Desperate to coax the girls outside so I could get some part of the house tidy and staying tidy, Mommy bribed them with raking leaves.... a very Fall thing to do, right? But even if Mommy has to shake the leaves of the tree first? Worked fine - except they kept calling for Mommy to shake more leaves off! They did a pretty passable job. don't you think?

Tidbits:

Jasmin figured out how to make a dog with the Lego. For a few days that is all they made and played with, and even slept with! Now they're onto being dogs, but that's another story...

Doing laundry yesterday I opened the washer after the first load and pulled out - a paint roller. That made my heart jump as I considered the implications for this load of wash (I've been painting the girls' bedroom)... but it was not as I feared. The paint-loaded roller is still upstairs; this was a spare that they'd been playing with and "tidied up" by putting in the washer!

Yes, I finally tackled more painting! We've been here just over a year and I still haven't finished painting the place! I have 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms to go. The girls and I began their room last week. Managed to get all one coat on, but haven't tried for the second yet - the girls really enjoyed "helping" by painting smiley faces and animals on the wall, but that won't be so harmless for the final coat! Finding time with energy and distracted girls isn't easy.

Jasmin had all of 4 days free and clear of cold then began again, so now as she is again improving, grace has succumbed and Mommy isn't feeling that great either. I hope this is not to be the pattern for the whole winter! If so, let's get to Asia quickly...

Needing to apply for new passports, we began the process of getting pictures taken. Grace did really well, but the specification of not having any hair clips or elastics showing in the picture made for an interesting hairdo... we're growing out her bangs and they are just at the too long-too short stage.
And Jasmin? Took us three visits to the studio before she would even get on the stool! Then it went like this:
"Close your mouth like this..hmmmmm"
Jasmin closes her mouth with her tongue between her lips.
"put your tongue in"
She puts a finger up to push her tongue in.
"put your hand down"
She does and opens her mouth!
Took us a while but we did get one we hope will pass. Now for the downtown bus ride and wait in line...

How I spent my Thanksgiving Monday:

Using up material leftovers in a practical way: backpacks for the girls for when we travel. They really like sheep right now, and it will be a good reminder for them to always follow - hopefully
:o)

Last week was a sick week in our house. All of us had our turns with our first main winter cold. These are pictures from one of the times Daddy was looking after the girls so Mommy could rest...

We've been reading this book a fair bit (among others) at bedtime lately.
Leading to a Mommy challenge to make baby girl hair stay in ponytails in odd places. Jasmin was mighty proud of hers looking like a tree.

Grace was disappointed hers didn't stand straight up too!

Grace was teaching Jasmin! She was saying the letters and the sounds and making Jasmin repeat them. Of course, but the time I got the video going she was on to something else - but just as sweet. She's singing all the things we put up on the wall in preparation for Thanksgiving. We began with coloring "thank you God for..." and then have been drawing a new thing or two each day that we thank God for. Grace is singing an impromptu thank you song.

Jasmin's favorite pastime - when Grace will allow her to do something different than her! Not a bad tower builder when she doesn't get dragged off to play Grace's games.

Last night we went to Grace's best friend's birthday party. It was wonderful for us all to be out of the house, with friends, in a boisterously loud and happy home. Isa is now three like Grace. Grace had a bit of a hard time accepting that it wasn't her 3rd birthday all over again! Despite being in a houseful of French-speaking strangers, the girls quickly felt comfortable enough to be off playing.
Isa's Mommy had tiaras, glasses, and glow stick bracelets for everyone to wear. Then she turned off the lights as we danced to an African Children's Choir DVD. It was a blast!

Jasmin with great solemnity trying to follow the dance moves.

The birthday girl dancing away.

Grace seeing stars...

Daddy having fun with Mommy's long hair

and a short video to see what it was like...

thank you for inviting us Isabella!