Papa's Girls!

This irresistible photo was taken while Grandma was on duty and the girls were having a little snooze....at the same time. That doesn't always happen, and when they do nap separately it gives lots of special one on one time.



As the title of this post indicates, Claire and Chloe are definitely "Papa's girls". The mutual admiration is very evident as Papa waits anxiously for each visit with the girls. This week when I arrived for a short stay while Mommy attended an appointment, Chloe brushed past me when the door opened saying, "Papa, Papa, Papa?" Unfortunately I had to tell her that Papa was still at home. She was very disappointed, lingering at the door and trying hard to open it again. The other humorous thing is that they both say his name (at times) in a loud whisper. Norm says it is in "reverence". Yeah, right! :):):)

The last little clip is of Claire "singing". Several times a day while I am there, we go through a series of songs. They are both really into motions, love the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" song as well as several others. I started singing "Row, row, row your Boat" a few weeks ago and actually Chloe was the first one to sing the "row, row, row" phrase, and then would skip to "merrily, merrily, merrily". One day last week, however, Claire, after showing Papa her elephant and making the elephant sound, decided to sing a bit. When Chloe wants to sing that song, she looks you right in the eye and says "row, row, row". If she wants to do the spider song, she wiggles her fingers around. Music/singing almost always calms and soothes a distressed or tired little girl.

Tomorrow Claire and Chloe turn 17 months. Wow!

Simple Toys & Overnight at Papa & Grandma's

Chloe decided to wear her bucket on her head. She just quietly and casually put it on as if she were wearing the most lovely hat ever, and then went about her business.



Claire spent at least 10 minutes, and probably more, dragging the "pop-on" toys that were in the zip up case, around the house. She was very intent on her route, out to the kitchen, through the dining room, around the chairs in the living room, and back again.



A box was delivered for Mommy and it provided quite a bit of entertainment for Claire and Chloe.

Papa's sunglasses look mighty sharp on Claire.

Bath time at Papa & Grandma's house.

Milk at Papa and Grandma's, first thing in the morning after a great night's rest.

Claire and Chloe wearing their "Thomas the Train t-shirts"

Hope Father's Day was special for each of you Dads. Claire and Chloe had a special day with their Daddy, and Papa and Grandma had a special day with Papa's Dad in Folsom at Aunt Jenny and Uncle Mark's.

From Books & Video to the Real Thing!

A visit to Vallejo, California this weekend, is definitely the highlight of our summer so far.

Claire and Chloe can identify and make the sound of most of the animals that are found in their books and on a video that they sometimes watch, and now they have had the opportunity to see some of those animals "up close and personal". Taking it all in, on Saturday, along with the girls, were Mommy, Daddy, Noni, Uncle John (Paula's brother), Aunt Rebecca, Cousin Richard, Aunt Suzie, Uncle Eric, Papa and Grandma. We had such a great time together watching the excitement and awe and wonder they experienced. They saw dolphins, elephants, alligators, giraffe, walrus, seals, lions, tigers, birds, a butterfly house, and too many creatures to name. The snapshots below, are just that, snapshots of our weekend both at the park riding the children's rides and viewing the animals, and a few at the hotel. Claire and Chloe LOVED the swimming pool and all the activity around the hotel. Claire and Chloe spent part of Friday, most of Saturday, and Sunday morning at the park. What troopers they were!

Here they are being greeted by Daffy Duck.

Mommy, Claire, Noni, and Chloe at the dolphin pool with the plexiglass wall.

Noni, Richard and Chloe real close to one of the dolphin.

Chloe, Noni and Richard ride some twirly thing. :):)

Mommy and Claire twirling around and around.

Claire and Chloe in the "big" chair.

Daddy and Claire, Mommy and Chloe on the train.

Grandma and Claire on the carousel.

Aunt Suzie and Chloe wait in line to ride the bus.

Claire taking in the sights.

Wow, giraffes in the flesh!

On the move!

Daddy and Claire.



Mommy and Chloe.



Daddy and Claire in the spa...for just a few moments.

Claire, Chloe, Mommy and Daddy.

Glimpses from the Past Week

Here is a glimpse from last week. Two happy little girls with ever-growing vocabularies. Both are now responding "yes" occasionally, rather than "no" or "I don't know". :) They are becoming more proficient with their spoons and creative in their play. They continue to take part in our songs and games and I am hoping to get their "If You're Happy and You Know It" performances on film one of these times. Claire, particularly, can really stomp those feet and shout "hooray".