Jake actually did a flip around the bar, but he was too fast for me to catch him in the act. He was so proud!
Reach, little Mallory!
Perfect pike! Mal didn't quite get the concept & kept letting go of the bar when the teacher supported her weight to help her flip.
They finished the morning with pizza & Capri Sun, just like the bigger kids in the group. Now that they've had a full-strength drink instead of their usual diluted form, Jake whines every time he sees me put water in his juice cup.
Justin painted it on Saturday, updating the walls from their former off white to a color called cappuccino. I really love how it turned out!
Yesterday afternoon was spent doing all things related to the upcoming move. J put together their beds, with a little help from his two sidekicks.
Both kids demonstrated with glee that their heads do indeed fit between the bars of the headboards.
Don't worry, the headboards are now up against a wall so we don't have any incidents with heads getting stuck!
We placed each bed with one side against a wall so that we could just buy a single rail for each instead of a double. The dresser you see is one of a pair of dressers that Justin's uncle actually used in his room when he was a little boy. Both dressers are now located on the wall opposite the beds to give us a little more space. I need to get some kind of table or chest to go beside the bed on the left to serve as a nightstand.
J went & bought mattresses yesterday, & we also ordered all of their bedding, which should arrive Wednesday. Monday night will be their first night in their big kid room. Please say a prayer that this transition is an easy one & definitely share your words of wisdom if you have any on the topic!
Last night at dinner, Jake was leaning back & forth in his high chair saying something over & over again, & it took me a minute to catch on. I realized he was saying, "Forward, backward," just like Murray taught him on Sesame Street. He's also started labeling "right foot" & "left foot" & is correct the vast majority of the time. Smart little cutie!
We've officially entered the preschool era with our first game - Lucky Ducks! I can't tell you how many times I played this game with former babysitting charges & my nephew.
They haven't perfected the art of the sit-n-spin yet, but they love to try!
The kitchen is, of course, a fave! In fact, it's often hard to get them to come downstairs for meals when they're having fun playing. Jake adamantly tells me, "I payin' in my kitchen!"
Jake never gets tired of taking the cars up the elevator & then racing them down the ramps of this garage.
Puzzles have been a hit for a while in our house. Between the two of them, Jake & Mal received a whopping ten new Melissa & Doug puzzles, so we're well stocked! Another phrase I hear a lot from Jake is, "I workin' puzzles!"
More cooking fun!
Even the party decorations have added to their entertainment. The piano that you see in the bottom right corner of this pic is really neat. They dance all over it like crazy kids, laughing the whole time.
Anyone want to come for a play date?
(Please excuse my sloppy attempt at keeping our address private. Paint is a fast program, but my skills don't always make it pretty!)
We set up a kiddie corner in our office with a table for the kids' crafts & snacks & a monkey bean bag toss.
Refreshments!
On the main table, we served Flamingo Fruit Salad, Monkey Munchies & Critter Crackers, in addition to cake.
Their fabulous cakes were made by the oh, so talented Haylee. They turned out just perfectly!
We gathered a stack of books from our friends who came that we'll donate to Medina Children's Home. I really want Jake & Mal to start to grasp the concept of sharing with others in need at an early age, & this is a fun way to do it.
But don't worry, the twins still received WAY more presents than will fit into our playroom!
Treat bags for their friends
So many of our family & friends came to celebrate Jake & Mallory. We are so blessed to have so many people who love our kids! I didn't get pictures of everyone, but here are a few:
Craft time!
And, more importantly to toddlers, snacks!
Present opening time was a bit chaotic this year, but lots of fun. Jake & Mal really got into tearing open the packages, & their friends were happy to help, too!
Their big joint gift from me & Justin was this kitchen, which has an attached grill to make it manly enough for Jake. They've been thrilled with it & will play endlessly, making all kinds of yummy food for Mommy to try.
Cake time!
Thank you to everyone who helped make Saturday a very special day for two very special little ones!
Now you're such big kids!
Daddy & I love you so much & have had a blast watching you grow these past two years. We know that God has big plans in store for you! We're so proud to be your parents & hope you had a very special birthday.
