summer

All summer we had toads living in our rain spout. Recently some frogs moved in too. So, on this hot day Malaya decided to take a swim with one of the frogs. Being inspired by her recent trip to the circus, she decided to help froggy do some tricks. Unfortunately I was a little late getting the camera and I missed her funniest comment. She started out the show by putting the frog on the tree and saying, "Froggy in a tree...taaaa.daaaa!"

Dutch Wonderland

We had a great time at Dutch Wonderland. We didn't really have to stand in any lines. There were plenty of rides for Malaya to go on. It was clean and full of trees for shade and grass for Jolie to run around on. We had a perfect day!

summer

This summer was hot and filled with some funny moments when the girls escaped from us while getting dressed for the day.

Malaya decided she had to chase the birds right then and there.



Yes, she has on winter gloves. She was asking for snow to come.

summer

This summer was full of "firsts" for the girls. Malaya stayed up late and caught lightning bugs for the first time. We took Malaya to see her first movie in the theater. Malaya jump roped for the first time. And Jolie ate whip cream for the first time. They loved every minute!

Strawberry Festival

Malaya got lost at the Strawberry Festival. She ran to one of the swingsets without us seeing her. Of course we were scared to death, but she had no idea that she was lost. She was more concerned about fitting into the treehouse with the 15 other kids in there. When we found her, I explained that we didn't know where she was and that she needs to tell us before she goes anywhere.
She just said "okay". A few days later the neighbor boys came over and asked Malaya to come play at their house. She had played there once before without me and had a good time. (I was a nervous wreck the whole time and watching the clock.) So I figured she could go over for 20 minutes again. Well, a few minutes later Malaya comes home crying. I asked her what happened, why was she crying. She said, "I was LOST!" Oh, my poor baby. She learned the lesson, but not quite.

Sleepy time

This is what happens when you don't take a nap!

Zoo

We recently visited the Zoo. It was Jolie's first time. She liked the giraffes the best. Malaya had a good time too. But, it was soooo hot that the animals mostly just sat around. A few days after our zoo trip I took the girls to the pet store. I have to admit, they had a much better time at the pet store. Everything was at their level and moving around. I guess the simple things in life are better sometimes. :)

Circus

I was at work one day and a co-worker mentioned that a small circus was in town. It was a few minutes away from our house and there was going to be a 4:30 show that day. So, I raced home from work, packed up the kids and PaPa, and brought the girls to see their first circus. It was VERY hot, but great. We saw everything that a big circus would have and it was not crowded. We sat in our own row on the grass so Jolie could walk around and climb on the chairs. And we even stayed the whole time.

This is Jolie's first experience with spaghetti and meatballs. She LOVED it! She ate more than Malaya did during dinner that night. She's a good eater!

Well, these pictures and videos are all out of order. But, Malaya's birthday was a big success! She had a ton of fun and I feel like the day had a very nice "flow". The kids were kept busy with driving cars (thanks to PaPa), riding ponies, shooting bubble guns, and chasing eachother with squirt guns. It was sunny and warm, but VERY windy.
Malaya's birthday started out in the morning. We let her open some presents because we knew she would be distracted and overwhelmed once the party started. All she wanted was a new baby, of course.