Darran and I have had a week of just the girls, while the boys took their bi-annual trip with Nanny and Papa B. (aka Ann and Blaine). I think Darran is a little ready to even the playing field but we have a terrific week.
Last Saturday, we took the girls shopping at the outlet malls in Osage Beach. How is it that girls just know how to shop? They loved it! We stocked up on some great summer bargains and then headed to play putt-putt (mini golf). We had a lot of fun and were shocked that Claire even got a hole-in-one once! We also ate at their favorite restaurant, House of Chow (aka Crab Rangoon to them). I didn't even have Chinese food until I was in high school but the girls are big fans, especially of the crab rangoon.
On Sunday, we took Charlie on a 3 mile walk/run on the trail in Rocheport. We made it all the way to the I-70 bridge. The girls were so proud of themselves. We also visited great-grandma Clarice and took her to her favorite restaurant these days, IHOP:-) The girls and I also visited the MO Theatre in downtown Columbia. The symphony and the MO Contemporary Ballet performed "Peter and the Wolf." The girls love the ballet and enjoyed the symphony aspect a lot as well. This was part of the symphony's family series so it was very geared for the kiddos. After the show, the kids got to go on stage for the "petting zoo." They had lots of instruments for the kids to try out...piccolo, flute, violin, cello, bass, harp, french horn and a trumpet. That was really neat!
On Monday, Daddy spent the day with his girls while I worked. They helped him clean the garage, took naps and enjoyed a lazy afternoon.
On Tuesday, we had a full day, starting with gymnastics, dance and then an afternoon of manicures and pedicures. Emma even got her ears pierced! Claire decided she would wait until she is a bit older, maybe six:-)
On Wednesday, we went to Wilson's Beach Club. This was our first trip there since summer began. We finally had a hot, sunny day to enjoy the pool. Emma is a natural in the water. She really loves it. She swims under water and strives to swim further each time. Claire is a bit more timid but loves it as long as her head stays above water. She is working on putting her head under though and I'm sure she'll succeed before the summer is over. We also visited great-grandma again and went out to lunch. They enjoy spending time with her and I am able to get her around pretty easily when I have just the two girls. Great-grandma is 92 and still loves to get out to lunch:-) The girls had a tee-ball game that evening as well. They did great. We barely finished the game before the storms started though. It was a hot and sticky game!
On Thursday, the girls and I cleaned and purged the clothes and toys in their room. They were great at sorting through what they didn't need anymore. We have SIX large trashbags of clothes and toys (mostly stuffed animals---I'm convinced they multiply at night!). Whew! We then went out with our dear friend and Claire's godmother, Kathy. We ate at House of Chow again--the boys aren't big fans of House of Chow, so the girls wanted to make sure they had their fill while the boys were gone. We had a great visit! We topped off our evening with a quick swim in the pool. Claire even stuck her face in the water...it's progress!
On Friday, we watched Evelyn, the girls' almost 5-month old cousin. She was a sweetie and the girls were such big helpers. They loved having her over to visit. They read to her, sang to her, helped with diaper changes. They said it must have been hard work for Brendan to have 3 babies to help out with when they were born:-) That evening we had BIG plans! We went to the Lyceum Theatre in Arrow Rock to see "Annie." Our friends and neighbors, Gwen and her mom Natalie came with us. The girls were sooooo good. The show didn't even start until 8pm, making it a very late night. They were all troopers. Here's a pic of the great friends..
On Saturday, we had a visit from my dad and his wife, Brenda. We took a walk on the trail and then a hike up to Les Bourgeois Winery, where we ate at the Bistro. Yummy! What a beautiful view as well. We ate and drank our fill before walking back to our car. We barely made it back before more rain came.
Today we've had a "normal" Sunday. Darran is working, so we haven't done much for Father's Day. We've done Sunday School and the girls are now napping. There has been lots of talk about the boys coming home. I love that they have missed each other while they were apart. How long that will last is another story:-) We have enjoyed the time with just the girls, but are looking forward to having our boys home. Of course, this will mean the house will be MUCH noisier, but we wouldn't have it any other way!
