Guess who came to my bed again this morning? Yep, Abby hopped on in around 6 again. At least she is getting the hint I don't like to get up that early and she will snuggle with me until she decides it is time for PBS kids. She has started asking so sweetly "Can I turn on the tv to watch PBS?" It gives me a chance to grab a couple more zzz's or to get showered for the day. It was a miracle day around here. Dakota didn't steal any of the girls' food and Mckenzie didn't have any accidents and even came running to tell me she needed to go! Yay for the Riley house! We had to run to base today for an appointment and on the way there, Abby saw a farm with some goats and sheep. She told me sheep were her favorite and she would like to have one at home. I told her they were stinky and pooped a lot. She pondered the idea for a minute and then said "Well, maybe for just a day then!" Wouldn't ya know it, we lost Mckenzie's bear again today!  I didn't realize it until we got home, so I got the girls a quick lunch and we headed back to base to hopefully find here there. I was freaking out of course, because we don't have a replacement and I wasn't even sure we would find her. But, luckily she was right where we left her. I don't ever remember losing Abby's lambie this much. When we got back home, it was well past Mckenzie's nap time, but I thought I would try to put her down. Well, wouldn't ya know it, but all three of us fell asleep. It was nice to catch a little nap. I know there are a million closets to organize and clothes to sort around here, but it was nice to ignore all of those things and just relax. While we were eating dinner today, Mckenzie starting pouting and said "miss daddy home". Breaks my heart she is starting to understand he is gone for extended amounts of time. She did smile when I told her she would see Daddy tomorrow! After dinner, we ran to Target. I needed a printer cartridge and I forgot to buy it the other day. But, today I took a little Fly Lady advice (thanks Laurie) and bought an extra one so I don't run out again. The kids were great at the store, could be the Icee I bribed them with. Although I was a little hesitant to do so since Mckenzie was in panties and I try not to give her anything to drink when we are out somewhere these days! I found two pair of shoes that fit Mckenizie's chubby little feet. Gotta love Converse shoes! I needed to get her something since it is getting cold and the poor girl only has two pair of sandals to wear. I got the girls to bed a little bit ago. I was keeping them up just a little later than normal to see if Scott would make it home before the girls got in, but no such luck. Sheri texted me while we were at Target to say that Scott's plane made contact with her tower and said hi to her. That's kind of cool that she was working when he was flying over! Can't wait to see Scott tonight. It has been a very short trip, but I miss the bugger anyway!

Mckenzie is starting to pose for me just like Abby does!

This one was her idea! She loves to strike a pose!

I don't even care that Abby isn't looking. The girls were both having
so much fun playing around and taking pics. I just love they are
HAPPY!!!

Abby must have a 6:30 alarm clock. She was snuggling next to me again this morning. Mckenzie woke up then too, but I was able to get her to go back to sleep for a bit. I had plans to run some errands today, but somehow the day got away from us. It wasn't even that we were busy. We weren't. We just got caught up in playing. Mckenzie did great today. Only one accident! She even ran to me once and told me she had to go! I think she may be starting to listen to her body. I know it will be awhile before she is fully trained, but it was very encouraging to see the progress today. While we were eating lunch, Abby told me she was so excited that she would be seeing Scott soon and she told me she missed him. Then she said she wished he didn't have to work, so I had to explain to her that we needed him to work so we would have money to pay for all the things we need. She sat for a minute or so and then said to me "I wish you worked so Daddy didn't have too." It made me so sad, even though I can understand where she was coming from. Mckenzie took a short nap today and was ready to play. The girls managed to pull out just about every toy we have so it was a bit of a challenge to clean up, but I am proud of myself for making the girls help me. I was planning on doing it myself because it is so much quicker and the toys get put away where they belong, but Scott is right they need to start helping.

