Ainsley is doing a fantastic job of taking herself to the restroom. She just uses "Stool Steps" to climb right up on the full size toilet, she goes, she wipes, she flushes, and she even sometimes washes her hands without prompting. One thing we need to work on, though, is getting her pants on in the right direction. Without fail, she ALWAYS puts her pants back on backward. Usually I notice this immediately and we turn them around, but today I didn't notice until we'd been out running errands and playing for a while. When I offered to help her turn them around, she said, "No, no...I'm fine, I'm fine." Bennett also told me that taking one's pants off in the driveway to turn them around is inappropriate. So, even now, hours later, Ainsley still has her pants on backward.

Today was one of Ainsley's greatest days. As some of you know, she has long been fascinated by construction equipment. She was thrilled with the opportunity to ride a front loader with Grandpa and Bennett, as Grandpa dumped some debris into the big orange dumptruck in his driveway. The Girls only got to move a couple of feet forward and backward, but neither seemed to mind. They were most intrigued by the raising and dumping action. This adventure made me nervous, as they are tiny kids and it was a big machine, but Grandpa held them tightly and it was a fun experience for them.

Summer Vacation

These are the moments when I am really thankful to be home with my Girls...I love walking into a room and seeing them all decked out in some crazy looking outfit. They always have a crazy explanation for their get-up, too. This morning when I entered the living room I saw Bennett in some cropped leggings, a toddler-size beanie cap, and a blue sock "cast," and sunglasses. She was carrying a puppy in a purse and a plastic jack-o-lantern full of random items. Maybe I should have put two and two together to come up with the occasion that her ensemble represented, but I just couldn't. When I asked her what she was dressed up for, she stated as though is was quite obvious, "Summer vacation." Of course! Summer vacation! Why didn't I think of that? Ainsley was also pretty decked out for summer vacation, but she didn't want to be photographed this morning. Fun kids.

Dust Mites and Trees and Ragweed, Oh My!

Well, Bennett had her first official appointment with the allergy/pulmonology doctor this morning. It was a two and a half hour visit, complete with the dreaded scratch tests. She was very chipper, chatty, cooperative and courageous. The nurses said she was the best patient they have ever had...EVER. Maybe they were just saying that, but I think she probably ranked right up there with the best of them...odd for her, as she is usually very dramatic and terrified at the doctor, especially when words like poke, prick and scratch are used. She was great, in fact, I took this picture just after her scratch tests were completed. And this is what we learned: Bennett is allergic to...let me take a deep breath so I can get the list out...ragweed, major trees (oak, maple, elm, ash) and minor trees (pine, hickory), cat dander, dog dander, cockroaches, dust mites, indoor molds, and outdoor molds. I think those are the major ones. Yikes! Well, that's good to know...now, where can I buy one of those plastic bubbles for her to live in?

Holiday Highlights

We were able to enjoy a pretty nice Memorial Day weekend. The girls health was on the way up and the weather was nicer than predicted. Here are a few photo highlights. This weekend was the first time Bennett and Ainsley were able to dress for warm weather this spring. They were pretty pumped and insisted on wearing there sunglasses to complete their looks.
We spent part of the weekend at each set of grandparents' house. I was passing through the kitchen at Grandpa and Grandma's when I was surprised to see two tiny legs and two little pairs of eyes peeking out of the corner cupboard. Bennett and Ainsley had decided to turn the Tupperware cupboard into their "house."
Grandpa and Grandma are doing some reorganizing and exterior remodeling. They have a large dumptruck at there house to aid in the projects. They also have a front loader there. Ainsley is especially amazed by these machines, as she has always displayed an appreciation for construction equipment. It pleases her greatly that these two objects are so accessible for her viewing. If only Grandpa and Grandma could round up a backhoe, Ains would be in paradise! I'm sure we'd hear her yelling "I see a backhoe and it's diggin' in the date." (dirt)

In addition to the events captured by camera, the girls got to enjoy a cookout and campfire, some time on the trail, ice cream at a local hot spot, and relaxing playtime under Maple Tree Lounge (our maple tree in the yard.) It was a pretty fun weekend!

This morning Ainsley woke up as her father and I were preparing for church. Dad was ironing all of the church clothing and Ainsley wanted to watch. He made her this cozy little seat on the ottoman in the laundry room, complete with a plush pillow back and her Big Blankie. She sat for a very long period of time, just watching and learning from the master ironer himself.

Here is one of Bennett's recent sketches. It is Bennett and Ainsley coming down a snow capped mountain by way of stagecoach. It looks like Ainsley is the one commanding the horse, so look out!

More...Say What???

As Ainsley gets older she is starting to say fun things and words we wouldn't expect, like Bennett does. Yesterday we were looking for newborn kittens in the shed at their grandparents' house. I was on a ladder trying to see where the mewing was coming from in the upper platforms in the shed, and Ainsley desperately wanted to do the same. She said, "Get down and let me look. Maybe my eyes are shape!" (Sharp) I asked her, "Did you just say your eyes might be sharp?" Yes, that is exactly what she said, and continued to say, until she had her chance to climb the ladder. Unfortunately, the kittens were not located. I guess her eyes weren't quite "shape" enough. We'll try again in a few days.

Say What???

Bennett the Dictionary is at it again. While watching Robin Hood she commented on King Richard's forces saying, "Well, it looks like he has a dignified army." What? Dignified? Who says dignified? I don't think I've ever used that word. I have no idea how this child comes up with these things!

Travel Nightmare Highlights

We had a pretty bad out-of-state roadtrip this weekend. We got to do none of the activities that we had desired to do or intended to do on this trip, and we got to do several things that we would have rather not done. It is a long story, but here are a few positive highlights. First on the way to what was supposed to be a graduation celebration, we saw a cloud shaped like a graduation hat.
Second, The Girls got to ride on a luggage cart at our place of lodging.
Third, after taking a few accidental "wrong turns" we took an intentional detour at a wildlife refuge. Bennett and Ainsley loved riding through the place unbuckled from their seats. That was pretty wild for them!
Ainsley was able to experience a port-a-potty, something that has long intrigued her...why, we do not know.
The Girls got to see some wildlife while on a short walk in the woods between Bennett's breathing treatments. "Huff, puff, huff, puff."

So, usually Dad's quote is "The worst day at home is better than the best day at work." This past weekend he said, "This is as bad as being at work...one kick in the groin after another." Yes, it was a rough time for all. But we had safe travel and agreeable children in spite the difficulty, and we did find some shining moments to enjoy. We're thankful for those blessings.