My Sister's Keeper

Funny moment today- I took Peyla and Ali to their beloved storytime at the public library. They call it "Miss Julie's class", and look forward to the singing/dancing/stories every week. Well this particular day, a very friendly 4 year old girl was also in the class. We've seen her and her mother around the area (Cave Creek moms tend to frequent the same places!) and for some reason today, she took a liking to Ali. As in, she followed her around the play mat, picking her up and trying to hug her throughout the class. I thought it was sweet, but then Ali's big sissy caught sight of such displays. The look on Peyla's little face when she saw another girl holding her sister was priceless! It was a mix of confusion, protection and jealousy. I could almost see the wheels turning in her head...."that's MY sissy". Ever the politician (as the ladies at the grocery store call her), Peyla quietly and nonchalantly scooted herself in between Ali and this other child. She loves her baby!

Peekaboo!

Double trouble. ;)

Ice cream socials.

It's no secret that Brendon and I love our weekly blizzards from Dairy Queen. "Date night" as we call it, equates to small blizzards while we watch crap TV after the kids are in bed (it's the little pleasures in parenthood). I used to tell Brendon that I felt so scandalous, consuming these little bits of Heaven without the girls around. So this past summer, we finally ordered them their own vanilla soft serve. The result? Life changing! You're welcome DQ, for the two new addicts. 

 

 They are shockingly good at sharing this treat.

 "I hold it for you Aliyah Biyah".

 Her happy ice cream face.

 Now the silliness begins...

 Here it comes...

 Sugar High!!!

Ali: what's wrong with sissy?

Ali: OK! I'll join the party!

Ali loves corn!

Nuff said.

 Unsure if she truly liked it (because you know, toddlers are very fickle creatures),

 I made it again a few days later.

Still a winner!

Sidewalk Art

We spent a recent "cooler" (95 degrees) afternoon outside, working on a little sidewalk art. Peyla hasn't been too interested in making actual pictures, she just enjoys the scribbling of color. But that particular day, she was very focused on her efforts and when I asked her what she was drawing, she said "meeeeee!".

 

 The first attempt, I like to call it "abstract pixie".

 A few guiding questions from mom ("where are your eyes, where is your hair, etc.")

 Concentrating!

 That long line reflects how tall she is!

 Meanwhile...trouble is brewing on the tricycle!

Cutest biker ever!

Moon Sand!

I am one of those moms that pins countless ideas on Pinterest and then never remembers to try any of them! I finally made the concerted effort to test out a project called Moon Sand. It was easy and brainless (perfect for busy parents!), simply a mixture of flour and baby oil. The result? A silky, sweet-smelling sand to play with! These girls enjoyed it for quite a while.

SCORE: Pinterest- 347, Mommy- 1!

 

Ali's sticker

Our Ali girl has a preoccupation with stickers, of any kind, shape, color or size. This girl will carry the sticky seal to her diaper wipes around for an entire day if we don't pry it from her little paws. I'm not sure if it is a sensorial thing or perhaps a feeling of comfort, but she presses the sticker ("stickie" according to Ali) on her upper lip and walks around with it like that. It's the cutest, most unusual little habit! So of course, I had to document this little "Ali-ism". I love this girl! She cracks me up.