Daddy's Girls

So, a breakdown of what has been going on around here...

Donny has been off of work since around Thanksgiving, so he has become Mr. Mom (Mr. Dad). The girls are learning amazing new things while staying home with him. For example, I could never teach my girls to make noises like a pterodactyl, draw faces on their hands and make them talk, or how to survive while tackling the dog. Molly has learned how to take out all of the wipes from a box and how to clearly demonstrate that she is just not happy with something. (Today she slammed Sarah's hand in a door.)

Along with all of these crazy things they are learning, they are also exploring their world through playing together, practicing clean up skills, and having the freedom to be princesses all day long. I've truly never seen them happier and while I am overjoyed to see the amazing relationships they are building, I cannot help but wonder what I'm missing out on. I fall in love with him all over again when I think about how great he is doing having been thrown into a situation where he is responsible for so many things. I see what a great man he is because he never complains, never needs a break, and never throws it in my face that I don't do anything around the house! I am finding myself wishing I could stay at home with them each day, yet feeling torn because I wanted to teach so badly. So, time will tell that my girls are well rounded people who can not only use manners and be polite, but can also crow like a friggin pterodactyl. That oughta score some serious points with future boyfriends...

(as I'm writing this, Sarah clears it up that pterodactyls don't crow, they coo. My mistake.)

Pictures

Sarah's vanity from Santa.


Sarah and Molly at Grandma's.



Mon-E!





Molly and Sarah (check out those dangle earrings!)

I'm BACK!

Hi Friends! I'm BACK! Now that I've finished my marathon (5 hours, 18 minutes - ran the whole way), earned my Master's Degree, and have gotten settled into my routine of going to work everyday, I'm ready to compete with my mother! I know that she blogs about my babies almost daily, so it will be a challenge, but believe it or not, I know those darlings quite well, and I see, hear, and experience things with them that no one else does! I will not, however, be able to compete with MeMe's fabulous pictures! So, tune in here for the book version, and to her blog for the illustrations!

Here's a bit of an update...
Sarah is three going on fifteen (or "five teen" as she says it). She can be the sweetest darling or the grouchiest gremlin! She now knows the phrase "friggin" as in: "I can't open this friggin Barbie bed!" I know, I know, I'm not proud -yet I have to laugh! She went ice skating for the first time this past weekend and although she cannot stand on her own, she was all for kicking her skates in the air and asking if she could take her hat off so her hair could twirl in the wind. That girl thinks she is a princess who can skate with the best of 'em! She is still going to school three days a week, knows how to count and add small problems (think 2+2 up to 5+5...thats how many fingers she has!). She is also learning that some boys are nothin' but trouble, and "WE don't play with boys like that." She loves to help her sister and often wakes her up from her nap with "true love's kiss." I'm just LOVING every minute of her!

My Molly (I've sinced dropped the Moo, yet picked up calling her "Mon-E" since that what she calls herself!) is growing so quickly! As I mentioned in my very first post, that child has a mind of her own and will only do things on her own time! She is developing quite a little attitude, constantly using the word, "NO" and pushing my legs to get me to go where she wants me to go. She enjoys pulling all the wipes out the container, throwing entire boxes of cotton swabs on the floor, and tossing the magnets off the fridge. She loves to watch Word World and enjoys talking - no matter who is listening! When she is tired, she will find her Lovey and drop on the floor- be it the kitchen, living room, or outside. She won't sleep, but she'll lay there! She also loves to "Nuggle" and will cry until you abide. She loves her big sister and tries to do everything Sarah does. I'm just LOVING every minute of her!

Pictures!

Here's a pictoral update...Hope you like :)


Sarah at the beach near our house. Gotta love Lake Erie!

Molly lovin' the beach!

Sarah's famous sticker creation!

The infamous birthday picture with Daddy at 2:50 p.m.

Our birthday girl! We can't believe she's three...

I'm so bad at this!

Oh my gosh! I was so excited about this blogging business when I started and now look at me. I haven't seen my girls much lately, let alone take pictures to compete with the things MeMe is sharing! I am happy that my girls are lucky enough to spend their days with someone who dotes on them so...
I am still working on getting my master's degree - I should be graduating in December. THANK GOD! Work is going great with my class of 15 third graders. They are still young enough to like school and love their teacher, but old enough to complete projects and reports, so I am working hard to challenge them!
Sarah was so excited about starting school. She is still obsessed with saying the word "banik," which we've come to figure out is her own language for a metal cocktail drink stirrer. What a wack job she is! Anyways, nothing makes us laugh more than when she says randomly, "Mommy, did you just say banik??!!" Hilarious! What a creative mind that child has!
Molly moo (I know, I know, I'm trying to stop!) is growing like a weed. Lately I've been waking up in the middle of the night just to hold her and rock her. I feel like I am so busy sometimes that I am missing all the great moments of my baby's childhood. Even now, I am beginning to cry writing this. You always hear that they grow up quickly...Don't blink!! ANYWAYS, Molly is growing into an adorable little person who roams the house looking for me saying, "ma ma" whenever I am not near her. She loves to play with her sister and I am so excited to see what the future holds!

Marathon!

Hey everyone -
I know that this page is about Sarah and Molly, however I've decided to join Team in Training to run a marathon to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and need your help. People are diagnosed with these types of cancer everyday, and the faster we find a cure, the less likely someone we know, even our own children, will suffer from these cancers. Anyways, I have joined this cause in honor of a local man who grew up near me, lived in my community, and died at the age of 28. His name is Ryan Waldheger and I've decided to run in his honor because he had a great vision and an amazing strength throughout his short life. I would love for you to read more about him at his website, www.rwrm.org to see why I am so personally committed to finding a cure.
In addition, I need help in raising money towards new research in the race to find a cure. I know we all hate to ask for money, but every little bit helps, and I would appreciate your support immensely! To make things easier, I have set up my own website where you can donate directly online! Please stop by to check my training progress and to donate towards a cure!
http://pages.teamintraining.org/noh/pfchangs09/bwalton

Thank you in advance for your well wishes and prayers! I know this will be a tough thing to accomplish - 26.2 miles is no day in the park- but just think of what others are going through in their own battle with leukemia. Please Help.

So sorry we haven't added to our blog in a while...

Not much going on this summer except mommy kickin butt at school earning her master's degree! Sarah and Molly have been learning that it is possible to have fun with each other! I am amazed at how nicely they are starting to play together (sometimes!). I've been going to school everyday for the past three weeks from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., so I ship the girls off to MeMe's (where they have a blast) and I get home just in time to see Daddy taking them up to bed. It's been really hard on me to miss out on the summer with them, but I keep reminding myself that once I get this degree I can relax for a bit. Funny how I seem to say that about everything I'm currently working on, yet when I finish there is ALWAYS SOMETHING ELSE!

I did manage to get a little free time the other day. I was so excited to hang out with my girls in the middle of the day! We took a bike ride to the beach and they had a blast! Sarah enjoyed playing in the sand, and maniac Molly was ready to dive into the lake! We got as far as my knees, and then I had to reel her in! She probably would've kept going if I wasn't so scared to see her sink!

Anyways, we are looking forward to this weekend because Uncle Tegan will be home and we just love him! Sarah is at grandmas and grandpas as we speak to get ready for the annual corn hole tournament tomorrow night. I'm sure I'll have plenty of pics to post after this weekend! Check back soon!