Much better day for potty training! I am so happy that Mckenzie didn't have any accidents and I am proud of myself for paying much more attention to her cues! Abby came in around 6:30 to snuggle with me. I don't know how she does it, but she managed to take up most of the bed; arms and legs everywhere. Truthfully though, I don't mind when she snuggles in next to me when Scott is away. I know she won't be snuggling with me forever and so I need to enjoy those little moments when I can. Abby had an open house for her school this morning and she got to decorate her little basket that they keep their stuff in and hang with her friends for awhile. Abby had a great time playing and only threw a mini fit when I told her to clean up so we could go home. I love the attention that Abby's teacher gives each and every child. Her smile alone can light up a child's face and that makes me so happy that Abby gets the opportunity to learn from her. I think all teachers should be as welcoming and warm as Ms. Sherri. An amazing woman! Mckenzie had fun too and kept telling me how excited she was. She worked on an art project just like the big kids and played with the baby dolls. I had some work I needed to get done for the membership meeting at Abby's school tonight and so I bribed Abby into giving me time to do that. During nap, I popped her some popcorn, put in a movie and gave her orange pop. Not a peep out of her! And, I got all my stuff done! We skyped with Scott this afternoon. It was good to see him and the girls enjoyed talking to him! Abby had been pretty grumpy during most of the day and she ended up taking a nap on the couch. I got the girls some dinner and it was time for me to go to the membership meeting for the school. My friends daughter watched the girls and it sounds like they had a good time and the girls behaved! Both girls were sleeping when I got home, so that is a plus! The meeting wasn't as long as I expected so I was thankful for that. We had classroom orientation and the teacher asked us to draw a picture and write something for our child. The picture is going to be put into a poetry book that we don't get to see until the end of the school year. It sounds like an amazing idea and the teacher talked about how the kids love to read what their moms wrote for them. I didn't know what to write to Abby, but just thinking about how much she is going to mature this school year made me so sad. There may have been a tear or two slipping while I was writing to her. I love how involved we as parents get to be in this school.

Not sure why she is sucking her thumb, she is a pacifier girl!

Today, I almost felt like putting Mckenzie back into her diaper and calling it quits until she is like 4 years old! She had so many accidents today. I will take the blame for at least half of them. I got caught up in what I was doing and completely forgot to take her, but there were times when I had just taken her and a few minutes later, she had already gone again. I think she understands the concept of going in the potty, she just doesn't pay enough attention to the signals her body is sending her. After the third or fourth accident this morning, I was putting Elmo panties on Mckenzie and she looked at me and said "no pee pee on Elmo". She didn't listen to her own words of advice, but at least I know she is hearing what I am telling her. The girls played with bubbles outside this morning. Abby was still in her pjs and she thought it was pretty fun to be outside in them. I really thought having only one bottle of bubbles was going to be troublesome, but for once, the girls shared very nicely. Abby is into folding paper these days and so she shaped at least 30 pages of printer paper into various objects. Houses, planes, birthday presents (I didn't mind those so much because she told me I was turning 17! If only I was so young!). I don't mind that she uses the paper, I just wish she would either reuse it, or color a picture on it first. I put Mckenzie down a little bit ago, but I can still hear her banging her feet against her headboard. I hope she falls asleep soon!

Not too much going on around here today. Scott left on a work trip, but it sounds like a short one so I am thankful for that! The girls and I played inside this morning. It just felt like one of those lazy days to me. After Mckenzie's nap we ran a few errands and Mckenzie managed to stay dry the whole trip! Yay Mckenzie! She did have one accident today, but that is my fault. I was busy with housework and getting lunch ready for the girls and I completely forgot to take her. It had been way over an hour since I had taken her. At least it was on the tile!  When I told Abby to get her shoes on so we could go to Target, she told me she needed to wear her red sparkly shoes so she would match Target. Nevermind that she was wearing all purple today, she needed to match Target! Mckenzie was up to her old tricks again this evening and ran around the house without clothes on. I will never understand what is so fun about that! I had to work on some stuff for Abby's school again tonight. It never seems like it should take that long, but it always does. Microsoft Excel and I are not best friends. I don't think I could work in front of a computer all day long, typing away, entering numbers. I really think I would go crazy!

We had so much fun today at a BBQ/pool party at our friend's place. Kind of sad to think our first BBQ of the year was on one of the last weekends of the summer... But, I guess that is just life moving around all the time! I made an appetizer to take with and although they tasted okay, I am not sure I would make them again. I probably shouldn't have tried a new recipe when I was bringing it to someone else's house.  The girls had a fantastic time swimming! Abby jumped in the pool off the diving board and went underwater! That surprised me so much because she doesn't really like to get her face wet, but she kept doing it over and over. She was a little shy about doing it at first, but soon she was doing it by herself (with her floatie on of course). I am so proud of my little Abby! Mckenzie was like a fish in the water. We put her floatie on and away she went. She would get water in her face, but it didn't seem to bother her. Mckenzie loved to jump off the side of the pool. Unfortunately, it wasn't very warm here (I am really missing Florida weather right now) and we had to take Mckenzie out of the pool because she was a little blue. She didn't go quietly though and everyone at the party could hear she wasn't happy about being pulled out of the water. But, a few cucumbers and TLC from her Daddy and she was all good! It was a great party and we all had so much fun! I feel like we are starting to fit in here in New Jersey. I didn't bring my camera and I am wishing I did. I could have gotten some great photos of the girls today :-(

I am a Great Aunt! Ashley had her baby boy early this morning! Brylan Arthur Nicholas was 8 pounds 10.9 ounces and 21 inches long! A very big boy and very cute too! Looking forward to meeting the little man!

