Smarty Pants

As I sifted through old videos of you girls tonight, I came across some amazing ones of Charlotte. I don't think I realized at the time, just how smart you are. You were verbal at an early age and always very compliant. I had and still have so much fun teaching and loving you.

In this video, you are 18 months old and we are outside our house on Sunny Slope Dr. We were playing with chalk and we had been working on identifying the letter of your name. You did that as well as carry on a conversation with me.

In this video, you are 20 months old and doing one of about 10 puzzles we had around the house for you. I love how you ask, "is it?" when you don't know what something is. Obviously, you had nearly mastered it and I realize now what a feat that was at not even 2 years old.

You continue to amaze your dad and me as you near 3 years old. I am so thankful for your learning spirit and kind heart.

Walking Girls

It sure hasn't taken Olivia long to go from walking to running. You're 12 months and 1 week and you walk probably 50% of the time. I can say, "Olivia, walk to me!" and you will pop up from crawling and walk on command. You also like to push anything you can get to move...Charlotte's little wagon, her baby stroller, even a kids' sized chair. Your sweet big sister cheers you on when you walk around the house, causing you to crack up laughing.

Charlotte, you began your first steps on your birthday and didn't really get going until you were about 13 months old. I didn't blog back then so I'm going to include your video of walking as well.

I have to admit, I'm a little sad after looking through old videos of you when you were the age Olivia is now. Feels like it was just a few months ago and it scares me to know that the next few years will fly by faster than the last few have. I wake up every morning genuinely excited to spend the day with you two and soak up every moment to love you and teach you both.

Independence Day

We had a great Fourth of July, spent at home with our little family and friends. Your daddy had two days off work and we purposefully had no big plans. We all felt spoiled with his extra time at home. He is such a wonderful daddy to you girls and gets better as time goes on. We spent some time on the back porch with lots of water since it's been so hot. We also went out to our garden and picked lots of vegetables to make a salad for our cookout.

We had Tori & Steve and their son Aidan as well as Laura & Ben and their son Rex over to our house to grill out and shoot fireworks. Olivia, you were ready for bed by 7pm and slept right through all the booms happening outside. Charlotte, you stayed awake past your usual 7pm bedtime and enjoyed the fireworks. However, you were pretty cautious with the ones daddy was lighting on our driveway because they were a little too close, even though you were safe. You liked seeing them light up in the sky, far away. Finally, about 8:30 pm you told me you were sleepy and wanted to go to bed. Your dad and I are so thankful that you told us in such a nice way instead of getting grumpy. You have always loved your sleep! Meanwhile, our friends and their kids sat out on the driveway, watching and lighting fireworks until nearly 11 pm! We had such a wonderful time together and with our friends.

Birthday At The Beach

Happy First Birthday, Olivia!! We were fortunate enough to celebrate your birth at the beach this week. Your sweet daddy continued his tradition of making his girls' first birthday cake. You loved his homemade chocolate cake with chocolate icing. We opened presents and your big sister helped you break them in this week. Practicing your walking skills has now become a priority of yours as well as growing two front bottom teeth. We discovered your love for all things beach...sand, sun, waves, and seashells! Grandma (your great-grandma) and Gma enjoyed hearing you talk out the world's problems and couldn't believe how much food you eat! Here are some pictures to really tell the story of the week.

You two loved the party hats and Charlie thought you had to wear them
any time you ate cake the rest of the week.

Olivia definitely enjoyed the cake daddy made her!

Pretty typical of our family right now.

Fun with new birthday toys!

Olivia crawled up to sit on mommy.

Playing on the porch after hosing off the sand.

Big girl standing and walking!

Most of the crew, minus daddy and Olivia (who were in the tent taking pictures).

Big girl knows what to do on the beach. Daddy and Charlie
plotting something!

Afraid if you took your eyes off the fish, they'd get you!

Our sweet family.

The Clemmons'

Charlotte trying to keep Olivia from crawling into the water.