Happy girls

The girls slept great and woke up happy and ready to play. Rielee and Parker were over to have breakfast with them. After breakfast, Parker played with Ava and was happy that she was having fun with him. Then it was time for a bath with Rielee, a long bath with a lot of singing. It was a nice enough morning to take them outside to play in the sandbox and do a little swinging, too. They were so covered in sand that we had to change their pants when they came in. Then they had a messy lunch and needed to change their shirts because a lot of their soup didn't make it to their mouths.

What's not to love about this sweet little face? I tried to get them both to sit for a picture together, but Ava didn't feel like it.

Whenever they hear Parker riding the 4-wheeler, they jump up on the couch to look out the window to see him. Our day with them went by too fast, and we were sad to take them back.

Ava and Harper 1st summer visit

Ava and Harper came up this afternoon and are spending the night with us. We were so happy to have them here again, and they look so much bigger. Immediately after they got here, Alan stopped over to visit, and before long the rest of the neighborhood was here, too. Laury and Alan also thought they had grown. The girls continued on their quest to drive Emmy nuts by refusing to say her name, but were nice to her otherwise, and even "cooked" her some food in their kitchen. Their evening entertainment consisted of pens and notebooks, which they packed around and wrote in.

More firewood

Parker stayed overnight with us last night. We watched True Grit and that was fun, but it caused him to have a bad dream. In the middle of the night he woke me up saying he needed to ask Papa a question about snakes. All through the movie they were discussing snakes, with Papa sharing stories about the snakes around his relative's homes in California when he would visit there as a kid. The snake talk continued this morning during breakfast, then Parker went to work on the shop, one of his summer jobs is to clean and organize it. I pulled him off the shop cleaning to help Papa with the firewood. Papa had cut down a big fir that Alan and Vera gave him. Parker hauled a couple of loads of limbs to the burn pile, helped me stack a load of wood and then split a wagon load of wood by himself. He was pretty worn out after that, since he had to use a wedge to split the wood in half first and that is tiring. He was more than ready to go back to the shop cleaning, but was done with that for the day, too, and wandered off to play with his bow and arrows.

Firewood

Papa was happy to take a break from cutting firewood when Rielee showed up to say hi to him. She had just got back from their houseboat trip. She told him a very scary story about a 4 year old girl who was visiting another houseboat and was running around on the docks without a life jacket. This morning the little girl fell off the dock while the kids were feeding the ducks. Macee jumped in and grabbed her and handed her up to Boris, Parker's friend who was with them. Rielee, along with everyone else who saw it happen, was very traumatized. Thankfully, the little girl was fine. Papa cut down 2 trees today. Parker came along later with the 4-wheeler and wagon to help pick up and haul brush to the burn pile.

Last day

Today was our last regular day with Ava and Harper :(
They had a busy morning, first having oatmeal for breakfast with Rielee, which they all gobbled up. Then they got in the tub with her for a long, fun bath. Auna, Parker, Emmy and Laury came over to visit them, too. Auna played on the computer with them, and Rielee played with cars, dolls, and played school with them. They were being silly on the ride to meet Mom, playing hide and seek under their blankets. Ava had the funniest post-nap hairdo.
We were very melancholy on the drive back home, already missing the fun of the daily routines we have with our little darlings. We plan to see them every week, though, through their summer vacation.

Happy Birthday Macee and Rielee

No twins today since I had a dentist appt. in Portland. Papa still watched Rielee for a little while though.

Macee and Rielee had a family birthday party together tonight. 16 and 6 years old. Rielee and Jillian had been playing princess dress-up just as it was time to blow out the candles.

Rielee was really excited to get a Petco gift card!

Des did the "close-up" picture game, which Emmy and Tierney won with 20 out of 25 correct.

Happy Birthday Macee

For her birthday Macee wanted to go to a German restaurant, so she, Gabe, Des, Parker, Rielee, Papa and I and Denice went to the Rhinelander in Portland. We all tried some authentic German food which was excellent, and we were serenaded by a singing accordian player who, before long, had us all singing along with him. Well, except Gabe, who apparently doesn't know the words to any old songs. Macee got warm apple streudel for her birthday dessert and the accordian player led us all in "Happy Birthday". It was great fun, and Macee really enjoyed herself.

Kindergarten graduate

Rielee had her kindergarten graduation this morning so now she is officially a 1st grader! They asked each child what they wanted to be when they grew up. Rielee's answer was "work at Petco".

Yesterday, Rielee was at Petco, buying her very own hamster, which she named "Pancake". She brought her over today to show her to the twins and Auna.

Ava, Harper & Luke

Rielee's puppy birthday

Rielee had a "puppy" themed birthday party today with her friends and cousins, complete with a Scooby Doo bounce house. This was really fun for the kids, and fortunately, the rain quit right before they set it up.

Ava and Harper got to jump with only Luke so they wouldn't get hurt with all the other kids jumping around.

