"Best Friends Forever, You and Me!"

Today isn't even over and we've had so much fun!

Last night, Matt decided he wanted to go to the zoo. He's been suggesting that we go for weeks now. I think it's pricey and and have been putting off his suggestion. However, this morning, I happily relented. Of course, we had a great time.

I would not recommend the zoo for anyone considering a visit to Portugal or for families thinking about a season's pass. The zoo is in dire need of proper upkeep and renovations. In no way could it be put in the class of The Denver Zoo or the San Diego Zoo (both so very nice). However, our little girls don't know the difference and enjoyed the sights of tigers, gorillas, elephants, zebras, giraffes, seals, reptiles and more. I don't have pictures from the zoo because I brought my video camera this time, instead of my digital (we have plenty of photos from our last visit).

They woke up from their naps to the "baby" pool set up in our yard and, aside from dinner and a snack (homemade ice cream, which we made together, from a recipe posted on ToddleBits - a new blog "find" I've been really enjoying), they've been in it ever since. They are truly becoming best friends and spend a lot of time having fun together and very little time fighting (Yet, at least. Lila puts up with Olivia's extreme bossiness).

Matt decided, at the last minute, that he wanted to go out to dinner. The restaurant doesn't open until 7:30. So, we snagged a sitter, will put the kids to bed for her, and head out with friends to our new favorite South African restaurant. The ostrich is so delicious and, if we're fortunate enough, the owner will remember, and have on hand, the bottle of wine he served us at our last visit. Yum, my mouth is watering...I better get ready to go!

Weekend Review

I've been sick for five days now. One of those colds that comes on quickly and with such a ferocity that you know you're going to be knocked down for days. My normal homeopathic remedies have done little to ward off the intensity of this sore throat and head virus. Tonight, as I write this, I'm better than I was on, say, Saturday, but know it'll be the end of the week before I feel like venturing out. My immune system is so compromised that I dare not leave the house for fear of exposure to anything else.

Fortunately, Matt was able to take the girls to the park and keep them quite happy and occupied this weekend while I rested. He didn't complain once about the quality (or lack thereof) of food I made for meals. He was exhausted from a long week away and did his best to grin and bare it, despite needing rest himself. Nothing like walking through the door, excited to see your family, only to be greeted by a sick wife and toddlers just demanding undivided attention!

On Sunday morning, Matt went to Ikea and bought the shelving system I had picked out last Tuesday. He came back with everything I had asked for. Sunday afternoon, as Olivia was finishing up her nap, Lila and I helped Matt put it together. The room looks so much better (read, organized). We can still have our soft corner too. In the right hand corner, you'll notice two pillows and a box of books underneath. There are also books in one of the bins and on a couple of shelves. Next to the pillows, where you can't see, is our "parking station." We park doll strollers, a tea cart and a doll Pack and Play there. Move a few things out of the way, throw the pillows down and voila, soft corner once again.

Ikea shelving system (I was pleased to read it was made in Italy, not China)

The "new" room was an instant hit with the girls. Especially, Olivia who proclaimed, "I love it daddy, thank you! I just love it!" She's so happy with it (she has yet to realize that our home is becoming an Ikea showroom), that I got a bit of reprieve today to rest, have a couple cups of hot tea and finish a book while they played well together.

Since we'll be staying close to home this week, if the weather holds up, I'm planning this activity with the girls. It looks like easy clean-up, which is what I need right now (wait, what I always need)!

You Know Your Toddler's an Army Brat When...

...she uses "accountability" in a sentence.

For those of you unfamiliar with the military, the word accountability has much the same meaning in the Army as anywhere else, however, it is used frequently, almost obcessively, in Army speak. While used in several contexts, the most common is that of property accountability; each Soldier is assigned property (equipment) from his unit which he is then personally accountable to keep track of. Loss of said property is not to be taken lightly.

DH, a Soldier, can occasionally be overheard telling Olivia that she has to "always maintain accountability of her property;" particularly her "sensitive items." (Sensitive items are those pieces of equipment that are most dangerous when lost, including weapons and communications gear).

Olivia's "sensitive" items are as follows:

• Taggie
• Frizzily (small beanie-type bear)
• Blanket (medium-sized fleece blanket she always sleeps with)

Tonight, as I put Lila to bed in her room, I overheard the tail end of a story in which Olivia was saying to Matt, "...and I didn't know where Frizzily was because his mom didn't keep accountability of him."

DH and I aren't sure who said mother was in this particular story. Her dolls and stuffed animals parents' change from day to day. Matt thinks I was Frizzily's mom tonight, and I think she was saying that she was Frizzily's mom. It doesn't matter. Frizzily is now in good hands; tucked under the arm of one three-year-old, blue-eyed, blonde as she settles in and begins to dream the night away.

Note: Some definitions and background information added by Matt McQuilton (DH).