Birthday fun for the whole family!

Their 3 year old birthday was all I had wanted it to be!  

I slept with the girls that night so that we could wake up together on their birthday.  The first thing Lily asked..."Can we watch Mary Poppins now?!"  (I had told her we would watch it on her birthday.)  We gave them a little pony present to start off the day.  Then Phil and I loaded them up and drove to Montevallo to spend some of Grammie and Grandpa's birthday money on a horseback riding lesson.  They were so happy.  They were smiling in every picture I took.  It was a big horse named Spot that was 25 years old.  They showed no fear at all and loved it!  

Afterwards we went for Chinese food.  We then tried a nap that worked for 10 mins until they came out of their rooms asking for their presents.  So Phil entertained them while I wrapped their 75 piece talking Dora playhouse that I picked up at a consignment sale.  I wrapped it into about 25 presents and displayed it in the living room on a new play table.  When we yelled "Happy Birthday!" and opened their door, they came running down the hall with all the shock and awe two parents could hope for.  They had a blast opening all the little pieces and playing with the house.  

Afterwards, we had dinner and made chocolate chip cookies.  Then the big finale...Mary Poppins!  We had been reading the book for about 2 weeks to build momentum.  They were thrilled!  

It was a magical day.  It was the first big celebration that they actually "got" the concept that all of this was special and just for them.  It was one of my favorite family days yet.  I am continually amazed at how wonderful it makes me feel to see them so happy.

This Friday we are having a Mickey and Minnie Pumpkin Patch Party.  I can't wait!  Neither can they...they are, unprompted, praying for it every night before they go to bed.  

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Family Day!

Before I post the birthday pictures, I need to commenorate our Family Day! Sept 19 was our 2 year anniversary of becoming a family! What a crazy and amazing ride it has been. When I doubt the sovereignty of God, I look at my husband and babies and quit doubting. None of them do I deserve.

Here is the first picture we saw of Kate (left) and Lily.














Our first Family Day in China















Two current family photos. We got a new Mac and have had WAY too much fun with the Photo Booth function. Lily on left.

Bye-bye Terrific Twos!

Everyone is asleep and I should be, too. But today was the last day my twins were two years old and I'm feeling a bit nostalgic. Tomorrow they will be three! I can't believe it and am a bit sad. I carried the camera around today taking "the last of the twos pictures." It has been such a wonderful and amazing age. My only consulation is that they are going to be physically easier to care for this year (I sure hope) and they are saying the cutest things ever nowadays...so surely the Threes are going to be even better. It is such a sad reminder when everyone around you tells you that "they grow up fast," but also a great reminder to enjoy every sweet minute. Tomorrow Phil and I are taking the day off to spoil the pants off of them. It is going to be so much fun! Somehow there is so little guilt (actually none) in spoiling when there are two on which to lavish attention. Besides, it is birthday central around here. Today is Phil's mother's birthday...Happy Birthday, Grammie! And Saturday is Phil's birthday. These are just a few of the Chambers' October birthdays.

I thought I'd post pictures of one of my favorite days as the mother of 2 two year olds. Recently we went to the zoo on a rainy day. There was NO one there because of the weather. I let the girls run around in their bathing suits and we jumped in all the puddles and ran through the sprinkling rain. Lily and Kate do not like crowds, so having the zoo to themselves was a dream come true. Lily is the one with the eye patch in some of the photos (we are trying to make her weak eye muscles stronger). Thanks for sharing this day with me!

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My dancing girls

I bought these dresses and shoes at a consignment sale. They have been a hit! Both girls have a song that they dance to in their get up. You should see Kate's routine for her "Toe tappin' blues" song. She LOVES music and can keep the beat perfectly and is so proud of herself for that! (By the way, this is the ONLY dress I can get her to wear these days. She has decided she doesn't like dresses or skirts all of the sudden. In addition, she has 4 T-shirts that she is obsessed with wearing. Lily wants a dress on 24/7... the more frills, the better. I think my twin sister matchy-matchy cuteness days are coming to an abrupt halt! Yikes!)















Lily in her ballerina dress.







































Kate in her "tappin' dress." Below she is wearing her trademark "upside down glasses" which is the way she likes them.