Two Terrific Toddlers

Several weeks ago, we got to have Rubie for an entire weekend (by herself, sans parentals). Noelle dropped her off Friday night, and we kept her until Sunday afternoon. Taking care of two toddlers was an awful lot of work, but it was also a whole lotta fun.

One of the highlights of the weekend was picking raspberries in our backyard. The girls took turns holding the bowl while I picked the berries; then, after dinner they got to enjoy the sweet fruits of their labor:



Rubie and Gracie were fascinated by the apples and pears that had fallen from our trees, so to prevent them from eating/squishing/playing with the fruit, we encouraged them to gather it up for the squirrels. What a fun game!





The next morning, we told the girls we were going to the Children's Museum. They were so excited!





Once we got there, Gracie led the way to the water play area:

... then, Rubie found the face paints:





We spent quite awhile in the clay studio. These girls were very serious about their artwork:







Next was story time, although Gracie had more fun playing on this log than listening to the story:



No trip to the Children's Museum is complete without a stop at the supermarket:





... and here they are riding off into the sunset:



Before we left, we let the girls pick out a souvenir. They picked these bouncy sport balls.





After a picnic lunch at a nearby park, we called it a day. This is what tuckered out looks like:


The next morning, we took the girls to Gracie's favorite park. Here's Rubie being a monkey:


... and here's GG concerned about Rubie playing on the 'big kid' structure (she's very aware of what's for the big kids vs. the little kids at her playground):

When we got home, they had lunch and played in the backyard for awhile:





... then, they did a little reading before naptime:





Noelle picked Rubie up while Gracie was still napping. So for the next couple weeks after Rubie went home, Gracie asked us daily, "Where'd Rubby go?" I'm pretty sure Gracie wanted Rubie to move in with us.

The Giraffes Are Sleeping

For the better part of a year, Chad has been keeping Gracie out of daycare on Tuesdays so they can spend one-on-one time together. Chad always plans something fun for them to do on their special day together, and one week I was fortunate enough to join them on a trip to the zoo.

Like many kids, Gracie loves the zoo. The elephants are usually her favorite attraction, but on this particular day when asked which animal she was most excited to see, she immediately replied, "Giraffes!" So off we went in search of the giraffes.

First stop: Monkeys.



... then tigers:



... and then, reluctantly, zebras:



Although the other animals were nice, Gracie was getting impatient to see those giraffes! And wouldn't you know it... when we finally found the giraffe area, there were none to be seen. Regretfully, we had to inform our little giraffe girl that the giraffes were sleeping. From that day forward (and I'm not exaggerating), she has informed us that the giraffes are, indeed, sleeping.

After that small disappointment, we decided it was a good time for a picnic lunch. We found a spot on the lawn just in time to watch the birds of prey show.



The highlight of the show was the majestic bald eagle that flew directly above us to its perch onstage:





After the show, we decided to take a ride on the zoo train. Despite the many times Grace has been to the zoo, she has not ridden the train since the very first time we took her when she was only two-months old! She thought it was silly when we told her she slept through the whole ride that time.









Here we are on our way back to the zoo entrance. Gracie is showing us her monkey impression:



After a quick stop at the zoo store (Gracie picked out the beaver she has in her hand, as well as a fun I Spy Zoo Animals book), we called it a day. It sure was a fun one!

Rubby's House

Whenever we can, my sister (Noelle) and I try to get the kids together for Saturday playdates. It is especially fun for Gracie to go to 'Rubby's house' because they have a cool play structure in their backyard. One of the times we went to see them this summer, it was pretty hot outside so we set up a mini waterslide with Rubie's dinosaur pool. They had a blast!







Although he's a bit too big for the kiddie pool, Brenden was a great sport. He hung out with the adults and had fun watching the little girls play. Here's our favorite 10-year old muggin' for the camera:



After splashing in the pool for awhile, it was time for a refreshing snack:



The rest of the day, the kids rode bikes:





... drew on the sidewalk:



... and played ball:



Once inside, Rubie showed Gracie her impressive mask collection. Here she is being scary:



... and silly:



Gracie got in on the dress-up action, too, with these stylish shades:



Luckily, it wasn't long before the cousins were together again. It was just a few weekends later when Rubie came to our house for a sleepover! Those pics are coming soon...

The Day the Binky Fairy Came

Ever since Gracie was a few weeks old, she was easily comforted by her may may (her word for pacifier). At around 18-months old, however, we limited her use of the may may to naps and bedtime only. Once Gracie turned two, we knew it would soon be time to break her of the habit once and for all.

So a few weeks before we left for our vacation, we started telling Gracie that the Binky Fairy would soon be coming to take all her may mays to give to the tiny babies in the world who need them. We explained that it might be hard to say goodbye, and she would probably miss her may mays at first, but it was a very brave and generous gesture for such a big girl to make. She actually seemed to understand, and really didn't object to the idea. So the day after we returned home from vacation, the Binky Fairy came.

Here's Gracie reluctantly waking from her nap, savoring the last few suck sucks on her beloved may may:



The Binky Fairy left this fancy basket for Gracie to fill with all her may mays. At first, Grace just wanted to snuggle with us and look at the basket. But after a few minutes, she very methodically placed each of her may mays into the basket, one by one.











Chad and I braced ourselves for a few difficult nights as Gracie adjusted to bedtime without her may may, but she was incredible. Other than a few quiet tears immediately after she handed 'em over (I think all three of us mourned her loss that afternoon), she seemed completely unphased. No sleepless nights. No meltdowns. No sweat!

After dinner that night, we celebrated her bravery with some cake and ice cream (plus, she moved from her high chair to a booster chair at our dining room table). Does this look like a child in mourning to you?



The morning after the Binky Fairy came, Gracie awoke to find the fancy basket filled with special little gifts (including a cuddly stuffed bunny, some bubbles, a tiny embroidered tote bag with lollipops inside, and the Binky Fairy's wand). She tore into it so fast, we didn't even have time to take pictures! Additionally, to prove that her may mays went to a good home, Chad showed Gracie a website featuring photos of three newly adopted babies from Africa whose primary comforts were -- you guessed it -- binkies.

Although it makes our hearts ache to see Gracie grow up SO FAST, Chad and I are incredibly proud of what a strong little girl she's becoming.