Friday, June 29, 2012

Practicing

We have been practicing singing Happy Birthday to Lauren...and she loves it!

She spins around on the floor and claps for herself - so darn cute!

Is she really going to be one year old in just two days?

Little Climber

Guess who made it up four stairs yesterday afternoon?


Wednesday, June 27, 2012

The Great Wolf Lodge

We just returned from an amazing "staycation" at the Great Wolf Lodge in Concord where we spent a few days with my high school best friend (and fellow twins + 1 Mom!).

There is something about a true friendship that stands the test of time...we have literally known each other and been friends since we were just six years old!



We arrived on Tuesday afternoon and got right down to the business of exploring the amazing waterpark. And amazing it was....we began in the area designed for the smaller kiddos....



.....but quickly gained our "water legs" and Ella and Aidan discovered the fun of waterslides!



After a long afternoon of swimming and sliding, we headed to dinner, where the kids were all presented with their own wolf ears....



....this kids all had such fun together at dinner, and even little Lauren was still hanging in there despite not taking an afternoon nap....



After dinner Lauren quickly passed out in the Ergo (not the most flattering picture of me...my clothes are not fitting well anymore and the thought of going shopping with all three littles in tow makes me want to pass out, so I keep wearing my too big clothing.......)


....so we explored the hotel a little bit and the kids all changed into pajamas to enjoy evening storytime under the big tree....




....and then to bed....which was already in progress for our littlest wolf!





The next morning Lauren tried out her own wolf ears and explored the hotel room a bit while everyone was getting ready for the day....





....the twins had the best time in their "wolf den" and loved the bunk beds last night....




....and it was back down to the waterpark for more fun and adventures....






We were sad to leave that afternoon, but enjoyed one more bit of fun when Amy and her family stopped by on their way home to Atlanta and met us for lunch the next day.  Lauren is clearly a fan of miss Amy!


Good times with good friends!! We are looking forward to planning another trip together soon!

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Words and Books

The twins and I have been diligently working on a new skill here in the Parker household. Books have always been a favorite past time, but they have recently taken on an entirely new meaning!

Yes, Ella and Aidan are beginning to read!

They read signs, billboards, our daily mail - anything they can get their sweet little eyes upon. I am amazed at their progress just since this video was taken in early June....



....they are also LOVING our new nightly ritual. Each night we read a few chapters from The Magic Treehouse series of books. I thought it was about time that they could begin to understand chapters in books, and I was right! Before we begin each new chapter, I ask them what happened in last night's adventures with Jack and Annie (the main characters)..and Ella and Aidan remember every last detail!

I am so proud of them....Ella and Aidan are blossoming right before my eyes and it is a bittersweet feeling to watch my first born duo take their first leap into truly being "big kids".

Friday, June 22, 2012

Last Day

It has been so hot outside that we have been spending a lot of time doing this each day:




Today was also the last day of vacation bible school, which basically equates to the last day that Mommy has any time at all to herself until school starts in August...when I graduate to just one little one to contend with for most of the day.

At any rate, Ella and Aidan concluded the week in their tie die t-shirts....

....and a performance at the preschool....






Bring on summer!

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Wordless Wednesday




Sunday, June 17, 2012

Father's Day 2012


The day began with a little something special that the kiddos helped me make for their Daddy (this is a cell phone pic so the quality is a but poor)....




....and then we hit the road, heading out to surprise Opa with a fun day in Greenville....and we truly managed to surpise him!


We "found" Opa and Grandma Shushi around 1 PM....




...and began our day together playing in our favorite spot - Falls Park....






.... stopped off for some ice cream, a picture with Daddy (Aidan is clearly thrilled), and a little walking around.....


....and capped off the day with a fabulous dinner at High Cotton - Opa's favorite restaurant!




We were all sad to part ways, but knowing we woud see them again in just a few weeks for Lauren's first birthday made things a bit better!