Claire's 1st Haircut

I recently took Claire to get her first haircut. She was great the first 3 minutes and then was done.

She primarily got the ends trimmed and it shaped up a bit. She is terrible about getting everything she eats in her hair and even worse about letting me brush it.

She's still our brunette but has more new blonde growth around her face. I worried the haircut would cut her curls off, but they are still there only a little shorter. If we ever go as short as Grace's, they will be gone for sure.

End of Summer Vacation

This post should have been done over a month ago, but I never can find the time to blog anymore.

Right before school started in August, we took the girls to the JW Marriott resort in San Antonio. These vacation spots are the best for us because there is little travel time or expense, we feel like we are somewhere far away, and all 4 of us have a blast.

There are plenty of activities for the girls inside the pool and out. Grace was brave enough to pet reptiles and snakes.

Grace was also fearless with the slides. Steve and I took turns taking her over and over again.

The 4 of us went around the lazy river countless times as well. Our summer would not have nearly been as enjoyable had the girls' not had these floats. They were fabulous and definitely one of the top 10 baby/toddler purchases to date!

Grace's Willpower!

I am so proud of Grace.

She has been sucking her thumb since she was in utero. Lately, it has gotten worse. She sucks it while watching tv, going to bed, on the way to school, and even talks with her thumb in her mouth.

A friend of mine used the bitter tasting nail polish for her daughter and it worked really well so I recently ordered some.

I let Grace tell me when she was ready to have it put on her thumb. It sat on the counter for a few days, then she came to me ready. I painted it on and we laughed at how bad it tasted. Over the next 6 hours, she came to me several times wanting me to take it off. I distracted her each time.

A day later, after several baths and swimming, she came to me laughing saying it didn't taste bad. I licked her thumb and agreed, it had worn off!

I yelled to Steve to help me because my plan was falling apart. She ran behind a chair and started sucking her thumb. Steve coaxed her out, encouraged her, and reminded her that she had gone a day without sucking her thumb. Don't throw in the towel now! She thought about it for about 5 minutes and brought me the nail polish to reapply! What great willpower for a 3 1/2 year old!!

It has now been over 2 weeks and she no longer sucks her thumb. I am sure the polish has worn off and she doesn't think twice about it.

A hard habit to break is broken. We are so proud of Grace!

Rain, Rain, Please Come Our Way

See? Claire is even begging!

"I Love School" Revelation

Before going to bed Wednesday, Grace says to me "I LOVE school!".

I said "really? What part of it do you especially like?" (thinking that she'd say playing with my friends, coloring, puzzles....something of substance).

She replies "naptime!" REALLY? The 3 year old that I struggled with to take naps all summer???

I spy with Claire

I spy is Grace's favorite game to play. Claire likes to join in on the fun although she is still learning to communicate. Most of the time, this is how Claire plays:

Grace: Claire, what color do you spy?
Claire: ??
Grace: Did you say, pink?
Claire: Yes
Grace: Is it your bow?
Claire: Yes!

Here is Claire playing with Daddy.

First Day of School - 2011

The girls had their first day of school today. Grace woke up happy and never said "I don't want to go to school", which is what I fully expected. Claire didn't really understand what was about to happen.

Claire's teacher called a few hours into school to update me that she had been doing well. She had used the potty and had been working on threading beads.

And I have an empty house for the first time in 3 1/2 years. It feels weird, but I know it is so good for the girls to make friends, learn, and adjust to a different food and nap environment. After trips between the school and dr's office to get all the paperwork complete for Grace's epipen, I have gone to the grocery store, cleaned Claire's closet of all size 12-18 month clothes, washed slipcovers and towels, and made up a huge tupperware of melon balls. In the coming months, I have tons of activities with a local charitable group that I am a part of. I also plan to find different ways to get our family to eat better. With all the craziness of our summer routine, we need to be better about fresh fruits and veggies as well as trying to get the girls to try to new things.