The Story that Ended with a Bite

Early one fine Saturday night (over Memorial Day weekend), Grace and Chance decided to deliver ice cream to those desiring and deserving.
The mischevious driver maneuvers down streets and around pedestrians not-so-carefully.
"Oops, Daddy. Didn't see you there!" explains Chance.
Stopping at the mall, Gracie yells, "Ice cream!" while Chance turns on the music.
Daddy recovers in time to hear Gracie ask, "What flavor would you like?"
Mommy orders a treat from Gracie while Daddy checks out things in the background.

Daddy begins to pay . . .

but Chance decides to take a "bite" out of the situation and closes up shop.

The Pool

Last night, after Daddy got home from work, we went to the neighborhood pool. The water, unfortunately, was still a tad cold because of all of the rain we've had, so neither of the twins (or Mommy) wanted to stay in it for very long. Still, they loved WALKING in the big open space outside of the pool, and we got some great video of that instead!

WALKING BABIES!!!

(Note to Chance: Mommy just had to post the video of you walking and NAKED in public. When you're a teenager and completely embarassed, I'll apologize, but right now, I couldn't resist.)

Walkin'

Tonight, after baths, we urged the twins to walk, but they were soooo tired that they wouldn't do it for long (they missed their afternoon naps). Still, you can see a little bit of their precarious waddles in these videos. Chance, in particular, has been trying to walk more and more each day. We think he just enjoys the sensation of being able to walk because he sometimes doesn't have a destination in mind--well, except in one of the videos, he seems to be trying to tackle his sister, which is a common occurrence of late. Poor petite Grace.

While Daddy's Gone . . .

Here's what we did while Daddy was out of town . . .
The twins slept all night last night, and Mommy got 8 glorious hours of sleep!

We climbed in the cabinets . . . (where tupperware and pots and pans are kept).


We sat on the floor and ate shredded cheddar cheese that Gracie fed to us . . .


We did step aerobics . . .


We squished Nestle (sat on him, bounced on him, kissed him, poked him in the mouth, etc.), who didn't mind one bit.


And we went to the Weatherstone neighborhood pool for the first time. The water was a bit cold because of all of the rain we've had, but thankfully, another Mommy from the neighborhood had brought a plastic kiddie pool, where the water warmed up faster and where the twins spent most of their time.

Before the twins were sleeping better, Mommy thought it was very stressful when Daddy went out of town. We would have fun, but Mommy was TIRED! This time, we just had fun!

Mother's Day

For Mother's Day last Sunday, we stayed home from church because of a severe t-storm and the twins' summer colds (no fevers, just runny noses and some fussy behavior). Mommy slept in (till 9 am -- wow!) while Daddy got up with the twins 'round 7 am; then we all had French toast and bacon. Mommy got a dozen roses, a gift card for a massage, a Starbucks card, and an IOU for Ann Taylor Loft (jackpot, eh?!)

Today, a card--with sweet quotes and notes on separate pieces of paper inside--also came from Aunt Manda. The message on the outside of the card: "In a recent poll, mothers were asked if the pressures of family life keep them from getting enough sleep at night. 95% answered 'yes.'" When you open it, the song "Under Pressure" (David Bowie) plays while you read this: "The other 5% just snored. . . . Wishing you the relaxing, restful Mother's Day you deserve." The twins and I enjoyed it immensely!

Holden's Birthday Party

Last Saturday, we went to Julie's nephew's birthday celebration at the fabulous James Island County Park. The handsome birthday boy, Holden, is being held by his Mommy, Stephanie, in this photo, and Julie (Aunt JuJu) is holding Chance.

Aunt JuJu taught Chance to pick his nose (Thanks, Aunt JuJu! ha ha).

Aunt JuJu tried to coax Chance into walking, which he has been doing more frequently but wouldn't do then. Perhaps because it was 90 degrees outside or because he and Gracie were having too much fun playing with Holden's cars and trucks in the dirt -- Gracie might even have some dirt on her lip in the top photo below (hey, germs build their immune systems, ya know?! See last Sunday's Parade magazine, says my mom), and she definitely has a bunch on her legs and bottom (see photo)!

Somebody PLEASE give me a haircut!

E-I-E-I-O

Our twins turned 13 months old on 5-11-07! Wow!

For about a week now, Gracie has been singing the chorus to "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" on cue. Right after we sing the opening line, "Old MacDonald . . . ," she adds her version of "e-i-e-i-o," which you can somewhat hear in these videos.

Also, when Grandma Boespflug was here for the twins' birthdays, she taught Gracie the sound that a fish makes: "Blub!" Chance says it now too.

WALKIN': Chance took his first steps on Wednesday, April 30, as he was trying to take the poppy seed container (it makes a cool sound when shaken, don't cha know?!) from Grace. Today, Daddy said he took about 8 steps by himself, and when Daddy held ONE of his hands, Chance walked alongside Daddy today too!

Thankfully, the twins are sleeping better and better--Mommy and Daddy have had more sleep in the last 3 nights! It's a whole new world with sleep, y'all.

Mohawks, Tractors, Cookies

After bringing groceries inside the other day, I gave Grace a bag of cookies to keep her out of the way. When I turned around again, she had somehow put one cookie in her mouth and still had one in each hand. Talented little girl.

As y'all know, Chance loves anything with wheels, so it's helpful that some of the homes in our neighborhood are still under construction--tractors, trucks, etc. right outside our window! Over the weekend, we put the twins on the tractor down the road.

Chance needs another haircut soon. Daddy had fun making a mohawk for him during bathtime last night!

Twins playin' in the bathtub.

Gracie's mohawk needs a boost!

New Clothes with Wheels

Grandma Boespflug sent Chance and Grace a box of new summer clothes this week. Grandma has seen how much Chance LOVES wheels, so many of his outfits have wheels on them. In this video, Chance is admiring his clothes for LIKE THE THIRD or FOURTH TIME, and in the latter part of the video, you can see Chance suddenly sit up straight, breathe in, and say "HUNH!" -- you'd think he was watching fireworks or won the lottery or something! He's so excited about his new clothes. And y'all should see Gracie's precious outfits -- who knew girl clothes could be so practical but also so pretty. THANK YOU, Grandma!!!!! What a blessing!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Goin' for a Ride

Last night, for the first time, Chance took his sister for a ride on his Tow Mater tow truck. They did it for at least 15 minutes; Mommy and Daddy thought it was adorable to see them playing together. Chance is even strong enough to turn the truck with Gracie on it!