Mia was particularly impressed with Dr. Heck's hat, or beard... We weren't sure! (If you click on the picture you might be able to see her adoring gaze a little better.)
Grandma Karyl came on Wednesday so that we could have some girl time with the girlies. It just happens to be the weekend of the Lemonade Art Festival and Concert which is something I have looked forward to attending with my daughters ever since I learned I was pregnant. Playtime with Grandma is very entertaining, even giggle inspiring!
I got together for coffee with some former students today. They have been waiting to meet the girls and told me that when the girls were first born they had made t-shirts with the girls' names on them. I said I'd need to see them to believe it. They weren't kidding! ...One more example of the kind of support and encouragement that helped Mia and Allison (and me) through a pretty worrisome start! Thank you!
Though Mia and Allison aren't pulling themselves into a sitting position yet, it became obvious to me that 'bassinet' level probably won't cut it for much longer. Laying on her tummy and arching her head up, Allison has peeked at me over the crib rail a couple of times now. It is a little shocking because I'd gotten used to finding them right where I had laid them and only seeing them when I peered in over the bumper pads. Mia and Allison used to stare at the bunnies on the bumper pads, but now that they're gone they chat, look at each other, and catch Shawn and I as we try to sneak in and out of their room! 
Last Friday we got together with some friends and got to see Mia and Allison play with someone a little more their size! They all took turns commandeering the pile of toys and entertained each other well enough that the grown ups could eat dinner. Thanks for having us over, Dave and Elizabeth!I like to think Shawn had a very good first Fathers' Day. It started with a little sleeping in, then meeting up with Ken and Amy for coffee and a bike ride on the Wobegon Trail, some yard work (couldn't be avoided...), and then the rest of the day at the river. The girls and I are so lucky to have Shawn as "daddy" or "husband"! I give profound thanks to Shawn for all he does for our family, and many many thanks to my 'papa' and dad-in-law for all they have shared with us as well.
Speaking of my dad, he sent an email today wishing me a happy Mother's Day, noting that he feels every day is Mother's Day and Father's Day. In that respect, I'd also like to share my appreciation for all the mothers and fathers and friends who have shared their support, advice, and encouragement with us over this past year. Comments left on this blog, meals, volunteered hours of babysitting, and even time spent scrubbing our floors and sorting our socks (my least favorite chore)- These are the things that carried Shawn and I through some of what I like to think will have been the most stressful times of our lives. (If we're destined for this last year's kind of stress in the future, I don't think I want to know about it...) Thank you for your continued support and interest in our little family!
Lately, Allison's favorite toy is whichever toy Mia is playing with at the time. I thought it was a good thing we have two (actually 12) remotes for them to play with, but when I traded their remotes hoping to end the conflict, Allison became disinterested in her own and went for her sister's again! It brought back flashbacks to my childhood when my brother would do the same thing to me. He is very good at sharing now, but back in the day I had to learn to play with a second favorite until he swiped it and then go for the toy I really wanted in the first place. I try to explain sharing to Mia and Allison but Shawn thinks they're too little to get it... Is it still worth the effort? 
Somewhere along the trail our sweet Mimi turned into the streetwise "G-Bunny".
Taking advantage of the hotel swimming pool, Mia and Allison donned little swimming suits for the first time in their lives and took the plunge. Allison was a little uncertain about the water,
but Mia was an immediate fan. She kicked her feet and splashed around with Grandma!
Bryn and Henry, who recently graduated to the 'clown fish' level of their swim lessons, were more than happy to show their floating prowess.
It was another quick but great weekend together with the fam. We are already looking forward to the next get-together and hope it too will be by water! 
Henry helped Allison through the ceremony...