We had another lazy day around here, just hanging out all morning, playing with the kids. Scott mowed the lawn so now we don't have to wade through weeds to play in the backyard. After nap, we drove to the car dealerships to have a look around. The new 2011 Infinity QX56 is pretty sweet, but a little out of our price range :-(  They had some great looking used ones as well. We checked out a few other dealerships, but for now, we are just looking. We need to close on the house before we buy a car. Mckenzie did great on potty training again today! No accidents and she wore big girl panties on our errands today. I am so proud of her. She is really trying and is doing a fantastic job! Abby is a big help with getting Mckenzie to the potty. I was working on stuff for Abby's preschool today and I heard Abby helping Mckenzie to the potty! I love how helpful she is. We stopped by Olive Garden for dinner and it was pretty tasty. The girls were restless and didn't want to behave so it was a quick meal for us. Scott gave the girls a bath tonight ( I love that he loves giving them a bath. It's not that I don't like to do it, but I just love how interactive he is with the girls. I hear stories about some dads out there that can't or won't help with things like that and I know how blessed I am go have Scott.)

Scott got up with the girls this morning since he didn't have to work today. I had a meeting I had to go to for Abby's preschool that last 6 hours! Ridiculously long! I feel like my whole day was wasted and I didn't get to spend any time with the girls. Scott and the girls ran to Lowes and hung out at the house. Mckenzie did great with potty training today! I am so happy for her. I hope she keeps up the good work! Abby told Scott today he wasn't a girl because he didn't wear flowery stuff and he didn't grow boobs. Glad to see she is learning the difference between boys and girls! We ordered in pizza for dinner and had a lazy evening. The girls ran circles to burn some energy and then it was time for bed. We didn't get much done today. I don't like feeling like my whole day was a waste. Maybe I can do something more productive tomorrow. No pictures either!

Mckenzie had her follow-up appointment with the opthamologist today. He said her eye looked great and the little lump on her eye is most likely stitches that have yet to dissolve. We go back in four months to make sure all is still well. The best part of the whole trip was that Mckenzie stayed dry! I couldn't believe it! I thought for sure her pull up was going to be wet, but she made it there and back home with no accident!!!! We still have a long way to go, but it is nice that we the results have been positive so far. I think Abby thought I was a little crazy this morning because I rushed them out the door so we could get to Mckenzie's appointment on time only to turn around and come right back home (we didn't even get out of the neighborhood). Turns out I left an hour earlier than needed so we came back home for a little bit. Abby played the Wii today during rest time. I should probably be making her do school work to get her back into the swing of things, but I didn't feel like it today. Maybe tomorrow... We went to dinner at the neighborhood restaurant and Mckenzie managed to stay dry there too. I was a little more daring though and let her go out in panties. Lucky that she stayed dry.

This kid loves to put lotion all over her face! She is going to have the smoothest skin!

We worked on potty training again today and for the most part, it was very successful. She only had one pee-pee accident all day! The other, well, we are working on that. Not as good. I filled the pool for the girls today since it was in the 90's and let them swim after Mckenzie's nap. I put a swim diaper on Mckenzie and she made good use of it. After the first time, I assumed she was done, put in her a new suit sans swim diaper and let her back into the water. Well, that was a mistake because apparently she needed to go again. Couldn't get her in the house fast enough which meant I was cleaning up swimsuit number two, with the dogs help! Dogs are so gross. What would possess her to lick something so gross is beyond me.  At least Mckenzie didn't make a mess of the third swimsuit! The girls had a lot of fun playing in the water. I could tell fall is coming because the water didn't warm up as much as it has been. I felt a little bad for the girls swimming in cool water, but they didn't seem to mind. In fact, they got out the water hose to add more water. Gave the girls a bath and then I let them watch Laurie Berkner while I got dinner ready. I love to watch the girls dance and sing. Abby knows most of the words and she just loves to belt out the words! Mckenzie doesn't know all of them yet, but every now and again, she will sing a word or two.