Hunter won two blue ribbons, one red ribbon, and one white ribbon at the county fair! He was excited and proud to show his winning entries to his grandparents (he even showed a few strangers!). We are going to try to do some things a lot earlier for next year (but I'm not promising anything). Am I raising a procrastinator by being one? Probably, but I'll work on that tomorrow... .

I made a pillowcase dress for the girls thinking it would be a quick, cool(as in weather) dress for them to wear. One of them unties it in about 5 seconds, and the other one cries when I put it on her because she doesn't like how it fits (I guess). I got some pictures of Harper wearing it (Hadley just cried when she had it on). I don't think I'll make any more for the time being seeing as how it was not a big success story. It was cute though!

I forgot I took some pictures of the girls in their wrap dresses I made earlier this summer. The dresses were size 2, and I thought they looked small--until I put them on the girls! They are too big and will have to wait until next spring/summer to become a part of the daily wardrobe. I again discovered it's extremely difficult to make a 1 1/2 year-old hold still for a picture!

Hunter finished his first day of kindergarten and is in the middle of his second. He loved school, and his comment was, "Mom, we had three recesses and nap time!" It's so nice to see him smiling out the door instead of leaving him crying every day (like it was at three-year-old preschool). He's growing up, and I'm so proud of the boy he has already become!

Hunter and I have been working hard on fair entries for the county fair (entries are due tomorrow). He's made two painted rocks (a ladybug and a "mystery" creature) and a sand art picture of Brobee from Yo Gabba Gabba. He starts kindergarten on Wednesday...where have the years gone?

On a lighter note, here's a video shot a couple of days ago. Hadley is checking Harper for poop--down her shirt! They are starting to talk and make a lot more sense. So funny and so darling!

We got an early morning call (they're never good) today to tell us that Phil's brother Chris died as a result of a motorcycle accident. He was 25, recently out of the Army, and living in Virginia Beach, VA. He was a gunner in a turret of a Hummer in Iraq, and he was also a sniper. We always thought one of those jobs would be the end of him, but he made it through with flying colors. It's so sad to lose a relative, but it's always much worse when they're still young and vibrant. My children will never know or remember him. Just sad.

I was recently reminded of my days long ago when I was a nail biter. I used to bite them off so short that the quick would bleed. I finally gave up this disgusting habit when my mom offered to buy me a doll that I really wanted if I stopped for a whole week. I still have that doll: a little tiny thing dressed in a white christening gown and bonnet laying on an oval satin and lace-trimmed pillow.

Confession time: I have since fallen off the wagon. Sometime after my daughters were born (they're 20 months-old now) I again started biting my fingernails. I'm not sure why (stress could be a factor here). My husband HATES it and tells me almost daily his opinion. I wasn't too worried about it until one of my daughters started to nibble on her nails. She does it when stressed, when watching Blue's Clues, and even when taking a bath. I'm going to make a conscious effort starting tomorrow (well, it's after 10 p.m. so I might as well say tomorrow) to STOP BITING MY FINGERNAILS! Update at a later date and time (unless I fail...then, no update--it will conveniently slip my mind).

I saw this lovely green friend (upside down at the top of the photo) on my jalepeno pepper plant a few days ago. He's still there (guess he's doing well using it as a food source). He almost exactly matches the green of the leaves. So beautiful!

Finally finished the wrap dresses for Hadley and Harper (with help from my mom and her sewing machine on the buttonholes--thanks, Mom!). The one on the left is the back view, and the one of the right is the front view. They are a size 2, but I think the pattern runs a bit small. I hope they can wear them this summer and next summer, too. They turned out cute, but I'm not letting anyone inspect them too closely for flaws and my sewing technique! heehee

My mom brought over a huge stack of clothes (all but one item she made herself) that my sister and I wore when we were little (back in the early 1970s).

We tried them on Harper and Hadley and took pictures of their modeling efforts. I don't think they enjoyed all the wardrobe changes, but Mom and I had a good time looking at the clothes on little girls running all over the place! Well, okay, they WERE in the cage, but they ran all over the cage... .

I took a side-trip in my sewing to make three "tie-totes" that I found on Betz White's blog site. (This, by the way, is why NOTHING ever gets done on time when I'm working on a sewing project--distractions!) They turned out cute if I say so myself! I even remembered to take a picture for the blog post...I'm getting too organized, must be time for bed!

I have been working on a sewing project for a few days (well, weeks, but who's counting?). I am making the girls matching wrap-dresses with bloomer pants (they are green jumping frog print on a pink background with green lining inside).

I have decided I haven't sewed in a LONG time. I had forgotten how to pin correctly. I had forgotten how to thread the sewing machine...thanks, Mom, by the way!

I am 90% done with the outfits (pictures to follow, I promise!), and I am unsure if I'm going to keep up the sewing projects. I think the outfits have ended up costing more than just buying cute matching outfits at Kohl's or JC Penney. My time invested in them adds a whole other layer to the cost-analysis.

I wanted to make them those cute "pillowcase" dresses everyone is posting on Etsy...we'll see... .

So, we're riding in the van and hear a voice from the back-back saying, "Mom, did you take Paxil?" I said no and asked why he (a 5-year-old) wanted to know. He responded by quoting almost verbatim the entire lawsuit commercial for women who took Paxil while pregnant and had a baby who either died or suffered from heart/birth defects. It's crazy what kids choose to deem important enough to put to memory!

It's hard to get a break from being a wife and mother. I won't lie, I enjoyed my days of no worries. No laundry, no dishes, no whining, no diapers, no baths, just me. A bit lonely at times, but I was usually busy enough with class and assignments to not be too concerned about home.

Stepping back into my old shoes (wife, mother, hiney-wiper, etc.) has been an adjustment. I guess I won't get another three-week break like that for many years to come. My only regret? I didn't take ANY pictures while I was in summer school of my new friends and living quarters. My husband didn't take any of the kids while I was gone either. Guess that's just a chunk in time to remember in my head. Hmmm... .

I haven't seen my family since June 7th, and it's getting to me. I don't miss the daily housekeeping, laundry, and diaper changes, but I do miss the smiles, hugs, and songs they sing to me. Sending a hug and kiss their way!

Took the girls to their well-baby checkups for 18 months old today. Harper weighed 19 lbs. 14 ounces; Hadley weighed 19 lbs. 11.5 ounces. They each had to get two immunization shots, but we are done with immunizations until they are four! Woohoo! They are very tiny and petite for their age, but otherwise they are healthy and happy. What a relief--we have two normal 18-month-old daughters!

I woke up this morning to the girls just laughing their heads off! They were tickling each other and laughing so hard. There's something I'll miss next week!

I'm going to miss almost all of Hunt's t-ball games this summer. I will catch the last two the last week of June. What else am I going to miss when I'm at school? Hadley's next tooth that JUST WON'T come through? Harper's next song she likes to sing? Oh, this is going to be a tough three weeks for mommy!

Both Harper and Hadley are really starting to put words together. It's starting to make sense, and I can understand it!!! It always amazes me when babies learn to talk! Some of the latest phrases:
-Hunter's shoes (and they WERE his shoes)
-hat! go outside! (they know they have to wear a hat to go outside, so they want a hat on)
-who is it? (when someone comes in the front door)
-Hello? (when talking on the play phone they have)
-drink sippy (sippy cup with milk in it)
-I have poop (and unfortunately for me, she did! They also have a "baby sign" to go with this one)