A visit

We had the blessing yesterday of hosting Aunt Karen (my sister), cousin Jake,and Manah for the day. We celebrated Jake's 17th birthday a few days early, they came to see Allia at swim lessons, we enjoyed some time in the neighborhood pool, and Jake royally entertained the girls all day! He is so good with kids! Allia cried when they had to leave!



He really won Mariana over after a shy start, but I failed to get any photos of them together.

But I say to you

...love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. Mt 5:44-45

(After Allia gets in trouble for hitting Mariana during an argument...)

Mariana: Allia hit. That is nooooooot right.

Me: Yes. That is why she is in trouble. We never hit people.

Mariana: I am going to talk to God and ask him to help Allia to do the right thing.

Me: Awww...what a good girl, Mariana. That is exactly what you should do.

(I leave the room to put away some laundry and return to find Mariana on her knees with hands folded in prayer.)

Mariana: ....and dear God, help Allia to be good. Amen.

So sweet!

Favorites

If you read this blog regularly, you may have noticed....







Mariana has a favorite outfit! If it is in her drawer, there is a 100% chance she will wear it that day!!! Now, can you guess her 2 favorite colors?

Yep, Blue and Green!

What we've been up to...

Sister Love



Swim lessons




Grandparents (who helped SO much with carting to and fro for lessons without messing up baby's naps!!!)




Lots of fun stuff going on. Allia is doing great at swim lessons. We just have a few days left!

First Teeth!

Gloria officially has her first teeth today! She had what I call the "black holes" yesterday, where her gums turn grayish-black right before the teeth poke through. And this morning, there they are! Yay!

Little girl funnies

(Mariana watching Manah take her evening meds)

Mariana: Manah, someday when I am your old, I can eat lots of pills too.


(Allia playing after dinner in a pop up tent sent by Aunt Karen, Mariana enters)

Allia: Awwwwww...I was wanting to play in here by myself, but she came in now. Awwwww...I really want to play in here by myself.

(a few moments of silence)

Mariana: Sheeeewwwww Weeeee! It's stiiiiiinky in here!

(Silent but deadly? Mariana exits tent.)

Allia got her wish, even if it did take drastic measures!

Well...

Mariana thought Gloria looked a little bored, so she decided to give her some toys to play with...very generous sister!

Our entertainment for the morning

Two unsuspecting slugs who made their appearance while we were doing watercolors outside.

The things...

a baby with 2 big sisters has to put up with!

Uh oh

Reading The Princess and the Kiss...

Daddy: (prince treasurechest brings the princess many gifts, but she realizes her kiss will not be special to him with all of those riches)...So the princess sent prince treasurechest away, too.

Allia: Did the princess get to keep the clothes?

She is growing up!

My little girl is off to VBS this week! I am SO glad we are homeschooling because I almost cried this morning...I can't imagine sending her off to kindergarden!


So we will be doing a lot of this, this week...


Mariana is really growing into her role as big sister. She was very good at helping Gloria to be brave at the Dr. this morning, and she has been really sweet playing with her and sharing toys lately! Yay for my girls!

6 months old today!

Yay! Gloria is no longer "0"...she is "1/2" now! (according to Allia)



and just to see...any resemblance?


Allia at 6 months


Mariana at 6 months (with Allia)

Mmmmm...

Mango!

It's a family favorite, and Gloria received her first tastes today since she will officially be 6 months old tomorrow. Yes, Daddy just couldn't wait one more day!


I think she likes it!