One small step...

Tommy and Ellie and I traveled south last weekend to attend the graduation ceremonies for my nieces, Rachel and Megan.  These girls were my first twins. It is so hard to believe that they are old enough to be heading off to college.  With a step and a handshake, they each accepted their diploma and ended a major phase of their lives.

Rachel graduated from Clinton-Massie High School

And Megan from Madeira High School

Thirty years ago, I also wore the white gown at Madeira.  At the graduation ceremony I sat across the aisle from one of my classmates whose daughter was in this year's class.  Afterwards I also had a chance to chat with my all time favorite teacher, Bob Larbes.  He is still teaching there, going strong even though he could have retired several years ago.

Seeing several people from my past, and noticing just how stinking old they look makes me chuckle at my new set of twins, my own kiddos, with Tommy just starting to take his own first steps...

He learned to let go of the furniture and other people in order to clap and say "yay!" 

Ellie has also learned to clap.  It is one of their favorite things to do. 

So self-congratulatory, my babies! 

Here she has won the prize when I accidentely dropped her

in the toy bin during one of her dumpster diving moments.

Whatchu talkin' about, Willis?

ketchup

Mother's Day was a quiet day spent at home with kiddos.

After naptime, we headed outside for some time on the swings.

 

Later in the week we stripped down the babies and let them have a go at ice pops.

 

 

Eliana's latest favorite is the musical activity center. 

Once she finishes eating, she always tries to dive into it. 

 She is not yet pulling herself up, nor sitting down easily,

but she will stand and "dance" for as long as possible...

usually, until she is crowded out by another dancer. 

 She is also catching up with Tommy in the raspberry department... 

Grass is SCARY!!!

Friday was a beautiful day so I decided to take the babies to visit Grandma and Grandpa Selvage.  They have about 2 acres in Jeromesville and are avid gardeners, but Tommy and Ellie haven't been there since last winter, so they hadn't seen any of this yet.

Grandma and Grandpa were outside when we arrived, so we enjoyed some outside time.  Or some of us enjoyed it anyway.

I suppose I need to smack myself for letting my kiddos make it to the 11 month mark without ever sitting them on the ground outside.  I guess I never really thought about it.  They've been outside many times, but they have always either been in arms or a stroller or a swing or a car.  They've seen nature, they've just never touched it... until now...

Tommy totally freaked out when I set him in the grass!

Did I say freaked out?  I meant FREAKED OUT!!!

He screamed, he cried, then he turned and started to run away. 

Or crawl away as it were...

He was trying desparately to try to find the edge of this strange bumpy rug, but he couldn't.  And poor kiddo, I was laughing so hard that it took me a minute to realize just how serious he was about his dislike of nature and rescue the little guy.

Grandma went and found a blanket for him to sit on.  It helped...

A little...

Ellie was braver.  She investigated her surroundings...

But I'm not sure that her opinion of grass was much higher than Tommy's was...

She was a good sport though, and at least she didn't cry...

A little picnic improved the mood... 

but the flowers on Grandma's blanket were the only ones we got near on this visit. 

Watch out Ellie... you snack is not safe! 

We'll be back.  Tommy and Ellie can't resist Grandpa and Grandma for long... 

Just Playing Around

I have had so much fun playing with my new camera this week.  I don't really have much to say, but thought I would share a few of my favorite pictures.

sleepy nose...

in the morning light

up on all fours...

an Ellie screech...

the noisy toy...

 my favorite shot...

at lunchtime

ahhh... perfection in peanut butter... 

my toast appears to be plain...

 at lunch again the next day...

we likes us some sammiches...

 

later that day...

 my sweet girl...

is showing off that tongue again...

and working the teeth.  poor dolly bear!

posing is such hard work... 

my handsome boy...

 

hah!  you thought I was only taking pictures of my kids!

(well, I did have to baby this clematis a lot a few years ago)

 

afternoon read... 

chewing things over... 

and over...

look mama, no hands! 

raspberries! (but not the cookie type)

(and that is Tom's hairy leg, not mine!)

the gift giver... 

 not a good picture, but this was my attempt to catch the "supermoon". 

I couldn't figure out the right settings so my camera kept trying to focus

and this was one of only two pictures that it would even let me snap. 

And with all this, I had already missed the superness.  Diane Sawyer said 11:34 p.m., dangit!

a little sleepy at dinner tonight...

going...

 

 going...

nope, I'm not gonna fall asleep...

gone!

 

According to the numbering on my photos, it looks like I've taken 378 pictures this week.  No wonder I didn't have anything else to tell about!  And aren't you glad I didn't make you scroll through all of them?