Double Trouble

So this past week (give or take a few days) my mother-in-law, Barb, and I went down to Homestead to babysit Matt's cousin's twin 20 month olds, Anna and Kate, while their parents went on an adult only family trip to Costa Rica. We watched them for about 9 days (from July 20- July 28), and let me tell you, I am ready for law school!! Haha, but seriously, it was so much fun. It was, however, an immense amount of work to watch these non-stop twinkies. Mary Anne and Phil make it look so easy!! I got to learn about their differences and similarities, and learn about my own parenting style. Apparently, I will be the "enforcer", and Matt will get to be the "partner in crime". Thats not to say we didn't have fun because we swam, played in the rocks, went for golf cart rides, went for walks in the stroller, played in rain puddles, gave them bubble baths, had dance parties, built pillow forts, stalked Taylor in the pool, searched for Bella, visited with (great) Grandma Munz and (great) Grandma Jerri, fed Billy Bob, chased peacocks, colored... you name it, we probably did it. I just won't give in to temper tantrums and when I say no, I mean it. All in all, the girls did so much better than we could have hoped for. They were, after all, left in a strange place, with two strange women, and no idea where Mommy and Daddy had gone. The first day was a bit rough (no pictures because it was all survival), but after that it was pretty much smooth sailing. Barb and I made a great team, although she was more Mimi and less Bootcamp Barb than I was anticipating, but we were still talking to each other on the way home. To say the twins have a good appetite is an understatement, those girls devoured their food, especially their fruits and veggies. They also have a dachshund named Bella that I renamed Saint Bella (or Smella Bella which should speak for itself), because she is just the most patient and loving dog I have ever met. The twins would do whatever to her, and she just let it happen. One day Bella is going to end up in a princess costume with painted toe nails, I can just feel it. It was a wonderful week that I will never forget. I love them so much and I was so grateful that we were given the opportunity to help out our family, and have a great time doing it. I would do it all again in a heartbeat, although Barb might take more convincing. I took a good amount of photos so enjoy some of my favorites.

Racing Bella (A/K)

Playing in the rocks (A/K)

(K/A)

Coloring with Bam Bam (K/A)

Hug Train!! (K/A)

Big pool time!! (K/A)

Kate and Bam Bam

Enjoying the kiddie pool (A/K)

Baby booties!!

They don't call me Anna Banana for nothing!!

It hurts so good! (K/A)

Anna and her popsicle (or whats left of it)

Kate and her popsicle mess

Kate eating at the big girl table!

Anna snacking at the picnic table (like I said, these girls will eat all day if you let them)

Enjoying the paper (K/A)

Anna checking on the latest toy sales at Toys R Us. 

Anna and her blocks

Visiting with Grandma Jerri (A/K)

Anna on the swing!

Kate on her swing!

Iguana by the pond.

Anna in the kiddie pool

Kate in the kiddy pool

its a blurry picture, but I love it. Anna running away from me.

Chilling in the pool (K/A)

Kate in the big girl pool!!

Taking a stroll with Bam Bam (K/A)

Notice the shoes? They would have it no other way (K/A)

Trying to blow bubbles (A/K)

More popsicles (more mess)!! (A)

It wasn't a free ride, they helped Bam Bam do laundry (K/A)

and helped me take out the trash (A)

bubble bath time!! (K/A)

Anna acting silly at breakfast

Sweetest. dog. ever. Saint Bella

pillow tunnel! (K)

Anna

Anna

Eating at the big girl table (A/K)

So I taught Kate a "stink face", which she does to make you laugh. This is it, and i LOVE it!!

Anna playing in the puddle

Kate playing in the puddle

Kate and Anna playing in the puddle

Grandma Munz delivering mail

visiting with BOTH (great) grandmas!!

Bella chasing the golf cart.

Anna on a golf cart ride!

Super Bella!!