Pigtails and Playgroup

Wednesday morning, we finally got back together with some of our playgroup friends after far too long a hiatus! But first things first - getting ready...

Elise's hair, as you may have noticed, is out of control. It continues to grow in kind of oddly too, in that the sides aren't quite long enough for a ponytail and the top is not really the issue. She sort of has an Albert Einstein look going, if Al was a curly towhead. Oh wait, he sort of was.

Anyway, with issues like these, there is but one option: Pigtails.

And you know that if sissy has her hair fixed, Avery needs it, too! Except that it just doesn't quite work with Avery's hair. So we improvised, and went for the Pebbles Flintstone look instead.

She seemed content with that decision, and I think she was just as cute. Don't you agree?

So finally, it was time to visit our friends at Cottell Park. The girls had a blast playing on the playground (wet as the slides were, and cold as it was outside this morning!), watching the ducks, playing ring around the rosie and running in the grass. By the end of the morning the weather was beautiful, and it was wonderful to see our friends again!

We even got a picture of most of the group (before two more friends arrived), and a few of them even looked at the camera the same time! ;) Seriously, best out of 17 shots -

Cute bunch, no? Playgroup was followed by lunch at Arby's with Nana and Cassi where the company was great but the food wiped out my daily allowance of WW points! Fair trade though, for a great morning with my sweet girls! More pics in Picasa

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Around here, "Mickey House" or "Clubhouse" might be a request for one of three things.

1) The show

2) The aforementioned playhouse

3) This toy:

This thing is great, and our acquisition of it (or, rather, the fact that I finally put it together this week for the girls to play with) has led to hours of cooperative play between two previously bored girls. Truth be told, I just forgot about it after purchasing it at the Twins Club sale, but I'm thrilled that I had it to bust out during the monsoon season that has apparently begun in Cincinnati.

With the flick of switches (appropriate, as you know if you know the show at all), Pluto's doghouse, a stepping stone path, and a picnic table appear. Characters stand on pedestals and talk, or the press of a button makes them say even more fun phrases. A lever starts "the Hot Dog Song", which - as you may recall - has been among my girls' favorites for months. There's even the handy balloon, a garage and the toon car, and an off switch! ;)

I remember when a friend of mine bought this toy for her son, and thought it was cute then. At $50 for just the clubhouse and 3 figures though (goofy, donald, etc sold separately) it wasn't going to make it into this house! That was, until I found it - with literally a dozen extra figures - in working, flawless shape at the Spring WCMOTC sale for just $12. Score! Have I mentioned how much I love our sale? Oh, I have? Well I do.

Our Princesses

Most nights, we let Avery and Elise pick out their pajamas. It's no surprise that these are two of their favorite pair.... they're some of mama's favorites, too!

"I see you!"

Elise and Avery have a new favorite phrase: "I see you!". I think it started with "Peek-a-boo, I see you" (which I didn't say together all that often, anyway), but now it's all day. When Kyle or I (or anyone) comes into a new room. When peeking at Thea under a blanket. When silly cereal hides behind a cup, of course trying to trick the girls (without success). "I see you!"

We have an adorable Mickey "house" that I got on clearance months ago and had in the basement, since we never got any additional crawling tunnels that go with it. The girls never paid it much attention, but with its numerous doors and windows on almost every side, it is the PERFECT place to put this favorite phrase to work.

Typically a scene like the one below includes way more giggling, and running around in circles around the house, but this will have to do. I admit, they're still sort of cute, even toned down a bit ;)

Mall Outing... kind of.

In the northwest suburbs of Cincinnati, lies this "mall". Once upon a time, it was awesome. Lots of stores, charming decoration, a movie theater, a small indoor "fun park", and even a grocery store. Yes, I now realize the giant grocery store part was a little out of the ordinary. Anyway, this mall was SO cool. It also featured this spectacular structure at center court that towered over you (50 feet tall? 100? I have no idea) and displayed dozens of balls ranging in size from golf ball to basketball, all performing all sorts of cool tricks as if by magic.

