit today, especially Zoë's canal.  Daddy saw that and asked to help, but Zoë declined the offer.  So Daddy went down closer to the water to make his own, complete with tide pool, and both girls quickly monopolized on it.  Then they each got a turn having their feet burried in the warm sand up closer to our little area set up.

It was another hot sunny day, but we didn't get out in it this time.  Both girls wore t-shirts anyhow, to cover their little pink bodies.  (Abby was pleased that she had a t-shirt dress to put on, so that she could still be wearing a dress without having her shoulders and back exposed)

We had a very long Wal-Mart shop, and then when we got home, Abby and Zoë were super helpers for Daddy.  They helped get groceries out of the bags, helped Daddy make a delicious fruity iced smoothie, and helped start on another huge batch of home made sauce.  It did fill the house with a yummy aroma, and also with some extra heat.

We made sure we got to 'our' beach at low tide today... really low tide.  We brought the beach mats, and the umbrella, as well as the sand toys and snacks.  The water was super calm, unfortunately there was some odd greenish film over the top of the water that smelled very strongly of sulfur.  We still let the girls run in and out of the water and splash around, but we made sure to get a shower as soon as we got home.

While sitting in the shade having snack (for as long as I could possibly make the girls sit there under the umbrella with us) the girls got skilled at killing the little sand bugs, some sort of crawling bee looking thing with a stinger, as they were out in force today.

We only stayed an hour, but again, the sun got us.  I was very surprised at how pink, okay red, I managed to get on my upper back and chest since I practically sat under the umbrella the whole time.  Yeah, sunscreen is on the wal-mart list.

Reanna and Corey invited us over for dinner tonight, since we didn't get together at all over the weekend.  We went ahead and got over there before either of them were home from work, and I started prepping the vegetables.  When Reanna got home we did some more prepping and then when Corey got home, Chris put the steaks on the grill.  We had some steaks, mashed sweet potatoes, and green beans and brussel sprouts sauteéd in a yummy blend of garlic, ginger, some sort of vinegar, and something else.  As always, Abby and Zoë enjoyed running around the back yard and picking flowers.  They also read some Dr. suess books and played blocks.

We really wanted to get to the beach today, but the girls also really needed a nap after their busy morning.  So, even though we knew high tide would be creeping up on us, we went ahead and went this afternoon.  We went to Rye beach, a little ways down from where we normally go, and sure enough there wasn't any sand to play in.  The waves were strong too, so we just sat on the small pebble rocks and let the girls throw rocks in the water for a while.  Even with it being later in the afternoon, and not staying long, Chris and the girls still managed to get a little pink on their skin.

Grampy and Daddy attended the service today, to watch Abby and Zoë perform in their first musical production, The Tale of Three Trees.  The Children's day service started off with a few words from Pastor Vivan, and then some presentations.  Kids of certain ages were presented with bibles, which Abby and Zoë each got to receive.  The bibles were different for the different age groups, and the girls really like theirs.  When Abby's name was called, the woman prounounced our last name incorrectly and Abby hesitated to go up and receive her bible, so the ended up just handing it to her.  Zoë hopped right up and went to get hers.

Next it was time for us to go up on stage and perform what we've been practicing and practicing.  Overall, it went well.  There was a moment, when I had to go off stage to act as Mary briefly, that I guess Zoë was not doing exactly as she was supposed to.  So when I got back, as we were singing the next song, Abby kept trying to tattle on her, meanwhile Zoë was complaining of being thirsty and asking for a drink.  Luckily this was all while there were other things going on, so it wasn't too noticeable... at least I don't think it was.  Abby and Zoë were trees just like the other kids, there was also a part where they were 'marching soldiers' with a few other of the younger kids and marched down the center aisle and then lined up on the front of the stage to finish out the song, complete with movements.  When the song was over, we hurriedly switched their hats back into their leaf halos.  The kids all really did do well, and I think it ended up being a very cute show.

After the show, there was a cook-out on the front lawn.  It was a very hot day, it ended up getting up to 100 degrees, so I had packed dresses for Abby and Zoë to change out of their long sleeves and long pants.  I was wishing I had done the same for myself, luckily I had short sleeves and capri's though.  Grampy left a little bit into the cook-out, and then we headed home for some much needed rest as well.

