tailgating tots

We took the girls to a neighborhood tailgating party this weekend.  Of course, they supported daddy's school and proudly wore USC attire.  There were games, bubbles, a bouncy house, and Lily to keep Emma Jane entertained.  Vivian was happy to people watch and EAT.  At one point she snatched a chicken wing off my plate and had it in her mouth before I realized it!  When the sun went down, it was time for some dancing and a movie.  It was the perfect night to enjoy the company of good friends and meet some of our new neighbors.

the doctor is in

I was feeling pretty crummy earlier this evening.  I'm not sure what was wrong, but I had a terrible throbbing headache that made me feel nauseous.  Paul took over and I climbed into bed!  Before I feel asleep, Paul brought a very thoughtful Emma Jane in to see me.  She handed me a chocolate chip cookie because she thought that would help me feel better.  After a dose of Advil and an hour of rest, I did feel much better and got out of bed to say goodnight to Emma Jane.  I was very surprised by her compassion.  Here are bits and pieces of the conversation we had tonight:

EJ:  Mama, are you feewing better?
Me:  Yes, I am, sweetpea.
EJ:  Did the cookie make you better?
Me:  I think so!  (I didn't have the heart to tell her that I didn't eat it.)
EJ:  What was wong, Mama?
Me:  I'm not sure, honey.
EJ:  I fink you must've fawwen down!
Me:  No, I didn't fall down.
EJ:  I fink you must've ate too much!
Me:  No, I haven't even had any dinner tonight.
EJ:  (while gently stroking my cheek)
Hmmmm....well, what happened, den?
Me:  Sometimes we just feel sick.
EJ:  Oh!  Don't wo-we, Mama, I know how to help you!
Me:  Okay, how?
EJ:  I can tickle your toes!

The list of things that might make me feel better went on and on.  I was very touched by Emma Jane's concern for me and impressed with her persistence to make sure I was on the mend.  It's a wonderful feeling to see your child expressing sympathy with such sincerity.  The extra kisses and hugs from this sweet girl were just what this Mama needed!

still swimming

   Well, here we are in September and we are STILL swimming!  It looks as though the heat will stick around for at least a few more weeks.  Our girls aren't complaining!  They love to spend time at the pool.  We are now enjoying our new neighborhood pool.  The shallow end of this pool is slightly deeper than the pool we are used to, but Emma Jane has adapted.  She is learning to doggy paddle so she doesn't have to completely rely on her underwater swimming.  Emma Jane also loves to fill buckets and watering cans with the pool water.  She does this over and over and never seems to tire of it.  Vivi loves to splash in the pool, too.  In the last picture you can see her clapping (one of her newest skills) while Paul splashes her up and down in the water.  We'll take advantage of this warm weather as long as we can and keep on splashing!

new heights

 Vivian has surprised us with her strength and stability this past week.  She is constantly pulling herself up to standing and challenges herself to get things that are out of reach.  She has been climbing the bottom two steps in the house, so the baby gate is about to reappear!  She's not quite "cruising" just yet, but I have a feeling that is coming any day now.  What has encouraged this sudden obsession to reach new heights?  Keeping up with big sis, of course!

faster feet

Emma Jane is convinced that her new tennis shoes have magically produced faster feet!  She was so proud to run and play in her new kicks yesterday.  This summer she has mostly worn sandals or Crocs, but she would still occasionally wear her size 7 1/2 tennis shoes.  Well, her new shoes are size 9!  Whoops!  I guess we were scrunching her poor little toes up, but that never seemed to slow her down!   



mail time!

In our new neighborhood we have a mail kiosk where we go to check our mail.  I've told Emma Jane that this is our very own post office.  The "post office" is located right next to the Village Green, so our daily trip to check the mail has become quite an adventure for the Street girls!  Emma Jane likes to take her pink soccer ball with her and Vivi enjoys a ride in the stroller.  Even in this heat, it's not a bad walk and makes checking the mail all the more exciting!

open wide!

   Emma Jane had her first dental appointment yesterday.  I have to admit, I was a little (okay, very!) nervous about this experience.  Although we have been "practicing" at home, I expected a lot of fussing and tears, but I was pleasantly surprised.  Emma Jane was an excellent patient!  Everyone at the office was so sweet to her and that made all the difference.  Her pediatric dentist has actually become a biking buddy of Paul's, so Emma Jane had met Dr. Nieders prior to our visit.  While having her teeth cleaned she was very still (gasp!) and even asked to do it again when it was all over!  She requested her own gloves and mask, which they happily provided. In the last picture, you might notice a bright orange lizard in Emma Jane's gloved hand.  This was her prize for doing so well during the teeth cleaning.  When Dr. Nieders arrived, she immediately asked him to clean her lizard's teeth!  Vivi watched wide-eyed from the stroller throughout the process.  Most importantly, Emma Jane has no cavities!

Open wide!  She practiced while we waited.

Vivi chewed on the coozie in our goody bag!

Our superstar patient!

standing tall

Vivi has finally started pulling up to standing!  She is so proud of her new-found talent.  Look out world, here she comes!