Perhaps this was the "mall's" heyday.... or perhaps it's a flashbulb memory from a time when I frolicked around there after church with my parents and some of my best friends. And when I was about 7.

Since those glory days, the "mall" has undergone many a transformation, almost always for the worse. There are virtually no stores, the lights rarely work (or maybe it's just "strategically lit" to be dim and dull? Yeah, that's it), and the stores that DO come and go are often more of a flea market variety than anything you should find in a shopping mall (and I love flea markets, but you KNOW what I'm saying).

If you live (or have lived) in any proximity to this gem, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Of course, you might have said Eastgate mall if you hadn't been paying attention to the northwest clue and the part about the rockin' center court. No, I am clearly speaking of Forest Fair Mall Malls at Forest Fair Cincinnati Mills Cincinnati Mall.

There are, however, about 4 qualities to this establishment, including Babies R Us, Bass Pro Shops, Auntie Anne's Pretzels, and the playland. (Ahh, you think - she finally has a point!) Though even that isn't what it used to be.

On this gloomy friday, we needed out of the house. What better place for two rambunctious toddlers than a GIANT, desolate shopping mall all to themselves?!

Add a quick lunch stop (with Aunt Cassi!) and it turned out to be a pretty good day, especially for a place that looks mostly like this:

More pictures in Picasa, including our somewhat silly "on-the-go" potty solution. Hey, you do what you have to (and yes, we make sure we're in a discreet location... for everyone's sake!) ;)

"Happy 101" Award!

"You like me, you really like me!"

Ok, so we all know by now that Sally Field didn't actually utter those words, but it's become a bit of pop culture, no? And really, all I'm trying to say is that one of my dearest friends likes me (or my girls, at least), and that's something that probably should be true. Confused yet?

Sweet Leah has bestowed upon me (and this blog) an award!

So without further ado, ten things that (in no particular order) make me happy.

1) Elise & Avery (Can they count as one? Because a lot of things make me happy!): I mean, have you seen them? They're great. Smart, funny, adorable, sweet, and a million other adjectives I don't have the room nor the time to list. I can so vividly remember longing, praying for little ones before they joined our family, and even then I couldn't imagine what a precious gift it would be to be called their mama.

2) Kyle: Again, too many words. The love of my life and my best friend in the whole world. Seriously. We can talk about anything for hours on end or enjoy silence together. We can engage in serious, deep discussion or get in a full-fledged tickle war with our baby girls. He is the kindest, most loving man I know, a great doctor and hard worker, and the best Daddy to my girls that I could have ever imagined.

3) My family: My parents make me laugh (to the point of stomach ache, all the time), support me in everything I do, and showed me the importance of loving one another and loving and serving God with all your heart. My sister is one of the most compassionate, loving people I know and I am so proud of her all the time. Except when she knows more about science than I do (which is happening more frequently) or beats me at Mario Party. Eh, even then.

4) Singing: Seriously, music is the thing that most speaks to my heart. I love singing in the shower, in the car (until the 930284th time of the same freaking children's song in a row), in a massed choir, or rocking out on the stage at 4 Corners. Beyond the joy music brings me, I can't even begin to express the capacity to worship that it facilitates. Unreal.

5) My church and church family: The people are a blast, while being very real and very passionate about Jesus. The heart of the church is amazing, committed to being a place that ANYONE - especially those who are unsure about "church" - can find and experience the love (and the plan) God has for them. It's a place where we are all encouraged to take "next bold steps" every week, and really examine the things in our lives that are keeping us from being where God wants us or would push us further in the direction He is moving. I am so blessed to be a part of the leadership/worship teams there, and am amazed at how much I am changed when I think I'm the one doing some serving.

6) Mountain Dew. And Skittles. Together, or separate.: Seriously, had to lighten the load a bit, right? I wouldn't want you to think I was ENTIRELY sappy now! And honestly, Mountain Dew is my vice. Bad day? Other excuse to cheat on a diet? Forget the ice cream (though that works, too), my first choice is a real (read: non-diet), ice cold 20-ounce bottle of Mountain Dew.

