Two and a half

We just love these girls!

They have both Stephen and I wrapped around our finger.

At two and a half these two are smart, busy, into everything, get into trouble together, make more messes than I can count, give the best hugs, are talking more and more every day, take toys from each other, watch out for each other at the park, pretend to be dogs, monsters, princesses and dinosaurs, help each other put on their shoes and find their coats, they both can out run me, and tickle and giggle with each other. They are quite the duo and are best friends.....and nobody ever believes me that they are twins because they are so different. Different in size, in looks and in personality. Here's what they are doing at age 2 1/2....

Olivia:

• This girl loves to be held and whenever she wants me to pick her up she'll say "Mommy, I need a hug" and every single time my heart melts and I pick her up. I'm truly trying to cherish these moments, because I know they do not last long. 
• She is a major chocolate lover....I have to hide it or she will throw a major tantrum. Every time she asks for milk, she always asks for "chocolate milk, PLLEEEAASSSSE!
• She knows all of her colors pretty well and even gray, gold and peach. 
• She is our peacemaker in the family and has a sweet heart. She's always will say "sorry mommy, I'm sorry" and want a hug.  If Andrew falls or is mad over something. She will go and find a toy or something to give to him to help him be happy. Most of the time it's random things, but it still amazes me. 
• She can pretty much dress and undress herself. We go through a few different outfits a day.
• Her favorite color is purple.
  

• Rapunzel is her favorite princess....because she is purple. 
• She loves to have daddy put her to bed and it's a sad night when he can't. 
• She is picky eater, she loves veggies and fruit, crackers, chips, cold cereal, pancakes, grilled cheese and occasionally hot dog, chicken nugget, yogurt or rice....that's about the extent of her diet these days. 
• She weighs 26 lbs. (don't know her exact height)
• She it starting to get the concept of sharing...having to practice all day, everyday it's starting to sink in with her and if her and Kathryn are fighting over something, she'll be the one to let go and come to me and say, "Mommy, set a timer, my turn?" Her sister on the other hand....not so much. 
• Her favorite songs are, "Jesus wants Me for A Sunbeam" "Daddy's Homecoming" and "Head Shoulders, Knees and Toes." 
• She loves to read and her favorite book is "Put me in the Zoo" and "What Makes a Rainbow?"
• She is my helper and loves to help me around the house. She'll be the first to go get a rag when something has spilled, whether it was her or somebody else. Her favorites chores are to help match socks when I'm folding laundry and to sweep, clean windows/mirrors and scrub toilets. She will always dump the dustpan into the garbage and will tell me. "I do it mommy, it's my job."
• She loves having her hair done and if I'm sitting on the floor she'll grab a brush and want to comb my hair and put clips and flowers in it too. 

Kathryn:

• Kathryn's totally into counting. We count everything. From the steps we climb to the number of buses we pass on the road. She likes to count anything she can get her hands on and line things up and count them. It's pretty cute! 
• Whenever we are in the car and see a school bus, she will always say, "I found it! I found it! I found Andrew"  It's so fun!                                                                                                   3
• She my strong willed child. Getting dressed is a huge chore. 
• She is a lover of food! She can't chew fast enough...ever. She also loves to help me in the kitchen and is actually a good little helper. I can really give her some simple things and she'll actually do them pretty well. 
• She hates having her hair done, but LOVES to brush her teeth. or maybe it's that pink bubble gum toothpaste! I caught her hiding in the bathroom with the lights off just licking the toothpaste tube. I don't know how much she actually ate, but I seriously couldn't believe it. 
• She loves to be wrapped up in her "kankies" (blankies) and cuddled and held/rocked like a baby. Once in a while, she'll hand them to me and say "Baby, baby, baby" and she wants to be held like that. It doesn't happen very often, but I love it when she wants to cuddle. 
• Her favorite books are "Hand Hand Fingers Thumb" and "The Big Hungry Bear and the Red Ripe Strawberry!" 
• She loves to sing and other than Frozen and Moana songs, Her favorites are "I'm a child of God" "E-I-E-I-O" and "Wheels on the Bus" 
• This little girl is non-stop always on the go. She loves to jump, climb, slide, and run around. 
• She is Andrew's little shadow in everything he does and says. She still cries when he leaves on the bus and can't wait to get her shoes on and go and get him off the bus to welcome him home every day. 
• I've given up in the nap department. I've tried everything with this girl. I've laid down with her, tried sleeping in different beds, putting a crib tent on, taking blankets and toys away...nothing has worked to get her to nap. So after a 3-4 months I threw in the towel and we have quiet time every day. It only lasts about 30-45 minutes. But I cherish those few minutes to get a few things done. She still needs one desperately and at about 3pm-6pm she is cranky and unreasonable. She also gets board pretty fast without her playmate and I really have to watch her or she'll run into Olivia's room and wake her up. 
• This girl is all about painting her nails. She looooves it! And sometimes, maybe sometimes I use it as my bribe for certain things....like getting dress. Hey, it works like a gem. :) 
• She gives the best hugs. Arms literally wrapped around your neck cheek to cheek and squeezes with all her might. I love getting them every single morning when she comes down the stairs. 
• She is a jumper and a climber. Oh my goodness she has reached new heights in our house and jumps on anything and everything. One of the things to redirect this is to pull out a book. She loves books and will settle right down and really spends time just looking at and pouring over the pictures. I'm glad there is one thing that will calm her down...it gives me a little hope. :) 

Where have my little babies gone? These two are such blessings in our lives! We love them so much and I'm so grateful they are apart of our family!