My girls do not always get along. Some days (like today) there is a lot of yelling and fighting.... which drives me batty, but I suppose it's a sister thing. But there are times when they have a blast together. I love hearing their sweet voices talking excitedly and making things up.
Summer is great because there is more time to just
play. In the past I have been more organized about having learning activities all summer, but I also think there is great benefit to developing imagination and learning how to use free time!
This day I believe they were going on vacation. They packed up their luggage, brought their car keys, filled their purses with 'debit cards' and jewelry, then loaded on an airplane.
When they arrived they paid for their hotel and settled in for a nap.
Ella never lasts long in clothes... soon they had their ballet clothes on and Maddie conducted dance class.
Something I've been letting them do is 'help' chop salads for dinner. They can only use butter knives so carrots don't work very well, but they love chopping lettuce, spinach, zucchini, cucmbers, peppers, etc. and making tiny salads. Now if I could only get them to eat the whole thing.
Ella recently got a 'big girl bike' and she is so proud of it!
Auntie Dana helped her choose this awesome unicorn helmet. It couldn't suit her better.
We spend a whole lotta time riding bikes. Every time the garage opens, they hop on. We also love family bike rides in the evening.
Of course we have gotten out the pool and slide here and there... in this moment I was sitting in a chair in the shade reading a book, Ty was sleeping, and I thought, "I am so grateful they have each other to play with!"
Sometimes we get bored and we do have friends come over to play too. What is it with girls and coloring? They could do it for hours!
They think it's so cool when I move all the chairs around to mop. Usually they play train but this day I think they got a bunch of books out and set up a library.
I tried a new tactic to channel their energy and have them help with chores. I had them throw their dirty clothes down the stairs, and then drag them into the laundry room. They thought that was pretty fun.
The thing that happens most often in down time is dancing. As I've mentioned, Ella is obsessed with tutus and swimsuits and she loves to turn on the keyboard demo songs and prance around the front room. They have started using the window seat as their stage and they hide in the curtains when a song is over. Even Ty loves to join in the dancing.... for now!
Sometimes they even like to wrestle.... which is tons of fun till somebody gets hurt!