7) Walt Disney World: Bet you thought I'd never get there, huh? And yes, it really is "all things Disney", because I'm a sucker for the brand as a whole. But there is something about WDW that, as I've said a dozen times before, allows the most refreshing break from reality while taking in and creating some of the best experiences I've had anywhere with people I love - and yes, that's even after traveling other places unrelated to The Mouse. It's just different, and if I have to explain that to you then you either a) are new around here or b) wouldn't understand anyway. ;)

8) Christmas Music: From November 1st-December 26th it's playing, and it's a better mood elevator than Prozac. Not that I would know first hand, but I'm thinking it's safe to assume - at least for me.

9) Shopping: I'll admit it. Given the right circumstances (namely, more money), "retail therapy" works wonders for me. That's not always a good thing, but that assessment wasn't part of the assignment, now was it?

10) Organizing stuff: Seriously, nerd alert. I'm a procrastinator so this one might not always be evident (if you are one, you know why - there has to be time for 100% or nothing gets done!). But the outlook of my whole day can change if I have the time and energy to tackle a big organizing project. If I don't, then I just make lists and travel plans and other things that sort of fall into the same arena, and that is a nice little "fix".

Seriously, what a stupid last thing. Alas, you know I could spend all day on a task like this, and I just don't have the luxury. So now, for the rest of the rules:

"Happy 101" Rules:

1. copy and paste the award on your blog.
2. list who gave the award to you and use a link to her/his blog (or hyperlink).
3. list 10 things that make you happy.
4. pass the award on to other bloggers and visit their blog or on facebook to let them know about the award.

I'm a bit of a sucker for blogs, so I follow a ton - sorry if you read this and I couldn't include everyone! (For the rest of you, I'd be happy to put you on my blogroll if you'd like to be!) Here are just a few other part-time bloggers that I'd like to pass this award along to, because they too brighten my day with new posts!

Sarah and I went to... junior high together (is that it?) and that was about it, until the fabulous internet reconnected us. Now via facebook and blogs, Sarah continues to encourage me with her posts about raising her sweet Lydia, her involvement in her church and her walk with the Lord.

Amy (and Thomas) were also long-lost Mason Middle School folks that I talk to now more than I ever did before :) Mr. Henry is one of Elise & Avery's summer playgroup buddies, and we look forward to meeting Camden when he makes is arrival in August!

Stacy and I met via our Mothers of Twins Club when our girls were just 4 and 5 months old. We've had lots of playdates since then (though not nearly enough!) and I am always encouraged when spending time with her and her precious girls, Anna and Avary.

Lindsay and I have definitely known each other the longest (or at least been friends the longest) of any bloggers I know. She has always been a sweet friend and an incredibly strong girl/young lady/woman (seriously, we go way back!) and is now a super-strong mama of adorable boys Mason and Brody.

Irony

A year ago yesterday, a post was entitled, "So Big". But look how little my sweet girls were! I can't believe they were babies just a year ago, and now I have sassy, snotty little toddlers running around fighting all the time! :-P

Rockstar

I told you!

Dare I say it?

Do I have two day-time trained girls?

Yes, Avery has finally figured out to get that darn pee out when she wants to, and has been accident-free (and using the potty regularly) for 2.5 days! She isn't quite as trustworthy yet as Elise (read: needs some encouragement to go, especially when playing), but Elise has also had about a week's extra practice. We aren't sitting on potties for half the day or setting timers or anything either, which makes me happy (because I don't want to just be mommy-trained! ;)). When it's time to go, they sit down (in the right place) and go. Accidents to come? Obviously. But just 2 weeks ago I thought I would lose my mind before we saw any success, and here we are... so I'm happy!

And might I also add, just for good measure, that Kyle has just 73 days (maximum) left of residency. We miss him this evening, so I thought I'd throw that in there. Now if Elise and Avery could just figure out how to sleep a little longer at night (well, and at naptime, for that matter), we'd really be in business! ;)

Have a great weekend!

