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!