Who needs the aquarium?

Another day without Daddy here and I thought about having a nice relaxing day at home.  By 3:00 when Harper woke up from her nap I couldn't get out of the house fast enough!  Ha!  We needed to get some vitamins for Sydney so we headed to Pet Smart and I think that was Handley's first time there.   Who needs the aquarium when you can see all of the fish there?!?  We saw dogs, cats, lots of fish, and some birds too.  If you are ever looking for a free outing, I would suggest taking a stroll through Pet Smart.  She and Harper both loved looking at the animals and I think seeing all of the dogs walk around the store threw her off a bit.  She kept asking if Sydney was going to come to the store.  :-)

This evening we went with my sister-in-law, Stefanie, to see her and Trey's new house that is being built and then to dinner.  We are so excited that they will be living only be about 10 mins. away in just a few months! 

A "girls only" weekend

Robby left yesterday for a guys ski trip so I had some fun stuff planned for our "girls only" weekend.  Yesterday evening we went to Kangazoom and Chick-fil-a with some friends.  It was a great way to wear out the girls and a fun way to spend our evening.  

Today we had a birthday party and I thought I'd take advantage of the girls looking pretty in pink and snap a few pictures of them together.  Let's just say I gained a new found respect for my best friend, Jen (who I know you all know is a fabulous photographer - At First Sight Photography).  Trying to get the two of them in to look at me was a joke! 

I have the BEST friends ever.  Really.  Tonight Jen and Justen came over and went out to dinner with us.  Then after I got the girls to bed Justen "babysat" at the house so Jen and I could go to a movie!  Isn't that just awesome?!?!?  It was Jen's idea and when she asked him about it earlier this week he agreed.  He's so nice.  :-)  We didn't make it to the movie in time, but we did a little shopping instead (which was probably more fun for me since I very rarely get to do anything like that for myself).  Thank you SO much for a fun night.  Love you both! 

The Train

It might just be the loudest (and at times, the most annoying) toy we own...the train.  It has a zillion buttons, all of which play a million different sounds and songs.  It only has 1 volume -VERY LOUD, and NO off switch (really, there is no way to turn it off unless I take the batteries out). However, it is a favorite of every kid that comes into my house.  Handley got it for her 1st birthday from Mimi and Dadaw. For the longest time her legs were too short to push it on her own.  She didn't care though.  I think it was 10 times more fun for someone to push her "fast" around the house.  Gosh I remember having a backache from leaning down and pushing her around all day long.  

Well then the train lived in our basement awhile. It had lost it's appeal and was just something else I tripped over.  However, it's back!  Handley's legs are too long for it now, but she has had fun pushing it around.  The little girl in love with it now is Harper!  She loves pushing all the buttons to make the songs play, sitting on it and being pushed around, and if it is upstairs on the carpet, she uses it as a push toy to walk behind.  Thankfully she has a big sister who is sweet enough to push her around so I don't have to get a back ache doing it this time around. :-)

Something to clap about

We haven't had too much going on this week.  We do have something to clap about though...Harper started clapping!  She started over the weekend and does it all the time now.  Today while she was having lunch I did a little coaxing and finally got it on video.  Check out my cutie: 

Fun at the ZOO

After the circus Handley got to spend the night with Gigi and Papa and today they went to the Zoo.  She had an action packed weekend!  It was so nice today and the perfect day to be outside.  Gigi took some pictures while they were there and I loved seeing all the fun they had! 

The Greatest Show on Earth

Yesterday we were lucky enough to go to THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH...the CIRCUS!!! Handley's bestie, Avery, invited us to come along with her family.  They had a few extra tickets in a suite and we were so excited to go.  Gigi and Papa kept Harper so that we could have a fun day with Handley.  

We got to go down on the floor before the show began to see the clowns and a few animals up close.  Handley seemed a little timid, but I think she was just in awe and taking it all in.  She got to try balancing on a ball with one of the acrobats and we got to see an elephant named Asia painting!  Her treat for painting such a pretty picture was an entire loaf of bread!

After that we headed up to our fantastic seats and the girls enjoyed lots snacks including Handley's favorite - popcorn.  

She said her favorite part of the show was seeing all of the animals. 

A BIG thank you to the Atkinson's for inviting us! We had a blast!

Baby Steps

Harper is starting to walk with a little help from her push toys.  By this point Handley was pretty  much walking more than she was crawling and I was wondering if Harper would ever figure it out.  She's really strong but Robby jokes that her big head throws off her balance. :-)  Here's a video of her baby steps! 

Muffins with Mom

This morning at Handley's pre-school they had an event called "Muffins with Mom."  She was very excited to have me come to her classroom for the muffin breakfast.  I had a friend come watch Harper so that I could give Handley my full attention while I was there.  We got all dressed up and had so much fun that Handley was sad for me to leave. 

