The Eyes Have It ~ Theme Thursday

Both times I was pregnant, I spent nine months willing my girls to come out with J’s warm, chocolate-y colored eyes.

When Em came out, I realized that even with all of my willing (and eating a lot of chocolate) she was going to definitely have green eyes, like me. I was consoled by the fact that she got J.’s big, almond-shaped eyes, and not my squinty ones, though.

And when Addie came out, her eyes were even bigger, complete with even longer eyelashes – which I didn’t think was possible. Her eyes are more brown, some days they are close to that chocolate color, but most days they seem to be more golden, kinda green-brown, still definitely lighter than J’s.

In the end, (and all that really matters) I am happy to get to sing “Brown-Eyed Girl” to one of my girls. (Although I do adapt the lyrics to include Em’s pretty green eyes, too.)

Though as similar as they are, I am always astounded when I look at photos of them. The stories their eyes tell are very different, indeed.

Right after she asked what a model is.

Emma has serious eyes. Her eyes are wise beyond their wee little five years. They are always analyzing. Always thinking. Always plotting out her next move or scanning her environment, curiously anxious to ask her next question.

Even playing she is so serious

Addie on the other hand…

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She does not have what I would call “serious” eyes. Where Em’s eyes seem so “wise,” Addie’s are completely child-like. She wears her heart in her eyes. One minute they dance with mischief and happiness, the next they are brimming with tears. They are so very expressive – you are never left wondering what she might be feeling or thinking.

My brown-eyed girl

It is why I love raising these two little girls.

They each come from the same set of genes, growing up in the same environment. You can tell they are sisters – you can see it in their eyes, yet they couldn’t be more different. They are two completely different and individual little beings.

Stop over to Stacy’s today to look through some other sets of eyes.

Christmas Cheer ~ Best Shot Monday

I finally have it. After a packed and productive weekend, I am the proud owner of both a little bit of Christmas spirit and a much shorter to-do list. And it feels good.

We put up not one, but two Christmas trees on Saturday. It was so fun with the girls this year. I’ve said it a hundred times once or twice before, and I’ll say it again…the girls are at the BEST age right now. They are still excited about family time and truly do want to be helpful. I know some day they will not be so anxious to help, and I’ll be left decorating by myself, so I am just eating it up while I can.

Testing out the lights. She kept saying “Are they hot, Mama?”

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Em was an ornament-hanging pro by the end of the night. Very serious about the task and I didn’t even have to go back and re-arrange after her. Well…not too much.

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Every ornament was paid proper respect and excitement. Ad couldn’t believe this one had her name on it!

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And Em loves every ornament from when she was a “baby.” She kept asking, “Was this one mine when I was a tiny baby?”

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So our house is completely decorated. It looks amazing. J and I got a ton of shopping done on Friday. And I also finished my Christmas cards on Saturday (also with a little bit of help from my Christmas elf, Em!).

Not that I don’t have a bunch of stuff to do still, but what a difference a weekend makes. I think I’ll just go turn out the lights and enjoy the fire and the pretty tree.

I’m making this one my Best Shot Monday. The soft glow of Christmas is upon us.

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Make sure to stop over to Tracey’s to see some other glowing Best Shot Monday photos.

Run! ~ Best Shot Monday

I guess my BSM is actually kind of a series. My favorite shot is the third one, but you kind of have to see the progression of photos, it is cuter that way.

So here are the girls outside of the aquarium, watching this little fountain/water wall.

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Whoa! The water shoots up, far and fast!

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Run, quick…so we don’t get wet!

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There wasn’t a chance they could even get remotely wet – but they “ran away” from the fountain for a good 15 minutes. Hey, whatever keeps them occupied, right?

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For more Best Shot Mondays, run on over to Tracey’s…quickly!

Don’t Peek! – Best Shot Monday

My favorite shot from our playgroup/reunion in SF last week. I was hiding this old Easter egg around the yard for them to find. I told them to turn and face the fence and “don’t peek!” While I was trying to find a tricky spot to hide the egg, I looked up and saw this little line-up…

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…but they weren’t peeking! I especially love the two little ones on either end “hiding” their eyes, too. Trying to be like the big girls.

Be sure to swing by Tracey’s for more Best Shot Monday photos!

Don’t Peek! – Best Shot Monday

My favorite shot from our playgroup/reunion in SF last week. I was hiding this old Easter egg around the yard for them to find. I told them to turn and face the fence and “don’t peek!” While I was trying to find a tricky spot to hide the egg, I looked up and saw this little line-up…

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…but they weren’t peeking! I especially love the two little ones on either end “hiding” their eyes, too. Trying to be like the big girls.

Be sure to swing by Tracey’s for more Best Shot Monday photos!