The Cousins

My cousins (my mom's sister's son and his wife) from California came in for the Labor Day weekend.  They try to come once a year and this is the first time I have been baby-free/not pregnant so I really got to enjoy spending time with them.  We went to the casino and out to lunch and just had some fun kid-free time together.  They also go to spend plenty of time with the kids and the rest of the family.  Here we all are on the last day of their visit.  

Silly Mama

I was being silly the other day and put my hair in pig tails like Mera.  The girls thought this was so funny and much silliness ensued.  I like how Mera is pouting in the background of the first picture with her matching hair.  

 Not pouting anymore.

Oklahoma Botanical Garden

For those who don't know, Oklahoma has a botanical garden and it happens to be about five minutes from our house.  While it is not what I think of when I think botanical garden, it is still lovely and worth visiting.  Sometimes they have activities for kids on Saturday and that was the case last Saturday.  They were showcasing seeds and the big girls were actually quite interested and had a good time talking to the lady and asking questions and looking at all the different kinds of seeds they had on display.  They also had a little craft project that was fun.  

There is a large pond with about a half mile trail all around it that the girls wanted to walk and much to my surprise they walked/ran around the whole thing without complaining.  

 Daddy and Mera were a little slower so we got to the car and waited for them.  Here they come!

Art Center

My girls spend about half of their free time doing art.  Mostly pictures on white paper with various drawing tools.  They are not much into coloring books although G will occasionally ask us to print off some coloring sheets on the computer.  We used to have a little round table but they have gotten kind of big for it so I found some awesome old school desks at the JBF sale and they are working well.  I only got two so Mera just gets in where she can fit in.  

 And here is just a cute picture of Mera.

First Day of School 2012

School has started and I now have two kids in 5-days a week.  Georgia started first grade and is loving it.  It is much harder than Kindergarten with much more homework but we are adjusting.  Here she is on her first day ready to go.  

 Mera was pouting and refused to come down the stairs for a picture.

G started on a Monday but Darby started on Wednesday so we had two back-to-school photo sessions.  Darby has to wear a uniform as well dan I must say, I enjoy it very much!

 Mera was more in the mood for pictures this day.

 Darby found a locust shell and is showing it off.

 Can't remember what made my baby sad but clearly something.

End of Summer Playgroup Party

We celebrated the end of summer at play group with cup cakes and friends.  It was a little sad because two of the families won't be back due to kids starting school and of those left, three of the kids will be going to school, including Darby and Georgia.  We got a group picture to mark the occasion and for posterity.

These are the apple cupcakes I made.

Playing in the ball bucket is always a favorite.