Day Two Hundred and Fifty Four and Counting...

One of our favourite things to do is to take the girls and visit our local Salvation Army Store.  It is an absolute treasure in the middle of our neighbourhood!  Anytime we need a pick-me-up, that's where we head!  We just never know what we will find, or what deals we could score.
And today, we scored big!  I got three new teapots (photos for another day!) which are just amazing!  And Grace got some great new jeans, a skirt, shirt, sweater and vest, all for a pittance compared to what we would have paid for it in store.  Heck, the vest alone probably originally cost what we paid for our entire purchase!
On top of it all, though, we had a great time playing dress-up!

We let Grace "try on" some shoes, and hats...

Okay, we all tried on a hat!  Sheesh!

And these are the shoes the ladies got to bring home!

And a bonus shot:

Livie, rockin' her shades!

Day Two Hundred and Fifty Three and Counting...

What a gorgeous day!  Quite possibly the last really nice day of summer... the last time my girls get to run around barefoot in the yard, until next spring...?

One abandoned shoe, some glorious little flowers, and an amazing little cloud...

Grace was loving running around barefoot... and just being cute... yes, she is sideways, but the photo is so much cuter this way!  She was in such a great mood tonight!

The sun caught Livie just so, again... 

Showing me the flower she picked... before she pulls all the petals off!

And here is a little perspective shot...

A little hide 'n' seek, anyone?

And no, my weeds are not as tall as Olivia!

Day Two Hundred and Fifty Two and Counting...

Maybe I got up on the wrong side of the bed.  Maybe I just didn't sleep well.  Whatever it was, my morning was off to a rough start. 
I was in the kitchen, grumbling and getting our cereal ready... I turned around and this is what I saw:

Miss Olivia playing with my phone... happily murmuring to herself... and then, this:

Ah!  Adorable!  And she was talking to somebody...!  It was hilarious to watch!

That alone was nearly enough to turn my day around... but then, on the way to work, there was the most incredible rainbow!  And Grace was just beside herself with excitement and glee!  The colours were so clear and bright, and she seemed so sure that if she could just reach high enough, she would be able to touch it.  It was fascinating to watch the amazement on her face!

In the opposite direction, the sky was a blend of red and orange clouds.  The tree line appeared to be on fire.  It was so brilliant and bright, and such a contrast to the grey clouds that accompanied the rainbow.

I, personally, took it as a sign that my day was sure to improve - how could it not, with something so beautiful to share with my loved ones?  I breathed in the fresh air, and just smiled.  And my day went much more smoothly after that!

On the way home, the sky was just as incredible, and Grace was all excited to get home and share the fancy clouds with Daddy:

And I ended my day with my girls... all cuddles and love:

The perfect end to a fabulous day!

Day Two Hundred and Fifty One and Counting...

My girls love to read.  Anything and everything that that they can get their hands on... but especially those things that mommy or daddy (dare to) try and read anywhere near them.
Tonight, it was my new Avon catalogues!  I thought to distract them with a half donut each while I quickly perused the catalogue... no such luck!  I was immediately hollered at, and told, "My turn!" by little miss Olivia, who was quickly seconded by Grace.  So:

 Offering me a bite of her snack, as I was pretending to be upset that she had a snack and my catalogue!  She wanted me to feel better... and said she would be done soon!  Gotta love her!

Livie is all business and seriousness...

But still gives me a great "Cheese!" face... too cute!

Far too pleased with herself, I think!

Two Hundred and Fifty and Counting...

This afternoon, Grace was all about daddy.  So, they disappeared into the family room, leaving Livie and I upstairs together.  There was no way she was going anywhere without me.  Once she was comfortable with me busily making dinner, she ventured into the living room.
She was quietly 'talking' away to herself, then suddenly clearly called to me for help.  It was awesome!  She is working so hard on her speech, and so many words and phrases are starting to come through.  It makes me so proud and yet so sad!  She is growing and changing so quickly... it's hard to keep up sometimes!  There is so little baby-ness of my baby left... she is definitely a toddler now!

Practicing using a zipper... on her purse!

Day Two Hundred and Forty Nine and Counting...

Nothing like a long weekend to make you want to just sit around and relax.  Especially when the weather is just blah and not terribly inspiring.  Just the same, today was a terrific day!

Jeremy was on the couch, pretending to sleep.  He put on a pretty good snore, just for Livie.  And here is what the girls did in response:

Yep, they were looking up his nose, holding his nose, and honking his nose!  He was thrilled, as you might imagine!

However unpleasant for Jeremy, it did result in this with Grace:

Not sleeping, just cuddling.  So adorable!

Olivia needed to wake them up!

Good thing she did, 'cause we had company!

Uncle Steve showed up for a quick visit!  Livie wasn't quite sure what to make of him!

After our walk, we played soccer in the yard!

Grace has gotten really good at kicking the ball where she wants it to go, and stopping it with one foot!

Daddy helped Olivia with her turn to kick!

And then swung her around to kick the ball, too!

I am pretty sure enjoyed that!

Jeremy needed to show off his mad skills, too!

Day Two Hundred and Forty Eight and Counting...

Livie decided to play with some dinky car construction vehicles while I made dinner this evening.  She happily walked away when I gave the box to her, and I went back to the stove.  A little while later, I heard her laughing and saying, "Uh-oh!"  I went to see what she was up to.

What are you looking at, Olivia?

Where did the cars go?

Trying to show me...

Ah-ha!  Quite the little parking garage you have here, miss!

Livie to the rescue!

Later on... I caught Grace and Jeremy just relaxing...

Grace looks like she is melting into Jeremy..!

And then, a little something old school for the girls:

Yes, that is Mr. Rogers!