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(with Granddaddy at Cheekwood earlier this week. Picture taken by Auntie Stepha.)

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A few days ago I asked the girls to tell me about some of their current favorite things. They are still learning about the concept of "favorite" and their favorites are constantly changing. Here is what they told me.

Sophie's favorite:

• color - pink
• animal - giraffes!
• food - chocolate

Aida's favorite:

• color - blue
• animal - white sheeps
• food - cous cous

spider hair

That's what the girls call it when they sit in front of the fan and their hair goes crazy.

"Spider hair!" they shriek into the fan.

They listen for their voices to wobble and distort in the turning blades.

I wish I could blame "spider hair" for the perpetually crazy state of my children's hair, but I really can't.

Part of it just comes from being little girls - all of the little wispies that escape as they run and jump and paint and dance. I love that little girl hair.

But the blame mostly goes to my desire for peace and a general dislike of their shrieks as I pull the brush through their tangles.

It's moments like those that I remember my mother giving me the curse as she brushed my own tangled locks while I shrieked and moaned.

You know the one - "I hope one day you have a daughter who is just like you."

I got 2. But I tend to think of that as much more of a blessing than a curse.

Especially when they have spider hair.

when auntie stepha visits

We have been having fun fun fun with Auntie Stepha, out here on a visit from Santa Barbara. Here is how our weekend went:

Elijah was out of town on Saturday, so the 4 of us girls lazed around the house in the morning and ate english muffins for breakfast. When we finally got it together we headed out to enjoy the Farmer's Market. It would have been super enjoyable if Sophie hadn't whined the whole time. She did, however, enjoy the rosemary thyme lemonade that we all shared.

After we survived the market we walked over to the playground. Then we went home for lunch and Sophie threw an extremely long tantrum on the floor of her room.

Luckily, we pulled ourselves together for a trip to Sweet CeCe's. Nothing that a little bit of chocolate frozen yogurt with M&Ms can't make better. Then it was home again (with 2 cousins in tow) for a little rest - Aida fell asleep, Sophie yelled at her to wake up and then, after realizing that was a futile attempt, serenaded us with beautiful songs from her bed. I dozed in the big brown chair to the drone of a football game on T.V. - perhaps one of the most comforting sounds I know.

The rest of the afternoon and evening was filled with lots of jumping on Auntie Stepha's bed, the return of Daddy, playdough, a few jellybeans, chicken enchiladas, and bathtime.

Today we had a big day - church and then a family potluck at Mimi and Granddaddy's. The weather was per.fect. We had so much fun outside by the "creek".

Later this afternoon we walked to a nearby field where the girls chased Elijah's glider as it looped through the air and nosedived to the ground. The wind was blowing, the grass smelled fresh, the clouds were so lovely, and I basked in the joy of my sister near me and my girlies running. When I become technologically savvy I will post a video of them running. It is one of the funniest things I have seen. Then back home for some breakfast for dinner.

I just tucked my little lovelies in with a few lullabies and now here I am, enjoying a cozy evening with 2 people I love, listening to the drone of another football game.

Life is good.

apples, anyone?

A few weeks ago we had a glorious and all-too-short respite from the ridiculously hot weather we've been having. The girls and I piled into the car while a thunderstorm loomed on the horizon and prayed we'd make it to the little apple orchard out (way out) in the country before the rain began to fall. We made it just in time.

The apples were small and there weren't very many of them, but that didn't stop us from thoroughly enjoying ourselves. As you can clearly see:

After we picked just enough apples to make a pie we plopped down for a quick snack before the drive home.

Both Aida and Sophie were very concerned that their chocolate bunnies get ample camera time.

The rain started to fall as we headed home, where we got right to work on our apple pie. I wish I had pictures of that, but both my kitchen and myself were - literally - covered in flour. Much fun was had by all, and the girls couldn't wait to dig into that pie after dinner. When the pie-eating hour finally arrived, they both took one bite and then said, "I'm done." Oh, well. The process was fabulous, if the product was not.

So, on this ridiculously hot 2nd day of Autumn, here's to the hope for crisp, cool evenings, pumpkins and cinnamon, cozy oatmeal mornings, warm cups of tea, candles, leaves, and lots and lots of apples.

us these days: Part 2

Now for some thoughts on my sweet Aida Elizabeth.

Around here, she is most commonly referred to as Tomata (as in "tomato") Aida. Sometimes we shorten it to Tomay. She is also known as Aida E-yiz-a-beff. And her daddy calls her Adelaida.

This girl is a hoot. She often has wild and crazy hair, but she is a serious one. And I seriously love her. Aida has always been an organizer and her favorite thing to do is set her toys up in little neat rows all over the house.

All. over. the. house.

Each day she grows just a bit braver and a little more independent. She still loves to snuggle (thank goodness!) but not for too long. She appreciates her own space...as long as she knows where everyone else is. You know, just in case.

Aida has the funniest little voice. It cracks me up and she keeps me entertained all day long with her invented songs. She and her sister often team up for some lovely duets.

She loves doing "Superman" on the swings. She is hugely into babies right now. She gets super messy when she eats. And she can throw quite a tantrum. Luckily, she chooses to do so sparingly.

And my little Aida - she has the best smile. Doesn't it just make your day?

(with her Uncle Gary)

well, shoot

I just spent some significant time crafting my post about my eldest (by 1 minute) daughter. As I was uploading my final 2 pictures, however, my computer decided to eat the entire thing. It has been a fun but crazy weekend. I'm tired and just a little bit cranky and rather frustrated with this machine of ours. So rather than try to recreate it all tonight - but because I don't want to give up entirely - here's a picture of my sweeties taken earlier this summer.

I love it when they hold hands.

us these days: Part 1

I thought I'd bring everyone up to speed on what we're all like these days - especially since the girls change so darn fast. So, beginning with our youngest, I bring you the first installment of a 4-part series: the one and only Sophia Jane.

(Also known around these parts as Sophie, Sodie {when Aida wants to upset her}, Sofa Jofa, or Little J.)

I love this girl. She is hilarious. Today, she told her first joke. It went like this: "Red means go and green means stop."

Sophie is still shy and becomes my extra appendage when we are in public, but at home she runs wild and talks non-stop and has just a little streak of mischief in her.

She likes to be in the kitchen and spends most evenings perched on the counter while I'm making dinner, helping (read: stirring and snitching). I love having a little companion while I cook.

Sophie is a comforter. She hates to see people crying and will try to pat your arm or kiss your cheek if she sees that you are upset. If that doesn't work, she will add her own tears to yours. Which makes for a very noisy house around these parts at times.

(with her Aunt Ginny)

She is a great snuggler. She is a goofball. She has definitely mastered the drama cry over the course of the past month. And she loves, loves, loves those sunglasses.

And I love, love, love her.

oh Saturday, how we love you

Saturday, we love you because you don't mind if we pair rainboots with Elmo panties

or a pair of rockin' cool sunglasses.

Saturday, we love you for all of the donut-happiness that you share.

And Saturday, this week we love you because you were so beautiful, beckoning us into the woods to enjoy the beauty of God's creation. (Although I think Sophie needs a little more help in "nature appreciation." We rolled down the windows as we were driving through Percy Warner Park and she begged us to close them. When she realized she would not win that particular battle, she announced, "It stinks. It smells like..." Before I could pipe in with "yes, it smells like dirt and trees and that's the smell of the forest" she finished with "...cat poop." Awesome.)

(Yes, my skeptical "nature stinks" child was racing down the path with joy and enthusiasm by the end of our walk, slowed down only by - no, silly, not cat poop - horse poop. I guess it's what we get when we go walking on the "for horse riders only" trail.)