Princess Birthday Party

What could be better than turning 5 with a PRINCESS PARTY?  Ruby was invited to the party of a little girl, Sophia, from her school.  Ru was in awe of the entire event!  When the mothers RSVP'ed, they were asked for the dress size of their daughter, so each girl had a special dress that was brought just for them.  There were also special shoes and of course crowns!  You will notice that the birthday girl's crown stands apart from the others. 

 



 

The little princesses got their nails painted (except that Ruby announced she didn't need hers painted because her Grandma Julee already did it for her). 



Each princess got her picture taken with the real princess and were sent home with a lovely framed 5x7 photo.

 

Kristin had intended to drop off Ruby and take Carson to do something fun, but all of the mothers ended up staying and Carson was very welcome because Sophia had a little brother who needed a guy-pal.  Can you spy Carson in this photo before he went upstairs to play? 



Carson, Carson, Carson.......

Carson and I were talking about the Spanish they are learning in school.  We were counting and saying colors.  Carson said to me "The only color that I never forget is blanco -- that's white like your hair!"

Kristin had picked up Carson and said "you are getting so big and heavy", to which Carson replied "Someday when I'm bigger than you I will carry you!"  Ahhhhh.....................

You Write The Caption

Kristin just sent this to me for the first time and it's too cute to not include, even though it was last summer.  This is Kristin's BFF  Stacie's,  little boy, Chase.  I think it is the type of picture that you can add your own caption  -- like
"Hey Ru, you're too young for that kind of smooching!"  or
"Chase, can I borrow your cool truck while you are busy with  my  cute sister?"   or
"Carson, I see you taking my truck!" 

Art Gallery

Kristin put up this line in their dining room that they got at Ikea to display the kids art.
  Good work -- all 3 of you! 

Prayer

Last night the twins spent the night with me.  After reading several books, I asked the kids if we could pray together before bed.  Carson said "Can we kneel at our bed like the Bernstein bears?"  (there is a cute book on prayer by the Bernstein bears where they kneel beside their bunk beds)  So we three knelt by the bed Carson was going to sleep in.  He asked to pray first, and proceeded to pray as if we were going to eat a meal.  Ruby interrupted him and said "You don't need to pray for the food. We aren't eating." 



Sick Day At Home With Momma

Miss Ruby stayed home from school today with her Momma.  Dr. said she had fluid in her ear, but not infection.  Here she is doing some art work and sipping hot cocoa.  What could be better?  A day at home with her mommy and doesn't have to
share with Brother. 
Be Well Sweet Girl!
(I see you are making a fashion statement with those barrettes!)
While Ruby was at the doctor's office Kristin said to her "Ruby, did you know that Dr. S was the first person to hold you after you were born?"   To which Ruby replied "No he wasn't Momma.  My Daddy was the first one to hold me!" 

Silly Carson

Today I was talking (mostly listening) to Kristin on the phone.  I have laryngitis and sound really awful.  Carson wanted to say hi to me, and when he heard my voice he said "What's wrong with you?"  I told him, but then I said "I have a frog in my throat!"  He did one of his really great belly laughs at my comment, which made me laugh. too.  Then he said "I think you actually have a camel in your throat!"  

Obama?

Kristin has a  children's book about New York City that she has read many times to the twins.  The kids have much of the book memorized, but when she asked them "Who gave the gift of the Statue of Liberty to the United States?", both kids seemed stumped and couldn't recall.  Ruby looked at Carson and he finally said "Obama?" 

Ahh, no Buddy.  It was France.   



Happy Little Pumpkin, Lydia

My niece's daughter, Lydia, made it into the Tacoma newspaper.  It wasn't raining when they headed for the pumpkin patch, but when the rains came, Lydia was a happy little pumpkin with her boots in the mud! 

Veggie Tales

 

Tonight we took the kids to Crossroads Church for a Veggie Tales show/musical.  They didn't allow pictures during the show, so these were before it started.  You can imagine the joy and excitement when the show started, if they are this enthralled before it started! 

Ruby kept saying "I'm so happy!"  At one point they did a song where the kids could get up and dance, and Ruby really cut a rug.  Her little body just moved and grooved the entire song, and she wanted to know when there would be another dancing song.  It was so fun for Kristin, Casey and me to watch the kids  thoroughly enjoying themselves. 

 

 

 

 

An Autumn Run in Portland

 Kristin is doing a run in Portland.  Thought it was worthy of putting in my blog. 

Baby Ru-Face

Kristin has been cleaning out her phone and emails and came across this photo of Ruby that I have never seen before.  I actually looked at it three times to decide it if was Kristin or Ruby.  I wish I had a picture of Kristin at this age that I could post and compare.  It's uncanny how much this little photo of Ru looks like baby Kristin.  It was too cute to not put on my blog for ever and ever.  I told Kristin she should submit this photo to the 2026 high school year book committee! 

