Keith and The Slies

We have been so lucky the past two weekends b/c two sets of some our very favorite people in the world have flown out for visits!  First, Keith came from California. He loves NYC, and has several friends in the area, so he tries to make it out this way twice a year. The girls LOVE him and run squealing down the hall to greet him whenever he comes over. I had a lot of school and work to do at the church, so I didn't get to see him as much as I would have liked. But I am so glad Chris got to spend so much time with him. Keith and Chris are two peas in a pod--they are both brilliant, artistic, interesting, and funny. We can't wait to see you again in the spring, Keith!

Delilah was picking out the hundredth book for Keith to read to them. As you can see, Noelle is quite comfortable.

Playing "This Little Piggy" :)

After Keith left, we only had to wait a few days for the Slies to get here!!! You may remember the Slies from their gorgeous, incredible, unforgettable wedding in Guatemala. They just had their first baby girl together (Lily) and I was so glad we had the chance to meet her. Heather's sister lives in Brooklyn and offered to watch Lily while the four of us went out on a double date. We ate dinner at this adorable restaurant in the East Village, with lovely outdoor garden seating. Then we headed to a dive bar for some beers and great conversation. The night was over too soon! On Saturday, the trio headed our way, where we watched the Aggie game for a bit while the girls played. Then off to Central Park, where Heather's sister met up with us and we all enjoyed the brief break in the rain that had been plaguing us. Had a great late lunch/early dinner and then I headed home with the girls and sent Chris off with Slie. Chris and Slie have been friends since high school and played in the same band together in college. Apparently, they thought they were rock stars again because I believe Chris rolled in at 4 in the morning. :)  Glad he got to have a much needed night out, even if it did take him two days to recover!

Delilah and Slie playing "Princess Go-Fish"

The three girls playing on the iPad

Proud mama!

Me holding gorgeous Lily. (Note to self: don't get baby fever. Don't get baby fever. Don't get baby fever!")

We have made some great friends in the city, but there is just nothing like old friends who know you better than anyone. These two weekends were so refreshing and came at the perfect time.  We love you, Keith, Ryan, Heather, and Lily!

A Day to Remember

Last week, in the space of 24 hours, the following happened (and it should be noted that the 24 hours began with me mopping the kitchen floor and vacuuming the entire apartment):
-Delilah spilled an entire quart of yogurt on the kitchen floor
-Noelle spilled an entire bag of unpopped popcorn kernels on the living room carpet
-Noelle colored our couch with marker
-Noelle found my mascara and covered her face in it
-Delilah covered her naked sister in stickers (see below). Which doesn't sound bad until you have to peel 42 stickers off a sensitive toddler
-Noelle spilled half a bottle of Elmer's glue on our dining room table (see below). Which doesn't sound bad, but have you ever tried to clean up half a bottle of glue?
-And last, but certainly not least, Delilah caught a pigeon bare-handed on the streets of NYC. Not even kidding. She always chases them and somehow she caught this one. She had no idea what to do with it, and all three of us freaked out. She finally let it go, and sort of drop-kicked it. Then she cried for 30 minutes.

There is not enough disinfectant in the world.

Sticker Baby! For the record, every time she sees a sticker, she nows says, "Hurt! Hurt!" I know she's going to grow up with some weird phobia of stickers.

It's hard to see white glue in a photo, but trust me, it was everywhere! And look at Delilah's sad face when she realized that her coloring masterpieces had been ruined by glue.

 

It was certainly not my favorite day, but I try to remember that pretty much everything can be cleaned or replaced. And one day, I will miss these fun, messy, creative little girls with all my heart.

School!!!!

Delilah officially started school this year!  She is in pre-K at a local elementary school and she absolutely loves it. Her school is only a few blocks away from both our home and Chris's work, so all four of us have been walking to school most mornings.  However, I think soon it will just be her and Chris on most days...a good Daddy/daughter bonding time. Her teachers are Mrs. King and Mrs. Torres and there are 16 kids in her class. Lunch is provided for all the kids, but I didn't know that, so I packed a lunch for Red the first two days. I tried to stop, but Delilah wouldn't have it. And she knows just what to say because her exact quote was, "Mommy, you HAVE to make my lunch. It makes me feel so loved."  Geez, kid, how can I say no to that?!?
Noelle and I pick her up at 2:15pm and walk home together. Delilah tells me everything she did that day, then walks to the front of the stroller, holds Noelle's hand and tells Noelle everything she did that day. :)
Here are some pics!

