She's All Grown Up

This weekend my baby sister turned 21. 

Next week we are throwing her a bachelorette party. 

The week after, she'll be married. (To one seriously awesome fella). 

Where did the time go? 

Love you, Cass. So much. Happy birthday, baby sis!

Summer Lovin'

The low earlier this week was 43 degrees. 

Which was both awesome and frightening. It reminded me that summer is very much in the rear-view mirror and there were so many moments that never made it on the blog. 

Summer 2012: 

Lesson Learned

Never -- I repeat never -- assume that your two-year-old children can't open a bottle of fingernail polish just because you have to use your teeth to get it open. 

Cousins!

My niece Bella came to visit this summer. She's such a smart, wonderful, silly, beautiful girl and I'm so grateful to her parents for letting us borrow her. It was also a good opportunity to work on our sharing skills. Turns out, even when you have a twin, sharing can be problematic -- to put it nicely.

A Cook-Off

Living-room cooking: Attempt No. 1 at stemming the heat-induced cabin fever. Unless you count the fingernail polish incident.  Which I certainly do not. Also noteworthy -- Grace's hair is getting OUT OF CONTROL. But we're just glad we finally have enough hair to put it up. Like they ever let me. 

Traditions

Nearly every year since I was a wee-one, my family has spent our Fourth of July riding fair rides and watching the fireworks in a nearby town. Seeing the girls giggle and squeal on the same rides I giggled and squealed on as a kid was one of the best parts of the whole summer. 

We Are Family

We rented a cabin at the lake for our family reunion and it was awesome. There were five bedrooms, three bathrooms, two sitting areas and a huge kitchen. And the family time was pretty good, too. Sweet shirts, right?

Running for Office

Scott began his candidacy for County Commissioner. His vision, experience and thoughtful approach to government make him a fantastic candidate and will serve as the foundation for a fantastic Commissioner if he is elected. We hope the electorate agrees. If you're reading this and live in Manhattan or have parents that still do -- tell 'em to vote for us! Scott will serve you well. 

If You Build It, Claire Will Mean-Mug You

Attempt No. 67 at stemming the heat-induced cabin fever. Must. Go. Outside. Seriously. 

Fried Oreos?

We just couldn't get enough of the local fairs. This one had livestock and 4-H crafts and the girls' favorite -- more rides! 

Ok, We Get It. It's Hot. 

Attempts No. 123-167 at stemming the heat-induced cabin fever. Big hits: Toy Story, Lady & the Tramp, Shrek, Lion King, Aristocats, Mickey Mouse, Annie (The musical … weird, right?) and all 74 sequels to the Land Before Time.

Go Team!

One of the top five reasons we decided to move back -- home is where the purple is. 

Hope you all had a great summer, too!!

It's Friday

I've been on vacation all week.

And I blogged one time.

ONE time.

Ridiculous.

But seriously, I've had just about the best week of my life this week.

Which is saying something because I spent the week unpacking my garage.

Which was full of boxes and furniture from when I moved.

Like five months ago.

Again, ridiculous.

But now you know why you weren't invited to the housewarming party.

Because we still haven't had one.

Be expecting your invitation some time in 2013. I feel confident we'll be moved in by then.

Hopefully.

Maybe.

Ok, definitely by 2014.

I think I'm done here.

Wait.

One more thing.

Go Cats!!

Right Brain

While Scott was out of town recently, the girls and I went on a shopping spree … to Dollar Tree! We loaded the cart with art supplies and have been going hog wild ever since. 

They love to create and they love showing others what they've made, which makes my heart swell. I hope they always feel that kind of pride in their creations. 

Here's a look:

Twin Magnets 2.0

So, now that Claire is living in a world without borders, life has been a tad on the interesting side. 

She's done pretty good about staying in her bed at bed time -- well, sorta. She's at least stop coming out of her room 40 times at night. 

But before I head to work (ya know, the basement) each day, I poke my head in and check on the girls. And ever since Claire's learned of her new-found freedom, she's decided she likes it better in Grace's bed. 

Sometimes she's curled up at the foot of the bed with Grace's feet in her face. Sometimes Grace allows her to sleep next to her.  

Both ways are SUPER cute. 

I would love to show you a picture, but there's no way in this world that I'm going to risk waking up my beauties while they are sleeping. 

So, just use your imagination. This may help. 

No-Clothes Thursday

Like I said … some days it's not worth the fight. 

P.S. Don't tell me you've never taken your dog outside to potty on the porch wearing nothing but your diaper and heels. Two different heels, no less. 

P.P.S. I did get them dressed. Eventually. 

This is What Success Looks Like

Scott was gone this past weekend -- partaking in a last hurrah with one of his best friends before she gets hitched in a couple of weeks. 

And by weekend -- I mean he was gone Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. 

Five WHOLE days with just me and my two-year-old terrorists. (This is me bowing to all of the single parents out there. You rock.)

And, I suppose if I'm going to be perfectly honest, I'll admit that there was a fair amount of cheating going on. See pictures below. 

We cried. 

We laughed. 

We went go Grandma and Grandpa's.

We survived. 

And now that Scott gets back, I'm totally taking a nap.