Pumpkin Patch Time

Rainy Day At Grandma's House

Nothing better than reading books in Grandma's BIG bed on a rainy day.  Yes, after 100+ days of gorgeous sunshine, we are back to being Oregon. 

Ru is intently looking at a favorite book that first belonged to her Auntie Kat --
 PIG WILL & PIG WON'T. 

 

 

Later in the day Ru didn't want to take a nap, but was enjoying looking at so many books on her bed. It was truly a BOOK-DAY!  I just love the fact that these twins adore books.  I hope it carries on throughout their lives.  They will have many adventures through reading.   

 

Tender, Sweet, Caring, Funny Moments

I brought the twins over to my house this afternoon for a sleepover.  They never cease to amaze me with their humor and tenderness.  Here are a few examples so far, and it's only been a few hours. 

1)  As I was putting Carson down for his nap he asked me to sing "Puff The Magic Dragon".  I did, but didn't remember all the words.  I told him we could look up the song on the computer after naps.  I found several sites, including old video of the originals -- Peter, Paul and Mary.  But I also found a cute cartoon with the song.  I didn't remember the words, and learned that little Jackie Paper didn't come back to play with his friend, Puff the Magic Dragon because he grew up.  The kids both asked me about that and I thought I explained it OK and we continued to listen.  When the song was done, I put Carson down and realized Ruby was silently sitting on my lap with tears streaking down her little cheeks.  I asked why she was crying and she couldn't talk -- the tears gave way to giant sobs, with the huh, huh, huh sounds one makes when they are crying oh-so-completely. I enveloped her in my arms and just held her while she cried.  Finally I got out of her that she was sad because Jackie Paper grew up and Puff was left alone to go back into his lonely cave.  She said she didn't want to grow up.  She was sobbing so hard I could hardly get her to stop.  Once she stopped, we went down stairs to watch a show, and she seemed OK -- except for minutes later she was still doing the huh, huh, huh that ones does after a big cry. 

2)  During bath time Carson was doing a really great job of washing himself.  He even got behind his knee and announced "people sometimes forget to wash behind their knees!"  Ruby was goofing off and not washing herself so I reminded her about it and said "don't forget to wash your arm pit."  To that she replied, "don't forget to wash your leg pit!"  (referring to the area behind the knee!)
3)  As I placed the lunch plate down in front of Carson, he spontaneously said "Hello sandwich!" 

4)  At dinner tonight -- totally out of the blue -- Carson asked me "Grandma, why do you live by yourself?  You need another person to live here with you." (such a tender little man!) 
5)  Ruby -- "Grandma what is this?"  "It's just part of the pasta."  "Grandma WHAT is it?"  "Ruby, it's just part of the pasta.  It's good."  "But Grandma, what is it really?"  "It's a mushroom!"  "Grandma, I don't eat cooked mushrooms.  I only eat raw mushrooms!"  "OK, you don't have to eat it, but it's really really good!"   

6)  Shortly after getting the kids to bed tonight Carson cried out to me.  I went into him and he said he had a bad dream.  We prayed and he seemed OK.  Then he said "grandma, pray that I dream about diggers!"   (That's why I put an excavator on top of his 4th birthday cake!  See June 2012 blog entry.)  
7)  Ruby -- "Sometimes I get up in the middle of the night and sneak into Mommy and Daddy's room and check on them!"  

Thoughtful Carson

Carson:  Grandma Julee, did you know that Tuesday is
"Taco Tuesday" at our school? 

Grandma:  Yes, I knew that. 

Carson:  Maybe you can come eat
with us on Tuesday! 

 

(this sweet conversation came totally out of the blue)  

Saturday Random Fun With Grandma

Auntie Kat helped me pick out these costumes for the kids and they were so excited to try them on for the first time.  Carson had been asking to be Captain America, and he even told his Mommy he wanted a shield to carry -- Thank you Costco for just the right outfit for a little man who wants to be great!  And Ruby was so thrilled with all the sparkles on her mermaid costume.  Oh, to be 4 again and so excited about Halloween! 

We love this park that is close by.  It is completely enclosed and for about 45 min. they were the only two children playing there and enjoyed all of the equipment. 

That is a very colorful kite that was flying high in the heavy winds we have had all this week. 

Oh how she wants to keep up with him -- but I don't think she ever will be able to.  He is lightening fast and so strong and agile. 



It was their idea to hold hands -- buddies for life! 

 

As I was hugging and kissing the kids before they left Carson said "Grandma I love to come to your house and I am sad when it is time to go!"  Such a tender little man.  I said "you get to see me so much more now that I live near by!"  He added -----   "But, it still isn't enough!"