Running the bases with Papa!

Today was the special day at the ballpark where they let the season ticket holders go on the field to run the bases.  If you seem to recall a similar post from last year, you're right!  Here it is. 

This year, Papa took Tess down for the whole game and Nora and I met up with them towards the end so Nora could run the bases too.  I was expecting Nora to love it, except she missed her nap today, which meant bad news for the base running.  When she got to third, she effectively shuffled around the base, careful not to come anywhere near touching it, almost as if it was on fire.  She was happy at every other point during the day...except for when she wiped out in the tunnel on the way down to the field (Tess says "she went flying") so maybe that was why base running got flatly rejected.

Why do we torture this girl with such awful things?

She touched first, but that was it.

This was a big blow-up star they had in one of the concourses.

 

Thanks, Papa!

Gearing up for preschool...

Tess starts real preschool on September 12.  Up until now, she has been in preschool based daycare (in the same building as the school), which we have been calling "preschool" since she started.  About two weeks ago, her daycare classroom moved to a new room, making it even MORE difficult to explain to her that now she is really starting preschool and will soon be going to an even a newer classroom for a few hours every few days (M/W/F).

Either way, we are certain she'll be a star.  Just look at this self-portrait she did at school about a week ago.  She explained that "this is me and those are my fingernails with nail polish."

Then came my most favorite part of this project... when I turned over the paper her portrait was on, there was a surprise.  They must have been asking the kids what they want to be when they grow up.  What do you think Tess said?  An engineer like her Dad? A lawyer like her Mom?  A doctor?  A teacher?  No, no, no... don't be silly!

I am so proud!  She is going to ROCK preschool!

A much needed recap...

Sorry, we've been a little absent lately... trying to soak up what little we have left of summer!  The girls have been busy... Tess has been riding her bike while Nora has been in timeout for hitting.  Tess has been playing with sidewalk chalk while Nora has been in timeout for biting Mom in either the armpit or the thigh (take your pick).  Tess has enjoyed time in the sprinkler while Nora has been in timeout for scratching a little boy in the face at daycare with a plastic fork.  Yes.  All true stories.  My sweet baby girl.

I say my prayers each night that I won't be visiting her in the juvenile detention center in a few years.  Whoa, is this girl not her sister.  She is giving us a run for our money!

Last week, Meena came down to watch the girls and she stayed the night with us.  We took her out on the boat and Dad and the girls got the tube out for the first time... Dad and Tess loved it.  But Nora?  Um, NO.

Even once we got going, she didn't change her mind.  I am sure people clear across the lake could hear her "NO!" screams.

Once we got her out of the tube, it was much better for all.

Dad has had a work truck home for the last few weeks...

Today we were so happy to have Mom's friend Mary come visit.  She brought along baby Ellen, Sean and Sean's sister Katie.  Sean and Tess are buds from back in the day.  They had fun playing together.

And oh boy, did Nora LOVE having a real baby to push in her baby stroller!!  Ellen was such a good sport about it too... that is until she tipped over in the stroller when no one was watching.  And she was still strapped into it, poor baby.

Real babies are so much harder to turn than fake babies.

Story time!  Just helping to get Mary back into the swing of things with school starting soon...

And guess who liked the truck?

Mr. Damon even took them for a ride.

Ellen said forget that ride... I have one of my own.

Such good friends!  It was great to have you over!

Happy Birthday, Papa Art!

Sunshine day

Tess is getting to be a colorer extraordinaire!

Sunset swim!

We took the boat out again on Friday night for a little twilight spin.  The girls enjoyed going for a swim in the lake.  Nora didn't even have her suit on, but that didn't matter... once she saw Tess in the water she demanded that she get in too. 

We started with just dipping our toes in the water, but that quickly became unsatisfying.

Nora's trying to be a good sport and smile for the camera even though
her little butt is freezing.

Life is rough.

Copy cat.

Snug as a bug!

I love this one.  Nora is totally honing in on what appears to be a vulnerable Tess.  Nora looks sweet, and even looks incapable of attacking in this situation given that both of her arms are tied up... but don't be fooled.  This girl is a bully!

Love.

Last but not least, I can't forget to announce that we had a ponytail sighting this weekend!   So fun!