Ni-Night

As you may have read on facebook, the girls are very into tucking themselves (and one another and their mama) in for "bed", all day, all over the house. They are obsessed with dragging around all of the pillows and blankets they can find, and going ni-night. The other day, I was the recipient of a very thorough turn-down job (complete with "I love you"!)... but sadly had too many duties to take them up on the instruction.

Today, they got creative. For literally 45 minutes, they relocated time and again around the living room, going to "sleep" in any place they could imagine.

Perhaps if they took such an affinity to real sleep, this would not have happened. :)

Museum Monday - April

Because of our vacation in early March (seriously, has it only been a month?!), we missed the last Music & Movement class. When we got there today, it felt as if it had been ages, but the girls were excited to be back.... and I was excited that Kyle got to join us, for the first time in several months!

We got there early (on purpose, for a few reasons) so the girls enjoyed playing in the lobby for a while before the Children's Museum actually opened.

Class, as usual, was wonderful! We can't wait until we will actually be able to consider including a Music Together class in our budget, so the girls might be able to do this more frequently - especially if it's with Miss Ai Li.

After class, our first stop was the Water Works play area. As much as the girls would have loved this several times ago, they were just too short for me to handle by myself (since I'd have to hold them up and play), and the last time we were there it was just too crowded. Today was perfect though in that Kyle was with us, there wasn't another person in the area, and the girls were just the right size for one section (with step stools). Unfortunately - and we thought of this but didn't think long enough, I guess! - water play (including fountains) is not the most ideal thing for newly trained or potty training toddlers. :) Elise had her first accident in over a week, so we only played there about 10 or 15 minutes. (Oops!)

After changing and cleaning up, we were off to the Little Sprouts farm. The girls continue to love this area, and for once it wasn't jam-packed. Lots of fun things to play with, and the perfect level of independence for this age!

Finally, we stopped into the Super Sprouts craft area and made texture collages.

Elise and Avery had a great time, and were quite upset to leave... but lunchtime (and naptime!) and Daddy's work shift were fast-approaching. We'll be back in a month or so! :)

Enjoying Spring

A few pictures for your viewing pleasure. More, as is often the case, in Picasa :)

Slides, Steps & Spelling

First, let me say that I am not one of those nervous moms. If you know me, you know that's true. Newborns didn't scare me, and my girls frequently climb and jump on a lot higher things than their grandmothers would prefer, while Kyle and I don't bat an eye and simply say, "They're going to fall someday, no matter what".

But I'm not sure I'd have taught them to climb up their (super tricky) slide ladder at just 20 months old. It's a good thing they have a Daddy that will do just that, because look how good they are at it! (Ok, and please notice how cute the shirts are in this video. Of course, now that people already think Elise is "older" (by more than a minute), they aren't quite what I was going for when I started looking at about 6 weeks old for "Big Sis" & "Little Sis" shirts. Obviously there isn't much of a demand for both in teeny baby sizes ;) Still, I crack myself up.)

Next, I think I'm going to brag a minute and say that I have a little genius or two on my hands. ;) Ok, perhaps not - but they really do memorize wonderful things with their crazy little spongey minds, when we aren't even aware of them doing so.

On Easter, my mom was "coloring" with Elise. Most often, this means Elise asks you to draw something on her paper, and/or guesses what you draw. Occasionally it means scribbling, but usually she needs "help". Avery is my true artist, and can scribble masterpieces with the best of them. Anyway, said "coloring" was taking place and my mom discovered a sweet little surprise. Elise could (almost) spell her name! Can you tell what Mommy most often writes when she is "coloring" with her daughters? :-P Hysterical.

We have since corrected that end letter, and the appropriate "E" has taken it's place. We did figure out where the confusion came in though, as we'd often overhear her saying (to herself), "E-L-I-S-T-U-V, W-X-Y-Z". Close, kiddo, but you're mixing a few things up there.

Of course, now she just often mixes herself up in a different way, "E-L-I-S-E-L-I-S-E". Goofball.