Kate came along with me to the sale this morning.  I had asked her if she'd be able to come since I realized that Abby and Zoë don't have a whole lot of size five clothes for winter, so I wanted to get them stuff as well as baby clothes.  So, Kate and Reanna, who met us there, waited down at the baby box end, and I stood at the row of size five boxes.  There were only three boxes of size 5 and there was a woman moving right from box to box with me also looking for girl stuff.  She managed to score some pretty cute things just before I could get my hands on them... including a tu-tu.  After going through the boxes, I went down to the baby end and put my pile of stuff down.  Kate dumped a bag of baby clothes on there as well and I started going through stuff as Kate kept going and getting more to add to the pile.  There was a ton of really adorable baby girl stuff, and not as much boy stuff this time around.  Once Reanna was done we all sat down and began sorting.

While I didn't feel like I scored as well as other times, I still got some good items.  I ended up getting a few pairs of pants and a couple of long sleeve shirts for the girls (10 items in all), with Gap and Old Navy being among the name brands.  One pair were a size 5 slim with adjustable waist, which is absolutely perfect.  As for baby stuff, I managed to get 25 items (many name brand here as well).  Both bags were nearly full, but could have been stuffed a bit more had I needed to.  Unfortunately, as the girls clothes go up in size, that means fitting less into the bag.  So, 35 items in all for $10, which works out to about .28 cents an item.

The girls and I headed over to the church this afternoon for a dress rehearsal of the performance on Sunday.  Pracitce started at 4:00 p.m.  After the first run-through, we took a break to eat.  I had brought dinner for the girls and I, not knowing that someone had brought in lots of snacks too.  Abby and Zoë were in awe of all the choices, from milano cookies, three different kinds of goldfish, crackers with cheese spread, uncrustables peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches, juiceboxes... so much.  The girls worked on their tuna roll-ups I'd brought and also got to have a juice box and the crackers.  They didn't have time to eat the cinnamon graham cracker goldfish, so I put those in the bag.  Abby ate on milano cookie, but I had to bring the rest of the pack home for Zoë.

The next run-through we did as much like we will on Sunday as possible.  If something wasn't right, we just kept going.  There were some minor glitches that will need to be worked out, but the kids seem ready anyway.  We didn't get home until after 6:30 p.m., quite tired out.

Anna Claire has been wanting to come and see Abby and Zoë's house and play here, so today her and Andrea came over.  Anna really thought that the cleaning trolley and vacuum were very cool.  Abby and Zoë had a great time showing her all of our things.  There was a moment when I realized Abby and Anna had disappeared so I called them and Abby tells me from the top of the stairs, "I wanted to show her my room".

After a while, Anna Claire asked if her mom could leave so that she could play here without her for a while.  Good thing they live close, Andrea just went home and came back about 45 minutes later.  While she was away, the girls cleaned up and we played a few rounds of 'Hungry Hungry Hippos', which Anna Claire had never played before.  I cut up a bunch of veggies for roll-ups and then let the girls come in and choose what they wanted in their wraps.  After lunch we had orange slices for dessert.  Andrea had come back during the oranges, and then afterward Abby wanted to show her her bedroom too.  So we all went up and checked out the room (good thing the girls had remembered to make their beds and put away their pj's) and Andrea read them a story before heading out.  While she was reading, baby Enzo was moving really strongly so I had Anna put her hand on my stomach to feel it.  She'd been asking for a couple of weeks, because she'd heard the stories of when she kicked when Andrea was pregnant with her, and so she thought it was neat that she got to feel him.

Downstairs we went to say good-bye, where Abby and Zoë gave out hugs and kisses on both cheeks.  It took so long for the good-bye's, you'd think we won't be seeing them for a long time... we'll be seeing them tomorrow evening for dress rehearsal however.

Even though it was a rainy day, we ventured out anyhow.  We had some errands to run, which Abby and Zoë always love helping out with.  At the post office they mailed some letters and then were happy to get to drive by the "giant ant" and see that he still had his head on.

We eventually ended up at Kmart, and the girls remembered the "cool dress-up aisle" from last time we were there.  So after begging and begging, we finally got to go to this aisle so that they could show me all of the neat dress up.

