Fun in the Rain

After several weeks of HOT, we've finally had two days of solid rain.  They've been marvelous.  The girls have really enjoying getting some good use out of their umbrellas and boots, and Alexa keeps pointing to her rain coat and says, "hat, hat" - she LOVES going outside!  The most vivacious one continues to be Rhea, though - by leaps sand bounds. ;-)

"This umbrella thing isn't working.  I'm still getting wet!"  (Notice we don't have small rain boots, and little Miss wanted boots on too. :-) )

How big sister enjoyed the rain.  From the garage, with a good book. :-)

When Papa teased her by repeatedly throwing a string across the page where she was reading.  I LOVE this little face. <3 p="">

One of the many ways Rhea enjoyed the rain.  Singing, with boots on, in her undies, on her balance bike. :-)

Another way... puddle jumping. (Anything done in undies is better than that same thing done with pants on. ;-) )

More serious jumping.  Baby sister is watching closely... not much longer and she'll perfect the art too.

Going for a stroll

The flowers our girls sowed in our herb garden.  They are doing great!

 More strolling

 All out running through the rain

 More strolling.  This time with a stroller and "Weea's" rain jacket..

conversations in the rain

 Sweet, sweet Rhea, full of life. :-)

 Playing in the rain is the most fun when you get a little wet, too!  These last two pictures capture her pretty well... :-)

Caring for Baby

Alexa modeling for us how to lovingly care for a baby.

Sing to her often and from the heart.  It doesn't matter how on/off key you are, or if you can remember all the words to a song.  Baby loves to her Mama's voice.

Dance and twirl with baby.

Dance with baby some  more.

Dancing makes you thirsty.  So does nursing.  Don't forget to take good care of yourself, Mama.  Drink lots of water.

Have baby's aunt pick some good music for dancing.

Spend as much time with extended family as possible. Aunts are wonderful, especially those who can teach new dance moves.  Also a great option for babysitters, if the need arises.

The need will arise.  Every Mama needs a break every now and then.  Even if it's just to go shoppi... er, to the dentist.

Don't forget to call and check in on the babysitter(s).  Even if it's just to ease your own worries.

See, everything is fine.  Baby is sleeping.  All is well.  Aunt(s) are very capable.  Go have some more fun.  (Because going to the dentist without your baby is fun.  When you're a Mama, doing anything alone is fun. :-) )

Call again, ideally just before you plan to return.  Keep the sitters posted.  Oh, and enjoy the smallness of your purse.  Because you don't have to haul a diaper bag/mega-purse with sippy cups, snacks, etc.

All is still well.  Aunt(s) are bumming around because Baby is entertaining herself with toys on the floor.  Or sleeping.  Oh, and she just filled her diaper, but that can wait until Mama gets home.

Upon return, lovingly change her diaper.  If you have to make a face, turn your head so baby doesn't see it.

Then, make sure to give baby lots of love and snuggle time.  Babies miss their Mamas when they are gone, even if just for a short while.  And, let's be honest: Mamas miss their babies when they are gone, too.  Cuddle time is good for the soul.

Papa at Work

On Tuesday, we had the special privilege of visiting Papa at his work!  Rhea has been saying every morning when he leaves that she wishes she could go to work with him, so I thought it was time for her to see where he spends his days.
They loved the building, since it has a fountain, a putting green, free candy (jelly beans sitting on color coordinated tables), whiteboards, etc. etc. :-)

"Is this how you relate to the investors?  Can I try?" :-)

The best "art" this whiteboard has ever seen. ;-)

Not sure David manages to fill this chair with quite as much happiness. :-)

Happy Fourth!

Happy Independence Day!

We stopped by the children's parade that the town of Flower Mound put on this morning.  The juggler on stilts was quite the attraction!  They also had rides, as well as free popcorn, hot dogs and lemonade.  The girls had fun, and we enjoyed some good family time on a Thursday! :-)

I took the girls to see the fireworks from a hill that night, but they (as in... the girls) didn't last very long.  They were tired, and the fireworks were somewhat off in the distance, so the kids weren't all that mesmerized.  I was ok with going home 'early'!  We had them in bed by about 10:15, and I was in my own bed not much after that!

Sickies

Today did not turn out the way we anticipated.  David stayed home from church with Alexa, since she came down with a fever earlier in the week, which we think was the beginning of the hand-foot-mouth virus.
I took the big girls to church.  When I tried dropping them off at their classes, Rhea was very reluctant to go -- usually, she skips and hops into class and waves at her teacher throughout the entire service.  Then, during the service, they both complained about being cold and wanted to sit on my lap and have arms wrapped around them the whole time.  Hmmm...
By the time we got home, both Lucia's and Rhea's foreheads were a bit warm to the touch, and it was downhill from there.
They didn't want any lunch and went straight to bed.  Even Lucia fell asleep!  (For anyone who knows Lucia, she never naps.  Not when jet-lagged, not after fireworks.  But she fell asleep today.  Telltale sign that she's sick.)
Thankfully, Alexa seems to be over the worst of the hand-foot-mouth, though she still has a persistent cough that has stuck around for a while.
Hoping the big girls can shake this thing pretty quickly, too!