Okay, if I've said it once, I've said it a million times.....I really wish somebody would tell me when my babies stopped being babies. How did I miss it? I'm only with them every waking moment so it's a bit frightening that such a monumental transition occurred without me really noticing. I mean, of course, I noticed things.....but still.

First, they figured out how to get up and down the stairs by themselves. Next it was opening and shutting doors, and now, they are practically dressing themselves, singing the ABC song, and counting to 10 (leaving out a number here and there). They are almost at the point where they no longer fit perfectly into my arms. They've grown, for pete's sake. Clearly I knew this was to be expected, but man, I didn't notice how tall they had become until they insisted on wearing their Easter dresses the other day. The dresses were just the slightest fraction too short, and I felt a fleeting but piercing pain. My helpless lil' babes are not so helpless anymore *sniff, sniff*.

The highlights of our week included the girls' first trip to Story Time at our town library.....they were thrilled to see so many books in one place, as evidenced by Kate trying to pull every single book in reaching distance off the shelf. They didn't sit so well during the actual reading of the stories, and I was quite dismayed to hear Kate shout at me (while I was at the water fountain):

"Mommy, I have this for you, I need new diaper."

Um, yeah, okay. Nice to see that lil' Miss Thing had pulled off her diaper and was swinging it in the air as she strutted over to me. Lucky for me there were no scathing glances/remarks as everyone turned to witness the spectacle. Yikes.

Clearly, potty training isn't going well. Actually, we haven't even started potty training, although I don't know why. The girls sit on the potty every single day, but have yet to produce any, um, results. They are quick to tell me when they need to be changed, but their kidneys and bowels are apparently incapable of action once their tushes hit the toilet.

We have two chatty kathies on our hands, and we are really enjoying the daily oratories of both girls. Kate is constantly giving me a running dialogue on what we are doing, what she wants to be doing, etc. She takes it one step further by answering any and all questions posed to other people, especially Julia. It's a little too cute when I make whatever meal for them, and Kate, upon receiving her food, rewards me with a "good job, Mommy." If she's feeling particularly sweet, I even get a "thank you."

Julia makes everything into a song. If we're going to the park, she starts singing about the park. And the slides. And the swings. She loves to sing. Most of her songs are sung to the melody (harmony?) of "Twinkle, Twinkle", but she's just started branching out this week and it's soooo sweet (esp. since she has such a delicate girly-voice).

We have a lot of exciting events coming up--friends from CO visiting this week (which includes Scott taking an entire day off work, the girls going to the sitters, and the adults carousing around NYC--woo hoo), a trip to the shore with Scott's parents, Mimi (my mom) is coming out for a week, and Aubrey, Ottis, and Cam are coming in October.

The only downer there is that I don't have any scheduled sister time coming up. And in case you're confused, the sisters I am referring to are myself and Sara (not K & J). I need to try and figure something out so I can see her, as there is no way in h.e.l.l. that I can wait until the holidays to see Sarie and her family. Not cool. Ugh, the only thing really holding me back from a trip "home" is the fact that K & J's nursery school doesn't prorate. And we all know I need at least 2 weeks every time I go home.

Getting too tired to focus, must try and rest these weary bones. Thank you Nitin, my calves and shoulders are killing me from last night's class.

Heart hug.

P.S. Hoping to update and add pics before I turn 40.

P.S.S. The Mighty Panini is not so freaking mighty. They ran out of meat when Scott when to pick up our lunch. Seriously, that's like a pizza place running out of cheese. I give the place 2 months.

HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY, DAD!!

I would typically be on the phone with my dad right about now, trying to wish him a happy one, but, I was just informed by my sister that he's behind the wheel right now. Cell phones and my dad don't mix in general, but I know, as a Leonard, that "yapping and driving" is even more of a no-no. My folks spent the week in Chicago, revisiting their roots, and they chose today to drive back--not how I would want to spend such a significant birthday, but hey, what do I know?

Anyway, my dad doesn't even read my blog (at least to my knowledge), but I'm thinking about him and missing him today--I'm so glad we had the party for him because it does help ease the guilt I feel about not being with him on his actual birthday. I mean, seriously, he's kinda getting old, ya know :) ?

