The Most Wonderful Time of the Year…

My brave little girl.  

This is the second time Zoë chose to sit on Santa's lap; the first was at the mall, where she whispered to herself, "I will be brave, very very brave," right before entering the hallowed gates, which surround the  sanctified seat of Santa Claus.   And brave she was; sitting demurely for her photo op and then briefly engaging in conversation before deciding his time was up.

This time, because she was on the familiar turf of the Children's Museum, which was a little more intimate setting and less chaotic than the mind-bending cacophony at the mall, she engaged him a little more. He hoisted her upon his knee, and complemented her on her Santa pin, but she was still a little tentative when it came to speaking to Santa.  She mustered her courage once again and whispered her meager list of wants to the very attentive man in red. And then, being the selfless little girl that she is, she was able to ensure that there would be things under the tree for Poppi, taking great care in making sure Santa understood Poppi's wish for a Woody doll.   "Woody is from Toy Story." she told him sternly so there would be no confusion as to who he was. 

Lest, you are wondering if Poppi was in the house, um, no.  Poppi has no desire to have an audience with the Fat Man and opted for a walk around the mall with Daddy to pick out a present or two for Mommy.

Zoë and Santa (at the mall).

Missing Mom...

Oh, how my girls would have loved her; and she them.

11/16/41-11/10/2003

A Whale of a Picture

While I sat on the couch listening to the muffled screech of the chalk, Zoë concentrated intently on her masterpiece.  The board was turned to the side so I could not see what it was that was requiring such concentration.  When she turned the board for me to see, I was taken aback by how much it really did look like a whale!  She proudly proclaimed "I'm a very good artist."

P.S.  Poppi, nonchalantly chimed in from afar "you need water" after which she added

 the spout of blue.

The Great Pumpkins...

The pictures of the girls on the front porch are some of my most favorite pictures ever; getting bigger, but still so tiny and sweet.

Sisterly Serenades...

Dan and I both had tears in our eyes and lumps in throats as we witnessed our budding songstresses give it their all.  9/13/2014

Quiet Beauties...

Too quiet in the other room…this is what I found; working together on their leap pad :)

Birthday Party Down on the Farm...

The girls attended their friend Wilder's (on the left) 3rd birthday party; it was on a farm and the girls enjoyed themselves despite the rain :(  It was actually chilly, but they didn't seem to mind, especially when the cake and ice cream arrived.

Striking a pose...

Zoë looking cool, despite the high heat and humidity we experienced on this day in Bermuda.  The girls are sitting in the throat of a giant, green eel which is housed in the National Museum of Bermuda.

(this is one of my all time favorite photos)

Oh, Heavenly Day...

Poppi - 7/21/2014 - Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda

Road Trip...

We took a little road trip and decided to stop in and check on Aunt Ki Ki and her boo boo (broken pelvis - eeeekkk).  She's doing great and the girls had a wonderful time (albeit a very short one).

Love this picture.

Magnolias in Bloom

June 8, 2014

A Day at the Botanical Gardens...

One of my favorite pictures of the day (and ever of Zoë).  We spent

the day at the botanical gardens and the girls were over the moon.

Such a beautiful day…more pictures to come.

Tender moments...

Earning lollipops...

Poppi - I think she's had enough pictures for the day.

Portrait sessions are not one of any 3 year olds favorite things to do, but the girls took theirs in stride and earned every ounce of sugar in those lollipops.  They were so sweet to the photographer and their manners were impeccable.  I was so proud of them; they began to flag after an hour so we called it a day.  I love the photographer's style and I am so anxious to see the final pictures…will share soon.

Mother's Day...

The reason I breathe.

While my girls are too young now, I hope one day they will understand the courageous woman their birth mother must have been; without her my heart would be hollow and my purpose unknown.

I am forever grateful.

A Night at the Museum...

Zoë sitting on the very LARGE reading chair at the Children's Museum that just opened in our neighborhood.  The girls were beside themselves with glee over the special night of festivities just for them!  They were like whirling dervishes going from activity to activity…until Poppi saw the Dinosaur mascot walking around, then all bets were off and she was happy just to sit inside the "dentist's" office exhibit tapping away at the pretend computer.  Zoë high-fived him/her and went on her whirling way.

P.S.  I'm dating myself, but the chair reminds of the giant rocking chair on Laugh-In.

Gardening is good for the soul…

…no matter how small the soul :)

Happy Easter...

The girls leaving Easter lunch with Daddy; we had a very sweet time with our girls.

They are growing up so fast, sometimes it makes my head spin!

We ate lunch downtown at a beautiful Inn; we will be making this a family tradition.

(minus the amount of time Mommy spent in the bathroom with to potty training toddlers :) )

Easter Picture Blooper (although I rather like this picture since you can't see me--so not photogenic.)

Girls are napping while Easter Bunny hides the eggs...

Birthday Celebration...

A gift from Nana.

Dough from Aunt Leslie and Uncle Jerry

Sheriff Callie rides again!

A look into the future (Poppi in 13 years)

Peppa Pig is in the House...

Today, the girls turn THREE!!! 

They adore Peppa Pig almost as much as I adore them, so I am quite full of anticipation to see their reactions when they see their cake.

Party preparations are in full swing; we are just awaiting the sleeping beauties to wake up from their naps and the festivities will begin...

Zoë - It's Potty Time...

This is about the only thing Zoë will do on the potty…sigh.

Poppi, on the other hand, is all in; wearing big girl undies all the time!

Dancing Divas...

March 9, 2014

Dinner Conversations...

My little girls are getting so big (almost 3!).  They have ditched their highchairs and have moved on to their own little table and chairs.  They remind me of two little old ladies.  Funny.

Today (3/3/14) they hugged and told one another they are each other's best friend.  Melted my heart; I feel so blessed to be witness to these tender times of their lives.

Happy Valentine's Day...

A new stuffy from Daddy

Chocolate, are you sure it's for us?  (A rare treat)

Choosing carefully...

I choose this one.

Oh, my.

Deeyishus, she says.

Poppi Reads to Mommy - 02/04/2014

Gong Hey Fat Choy...

Happy Chinese New Year!

The Year of the Wooden Horse (click on the word Horse)