Day Thirty and Counting...

As I suggested yesterday, we were going for maximum fun family time today... and we so did!  The girls were all over us today... and each other!  It was such great fun!  Everyone was just in great spirits and happy to be together!
Grace and Olivia were just hilarious to watch together.  Olivia could not get enough of Grace's attention, and took to 'throwing' herself at her!  She rolled around on the floor to get next to her, and lay there giggling, hoping Grace would notice.  And then Grace would tickle her and nibble on her ribs to make her laugh!  From my vantage point, it looked at times as though they were wrestling!  It was just a mass of limbs and giggles!

 

Here, Livie has 'landed' in Grace's lap, and is waiting to see what she will do next!

 

Grace is rolling Livie down her legs...

Going in for the tickle...

 

Contact!! Giggles accomplished!

Livie is satisfied -- for now!

Earlier in the day, Olivia was making the most of having Daddy's attention all to herself - if only temporarily!

There are shots of Jer's new game with Olivia... hilarious!

 

 Ready for take off!

  

 And up!

  

 Once more, Daddy!

  

 Do those smiling faces have love and joy written all over them, or what???

A perfect day!

Day Twenty Nine and Counting...

Yay!  Friday! The girls woke up in great spirits, ready to take on the day.  I, on the other hand, was just happy to see the last day of the work week!

 

  

Grace is a little wild-eyed in this one...!

We are so looking forward to a nice, quiet family weekend.  Not too much running around to do.  Just some quality family time.  And some fun photos!

Day Twenty Eight and Counting...

I have mentioned once or twice about how little time that Jeremy and I have with the girls, but I have to admit, I really never considered how much they might miss each other!
The relationship that Grace and Olivia have has changed a lot since I went back to work and they have been in care full time.  They are mostly tired and cranky week nights, but mornings seem to be when they have the most patience for each other.  They have initiated a new part of our morning routine - Olivia comes to lay in Grace's bed for cuddles before we get dressed for the day.  Today, however, Grace insisted that we wait until we went downstairs so that they could lay on the couch together.  This is the result!

 

 

And then we were off to school!

After school, Grace was in a particularly silly mood, and wanted me to take 'fun' pictures of her.  I obliged!

 

 

  

 

 

And I need to include some photos of Olivia feeding herself!  Its something new she has learned at daycare!  Please note the careful use of her spoon!

 

 

So proud!

 

Day Twenty Seven and Counting...

We are a family of stinkers.  Literally.
Jeremy has a habit of covering his face with his shirt when changing Olivia's nasty diapers, or helping Grace in the bathroom. (We have always been impressed with just how odourous our children are..!)  Grace has picked up his habit, and finds it hilarious to hide from the stink - including her own.  (I really need to get a shot of her on the can, hiding her face... it's just awesome!)
So, today, while waiting for dinner to cook, we retired to the family room.  Just as we all got comfortable, I sneaked a stink bomb... and this is Grace's reaction when it reached her:

And then she looks at me, "Did you say excuse me, Mommy?"

Olivia was just a ham tonight, thrilled to play up to the camera.  I think her last minute nap at daycare may have had something to do with that..!

 

Grace was singing and clapping her hands, and Livie was fascinated!

 

In the words of Sloth, "Hey you guys!"

Day Twenty Six and Counting...

It is amazing to me just how much quality time we are able to cram into the few short hours we have together everyday.  For Jeremy, it is even more important to make the most of what he gets with the girls, as there are some days that he doesn't see them at all  -- due to his early mornings and late nights. 

It's harder on Grace than Olivia, as she can ask me if Daddy will be home when we get home, or if she will see him before bed. 
Today after school, the girls were particularly tired - and cranky.  So, for a snack, we broke out our favourite! Pickles!

 

And then, in the middle of dinner, Daddy came home!  The girls were so excited! Livie was all smiles and giggles, and Grace just couldn't stop talking and asking questions.  As soon as dinner was over, Grace did her best to monopolize Daddy's attention.

 

Here, Livie is trying again to get a hold on the book - she want to bite it!

Her efforts thwarted, Livie moves on...

Yay!  She's walking... yes indeed!

And Grace gets Daddy all to herself!

Even that short bit of time makes such a difference for the girls.  Grace, especially, seems more relaxed when Daddy is home before she goes to bed.  Maybe it adds a sense of security?  She can rest easy because Daddy is home to keep her safe?  Regardless, its always nice to have a little Daddy time after a long day - for all of us!

Day Twenty Five and Counting...

At one point today, Grace and I were having a cuddle (in the middle of the craziness of the preschool room), and I leaned in close and whispered that I missed her today, and Livie and Daddy, too.  She smiled and said that she missed Daddy, but couldn't wait to see Livie.  I was so pleased to hear her say so.  Olivia was exhausted (as usual!) by the end of the day, and wanted next to nothing to do with Grace.

If you look closely, you can see that Olivia is actually trying to slide down Grace to the floor, and out of her arms.  And all Grace wants is to hug her...!  She had just finished trying to tell her that she was her favourite sister and that she loved her.  Grace was quite upset with her after this shot, and decided she as done with me taking pictures, too.

To get her to smile for me again, I invited her to hang upside down for me on the couch.  And I certainly got my smile!

What is it about hanging upside down that so pleases my children - heck, just about anyone's kid?  Both my girls, from a young age, have loved to be tossed about, hung upside down, and swung around.  And it gives Jeremy and I great pleasure to indulge them in it!

Day Twenty Four and Counting...

Today's entry has two features that I want to share.  The first, the awesome shelving unit my brother designed and built for my girls.  The second, a visit from Grandma!
Let me show you the shelf, then give you the details!

As you can see from our 'model', it is just about three feet high.  It is made from MDF, and Steven (my brother) carefully rounded all the edges to make it more 'kid friendly'.  Because we are planning to paint the back with magnetic and/or chalk board paint, and therefore need to be able to easily move it, he put casters  on one end, and a helpful finger hold on the opposite end.  (You can see it just above Livie's hand.)  All I told Steven was the dimensions of the bins (pictured) that I wanted to use for their toys, the material I wanted him to use and left the rest up to him!

Perhaps the very best feature, however, is the little chalk holder he put on top -- where he also carved: "Built for Grace and Olivia, By Uncle Steve"!  It is the first thing he has ever made for me or my kids... and it just means so much that he put that little bit of extra love into it!  He's the best! (Love you, man!)

And then, today, Grandma came to visit!  She hasn't been able to see the girls since Christmas.  Illnesses on both sides, poor weather, and poor timing.  But my girls were thrilled to see her!!  Grace and Livie pretty much fought over her the whole time she was here!

 

Livie was the one who held still for a picture with Grandma!

Grace and Jeremy were pretty caught up in whatever they were watching... complete with popcorn!