Our newest family member...

No No!!  It's not what you think.!!! 

After attending a few recent parties, we decided the girls needed a new friend.  Meet our newest family member....Crabbie Crab.

"Crabbie Crab" (appropriately named by the girls) joined our family about two weeks ago. 

As I previously have mentioned, we recently went to several parties where the girls would not leave the sandbox or the sand/water table.  Terry and I had previously discussed getting the girls a sand box but because I'm a neat freak, and hate my kids to be dirty it kind of got pushed onto the back burner.  (Yes, I know they are kids and they can be cleaned.)

After the most recent party....I caved!  I went online in search for the perfect sandbox.  I was looking for something besides the typical green turtle box that everyone has.  That's when I met and fell in love with the Crabbie Sandbox!  Crabbie is a Step Two product.  We have several Step Two products in our household and they have never disappointed.  Crabbie is no exception.

One of my favorite things about Crabbie is the built-in claw seats.  The girls call them "pincher's"....while making a pinching motion with their hands.  These seats allow my kiddos to play in the sand box without actually sitting in it.  I also love that Crabbie is slightly bigger than the "turtle", giving extra room for my duo to play. 

(stock photo taken from website)

The girls were in love with Crabbie immediately and played in the sand until almost dark. 

I hate to admit it....but I never realize that my kiddos need hair cuts until I look at them in photos.

Addison has since gotten a hair cut.  Although the humidity that day is partially to blame.

Love watching them play together!

NOTE:  This was a paid promotional posting.  While my story is true and the history behind Crabbie joining our family is factual....I was compensated for this blog posting.  My feelings and love for Crabbie are authentic and my opinions were not weighted due to receiving compensation.

Little Helpers?

Every task that needs completed in our home is always supervised by two little helpers.  This past evening was no exception.  Our family room bodes 18 foot ceilings which I love....except for when it comes time to change a light bulb or a smoke detector battery.  The girls helped by holding the ladder while the bulbs were changed.  Then of course they needed to try out the ladder themselves. 

Side note:  Before you send me hate mail or leave negative comments....I was standing right beside that ladder in the event they should fall.  And no, I don't typically let my kids play on ladders, but we have really been focusing on family team work, everyone helping, and taking turns lately.  This was no exception.  The girls took turns on the ladder while the other one held it for them.  (You can see Addison holding the ladder for Alexis in the bottom photo)  I believe that every task, even the most monotonous, can be turned into some form of learning/training experience.

NICU REUNION 2012

I can't believe that this year marks four years that we have been attending the annual NICU Reunion!  What an amazing event hosted by the hospital to recognize all the tiny successes throughout the years!  It was truly amazing to watch my girls this year as we explained to them why we were going to this "party".  They know that when they were born they were very tiny babies and they had to be in the hospital until they got better.  We attend this "party" every year to say thank you to all the doctors and nurses who cared for them while they were sick.  I still get choked up thinking of this conversation.  Blessed doesn't even begin to describe my family.  When I think about all the things the doctors and nurses told us could potential be wrong with my kiddos, my heart fills with gratitude to all those people who cared for my girls like they were their own.  Several of them have become lifelong friends and will always hold a special place in our hearts.

It was an absolutely gorgeous day for the reunion.  The morning was actually a little chilly and I had to hunt down some sweaters for the girls.

If you are interested you can read about our previous reunions here... 2009,  2010,  2011.

Here are a few pictures from our day:

The girls were in love with the horses. 

An attempt to get both of them to look at the camera at the same time.

One of my favs.  Addison thinks we need to get a pony now at our house.

Alexis was more interested in playing with the bunny.  She was very concerned that the bunny didn't have any water in its bowl.  She wouldn't let us move on until someone finally got the bunny some water.  That girl has the biggest heart I tell ya!

The infamous train.  This was the first year that the girls rode by themselves.  Alexis loved it.  Addison said it was very bumpy on her tush tush.

The duck pond.

For awhile Alexis kept telling me she saw Dora.  I turned around and there she was!  The girls were so in love!  They wanted to know if Dora could come to our house.

Playing in one of the 10 or so bouncy houses.

Face painting/Arm painting.  This is the first year that the girls were interested in doing this.

Playing inside the firetruck.  Alexis was smitten with the fireman.  She got a very thorough tour.  At the end she asked, "where are the fire hoses"?  The fireman obliged and unravelled a hose for her to see. 

Holding their new puppies they won.

My little Peanut!

My little Sunshine!

Always a great time and this year was no different.  What a beautiful display of God's handy work! 

Another trip to the ZOO....

This past weekend we had a nice break from the 100 degree plus temperatures.  We decided to once again take advantage of our zoo membership and take the girls to see their favorite animals.  I just love watching their faces as they experience new things.  It's incredible to see their little minds at work.  Here are a few pictures:

Addison looking at the flamingos.  In her words..."I can stand on one leg like the pink meangos".

The zoo just finished adding a new bird exhibit.  My little parrot heads thought this was fun.  Alexis was not at all impressed with the birds flying so closely around her.  She was convinced one was going to poop on her pony tail.

The zoo also recently added a Dora exhibit.  Complete with a 15 minute 4-D movie.  This was interesting with the girls.  Addison was pretty impressed.  Alexis was not loving it!  She kept saying "Swiper's gonna get me".  In retrospect, I can understand her apprehension.  The 4-D effects did make it appear as if the characters were right in front of you.

Addison with her 4-D glasses.  Waiting for Dora to start.

Alexis waiting for the movie.  A little unsure of why she is wearing silly glasses.

The girls were in love with the giraffes.  Later in the evening, they were pretending to be giraffes and walking around with their necks all stretched out. 

And of course, a trip to the zoo wouldn't be complete without a carousel ride.  Always fun to listen to my kiddos as they stand in line contemplating which animal they want to ride.  This time Alexis picked the seahorse and Addison picked the rhinno.  I wonder if one of my girls will eventually work in a profession dealing with animals?  They both love all animals (except bugs) so much!

Animal People....

My girls love animals....If it is furry, has four legs, barks, meow's, anything.....they are obsessed.....with of course the exception of bugs.  A small house fly can make both of my girls completely flip out in seconds.  You may remember reading this post where the girls wanted to purchase a snake and a chameleon.  They still talk about the possibility of getting a chameleon but their latest obsession has become fish.  Addison likes the big orange ones and Alexis likes the ones that are different colors.  On this particular day both my kiddos liked the large white fish that was "asleep" at the bottom of the tank.  I didn't have the heart to tell them that their favorite fish wasn't really taking a nap.