The McPherson Chronicles

We got summer started a bit early by putting up a swimming pool last weekend. It wasn't super hot but the girls were so anxious to try out their new pool they braved the slightly chilly water for an inaugural swim. There will be a lot more of this all summer long.

Naptime at my mom's. Either this book is really boring, or she was just doing as it said (it's called Just Go To Bed ) Naptime at home. Lucy's a self-swaddler. Our little human taquito.

My sister and I hosted a birthday party for my mom this past weekend. It turned out really nice with lots of good friends, some yummy homemade food and some fun outdoor relaxing time. Mom had a great time too catching up with her best friends all in one place. We tried to get pictures with all the attendees, though I know a few skipped out before I got my camera ready. I didn't get any food pictures either, oh well.

Olivia woke up at 3am and called for me. I figured she had dropped her lovie, couldn't find her water cup or something else pretty ridiculous. But when I got in there she was crying and told me she was scared and needed me to sleep with her "until the morning light". I couldn't resist the snuggle invite so I crawled into bed with her and she snuggled right in and was snoring away in no time. Once my arm fell asleep I moved it out from under her and she rolled over, tucked herself all in, didn't open her eyes and said, "Mom, I'm ok. You can go now". I laughed so much as a I crawled out of her bed. Silly kid.

Me: "Lucy, when you clean up all the movies you took out, you may join us at the table for dinner." Lucy: "Ohh, now I'm just like Cinderella and I'm not going to get any dinner and I can't go to the Ball!" Dramatic much?

What a fun, exhausting weekend! We packed a lot in but it was all stuff that I loved and a lot of family time, which is all I wanted for Mother's Day. Saturday Kevin and the girls took me to breakfast and then to IKEA for some shopping. This was the first time we dropped the girls off at the IKEA playland while we shopped and they loved it! I was nervous at first about how they'd react since they've never been left with strangers before, but they were great and had a lot of fun. I love that we could peek at them as soon as we got to the marketplace and that made me feel much better. They were running around with the other kids and playing. We got some things we needed for the house plus the media stand I've been wanting. We headed home and while the girls and I napped, Kevin ran out to get some new flowers for the back yard. We spent the rest of the day planting flower and playing in the sprinklers to cool off. It was our first ridiculously hot weekend and of course, ...

The girls have finally agreed on a name for the baby. Amazingly, they both like the name and think it fits whether the baby is a boy or girl. They told me at dinner the other night they want to name the baby Mr. Smee (they say Mr. Snee), who is Captain Hook's buddy in Peter Pan (and more importantly to them, from Jake & The Neverland Pirates). We told them we'd think about it and add it to the list of options. Hopefully they won't be too disappointed if we decide on something else. Speaking of disappointment, in the same conversation, Lucy told me if the baby is a girl, "I'm going to walk out". I asked her where she will go and she said the backyard. Upon hearing Lucy's answer, Olivia said she would walk out if it's a boy. We talked about how we will love the baby whether it is a boy or a girl. They didn't seem quite convinced. Lucy then told me she already has a sister so she doesn't need another one. Man, these kids and their logic! Hop...

The girls tried and tried to build a carriage to their satisfaction. Finally, after many attempts, Kevin decided to get this done the right way. Here is what they came up with- Daddy as the driver, strollers for horses and the royal princesses riding in the back of the carriage. Best Daddy ever!!

The girls love to show me their new tricks when I get to my mom's to pick them up. A few weeks ago, on the same day, they learned how to pump on the swings to keep themselves going and also to climb the tree in my parents' backyard, completely unassisted. It was a very proud day! Now that they've mastered the basic skills, they like to try new and exciting ways of using the playset. Besides regular swinging, they ride sideways, on their belly's, upside down with only one leg on and now they like to stand and swing (like Mulan). Here's the picture my mom sent me the other day when they mastered this trick.

I was checking my phone over the weekend and found some photos and videos clearly added by the girls. I love that they figured out how to switch the phone from camera to video, without me showing them. It's always funny to see what they think are the special moments and things they want to capture on "film". Clearly our collection of Disney characters plays a huge role in our lives these days.