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.