The kids decorated puppy-themed cookies, played pin-the-tail on the puppy, and took turns whacking a puppy pinata.

Jillian taking her turn

Rielee's Granny decorated her puppy cake. Rielee got lots of nice gifts and some money, too, which she is saving up to buy a hamster.

Rielee Talent Show

Today was a big day for Rielee, she entered her school's talent show, doing a hula hoop routine. She did great, got lots of cheers from the crowd, and wasn't nervous at all! We took Ava and Harper to watch and they were excited to see "Rie Rie" as they call her. It was a cute show, with many different acts but mostly singers. This is a condensed video, I'm sure Gabe will put her complete routine on YouTube.

Jillian & Bridget

Cathy brought Jillian and Bridget to visit this morning. Ava and Harper played pretty well with Jillian, but weren't quite sure what to make of Bridget. Yes, Bridget is standing at the table, she is a busy little 9 month old!

It was a nice afternoon, so after their nap the girls played outside until dinner time. Parker and Auna stopped by to play for awhile before they left for games, and Rielee got to stay with us. Alan gave the girls this bubble bucket and today was the first time they tried it. Boy, did they love it!

They played with it for a good hour, taking a break in the sandbox now and then. By the time they were done, their hair was wet with bubbles, so after dinner they took a bath with Rielee. Didn't really need shampoo either!

They happily settled down for a Caillou video afterward. They get to spend the night since it is the last day of school in Mom and Dad's district and they had functions to go to.

Parker's home

*Just a note-if you click on the pictures, they will enlarge.

The twins had a fun day since Parker was home recovering from a little food poisoning he had last night. He played so well with them and kept them busy and happy all morning. Ava, Harper and Parker, the girls still love to be in the Pak n' Play while someone makes them laugh and then they fall down.

Uncle Alan showed up right before Parker went home, and he was quickly recruited for some Play-doh action. I don't know who has more fun, the girls or him.

Papa was showing Harper how to use the extruder and she let out an ear-piercing squeal of excitement when the Play-doh came through!

James' game

The best part of the twin's day is anytime Rielee is here. They were so happy to have breakfast with her like big girls this morning. Harper ate all her food but Ava was so excited she didn't eat much, she did eat some waffle off my plate after Rielee left though. Oh, and the last couple of days they have eaten bananas, wow, a first around here.
We went to James' game this evening, it was his last game of the season. They juggled their lineup and let players try out different positions so he started out as catcher, then played 1st where he had some great catches and then he played center field. He also hit a double. Unfortunately they got 10 runned before he got a chance to pitch so that was disappointing, but it was fun to see him play anyway.

Tired girls

The twins had so much fun over the weekend, they were kind of worn out today. We had to keep them busy in the morning, and by 9 we had played with every toy in the house, with an extra long Play-doh session, which they could only handle if they were sitting on our laps. By 10:15 they were down for naps, and the afternoon was considerably happier for them. The afternoon cousin chaos...they are all so ready for summer vacation.
In the evening we went to watch some summer league Rocket basketball. First the boys with Will, Cale and Ty all playing together now, they won their game against Winlock. Then the girls with Macee and Tierney, they lost to Mark Morris.

Sunday with Rielee

Rielee came over this afternoon while her parents went to Portland shopping for her birthday presents. I took her down to the school playground but we didn't get to stay very long before it started raining. We stopped at the bakery on the way home for maple bars, Rielee's favorite. We walked over to visit Papa, who was logging down in the canyon below the Dolan's. Rielee wanted to hike their Canyon trail, which hasn't been cleaned up yet for the summer, which meant I had to carry her on my back for most of it so she wouldn't get her bare legs scratched by blackberry vines. She is getting a little too big for me to carry, especially uphill.

Saturday

The girls slept in until 7:30 this morning and woke up happy and ready to play. Charb came to get them at 10:00, then visited for awhile, Ava couldn't leave without getting out the Play-doh for a little session of "ball" and "wormie" making.Harper and Dad

"Uncle Rabrrib"

Rielee went right to work this morning trying to get Ava to say "Uncle David" and got it on video for Auna! But Uncle David didn't think she was saying "David" clear enough, so after school Auna videoed her again, same response from David-I told him "hey, "Grandma" sounded like "Bob" for a long time, take what you get and be happy!" Auna should get that I-Pod Touch!
The girls were really happy with this ride-on I found for them at a garage sale this morning. It has lots of buttons that play music and make noise. I also got them a stick horse but despite several demostrations of how to ride it from Papa and I, all they would do is hug it. They got to play outside for a long time this afternoon and even enticed Uncle Alan and Auna into the sandbox with them. Then Rielee came home from school and they got some playtime with her, too.

Right before bedtime, Emmy got home from Ellensburg and came right over to see them. She tried and tried to get them to say her name, but they seem to be stubborn little Gourde girls like Rielee (who would say everyone else's name except Emmy's, just to bug Emmy). We could hear Ava though, she would go in the playroom and say it but wouldn't say it in front of Emmy.

