"What are you doing?"

"We're lookin' cute, Dad." (Vivian)

Both girls like to ask this question, and do so frequently throughout the day.  Here's what we've been doing lately.

"new" Power Wheel from friends & snuggles with Grandma after a fun few days

Nina recently helped with a research study at the U 

relaxing summer afternoon --- Nina used her gift card from the U to buy this princess ribbon wand

More fun in the sun

"Guess What"

 

This has been Pip's go-to phrase.  Sometimes she has an answer if you say "what?" and other times she just leaves you hanging.  We've recently been back to the zoo and the Japanese tea garden, taken in some All-Star game festivities, visited a couple sets of friends, a rec center party, a Como concert featuring Cousin Erin, some ice cream "stores," and a Saints game.  The girls continue to run at break-neck speeds and, unfortunately, Vivian smacked her lip pretty good in a nasty fall last night.  Tonight we got to check out Nina's new pre-school and she is very excited to get started.  Vivian did not want to leave the open house and may have a tough time being left behind.  Pip loves looking for, and talking about, different modes of transportation: planes, trains, buses, big trucks, etc.

 

Rainy-day fun

Vivian is Two!

She's gone from an unhappy baby to a cheerful toddler.  Now that she sleeps much better, talks, and sprints all over, she can be more independent which suits her well.  It seems like she's shown signs of being two for a couple months now.  She's even figured out two-year-old tantrums.  She talks all the time, argues, tells jokes, plays pretty well, and asks questions about everything.

HD Link

Lately, Vivian likes to ask, "is that funny?"  She is creative, which makes for some interesting quotes and some non-truths such as, "[mo]squito on my nose.  I got it with golf club" and "Nina hit me" (when she didn't) and "Nina pooped" (when she didn't).  It's hard to tell if she believes what she's saying or not.

photo courtesy of Nina

Nina is Four!

Nina has grown out of the toddler stage and is our big little girl.  She likes to draw and write, she has participated in swimming lessons and tee-ball, she looks after her sister, and she has taken to reasoning.  She is a very good girl, an excellent listener, and very sensitive.  It's been crazy to see Nina's transition at daycare as she is now one of the older kids there and tries to be a helper.  She will be enrolling in preschool for next year.  We hope her tendency to whine decreases after turning 4.  She loves to sing, although her tone needs work, and so her new video features her favorite from the year; sorry if it gets stuck in your head.

HD Link

Our trip to Nebraska has been fun and busy as we've been busy catching up with everyone and it's been a while since we've gotten to spend time with Jake and Kelsey.  The girls have been showing off and talking non-stop.  Vivian likes to keep their dog, Nellie, up-to-date on all of her endeavors.  

Bug bites, sand, and a little tan

We must be in summer mode as the girls seem to end each day with the things mentioned in the title.  They have their little routines that they like to stick to and are both pretty independent.  Nina wakes up first every morning and watches a little bit of a library movie until Pip wakes up 10 minutes later.  Vivian then asks for apple juice and cinnamon life cereal while Nina prefers orange juice and mini-wheats.  They know what they want.

The girls were sad to see Cassie go and enjoyed all the time they got to spend together.  It was a nice way to see more of Annie, Adam, Maggie, Grandma, Grandpa, and Grandpa Don too!  Grandma & Grandpa threw a lovely early birthday party for the girls so Cassie could help celebrate.  Nina loved smashing the piñata and, shockingly, Vivian did not.

Despite all the family visits, the girls have gotten a fair amount of trips around the cities too.  Nina went to a Base Camp at Fort Snelling with activities, saw Minnehaha falls flowing fast, and we went to our Priest's retirement party where the girls liked the bagpipers.

 

Minnehaha         --------      Rainbow over St. Paul