Plans for August

We've had a rough week since our last post. Somebody stole our family's only car. It happened at the BART station in a good neighborhood during broad daylight. It is quite a pathetic little tale. Somebody actually stole a 16-year old toyota with rust and body damage. Inside our car were our two car seats, two umbrella strollers and my baby backpack that I take to the grocery store. It was quite a sad thing to happen. And really bad timing with our upcoming move. What kind of creep takes a car with two carseats in the back? The monetary value of the car was not huge, but its the opportunity cost of getting a new car that is rough. To make matters worse, we just spent quite a bit of money getting the car ready for the drive back East.

We spent the weekend feeling sorry for ourselves and trying to come up with a new plan of action. We've decided to ship our stuff and fly home for the month of August in between California and NJ. We will divide our time between N and S Indiana. We're so looking forward to spending time with our families. Mark's parents have graciously saved the day by offering us their extra minivan. So, soon we won't be car-less (but we will spend August being homeless and jobless which is such a weird thing to think about!) Mark says I need to stop fretting and think of August as a long vacation. I will try to take his advice.

So keep us posted of fun Midwestern events for August. We're coming home!




You can't be sad for long when you live with these goofballs. Here are Lily and Elsa being silly with Mommy's shoes. They are cracking themselves up! Lily was the mastermind of this operation.

The girls have taken the loss of our car in stride. They like our rental and keep shouting "new car, new car" everytime we get in...they are also pretty stoked by their new carseats because they have drink holders and armrests. The girls think they are riding in style.



Elsa is having fun in her playhouse. It is just the right size.


This is Elsa's sadface. Poor Elsa has been having a lot of tantrums the past couple weeks. We're getting an early taste of the terrible-two's. In this picture, she is wearing Elmo on her back. Earlier that day, I'd been trying out my new-used baby backpack and had been using the girls as my test monkeys. Then the girls told me they wanted to carry Elmo on THEIR backs. They kept shouting "Elmo, Monkey, Back!" So, I tied Elmo to their backs. This was great fun until suddenly it was just terrible. Hence, Elsa's sad face.

My favorite twin quote of the week.
Me-- Elsa, can you tell Mommy the magic word?
Elsa-- Hurry!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to the world's best collection of Daddies and Grandpas!


Dear Daddy,

Your girls think you rock the world. We are so lucky to have you in our lives. You're the best.

Mmmmmwha,
Lily, Elsa, Emily and Blue


E,L

E,L

L,E

Dear Grandpa Angyus, Grandpa Panning and Great-Grandpa Angyus. 3 of the greatest, stand-up guys around. We know we can always count on you. And you are so fun to play with, too. Can't wait to see you all in August. Sending big smooches from California.

XXOO

Lily,Elsa, Emily and Mark

E,L

L

E.L

Showing their heritage

I'm not sure if it is their Polish or German showing, but this weekend the girls decided they like sauerkraut. I made a pork roast and sauerkraut for Sunday dinner. Elsa asked for seconds and then thirds of the sauerkraut. We had to cut her off for fear of a tummyache. Apparently, it wasn't a fluke because they had the leftovers yesterday. The girls have strange and adventurous tastebuds for toddlers. Not that I'm complaining *knock on wood that it will continue* I'm just surprised how willing they are to try different foods. They don't always finish, but at least they try it. They've had Mexican, Thai, Indian, Chinese, Italian. The more flavorful, the better. My children like salsa by the spoonful and will suck on lime slices.

On an unrelated note, here are pictures from our local children's farm. The girls love to visit the animals.

I love Elsa's smile of pure joy. She's so happy to feed the goat celery. This goat is especially friendly with the girls. She's their favorite. She also happens to be a twin. She has a twin sister, too.


Another happy Elsa picture.


Sisters feeding another goat.


Lily reaches up to feed the goat.

Fun in the sun.

Our family has been enjoying some beautiful summer weather. I can't believe we are going to leave this fair State. I'm getting really sad about saying good-bye to California.





Elsa and Lily filling up the duck pool. They get the biggest kick out of playing with the hose.


Elsa and Lily enjoying a sunny day at Point Richmond Beach. The girls really loved going in the water this time. They showed no fear. I couldn't believe how unusually warm the water was. Too bad we didn't bring our suits.


Lily and Elsa get a sandcastle lesson from Daddy.


Lily filling up her bucket. The girls had fun squishing their toes on the sea kelp.


The other big excitement of the past week...the new slide. Here's Elsa getting ready to try it. Notice Lily's bringing up the rear with beloved Elmo. Our 4-year old neighbor Ruby and her Dad Fred brought the girls over the slide to use until we move away. It was such a nice gift. Elsa took one look at it and said "Coooooool" in her cute, spontaneous slang. They've been talking up a storm. I can't keep track of all their words. They constantly narrate our entire day. I love their voices and how excited they are to try everything. I also love how they interpret words. This morning Lily told me she wanted to read "Dumpy Dumpy" ie Humpty Dumpty. And Elsa got to enjoy her first icecream-cold. (ie cone). They are so adorable.


Lily wearing her "buckie hat."

WeeWee and EhEh

That's what they call themselves these days. Very cute. Elsa also likes to call Lily her "Sissy." The girls like to know where all the members of their family are at all times. As soon as they wake up, we can here them shouting Mommy? Dadda? Kitty? When Daddy's at work, they ask about him all day long. Where's Dada? Dada Away? When Daddy home? In the late afternoon, they'll park themselves in front of the door waiting patiently for him to come home. They are like a couple of devoted puppies. Mark says they do the same thing when I'm away, but I'm pretty sure he's just trying to be nice.



Here is Elsa striking a dramatic pose with Mommy's hat. We are making a big deal about hats this week in order to encourage the girls to keep their heads covered at the park. It has been so nice and sunny here, but we don't want to get sunburned. Luckily the girls seem to have their Daddy's dark complexion. But, it is good to be careful.


Lily relaxing with a nice spinal twist. She's a natural yogi.


Elsa becomes a willing footrest for her sister. When the girls are in the mood, they are very cuddly with each other. Other times, look out!



Lily likes Mommy's big shoes. They try and copy what we do all the time.



Lily and her buddy Elmo watching Elmo on TV. Grandma and Grandpa A brought the girls each an Elmo doll when they came to visit. This has become THE most exciting toy in the history of toys. They like to do everything with Elmo.



Elsa gives a cute little smile. Their hair seems to be getting quite curly. This makes Mommy very excited. I love my fluffy haired little girls.


Lily's a big girl on the bike. And look, she's wearing her hat at the park. Yay!