The girls are staying over because tonight is their cousin Rachel's graduation from Hockinson H.S.

Sweet sisters

This morning Ava was twirling around in circles, got dizzy, fell down and hurt herself. She started twirling again and I told her to stop, which hurt her feelings so she grabbed her blanket and walked over by their play kitchen with her head down. Harper was right there, of course, playing and she saw what happened. She immediately went to Ava, put her arm around her, said something to her and patted her on the back. When Ava didn't respond, Harper walked away, but she went back 4 times, talking to Ava, putting her arm around her and patting her on the back each time. The last time, they had a little discussion, shared a big hug (and patting each other's backs) and Ava was happy again. Papa and I were watching all of this, looking at each other in disbelief, it was the such a sweet and tender moment. They were sure happy to be outside this afternoon. I had to get a picture of Harper in front of the rhodies beside Alan's shop after she came up the steps.

Posing on the steps outside Alan's shop, they had been busy looking for rocks for him.

Harmonica

The first time Ava ever played the harmonica was also the first time we played with Play Doh, so now they go together. She can't sit and play with one without the other. I was unsuccessful adding the video I took of her yesterday playing it and entertaining Harper, but it is on YouTube.

Ukes

While doing their computer time this morning, Papa accidently clicked on a video of Rielee playing the ukelele. Right away Ava was up and begging for the ukes. Usually they both fight for the pink one but since Papa was playing along, too, this time they didn't. They didn't even care that he was out of tune. Auna came over after school, she is on a mission to teach Ava to say "Uncle David". If she can do it by Friday, her Dad will buy her an I-Pod touch. Ava said it yesterday but only Parker and Rielee heard it, and Auna needs to get it on video. Today she was only saying "Uncle".

We had Rielee in the evening and she wanted to paint so Papa brought the easel in from the shop. It is always a big production picking out all the right paint colors for a painting session that lasts about 5 minutes tops. But she had fun, that is until she tried to paint a dog that didn't turn out to look like a dog at all and she dissolved into tears. So I put her in the tub but she was too tired to enjoy her bath, so she got out and settled in for the rest of the time with a Caillou video.

Curly heads

I must have jinxed our Monday morning by telling Papa first thing this morning just how much I love Mondays because the girls are back and they are so happy to see us and their toys.
It was downhill from there... First the tears from both of them when I took Rielee to school. Then when I got back, Papa had them in the tub, when it was time to get out Harper fell and bumped her head on the side of the tub, lots of tears there. Then Ava slipped on her towel and fell down, lots of tears again.
Then we sat down to play with Playdoh and couldn't find the 2 packages we just bought yesterday! More tears and Papa had to go back to Target and get them, he had left them there. In the meantime, I took the girls outside to play. They entertained themselves by picking up itsy bitsy rocks and putting them in the flowerpot in the back of the car. Two curly heads!
Ava woke up first from her nap this afternoon, so after lunch she was looking at my toenail polish and I asked her if she wanted hers painted. She said "yes" so I put her in the highchair with a piece of chocolate and she sat perfectly still. I had tried once before to paint her toenails but she got scared and wouldn't let me. I think she would try anything for chocolate! Then we went out on the deck and she ran around in the sun until they dried. When Harper woke up and saw Ava's toes she wanted hers done and let me paint them while she ate lunch. They were very proud of their pretty toes.

Hop Scotch

Today on our morning walk we took Ava and Harper over to see Buttons and they found Rielee's chalk bucket out by the driveway. They really liked drawing with the chalk and then Papa made a hop scotch and tried to show them how to do it. After a few times they started to get the idea.

Curls flying, Ava really got into it!

Band concert

Nothing stays the same for long with twin toddlers. This morning Harper decided she wanted to change high chairs, she did the same thing yesterday out of the blue, we thought maybe it was a one time deal, but no, she wanted to switch for good. Ava wasn't so sure, but as long as she can have her blanket on the back of her high chair, she is content (Harper has to have hers, too). They have been even pickier eaters this week, too. Breakfast is the only meal they really seem to like consistently. After taking 3 hour naps, they woke up happy and were running around playing with their balls, which they both like to sit on.

Tonight was the 5th/6th grade band concert, held at the Christian Church. Auna is in this picture holding her clarinet, Parker is in the back row with the trumpets and can barely be seen. They did a great job. Both got awards, Parker for most practice minutes and Auna for best clarinet.

Bubbles

Elmo had to go into hiding today. He was in the playroom and I suggested to the girls that they go get him and do the Hokey Pokey. Well, they raced to see who could squeeze his hand first to start him up, Ava won and Harper was upset. She cried while Ava tried to do the Hokey Pokey but Ava couldn't enjoy her dancing with Harper screaming so she started screaming, too. So bye-bye Elmo for awhile... During a break in the rain, we went outside to blow bubbles. Ava could do it, while Harper just got a mouth full of soap on her first try and decided to just chase and pop bubbles.