After we left the store, Chris mentioned something about the fact that this store was Kmart, not Walmart that we usually go to.  I'm sure we've mentioned the name similarities before, but this time the girls were extra intrigued with it.  They went on and on mulling this over.  "So, both stores end in 'mart' but one is 'K' and the other is 'Wal'. "  "They end the same, but the sound different at the beginning".

Today while at Walmart, we went fishing for a watermelon.  The girls have been asking for them since they were first $6.99 at the grocery store, for these little tiny round models.  During the latest round of food price increases, I noticed this week, those $6.99 melons were now $8.99.  I told Abby and Zoë that they are too expensive, and most likely flavorless, we would have to wait.  Then today, while browsing around the produce at the Super Walmart, I saw two huge bins of watermelons.  The round seedless tiny watermelons in one bin and the super large jumbo oblong seeded watermelons in the other, both $4.88.  It is hard to believe both these melons were priced the same.  Pound for pound, the large melons were probably 4 or 5 times the smaller ones.  I pushed aside the ones on top, and dug down deep.  It seemed the deeper I went the larger the melon.  At one point, Laura thought she would lose me in the bin, and asked if it I was going to turn out the whole bin right there and now.  I replied that I spotted a whaler, or at least a small dolphin sized melon near the bottom.  It was a struggle pulling it deckside, but like any difficult worth while task, I was finally rewarded, with a very nice catch.  This melon easily weighed more than Abby or Zoë, so more than 30 pounds.  I had them both try to carry it at the same time, and both of them couldn't muster it, even though they can pick each other up, bear hug style.  We got some pictures of them washing it in the sink. I cut it up, and they enjoyed some for evening snack.  I introduced a good chunk to the blender and set homemade watermelon popsicles for our next scorcher day (supposed to hit 90s), Thursday.

It's clear that, as much as Zoë loves to sing, she definitely has a preference for what she sings.  She loves to belt out a song, complete with some great vibrato, but if she can't be sweeping across the floor with dramatic hand movements, she'd rather not take part.

Today I had to sit at the Volkswagen dealership for a while, and while I was gone, the girls got to watch the 'Island Princess' movie.  Chris said that Zoë had all of the songs memorized and sang along with flare.  Abby couldn't be coaxed into singing as well.  She does however, seem to have most of the talking parts memorized.  Tonight we put it on in the background as I did computer work (fast forwarding to just hear the songs) and Zoë belted it out and danced around the play area, ballerina style mixed with a little something else.  Abby wanted to prove that she knew the songs too, so she sang a little.

The party was held at the gymnastics place, which was lots of fun.  Abby and Zoë haven't stopped asking all day, when we'd be going.  They knew what time, knew afternoon, after nap, after snack... but still.

We got there and went up to put our present down and wait for the other guests to arrive.  Once mostly everyone was there, all of the kids lined up behind Anna Claire to hear the rules and then go down onto the floor.  There were all sorts of fun things lined up for the kids.  After some warm ups soon out came the rope swing, which both girls kept trying to cut in line to have another turn for.  They did lots of really fun things and then got set to go on the trampoline.  Once I saw them there, I went down on the floor to get some pictures.  (Andrea and her husband, Ben's video camera battery didn't have a charge)  I got a couple of group shots and pictures of them doing different jumps down the long trampoline and then they got to jump into the big foam pit.  After everyone had turns of each kind of jump and foam pit 'swimming'  they went to wash hands and go up for cupcakes and presents.

When it was time for presents, all of the kids sat with their presents and eagerly began handing them to Anna Claire.  Abby and Zoë gave her their gift and Anna Claire, and she was amazed at its size.  When she opened it she was in awe!  She stopped everything to run and show it to her mom, she was so excited.  Even after opening the other gifts she would check to see if her mom had seen the 'Cool beads set from Abby and Zoë'.  Once all of the presents had been opened, she referenced the beads set again.  It was obvious that it was the favorite, which the girls were really happy about.

It was another long practice for the musical today, and we didn't even get through it all.  The younger kids had had it so we will just extend Friday's dress re-hearsal.  The musical itself won't actually take that long, but going over parts, re-doing them, setting positions, this is all a lot for the four, five, even six and seven year olds.

I'm sure everything will come together for Sunday, even if it still seems all scattered right now.