Marin and Silje's Aunt Vicki Outfits

For some of you, the post title will say it all. No captions needed. For those of you who don't know my Aunt Vicki or haven't read on this blog about her notoriously fabulous clothing gifts, Aunt Vicki sends some, well ... fabulous clothes for the girls. They are usually known as "Aunt Vicki outfits". In this case, the "Aunt-Vicki-outfits" also are reminiscent of Aunt Vicki's own outfits - stylish, black-and-white, classy. Marin and Silje wore them to church today. I know this picture doesn't quite do them justice, but you definitely get the idea. :)

Thank you again and again, Aunt Vicki!

Three Princesses

I spent last weekend in Ocean Shores with 64 other twin moms from around the Northwest. SNOMOMS is part of this larger club that meets twice a year for Board meetings and delegate orientations and general club business. It's only one day, but for many of the attendees it's an excuse to "get away".

My own definition of "getting away" was to leave dirty diapers, screaming and fighting, a food splattered floor, and crying behind for a more peaceful setting, so that upon return home the dirty diapers, screaming and fighting, food splattered floor, and crying would seem less daunting and the smiles and hugs, new discoveries, funny conversations, and giggling would shine through more brightly again.

Most of the moms at Fall Meeting, however, seem to be there to continue those old friendships that were forged long ago when they were all moms of young ones. They have been meeting around the Northwest once or twice a year for years now, their own twins grown. They weren't sharing stories of toddlers or preschoolers or 2nd graders. They were reminicing about years of friendship based on surviving the raising of twins, and many were sharing pictures of their grandchildren. There were actually two members there who were mother and daughter because the twin had twins herself!

Business was handled over the course of a few meetings, but the important stuff happened in between - a beach walk, wine consumption, good conversation, wine consumption, laughs, wine ... well, you get the picture. A relaxing weekend.

Each meeting has a theme. Last weekend we were celebrated as Special Moms and obliged to wear our crowns of twin-mom royalty. At the end of the weekend I conned some other moms out of their crowns and wands (the delegate voting stick) and came home with royal gifts for Ailey, Marin and Silje.

It was a hit. They'll be looking forward to me leaving again very soon!

Lighthouse Fun

Even though we never got to the actual Lighthouse at the Mukilteo Beach for a tour, we enjoyed the celebration of it! Last weekend was Mukilteo's Lighthouse Festival. While the Festival goes from Friday to Sunday, we usually pack all our fun into Saturday. This year we started with the parade. Having two very active 19 month olds, after this weekend I will forever appreciate parades as something that can keep them interested enough to sit still for a while! With something new of course passing them by every minute or so, Andy and I enjoyed sitting for the entire parade!

Naps for Marin and Silje and kid activities for me and Ailey followed. Ailey again enjoyed the bouncy houses, the huge slides, some ice cream and a little beach play with Parker while Jen and I enjoyed watching and contemplating our fun kids.

Ailey and I went back home to pick up "Papa and the babies" in time to head back down for fireworks at dusk. Marin again enjoyed them, while Ailey buried her face in the blanket and Silje cried and shook through it all. I do hope they both learn to like fireworks eventually!

Ailey and Parker and their ice cream

Parker and Ailey throwing rocks at the beach

Ready for the fireworks

Back To School

Ailey's first day back at preschool was today. She headed to the same classroom and the same teacher, so there wasn't any of the nervous anxiety going on that there was at this time last year. She loves her teacher, many of the students were in her class last year, and she has, of course, grown a year in more ways that one. Having a year of preschool under her belt has made her more confident and outgoing, but it's also made for highwater pants and tight shoes. I think we'll be going shopping this weekend!

Random August Pictures

So I guess I haven't been terrible about pulling out the camera every once in a while this summer. Here are a few pictures from the past month.

Aaahhh, if only you could have heard the melodious sounds that accompanied this snapshot in time....

Ailey had her last soccer class of the summer. I have to say that Kidz Love Soccer was a fantastic program for little ones with no soccer experience. The coach had great games (and patience) for this group. Despite some, ahem, stubborness on Ailey's part, she says she enjoyed it and wants to do it again next summer.

Getting their certificates:

"Kidz Love Soccer!"

Sharing the Elmo chair.
Another trip to the zoo with Eileen!

The fence was completed over a couple weekends in August. Thanks for the expert staining, Dad!

"Bite, bite!"

This lasted only as long as the split second it took for the shutter to open and close!

Happy Labor Day Weekend!