Petting Zoo Fun

Before Ms Terumi and Anna Yuki left, we tried to pack our days with as many fun things as possible. One day we loaded the girls up and took them to a nearby petting zoo. The girls had the most fun riding the pony and the 25 cent merry-go-round. Katie and Ella weren't too fond of the other animals and I can't say I blame them -- they were quite smelly!

Ella decided to take a turn behind the camera... Here's her shot of me and Ms Terumi...
and one of Anna Yuki.

Ella really enjoyed riding the pony...

as did Katie.

Ella was very brave and let the pony eat out of her hand! I was impressed because I know how afraid she was. That kid's bravery constantly amazes me -- so often I have seen her face her fears head-on. I'm so proud of her for that!

The girls take a ride on the (pretend) rhino!

And the final bit of fun was on the merry-go-round.

Speaking of Cookies

The other night I began reading a book the girls had picked out for their bedtime story. It's called, "Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons". It's a GREAT book, by the way -- beautiful illustrations and a cute 'cookie' inspired definitions, such as "FAIR means, You get a bite, I get a bite..." Back to MY story... I lie down between the girls' beds and begin reading, "... Cookies...", I say, but before I can say another word, Ella interrupts. She says, "Speaking of cookies... can we have one for a bedtime snack?" ...As if she had the whole thing planned... :-)

Hangin' Out at the Mall

One thing I love about living in (okay, near) DC is that "hangin' out at the Mall" takes on a whole new meaning. Bill saw that Buckwheat Zydeco was playing at DC's Jazz Fest, so we loaded up the girls and headed downtown. Unfortunately, it was a warm day and the girls weren't agreeable to sitting in the sun and just listening to music for very long, so we took a stroll down the Mall and...

Rode the carousal...

checked out the flower garden...

had an ice cream...

and checked out the Washington Monument up close.

Ella decided to take a turn behind the camera. Here's Mommy & Katie...

and then Daddy & Katie in front of the Washington Monument.

Then Katie took a turn behind the camera...

Daddy & Ella

Family photo sans Katie.

Later, we found a shady spot by a giant water fountain. The girls decided to put on their swim goggles so the water wouldn't get in their eyes.

Daddy's Retirement Ceremony

Lt Col Brigman's last day in uniform. We are all smiling because it means no more deployments and more time with Daddy! Hooray!!!

Lots of family and friends came for Daddy's ceremony and big party. In this picture are: Pop (Daddy's daddy), Granny (Daddy's daddy's mommy), Uncle Andy (Daddy's little brother), Mommy, Ella, Katie (on right with bow on top of head), Aunt Bonnie (Daddy's little sister), and Mimi (Daddy's mommy).

Little Gym's "Big Show"

The girls have been taking a beginner's gymnastics class at Little Gym with their best friend, Anna Yuki. The final day of class was their "Big Show".

Katie, Anna, and Ella getting ready for the show to start. You can tell how excited they are!

After their big entrance, waiting for the rest of their classmates.

Monkeying around on the low bar. Katie upside-down.

Ella's turn.

Katie on the high bar -- a huge achievement because she was VERY afraid!
Ella (below) actually did a flip on the high bar, but my camera wasn't fast enough to catch it.

The class getting their medals for a job well done!

Ella, Anna, and Katie showing off their medals.

Princess Dresses or Christening Gowns?

I was going through some things and found the girls' christening gowns -- Gowns that my mother made for them when they were 8 months old. The girls saw them too and, of course, just HAD to try them on. Much to my amazement, those gowns actually FIT Katie and Ella! They are still a little long, but with princess shoes, they are just the right length.

Katie at 8 months in her Christening gown.

Katie at 4-and-a-half in her Princess dress.


Katie giving me a princess smile and pose.



Katie (left) and Ella doing their 'princess' pose together.

Ella at 4-and-a-half giving me her 'princess' pose in her princess dress.

Ella at 8 months giving me her 'happy baby princess' pose.

Ella (with Momma) and Katie (with Daddy) and GiGi at their Baptism. You'll notice Ella's red face. She cried off and on all through the ceremony. It was later that I found the pin that was accidentally left in the dress -- poor baby!

Our Little Rosebuds

Katie and Ella have been taking ballet with Ms Lisa and they had their first 'real' recital recently -- with REAL costumes and it was on a REAL stage. They were the "Rosebuds" and they were absolutely ADORABLE! They were so excited -- in part because they got to wear their hair in a bun and put on make-up! And, not a hint of stage fright! They both had their gwagies (their special blankets) and Katie had Puppy backstage so they wouldn't be scared. But, I don't think they needed them at all! We were so proud of them!

The girls waiting in line to get their hair done (Ella on the left/Katie on the right).
All the little Rosebuds lined up and ready to go...

A close-up of MY rosebuds.... Katie on the left and Ella on the right.

We noticed that Katie did the entire performance with her lips held tightly together. Afterwards I asked her if she liked having make-up on and she said, "Yes. And, I held my lips like this (above) so my lipstick wouldn't come off!"

Another shot of the girls waiting for their curtain call.

Katie and some of her fellow Rosebuds after the big performance -- she was so excited!

Ella after the performance looking very proud of herself!

Katie with her flowers... I believe that is her 'princess' smile.

Ella with her flowers.