I can't stop looking at this picture on my computer background.

How cute are they?

They never stop....

....READING

Caught Ya!
Matching Jammies...and a book about baby farm animals.
Katie's favorite book - Green Eggs and Ham - and her Great Grandma.

Reading cubbyhole, anyone?
Lounging...and reading, together...
And with Mommy.

My all-time favorites from last week...
Look closely, yes, that's right. Maddie is reading Married for Life, most notably the chapter entitled: "You only get out of a marriage what you put into it."

We always knew she was ahead of her peers, but seriously. Maddie, darling, you're nearly five years old. You have time. Your clock isn't ticking quite that fast.

In the car, she was expressing how badly she wants to have her own baby.
"But maybe, Mommy, I should wait until I finish high school," she said, wisely.

Emily agreed, adding, "Yes, baby, at least high school, probably even college would be good."

"Yeah," said Maddie, "probably after college. Because that way you can learn how to take care of babies."

Sounds like a good idea.

What I've been doing

Work is officially over for me until August. It's a great feeling, and to celebrate, I've been hanging out with some of my favorite people. We have a couple of smashing parties, gone swimming, played games, and, in general, had a blast. Emily, Franz and the girls left for Crooked Lake this morning (I'm jealous), and already it feels almost as if I have just now begun my vacation. Little girls wear me out. Hearing Maddie begin a sentence with "Well, actually..." and Katie say, "Wana [that's me], watch dis" or "Gamma did it" in the midst of one of her unending tall tales, melts my heart every time.

Happy for a moment or two - engrossed in a book - with matching pj's.

Party #1 - Saturday at Ev and Em's

Maddie by the lake with a cattail

Highlights

It was a long week. For a number of reasons I wanted it to end as soon as possible.

Topping the list was a visit from my sister, Emily, and her girls (my favorite little people).

They only stayed with me for less than 24 hours, but they bring such joy to my life. There's nothing like the love of a child. I took about six pictures, and here are the best few.


This game is the child's version Dance Dance Revolution. Some new friends, Elijah and Cyrus, were the proud owners and demonstrated the finer points of the game to the girls. They all loved it. Even Katie. Maddie, Elijah, and Cyrus posed for a picture below. Note the Taylor U. gear. Their parents are alumni.
I can't resist taking pictures of Katie. She's just too adorable.

My girls

Most of the people in my family who actually have digital cameras forgot to use them this week during our family Thanksgiving extravaganza.

I managed to sneak a few snapshots here and there with my mom's digi-mon, however, so I could share the cuteness of my nieces.

This is Katie: 18 months, who has somewhat of an anger management problem, and yet still manages to turn on the sweetness and charm when she feels like it. Please note the most adorable little outfit she has on in the second picture - it's from the wedding last Saturday.

And let's not forget Madeline, at 4, who is the most imaginative and strangest cookie ever, but who I adore more than anyone.

Here she is at my cousin Brian's wedding a week ago. Precious!