Ainsley's Slang

As we were driving to my parents house in the Bay Area, the girls constantly asked if we were almost there. They know that they need to pass a few landmarks to get there so we check them off. They saw the boats (near Benecia) the cows and horses (near San Ramon) and then the lake in my parents town. When we got to the signal where they can see the lake I hear Ainsley say, "Madison, we are TOTALLY close now!".

Ben and Nicole's Vacation

Ben and I got to stay at a wonderful resort in Windsor, CA which is near Santa Rosa. We got to go to the Redwoods one day and Point Reyes another day. We saw Indiana Jones and Iron Man in the theater (definitely a treat-we can't remember the last time we went and saw a movie. Once we saw the price of tickets, we remembered why we don't go anymore!!!) We read books, watched TV, took naps, and ate out A LOT which I LOVED!!! What is vacation without great food?

We had a wonderful trip and I really, really appreciate my friends that helped with the kids and the wonderful grandparents. We are so blessed to have two sets of close, fun grandparents who are always willing to help us out!

Little Man Logan

I just had to post this picture of my "little man" Logan. The funny part about taking this picture was that he wanted the camera so bad that I had to bribe him to stay away from me. I gave him some marsh mellows and they all fell to the floor. You will see some pictures in the slide show of him in his suit eating marsh mellows off the floor. It worked. I got one cute picture of my little guy. He looked so cute in this outfit!

Hair Cut Time Again!

As I was trying to comb Madison's hair today, I realized it was time for them to get hair cuts. Madison's hair is so thick, I need to keep it short. Ainsley just has to do whatever Madison does. So, we went and got them hair cuts today. The background to their current hairstyles is this: Madison went to her school library one day and noticed the librarian had the same color hair that she has. She also noticed it was short but she did not have bangs. Since then, Madison has decided she does not want bangs. She wants to grow them out. Of course Ainsley decided to as well (although I am not sure she even knows what bangs really are). I have tried headbands and hair clips, but nothing seems to work. The only solution is the little volcanoes you see on the top of their heads in the pictures. I am so glad I finally got a boy!!!

Tooth Fairy Visits the Brown House

IF YOUR CHILD BELIEVES IN THE TOOTH FAIRY, MAKE SURE THEY DO NOT READ THIS!!!

Madison lost her first tooth yesterday. She had been working on it for so long and it finally came out. She wanted to eat a lot of apples because she said that it helps to loosen the tooth. Madison woke up this morning and came downstairs in tears because the tooth fairy did not leave anything for her. The envelope and tooth was still there. I tried to explain that "the tooth fairy was very busy and had a very late night and would come the next night." (I completely forgot about it and I feel AWFUL!). So as my daughter lay on the couch at 6:30a.m. crying I was trying to figure out how to fix this. I ran to the kitchen to get an envelope and I put 4 quarters in it. I wrote a note on it that said, "Madison, keep your first tooth to show grandma and grandpa." I placed it on the side of the mattress against the wall.(as though it fell there in the night). I told her that we should look one more time to see if maybe she missed something. She was crying the entire time we looked until she heard some change fall to the ground. It worked! She was so excited and she even shared 2 of the quarters with Ainsley. So now, I have to remember this new tradition when Ainsley looses her first tooth. How did I forget to do this on the 1st tooth? I mean...I understand when you get farther down the road, but with the 1st one!!! Shows how exhausted I am at night. So-grandma and grandpa- you get to see her first tooth!

Wizard of Oz

This evening at dinner, Ainsley and Madison were discussing Halloween already. Madison was telling us what or who everyone was going to be.

Ainsley- The nice witch of the north. (Ainsley was pleased)
Madison- Dorothy with her dog Toto (aka Vinny)
Logan- "A cute, adorable, little munchkin." (seems like an easy costume to me!)
Mommy- The mean witch of the west (says a lot about what she thinks of me)
Daddy- "Daddy you can be either the scarecrow, cowardly lion, or the metal man."

I like the idea of "metal man" Can we make it a rock version of Wizard of Oz?

Cranky, Broken Heart

As we were leaving to go to Costco this afternoon, Ainsley asked if she could bring her blanket. I told her she can take it in the car, but not into the store. She responds with, "but if I can't take it in the store I will be cranky." I told her that if she brought it in the store we could lose it or it will get dirty. She then says, "Okay, but you asked for it. I am going to be really cranky!" I, stooping down to her level said, "Cranky girls do not get ice cream or churros!" She got over it and did great.

After we got home, I heard the girls fighting in the toy room. I walked passed to see them laying on their backs kicking each other (the usual fighting positions). I told them to stop and I heard Ainsley crying and she sat up and looked at Madison and said, "Madison, you broke my heart!" I had to leave the doorway because I started laughing. I have very little sympathy when they both do it to each other ALL THE TIME!