.... And in case you're wondering, I do realize that at this point it is little more than recitation and she has not the first clue as to what she is doing. I don't care, it's cute :) Both girls DO recognize about 5-10 letters each, consistently and accurately, and of that I am a super proud mama. They even surprised great Grandma the other day by picking out their own chairs, toys, etc that have their correct names (or initials) on them, when great grandma had (accurately!) assumed they just knew their ABCs like any other song lyrics. Nice PSA for reading to and talking to kids at an early age, I think! Their minds are truly incredible all on their own, given the right environment and just a bit of encouragement.

What amazing creations!

Easter, Part 2

Easter Sunday, we woke up and got ready for church. Before leaving, Avery and Elise got their baskets from us. They were pretty stoked about the toys (and a few toddler-friendly snacks)...

... but ultimately realized that the grass was the coolest part. And I ultimately realized that we'll never again have plastic grass. At least not for 5+ years.

We then went to a fantastic church service, and over to the Lawless' to get ready for the second round of Easter celebrations. The rest of the family didn't get home until the girls were napping, so first things first - the "big kids" egg hunt. Um, harder than ever, and that's saying a lot. Great fun though, and of course we got entirely too much candy (though, since I'm dieting, I'm having no trouble eating it. Please tell me you understand that logic!).

After the girls woke up, it was time for their egg hunt.

And then their baskets from great Grandma Cora, complete with all sorts of goodies that they loved! (Um, and more grass. :))

Dinner was next, and was spectacular. I was stuffed despite being very good (re: Weight Watchers), and we didn't even make dessert for lack of room in any of our stomachs! :-P

After dinner, Pappy (who had been away for part of the afternoon helping some people out) gave the girls their next baskets (they kept coming!), these from Cassi, Nana and him. They're certainly loved, those girls! :)

Lots more pictures from all the Easter celebrations in the April Picasa album (including one of our forgotten first child, and her special easter treat)!

Updates: Pottying, Breathing, and hair.

So I'm sure this comes as no surprise given our professions, but we love drugs. You know, medicine. That smart people, with serious God-given talent and lots of hard work and research have created and perfected to provide modern day miracles. :)

Elise is, as always, infinitely better after 1.5 days on oral steroids. As mentioned, she has also started her daily Pulmicort (thankfully just once a day as long as it works!), and is a rockstar taking it. She even holds the mask up to her own face, and sits for a VERY long 12+ minutes while it's administered. She's great.

The real excuse for this entry though, along with providing some much-needed updates on certain things going on in the Kaufman household, is this picture --

Man, when you're breathing 65 times a minute and working hard to keep your oxygen saturation in the upper 80's (%) you work up a sweat! There are no words for how sweet her curls got (made even sweeter by that face in the middle of struggling), except for maybe "holy cow I hope she has a good stylist, or perhaps some thickness that weighs it down a bit as it grows, or she's going to have her hands full". Seriously though, cute :) (A few more in Picasa, by the way!)

The other update I wanted to bring you is regarding the potty training process. The "process" isn't anything cut and dry, except this - panties during waking hours, and pee (& poo) should go in the potty. I'm so proud (and somewhat nervous) to say that Elise has had no accidents for over 4 days! She, my monster eater, even gets down from her chair (with help of course) during meals if she has to go, and rocks it out quickly to get back to the interrupted meal. That's so awesome.

And my sweet Avery.... well, let me just say that until the last day or two I didn't even want to write this post because she makes me crazy. :) Truthfully, she is doing so well. She wants desperately to go consistently, and is SO incredibly proud of herself when she does. She's just so easily distracted, that one...

The last couple of days she's had more consistent success than the previous week or so. Her former MO was to just hold it until naptime and bedtime, which you know isn't exactly ideal! ;) She'd try to go on the potty but as soon as she'd trickle the least bit she'd hop up, "all done", and proceed to pee elsewhere. Talk about irritating.

She's had lots of success the last few days though, with just 1-2 accidents each day and lots of "hits" on the potty (so not just retaining). We're pleased with the progress, and have to say that Elise's success has not at all made us more frustrated with Avery's unique timetable, but more tolerant of it. I tell you what, it's just easier to train 1.5 girls than it was 2. ;)

More entries to come, it's been a busy couple of weeks!