Juliet's a Big Girl Now

September was a big month for Juliet - she learned to use the potty and started sleeping in a big girl bed!  I think seeing her sister go potty helped a lot because she picked it up pretty easily.  We never even got out the little potty, but skipped that step and put her right on the toilet from the beginning.  Because pull-ups really didn't work, Jules wore panties early on and that definitely sped up the process.  More messes to clean up, but it's worth it to have the whole thing done with so quickly.  Our big girl got a Dora certificate to make it official and said "I'm so proud of me!"

Shortly thereafter, we moved Juliet from the nursery into what used to be the guest room, painting it a soft purple.  She's in a twin bed and was so cute the first morning, running into our room at the crack of dawn saying it was wake up time (a gate did go up at her door after that).  The downside is that she no longer naps every day, and in the beginning she would sometimes cry for her crib, saying she missed her baby bed.  She's doing great now though and feels very grown up.  We're so pleased that she's reached these milestones.

Lily's First Day of School

Yesterday was Lily's first day of school.  She is in a preschool program for 4-year-old kids that meets three afternoons a week.  She was so excited about it, when she woke up in the morning she wanted to make presents for her teachers.  She made a mosaic heart and a flower, which she hid behind her back and then presented to her teachers when she met them.  She said she plans to make seven new friends, all girls (the only boys she likes are her cousins).  I think the structure of school will be very good for Lily, and she is also starting gymnastics and swimming lessons again.  It's nice to get back into a routine with the kids!

Juliet's First Haircut

Juliet had her very first haircut last week, just a tiny trim because we love her curls.  She was quite serious about it, sitting very still up in the barber's chair.  She looks so grown up in her after shot!

Trip to Fort Wayne

We had a really nice trip to Fort Wayne a few weeks ago.  We got to see all of the grandparents, as well as extended family, and the girls were thoroughly spoiled.  Lily and Juliet are getting much better at handling the long drive, and we plan to continue visiting twice each year.

4th of July

For Independence Day this year, we went to watch a local parade, then grilled out and did sparklers with the girls.  They thought it was fun and want to be part of the procession before the parade next year.  Kids decorate their bikes and and parade through the streets!

Sesame Place

We had a great time at Sesame Place in Pennsylvania this summer.  There were tons of rides for little kids, a water park, a re-creation of the famous street, and a parade at the end.

Summertime

It has been a long time since I posted pictures because our computer has been broken.  It has been a busy summer, so we have a lot to share with you!