Morning on Fiddlers Green

Ella teaching her baby to walk

Circus tricks with puppy (Katie) and gorilla (Ella).

More circus tricks inspired by our recent Ringling Brothers circus trip.

Dance Party at Ms Hana's

A neighborhood mommy-friend, Ms. Hana, watched the girls for me and Bill so we could take Zydeco dance lessons. The girls LOVE Ms Hana and her two little kiddos, Phillip and Lily. So as not to be one-upped by Momma and Dada, one evening they had a dance party themselves!

Katie dancing with Phillip and Ella and Lily taking a turn around the floor.

I love Katie's swing out...

and a nice turn...

It looks like the "dance" party turned in to a "tickle Phillip" party!

Time for cupcakes -- yum, yum!

Ella showing how she ices her cupcake.

Katie demonstrating how to EAT hers.

Posing with Puppy

The girls wanted their picture taken with Puppy and Daddy obliged them. They got all dressed up -- Ella in her princess dress and Katie in a new sundress, put a bow on Puppy's hair (i.e., ear), and they were ready for the shoot.

Ella in Princess attire and Katie in the new sundress Grandma bought her.

Puppy is above them on the window sill.

ahhh, giving Puppy a hug...

and kisses.

Last day of (3-yr-old pre) School!

Katie and Ella not only survived preschool this year, but they THRIVED! I can't believe the school year is already over -- it seems like only yesterday was the first day! The girls loved their teachers, Mrs. Silva and Mrs. Hobson, and made many new friends this year.

For the end-of-year party, Mrs. Silva asked each child to do something -- read a book, sing a song. Katie and Ella decided to put on a play. Katie chose "Little Miss Muffet" in which she was Little Miss Muffet and Ella was the spider. Ella chose "Little Bo Peep" in which she was Little Bo Peep and Katie was the lost sheep. It was very cute. Unfortunately, I didn't get a single photo of it!

Here are a few snapshots I did manage to get...

The "1-12" dance (also known as The Macarana)

All the kids SITTING and eating
(probably one the best skills they learned this year!)

Ella getting a kick out of her classmate, Kira

(who did a dance for the class, hence the pretty dress).

Katie giving the camera a funny grin... ?

Story time with Pop

Sand Day 2009

Sand Day 2009 -- Every year, new sand arrives at the beaches of Lake Barcroft and the day is honored with it's very own celebratory festivities -- it's called Sand Day. It's kid-friendly, old-fashioned, neighborly fun -- and, just like last year, we had a BLAST!

The first event is the Spoon Race...

The kids line-up for the Spoon Race

(Katie & Ella are in the middle in polka-dot swim 'cover-overs', as they call it)

Ella drops her ball, but picks it up and keeps on going!

Katie is close behind.

Now, it's time for the sack race... the girls are going at it hard!

The the main event for the Brigman girls is the 3-legged race...

here, they appear to be sizing up their competition... or, they could be day-dreaming about the cupcakes they are guaranteed later at the cupcake walk -- hard to tell.

Dad giving the girls a few pointers.

Giving me their "Winner's Smile"

And, they're OFF!

They're closing in... the girls take 2nd place!

Now, it's time to cheer on the parents...

Some might say we came in last, but I like to think we were a close 2nd...

if only Momma had longer legs, I'm certain we could have won!!!

Time for the Treasure Hunt...

Katie on the look-out for whatever treasure she might find.

Ella taking stock of the booty...

Time for the tug-o-war competition -- kids vs parents!

Daddy pulling with all his might...

but he's no match to the little kids -- the kids win (with a little help from the mommy's)!

Katie taking a spin at the cupcake walk. The single most anticipated event of the day!

Relaxing after the games and having a cookie with friends, Alina and Grace.

Chuck-E-Cheese OR BUST!

Some developmental milestones have been easy for Katie and Ella (walking, talking, sassing their momma!), but some have been a little tougher. For these little girls, pooping on the potty is their BIG stumbling block. But, they are really, really trying... here they are showing off their jar FULL of diamonds (1 diamond for every poop on the potty!). Their reward? An evening out at Chuck-E-Cheese!!!!

" YEAH!!! We're going to Chuck-E-Cheese!" says Katie (in pink) and Ella (in purple).

Katie giving her "princess smile" and Ella showing how excited she is!

"Yum, YUM! We LOVE Chuck-E-Cheese!!!"