Day Two Hundred and Forty and Counting...

The weather was just amazing today!  And we made the most of the warm evening, playing with the girls in the backyard.  And lo, both girls had a surprise for us!
Grace has suddenly learned how to swing all by herself -- she can pump her legs, and really get moving, with no help from us!  She has been trying and trying all summer, and all of a sudden it finally clicked for her!  It was very exciting!
Livie has watched Grace swinging on her belly, superman style for just ages now... and today decided to try it on her own!  And she was very successful!  She was very pleased with herself!

Grace really enjoyed being able so swing like this with Olivia!  There were lots of happy giggles from both of them!  It was heartwarming to be a part of their happiness!

I was really enjoying the black and white, and just kept taking shots of Grace in action... she was enjoying the extra attention, too!

What is it about black and white that makes photos so much more dramatic?

Busy little feet....

Livie is airborne!

Day Two Hundred and Thirty Nine and Counting...

After school, despite a lack of a nap on Grace's behalf, we decided on an impromptu trip to the mall for some quick shopping and dinner.  Zellers was having their moonlight madness sale, and the girls' tagbooks were on for an amazing price!  And we happened to notice that some of the cookware was also on sale and decided to have a look at it.
Thank goodness we did!  We are planning to do our kitchen in blue in the fall... and check out the amazing colour of these KitchenAid pieces!

The photo really doesn't do it justice... it is simply a delicious shade of blue..!

A fab eight piece set!

By the time we settled in for dinner, the ladies were just worn right out... but they handled a late dinner very well, and ate like they hadn't eaten all day!  I guess the best part was the chocolate milk...

Hooray for bendy-straws!

Livie downed hers in record time!

And Daddy wanted in on the straw-action, too!

Day Two Hundred and Thirty Eight and Counting...

This evening, while I cooked dinner, the girls went out in the yard with Jeremy.  They went looking for Grace's little 'buddy' grasshopper, but weren't able to find any!  The girls got into other things, instead...

A little Toddler Tai Chi, anyone?

So big!

And Grace was busy checking out the plants coming through the fence...

She's found something...

Telling Daddy that she isn't doing anything... just picking berries!

And getting little sister in on the act...

and that was the end of that game!

After dinner, Olivia decided that the honey container was her new best friend...

Mine!

Trying to suck some out...?  Silly girl!

Clearly trying to figure out how to get inside...!

Day Two Hundred and Thirty Seven and Counting...

Today, another first!  Well, sort of!
Olivia wore a tiny barrette in her hair for the whole day!  And she was just adorable!

It was still very early, and she wasn't in the mood for pictures!

Trying to get to smile for Daddy... 

Still not feeling it... but still so cute!

Meanwhile, Grace was in the livingroom...

"Laying" on the couch!

Please to be "caught" goofing off!

Day Two Hundred and Thirty Six and Counting...

This morning, the girls were right into their books.  Grace carefully arranged them on the couch, so that she and Livie could read each one, one at a time.

This afternoon, I treated the girls to popcicles while I made dinner.

It was great fun to watch!

Day Two Hundred and Thirty Five and Counting...

We decided to go for a walk tonight after dinner.  After seeing the rather ominous clouds, we decided that the mailbox was far enough!

Livie was checking to make sure I was coming, too!

Walking hand-in-hand...

Trying to catch up!

Is there mail for me, Mommy?

Leading the way home...

Day Two Hundred and and Thirty Four and Counting...

For a slow and relaxing Sunday, it sure was a busy one for my girls!
When they went out in the yard with daddy, the grass was just hoppin' with grasshoppers, and the girls were in their glory!  Daddy helped to catch the (poor!) little guys, and the girls did their best to be gentle.  Grace's hopper became her 'best buddy' (as she called him!) and just sat docilely on her hand while she walked around the yard searching for another hopper for Olivia.

Olivia and Grace's hoppers!

And in the midst of all the hoppin' excitement, Daddy discovered this rather large and frightening spider:

When it's legs were extended, it was easily two inches from tip to tip, its body the size of a dime.

And as Jeremy can tell you, it moved quickly, too!

After dinner, the girls were very tired and worked hard to keep going.  This, as usual, resulted in a game of chase!  Livie thought it was great fun, and was a giggling mess... and so was Grace!

Here, she is telling me about Grace... and running away from her seconds after roaring at her!

Grace took her role as the 'monster' very seriously, complete with scary fingers and eating/roaring noises!  Followed by infectious giggles on both their parts!

Caught!  And happy hugs exchanged!  Hooray!

And a couple bonus photos:

Livie has discovered the joy of standing on her head, and playing peek-a-boo!

Grace was showing (and impressing!) us with how high she can jump up in the air!  I couldn't resist a shot or two of her!