day 13: drawing and mermaid hair

This is one of Vivi's favorite  things to play with in the car right now.  Asa actually bought it for Marley on our road trip home from Michigan, but both of the girls ended up loving it.  She has always been interested in watching Marley draw.  So, she has just started getting interested in coloring with crayons instead of eating them and it is a lot of fun to watch her excitement when she makes marks herself!

Marley loves to lie down in the bath water and swoosh her hair around like a mermaid.  It always reminds me how long her hair has gotten and how absolutely gorgeous she is.

we did a 5k today

This was my first 5k.  Well, actually that's not true.  I did the Jingle Bell Run 5k when I was in middle school.  But this was my first 5k since having kids and trying to get in shape.  I knew about the race and wanted to do it and then my mom and sister decided they wanted to participate also!  I was really glad that we were all doing it!  Family time!

 Emily trying to take an artsy picture...

My goal was to run the whole thing without stopping. My mom and Emily walked with the girls in the stroller.  I was actually really nervous.  I knew I could do it because I run that much on a pretty regular basis.  But I was nervous about the group atmosphere and people watching me.  I got over it once I started jogging and realized no one cared what I looked like!

 That's me in fluorescent green shirt closest to the camera.


The run was a little harder than I had anticipated.  I might have done better if the headphone jack on my phone was working and I could've listened to music the whole time.  But I did have a great time.  I ended up going about 7 minutes faster than I thought I would!  It really makes a difference when you have people around you encouraging you!

After I finished, Joel and I waited for the rest of the party to arrive.  When I saw them coming around the corner, I ran to them and took Marley out of the stroller for her to run with me to the finish line!  She was very proud and excited!

Then Marley saw Dede, Vivi, and Mimi coming up to the finish line and wanted to go through again with them!  

I'm so proud of us!  I had a great time and I want to do more.  I am actually signed up for a 10k next month, but I don't know if I will be able to run the whole time for that one.  Maybe with Asa and the girls running next to me, I will have the encouragement to finish it. 

But for now, I am super proud and happy with my first 5k and hope to do many more!

day 12: a hard day

Today was a hard day.  I am thankful I got these pictures in early, because otherwise I might not have any.  It was one of those days where I couldn't get out of my funk and the girls seemed endlessly unhappy.  I am so glad the day is over now and I can put it behind me and look forward to the next day.

day 11: tummy aches and funny faces

Marley had a stomach ache all day today.  She relaxed on the couch for the entire morning looking very pitiful.  Luckily, she felt better later in the day and was back to her normal self.  Vivi took good care of her and offered her many books and toys.

Vivi's new favorite face to make.  A look of shock!

day 10: marley's new bed and vivi uses a fork

Marley has a new bed at Mimi and Papa's house.  Her own twin size day bed, with fancy girly covers and plenty of decorative pillows.  It is so cute and Marley loves it.  She has been exhausted every day from so much activity and looks precious tucked in her big girl bed.  With her covers perfectly straight, because that's how she rolls.

I cheated tonight and had to pick two pictures.  She is grinning at Marley in the first picture, and that look just melts my heart.  She loves to get her sister's approval.  And the second picture just cracks me up.  She is getting really great with a fork, especially since this is only her third time to use it.  She ate her whole dinner tonight with a fork and looked so much bigger.

day 9: red hair and sister swinging

This wig.  I literally had to change the settings on my camera to calm it down because it was completely taking over the pictures.  It only lasted one day before it was too messy to even use, but in that one day we even got it on Papa.  Vivi just kept this expression the whole time she was wearing it.  Nervous and unsure, but thinking she might look cute.

I love when I see them getting along.  It is a rare moment, usually clouded by some not so great moments.  But the good moments do happen and I try to savor them.  One time that it never fails is when we are at a play ground.  Marley always wants to proudly introduce her "baby sister" to anyone she meets.  She runs to where Vivi is and hugs her like a proud sister.  I love that moment.