Pre-school Valentine Party

Today was Handley's Valentine party at her school.  I was a little worried the party might not happen because of the snow that was in the forecast.  You all know how Atlanta shuts down with the sighting of the first flurries. :-)  Public schools ended up letting out 1 hour early so Handley's school dismissed just a little early today.  BUT, we still got the party in!

I had to take Harper with me today.  I didn't think it would be that big of a deal to have her with me at the party and she did fine, but it was harder for me to really help Handley with the crafts and games and to take pictures, so I didn't get a ton.  Harper on the other hand LOVED being there.  She was quite the social butterfly and really tried her hardest to get to the cupcakes. :-) 

We came home and watched the snow start to fall.  After naps (rest time for Handley) we bundled up and went out to play.  More on that tomorrow! 

Playgroup Valentine's Party

Yesterday we hosted a Valentine's Party for our playgroup.  Handley had fun helping me set up everything and kept running to the door to check for her friends to arrive.  Many of them weren't able to attend because lots of people are sick right now and another handful have brand new babies at home.  We still had fun though and enjoyed playing with our friends. 

We had a Valentine card making table, cookie decorating station, and no party is complete without some snacks. 

Handley and Annabelle

Sarah and Handley
My two sweet matching Valentines

Harper - 10 months

When Handley was 10 months old I remember thinking that she seemed so big, so old, and was able to do so many things.  With Harper, she is starting to do lots of fun things, but she's still such a baby to me and I'm just fine with that.  I love her to pieces and can't get enough of her crazy hair, big blue eyes, squish-able cheeks and sweet cuddles.  

At 10 months she: 

• just started cruising the furniture
  
• has 6 teeth (4 on the top and two on the bottom)
• knows how to give kisses
• likes standing at a drawers and pulling out all the clothes
• still loves to snuggle
• likes to eat, but can be very picky about what she's in the mood to eat
• signs all-done when she is finished eating
• can give high-fives
• enjoys playing with Handley's things more than her own
• loves being around other babies and kids
• can start "crying" at the drop of a hat, including big crocodile tears, and stop the instant I pick her up - she knows how to play me
• is definitely a momma's girl
• has become attached to her giraffe blankie that she sleeps
  
• loves to dance and does it EVERY time she hears music

Ballet Class

I've been thinking about signing Handley up for a ballet class sometime this spring.  Her friend, Grace, takes ballet at The Studio Atlanta Dance and today they had "dress-up day" and "bring-a-friend day" for her class!  Grace was sweet enough to invite Handley and she had been looking forward to it this morning.  She decided she wanted to wear a pink tutu for the class.  

This morning we were talking about the class and she kept telling me, "but I don't know how to do ballet."  I assured her the teacher would be nice and would show her what to do.  She did great!  She followed directions, listened to the teacher and danced her little heart out.  She's not the most graceful one, but she sure did have fun. :-)

I had to take pictures through the glass observation window, so that explains the quality...same thing with the video below, but you get the idea and besides, it was so cute I just had to share them. 

After the class she kept saying she wanted to go to ballet again so I think we'll definitely be signing her up for a class at our community center this spring and will go back to this studio starting in the fall.  

This video cracks me up.  She was trying so hard to follow the teacher.  The last jumping move you see her doing is supposed to be a chasse (galloping) across the floor. Too cute! 

Hip Chick Designs

It's no secret that I love being crafty and creating cute things for Handley and Harper.  I also love creating things for other people!  I am going to be shutting down my Hip Chick Design website (which cost about $15 a month) and will be using THIS BLOG (which is free!) instead.  I'm not really trying to drum up business (because the girls keep me busy enough) but just wanted to make everyone aware of this change.  Check it out - Hip Chick Designs.

I never saw the resemblance...

...until now.  Recently some people have been saying they can really tell that Handley and Harper are sisters.  I just never saw it.  Last night I was working on a project (more to come on that soon) and I was going through some old photos.  I put these two side by side and couldn't believe the resemblance. :-)  

Handley, 6 months

Harper, 6 months

We've waited all week...

... for my parents to get here and were so excited when they arrived this afternoon.  Handley bolted to the door when she heard them and leaped into Mimi's arms.  Harper took a little while to warm up, but before I knew it she couldn't get enough of them.  Harper also played with her toys more than I've seen her do in a while.  It was almost like she was showing them off and at one point even climbed in the basket with the toys. :-) After some playtime and Handley's favorite dinner (tacos) we had a full blown dance party.  I saw moves from Harper I've never seen before and we were all out of breath by the end of it...a great way to end the day.