Vocabulary and Conversations

The week just passed was one of those, "Where did the time go" weeks. Every day was busy but interesting, and great days were spent with the girls. Claire and Chloe kept things exciting. One morning they spent quite a bit of time painting. Chloe complained several times that her paint was not "thick" enough but she continued to create her masterpiece. She clearly has some artist genes in her little body, she is very detailed and precise in her work. We also notice how comfortable she is with color crayons and paint brushes and she knows exactly how to hold them and seems to be a definite right handed person. Claire still occasionally switches her tools back and forth but they both equally enjoy any time to color or paint.

Nonie came up and spent part of one day with us, and below she is seen reading the girls a story before we double-teamed them and got them down for a nap. The girls loved having both of us there and we enjoyed it as well.

One of the mornings after Daddy left for work he called back to the house and told me that he knew the girls would like to see the moon. So we put on shoes and jackets over their pj's and walked up to the top of the driveway. It was a beautiful sight and as Claire put it, "the moon is incredible, Grandma, " and it really was.

Later that morning the girls decided that they wanted to be a mommy and daddy unicorn and that I should be the baby unicorn. We all pretended for at least 45 minutes and the conversations we had were so funny. I decided to come back at them with some of the responses they often give. For instance, when they told me, the baby, that it was time for a rest I began to whine and say, "the shadows are bothering me". That is one of the common excuses they give for not wanting to go to bed, or not wanting to stay in bed. Claire, who was playing the Daddy at the moment, tenderly put her hand on my arm and began to rub it and said, "Baby, shadows are normal and you don't need to be afraid. Mommy and Daddy won't let anything happen to you". They both reassured me over and over that it would be OK. It was really very sweet. They consistently responded to my babyish concerns and wants and it was for me some real insight into Mike and Paula's responses to them. These two little parrots were repeating so much of what has been said to them. I asked Claire what "normal" means and she said it means that if you are afraid of anything, you just need to tell Mommy or Daddy. The definition is just a little off but her concepts overall are very good.

Claire asked Paula this past week if "she ate the baby to get it in her stomach". I know that Paula replied "no" that wasn't the case, but I'm not sure what else was said. What surprises are in for these two little girls as a new baby brother invades their world before long.

Below are some pictures of lunch and a special treat they had after, I just couldn't resist the faces covered in ice cream.

Claire and Chloe had a visit from their Uncle John (Paula's brother) and Cousin Richard this weekend and I can't wait to hear all the details of their time together. Chloe had told me earlier in the week that they "had a play-date scheduled with Richard on Saturday". I know they enjoyed it very much.

Looking forward to a new week!