Memorial Day weekend has been absolutely beautiful in years past. This year it was cold and rainy until the last few hours. Around 3pm the sun started shining so we took advantage of it and took the girls to see the boats going through the Ballard Locks. The girls had so much fun running around. After checking out the boats we went to Ray’s Boathouse for dinner where Emma proudly displayed her love for clam chowder.
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I know I haven’t updated all month and it is already the 21st. I have spent a lot of time on the computer, but not playing with pictures or writing about them.
Earlier this month we headed out to a local park to meet with a photographer who is raising money for soulumination. She is taking pictures of kids all around Seattle for a donation to the charity. She is an awesome person and very talented photographer. Our session was interesting as only 50% of the participants were having fun and the other 50% was clinging to my side. After it, we went over to the play area and I let the girls run around for a while. They also had just received their new backpacks, so of course they had to bring them.
We have had some amazing weather lately. The girls busted out their swim suits and we spent some time outside playing with the water table.
Tuesday night, this is how Chad found the girls when he checked on them. They pull their pillows and comforters down onto the floor between the beds and snuggle with their toys. 
School is coming to an end, and daddy happened to be around today so he joined us for a little while. Emma was over the moon excited. She has asked if her daddy could come to school for months. Today was her lucky day.
Today at school we celebrated Madi and Emma’s Special Day. Madi and Emma were born in July and because their birthday falls over the summer, we celebrated it at school today. The girls were very excited about their special day and the crowns they got to wear and bring home. Teacher Christi also shared special information about each one and then we all sang them the “Special Day” song.
Chad and I had great lobster roles last weekend when we went to Frank’s Oyster House for dinner. They were so good, Chad had the great idea of making our own yesterday. We went and picked up 3 live lobsters, steamed them and made dinner. The girls love looking at lobsters or anything that has to do with lobsters. Emma really had fun watching daddy, tasting the lobster and picking them up. Madi liked to look and watch from her perch a few feet away.
This afternoon I was having a hard time keeping the girls entertained and happy. For the last 10 days, Daddy has been with us and today was the first day of going it alone. They woke up from their naps a little cranky and the afternoon began to drag on. I was ready to put them to bed at 6:00, I could have sworn it was already 8:00. I finally resorted to the dreaded playdoh. I tried to convince them to do it outside on the deck, but it was a no go. I just hate the mess of the tiny playdoh crumbs every where. Anyhow, Madi began walking across the kitchen with playdoh on a spoon saying she wanted to go downstairs. There was no way I was going to let her take playdoh down to the basement where it would get smashed in the carpet. So, I had the brilliant idea of bringing their little play kitchen up. I brought just the stove/sink part up and they happily cooked playdoh treats for quite a while. The best part was Madi’s attire. Madi has been known to give us quite a few laughs with the outfits she puts together. This afternoon it was no different. She was running around in her swimsuit top and a bare bum. Then she added the apron and chef’s hat to cook up her creations. 
This past weekend we celebrated my 33rd birthday. I still can’t believe how fast the years seem to fly by. On Saturday night, the girls went to Autie Katie’s and Uncle Ryan’s for a sleep over. Chad and I went out for a fantastic dinner at Frank’s and enjoyed the best lobster rolls before coming home to a quiet, empty house. Sleeping in my own bed and not having to worry about the girls in the morning was the best birthday gift ever. I slept in until 9:00 then Chad and I went to breakfast before picking up the girls. Later in the afternoon, Katie, Ryan, Kendra, Steve, Nana and Papa came over for a casual cookout. The girls had fun planting flowers with Nana and running around before helping me blow out the candles on my peanut butter pie. It was a wonderful birthday. I am so lucky and fortunate to have such a loving family to spend it with.
Last week, the four of us took off for a sunny week in Palm Springs. Thanks to the Karhan family we were set up in a great two bedroom unit with a wonderful pool set up and golf course next door. Chad was able to get up early and get a couple of rounds of golf in. The girls spent many hours in the pools splashing around. Emma especially loved swimming and would wake up and state “ I go swimming”. With the help of her ladybug puddle jumper swim jacket, she swam all by herself and loved every second of it. 
