Berry good, berry good

Dear Maya and Emi,

Mommy doesn't really have many words to share tonight, but I have some really fun photos. The pictures pretty much sum up our week...playing with puddles, balloons, grass, and family, and our first time picking (and Emi, in your case eating) strawberries. Take a look...

 

Okay, mommy needs some sleep. Love you both!

Sticky days, stormy night

Dear Maya and Emi,

Mommy's going to write this quickly because there's a storm outside and I don't want to lose power mid-post! Hopefully the weather will cool things down a bit since we've had a couple of really hot and humid days here.

This week we've spent lots of time outside in the yard and at a couple of parks, too. Maya, you had more fun picking crab apples, watching ants, and climbing a tree than playing on the playground at our usual park. Emi, you're mostly content to play on a sheet or blanket for now, but when you did go on the swings you had fun--aside from a minute there when your sister pushed you a littttttle too high. You recovered quickly, though.

 

We've had some rough moments this week. A lot of not listening to each other, a lot of unkind tones and words, a lot of hot, tired, frustration. But there were some really awesome moments, too. Maya, a bird inhabited your painted bird house! And you helped cook dinner. And you drew your family so well. Emi, you're walking more and more each day! And you're playing independently for longer periods of time. And you make us all laugh with your smile and your expressions.

 

Well, the storm has subsided but mommy's still signing off. Love you both!

Flowers, flowers, flowers everywhere

Dear Maya and Emi,

We've had a bit of a rough week. Emi, some coughing and teething had you crying at night which you never usually do any more. And the lack of sleep had mommy super cranky so I wasn't as kind to you as I would have liked, Maya. But there are some good moments and lovely photos to share, too.

some (not great quality) photos of Maya's 'rescued' flowers

First things first, Emi you took your first steps!!! There have only been a couple tentative little ones at a time here and there but we're so proud of you! Before long you'll be running around the backyard with your sister having fun. And I think you're both very much looking forward to that!

we 'saved' this peony from falling over

We celebrated Aunt Bobbie and Aunt Kelsie's birthday the other day. Like mommy, you're always up for a birthday party, Maya, so you helped me make some cupcakes and wrap presents while Emi was sleeping. Bobbie stayed with us a couple nights and played games with you, too.

We've been enjoying lots of time outside. Every day there are little piles of weeds and grasses left by the front and back doors, and every day another flower makes it into a vase, too. Maya, you've also taken to doubling this fake lei around your head to make a crown for yourself which is funny and beautiful. Again like mommy, you love flowers and know the names of many varieties. We also got to take these lovely pictures of you among the phlox last week.

There are more photos from the above 'photo shoot' that I'll be sharing on my photography site soon. Here's a link to keep an eye out for them: JenniWaka Photography . And next week, I'll make sure to get more pictures of you, too, Emi!

Love you both!