Birthday Weekend!

Our SuperWhy birthday cake in honor of our favorite show.

We are 2 years old!  We did so much this weekend and can't wait to tell everyone about it.

First, the day before our birthday we had birthday cupcakes with our babysitter.  At first Catherine wasn't sure if eating this was OK, but then she decided she really liked chocolate icing.  So did Samantha.

Then, on the morning of our birthday we went with Nana, Grandpa, and Mommy to bounce on the trampolines.  Daddy was with us too, but he had been there before.  Catherine and Mommy loved being in the pit.  Catherine also kept trying to throw the ball into the highest basketball hoop, even though she was never going to get close, she was going to do it because that is what the big kids were doing.  Samantha had a great time just jumping around, especially from the platform to the bottom because it was just like jumping into the pool. 

Then we went to the science museum and looked at the farm animals, butterflies, and fish.  Grandpa talked to the pig and even got it to stand on its hind legs and oink at him, but Catherine wouldn't go near it.  Samantha was so excited she was way ahead of everyone else all day long.  When we went back with our cousins the cow was moving and Samantha thought it was the most exciting thing ever.  She squealed and jumped up and down and pointed.

Nana and Grandpa got us an art easel with chalk and magnetic letters and numbers.  Without being told we got right to work drawing circles and coloring in shapes and using the eraser.  There was chalk everywhere, including on Catherine's clothes and face.   A pink mustache!

Then we got tricycles from Mommy and Daddy!  These are very cool, even though we're not sure how to use them, and Catherine is still a little too short.  We're going to keep practicing and have fun.

Then we had birthday cake!  It was very yummy.  This was the third time we got to sing happy birthday, the second being when Uncle Mike and Aunt Alyssa called.  (We got to sing a 4th time with our cousins!)  We are getting very good at blowing out candles.  It looks like Samantha's hair is on fire, but it isn't, though it did get close.

We were a little scared of the noise-makers at first, but once we figured out how to do it ourselves and make it sound like an elephant, they were a lot of fun!

On Saturday we went to Duke Gardens in our new birthday/Easter dresses.  We promptly got them dirty but had fun.  Mommy was upset that the tulips aren't blooming yet, so I guess we're going back soon.

We were excited that Aunt Heather, Uncle Bobby, and our cousins were able to come visit for our birthday!  Samantha was particularly excited, because now she's not the one who sticks out, but the one who blends in.  And Amos is so chubby it makes her look skinny :-)  He weighs almost as much as Catherine!

The Clark cousins: Sam, Samantha, Hannah, Amos, and Catherine!

So, thank you for all your love and prayers during our first two years!  Keep praying for us, and our parents, as we head into life as 2 year-olds.

Last post as 1 year olds!

We have been spending our time learning as much as we can.  The girls love to color.  Every time Catherine goes up and down the stairs she counts.  She can only do "one, two" by herself but she picks up after a hint or two and can go all the way to 13 (that's how many stairs we have).  She loves to play hide and seek with the blanket.  I don't think she realizes what it does to her hair.  If she did she would probably do it more often.  She loves to get your attention and make you laugh, it makes her laugh even more.

Both girls have rediscovered the joys of wearing sunglasses and even wear them out.  For some reason the girls do not wear the purple ones upside-down, but the pink ones always end up this way.  I can't decide if this makes them look cuter or sillier.  Probably both.

Our hair is becoming an issue.  I want to try to pull it back into pony tails or pig tails or clips, but they never let it stay more than 5 minutes.  I'll keep trying though, hoping that the more I do it, the more they'll get used to it.

Samantha is getting better at her colors, and she loves to use crayons, the more the better, and especially with her hat on.  Yes, they both seem to prefer their right hands.  Dave is still holding on to hope because they won't necessarily settle on a hand preference for a few more years.

Samantha is obsessed with shoes!  She loves to put them on and I can't believe she could actually walk around in these big snow boots but she does.  She brings me my slippers, even if I don't ask her to, and when we met the characters from PBS she kept pointing at their shoes.  She's got my big feet, so I guess she can accessorize them to 'own their bigness'.

Dave took the girls to a trampoline playhouse in Durham and apparently everyone had a blast!  They were a little skittish at first, but quickly began to explore and run amok, especially once the big kids left.  I see some future gymnasts!

Dave said they were exhausted and very happy.

Samantha is our little smush, giving kisses and hugs when you don't ask for them.  She just seems to know when you want one.  We just hope that she will one day realize that sometimes the reason I am in need of a hug is because of her inability to take no for an answer. :-)  The girls also like to snuggle in bed like big girls.  We're being hopeful that this is a good sign they will want to transition to a big girl bed.  For now, sweet dreams!  Our next entry will be their birthday, 2 years old!