He knows how much I love him, so instead of doing what I would usually do--writing a sappy tribute of sorts (which, ahem, was already done/delivered at his party), I'll keep it simple. Happy Birthday, Dad--you're the best and I love and miss you tremendously!

So, the girls........ah, yes, these girls of ours......where do I start? They are a mischevious and wild pair, and they are constantly challenging and delighting us. They seem so much older than 27 months--especially when they say things like "go away, Mommy." That's one of their newest commands, typically reserved for those frequent moments when they are trying to do something they shouldn't be doing.

Both girls have developed incredibly strong opinions. About everything. But, especially about what they will and won't wear. I'm a bit worried about what this will mean for the future. Both girls want to wear dresses. All. The. Time. That includes bedtime. Julia prefers to wear her dresses with a skirt underneath. She's very particular that one. When she goes into fashionista mode with her dress/skirt ensemble, she's adamant that at least 2 inches of the skirt be showing beneath the hem of the dress. This often entails her wearing her skirt below her tush. And all H.e.L.l breaks loose if everything isn't just so. Aye aye aye. I don't understand where they are getting this, as I have NEVER liked wearing skirts or dresses. EVER. Between the dress issue and the obsession with shoes, I have a feeling Scott and I are going to be fighting a long, uphill, and expensive battle when it comes to outfitting our offspring.

I'm pretty psyched because I finally found a pre-preschool program for the girls that is, at least right now, seeming pretty ideal. It's actually a new part of the YWCA's program--this will be their first year running a program for 2 year olds (and the girls don't have to be potty-trained, major bonus!). I went and visited the facility (it's held at a church) and met the two teachers, and it was love at first sight. I hope it isn't presumptuous of me to say this (knock on wood), but I really think the girls are going to thrive there. They are both so hungry for knowledge and new experiences and I don't know that I'm giving them enough in that department. I certainly try, but, who knows......

Okay, must run as Julia is insisting on taking a bath........

Hoping to post pics soon!

Heart hug.

Wow, I cannot believe it's been months, literally, months, since my last post--shall we pause while I hang my head in shame?!

Quick recap of where we've been the past few months......

We took our yearly pilgrimage to the Outer Banks in May, and it was a blast! We spent a week in Duck at a gorgeous house with my side of the family. We had beautiful weather for the most part, and the girls loved spending time with their cousins!

Half of June was spent in Ohio--we started out with a weekend in Cleveland to celebrate Scott's parent's 40th wedding anniversary--WOW!!! We had a lovely party for them and it was really special to be able to celebrate such a significant milestone in their lives. We're both so lucky to have parents that are still together and still in love after decades and decades of marriage!

We then headed down to West Chester and split our time between my sister's house and my parent's house. The girls attended camp with Jack (my gorgeous 2.5 year old nephew), and they loved it! Their hero worship of Olivia continues, and it was so precious to watch the four kids interact and play. Olivia continues to melt my heart with her nurturing manner--she is so good with all of the kids, and I only wish we lived closer so Kate and Julia could spend more time with Livvy and Jack.

Our trip to Ohio ended with a surprise birthday party for my dad, who turns 60 next week (holy shit, Dad!). It was a GREAT party, and I think my dad was truly surprised.

The girls, of course, are starting to wake up from their nap, so I should run. I went and visited a possible preschool this morning, and it was a HUGE disappointment--that's really a whole 'nother post, though. So, it's back to the drawing board in that area.

The girls are talking so much I can't believe it--Kate almost always speaks in sentences, and Julia isn't far behind. They continue to delight and amaze Scott and I, and we had a pretty significant "proud parent" moment this weekend when we took them to a friend's house for dinner. They were perfect little ladies and I was so impressed with the way they conducted themselves.

Of course, my ego was put in check by their behavior the past two days--it's whine central station here. They have been fighting a lot and we've had more time outs in the past two days than I could have possibly imagined.

Must run, but if anyone's still reading, just wanted to a quick post to let you know that I am somewhat trying to maintain this blog!

Heart hug!