The first few pics are from the night before school. The girls & I met Chris after work to walk to the school together. We showed Delilah where she would be going every day and then we all prayed together. For the prayer, I would say a sentence or two, and Delilah would repeat it...we prayed for her classmates, her teachers, the school, and for her whole experience. I knew it would be a beautiful thing for me and Chris, but I was touched by how moved Delilah seemed to be by the prayer. She was very solemn and sweet and beautiful about the whole thing. We hope to make this a tradition!

So excited!

Delilah took this pic of her school seal

Delilah also took this pic of a mural on the school wall...she said it was so pretty and colorful that she just HAD to take a picture

Another Delilah pic

Delilah proudly showing Daddy some of the school supplies we bought

Trying on her new backpack!

 And here are a few pics from the first day of school! 


She loves her new backpack!!

Delilah took this pic of us. I'm laughing b/c she just said, "I have to take your picture. My first day of school is a big deal for you, too, Mommy!"

Our big girl in her uniform. I don't even have the words for how awesome she is.

Oh, Delilah, I am so excited about all the adventures that await you. You absolutely adore school and tell me every day that you can't wait to go back. On our walk each morning, we go over our 3 Rules for School: 1) Be nice to everyone, all the time. 2) Listen to your teacher. 3) Learn as much as you can and have fun.   I made these rules up on the fly on your first day, but your dad & I really like them so we've stuck to them.
I know I was supposed to be sad on your first day, but I just wasn't. You were so full of joy and excitement that it was impossible for me to be sad. My eyes did well up after we left and you were all settled in to your classroom, but the tears were gone as quickly as they came. But I do miss you SO MUCH. In the mornings, Noelle and I just kind of look at each other like, "Well, what do we do now?" I am sad that I have lost six hours a day of your precious self, but I am so happy for all that you are learning and experiencing.  And may you always wear crazy socks...

Easton Kay Clifton!

Cannon and Amy had their second child, a precious baby girl, yesterday morning. Easton Kay Clifton was born at 8:19am, weighing 8 lbs 7oz, and 20 inches long. Everybody is healthy and doing well. So excited to be an aunt again, but so very sad that I'm not in Texas with them.

 

Welcome to the world, sweet Easton!  You are already loved by so many.  Can't wait to see you soon and smother you in hugs and kisses!!!

Wordless Wednesdays: Sometimes Big Sisters Make the Best Mommies

Labor Day Weekend & Papa H's Retirement!

Friday was Papa H's last day of work!!!  To celebrate, Chris & Kim flew out to Utah and surprised their father. Don thought he was just meeting Diana after work to play a quick round of golf, but Chris, Kim, and 2 family friends from Idaho were also there to greet him!!! I don't think any of them can even remember the last time they were together, by themselves, as a family of four and I know they've been treasuring every minute.
Chris will return tomorrow night and the girls & I are so ready to see him again. Normally having Chris gone for five days wouldn't be so bad, but I woke up with a fever the morning he left. And b/c it's a holiday weekend, nearly all my NYC friends were out of town, so I've been trying to entertain two rambunctious girls by my sick self.  The girls have been awesome. Yes, there have been tantrums, but they have also been happily playing by themselves for hours while Mommy rests on the couch. And we've also managed to sneak in some fun at a few parks, at the pet store, shopping, and going out to eat. This morning I finally felt better, so we walked across the East River to Randall's Island. I was planning to go all out and have a picnic but b/c of cloudy skies and intermittent rain, I decided to do a quicker trip instead.  We wandered all around the grassy island, looked at some horses, picked flowers, ate snacks, and threw rocks in the river. I only had my phone to take pics, so here are the few that I caught.

I love how Noelle is looking at her beloved sister in this pic

Giggling. Always giggling.

It was a great Labor Day, but we miss our Daddy!!!!!

Fun with Annie!

When we lived in Los Angeles, one of our dearest friends was Annie Nuttall.  She is still in Cali, but she is one of the few friends who has visited us in both Austin and NYC already. It was a quick trip, but oh-so-fun. She plays with the girls like she is one of them and they love her for it. Delilah keeps asking when Miss Annie is coming back b/c she loves her so much. I'm so glad we got to really catch up and I can't wait to see you again, Annie!!!