Gotta Love Bubble Wrap

Do you remember as a kid loving to get your hands on some bubble wrap that came in packages sent via mail. What do you mean remember as a kid, remember just a few weeks ago snatching it away from your child saying, "Mine!" Well, I guess it's confession time for me. I LOVE bubble wrap. I always have. In fact, one year for Christmas I asked for it as a gift! A friend of mine sent me this link today of online bubble wrap! Go ahead, click the link and pop away! Be sure to try maniac version also! Ya gotta love this!!!

http://www.therightfoot.net/mystuff/whatever/swf/bubblewrap.swf

Hello and We Love You!!

The girls are each saying Hi and I love you in their own ways for all our viewers today. Who can respond to them? Braylen wants to see how many will say Hi back to her, so if you are a frequent viewer of this blog, let her know you saw her saying hi!!! Even those who never leave comments, give it a try (hint...hint... Grandma Wayne!!!).

Do I Look Taller?

So, what do you think?? Does Alea look taller? When I was uploading this photo, I kept looking again and again. My baby is growing. She is slimming down in the face and losing that baby look way too quickly! She looks so much taller to me. I cannot wait to see how she has grown when we go back for her 15 month appointment next month.

Learning to Read

Braylen wants Mommy to be her teacher this next year for preschool. We have a big decision to make. We already have her registered to attend preschool, but she wants me to be her teacher! Personally, I'd love it, but we'll have to see. Today, I did a mock run of how our morning would go if we did this. It went great. I gave

her some things I used with my first graders when I taught full time. She was awesome! She read the whole Dd page! She kept reading it over and over all day. We are so proud of Braylen!

First Steps

Alea is trying to learn to walk. Here we captured a few steps between Daddy and Braylen's arms. She will be on the move on her own soon!!

Crying Girls....

While working with Alea on walking, the girls bumped heads and both ended up in tears in Daddy's lap. The picture was just too cute not to post.

Daddy Can Always Wipe Away My Tears

Snapshots of the Girls

Painting Fun

Today Braylen wanted to paint. Well, if Braylen wants to paint, Alea wants to paint too! I was nervous about giving a 14 month old a paint brush and paint for fear she'd eat it all, but I did and she LOVED it! She never even attempted to eat it! She painted with the brush and then with her fingers after I showed her how. She loved swishing her fingers in the paint. She kept smiling and laughing. The girls loved showing off their artistic abilities.

We're Still Here, Just Blogless :)

My mom-in-law wants updates more regular! I am really bad about taking pictures lately. We have just been hanging around home, enjoying our pool before summer ends. Seriously, all we have done is swim, eat and sleep! We are loving it!! It has been HOT, HOT, HOT and our pool feels like a giant hot tub, registering in at 90 degrees! It feels great in the evenings.

Braylen is beginning to swim some without her life jacket, only when mom or dad is watching very closely. Alea longs to be out of her floaty and splashing and swimming with the rest of us. It is a constant battle telling her to sit down in her ladybug float. Brad is healing very nicely from his surgery. He goes back to the doctor for a post-op appointment on the 27th. I am doing well, just trying to keep up at home (laundry, dusting, etc...). It is more fun to play than work on these last summer days.

I'll try to get some pictures posted soon. I did snap some today of Alea taking a few steps in between Brad and Braylen. She so could walk by now, but she chooses to crawl. We have managed a few steps all on her own, but nothing consistent. I am sure she will walk just like she climbed steps, just do it one day with no warning or anything. When she does, we'll be sure to post pictures of it all!!!

Until next time..........

Mommy, Wow! I'm a Big Girl Now!

Today after lunch, while I was cleaning up, Braylen said, Alea be careful! I went to check it out and Alea was climbing the stairs!! She has never tried to do this before and she was halfway up!!! I got behind her and had Bray grab the camera. We snapped away! Alea kept turning back looking down with a huge smile of accomplishment! She was so proud of herself. So, during nap today, I will be getting the baby gates out and ready for use!

Just last night as I was rocking Alea, I was thinking of how I did not want her to grow up anymore. She is at a great stage and I love how she loves to cuddle. Then today, she marked another milestone. Walking will be next, I am sure!