The sun finally came back today! It was so great to get the babies back outside after so many rainy days! We started the day with a unique celebration. We headed to Kennesaw Memorial Gardens to remember and celebrate an old friend's son's (Shane's) life! Shane was a fine young man, a Marine, who stepped into heaven 5 yrs ago (on April 3rd) at the age of 22! Today, his family and friends attended a mass early (which we had to miss with the babies nap schedule)and then headed to the cemetery to celebrate more. When we arrived, the twins were quite curious! I spread a little blanket out on the grass where Annabelle and Abigail could sit in their delicate little smocked long dresses. Cade joined them too as he watched all the events. Each attending child was given a balloon along with some of the adult guests, to hold for a bit and then release at a certain time. The twins and Abigail let theirs go and watched as they rose higher and higher! Their eyes got even bigger as the guests opened tiny envelopes to release beautiful monarch butterflies! It was really beautiful to see! One particular butterfly decided to stay around a bit! Mrs. Amy was next to us and her butterfly sat resting on her hand for quite a long time. It shouldn't have surprised us as Mrs. Amy is Victoria's mother- Darby's best friend that was killed in a car accident a couple of years ago. Victoria loved butterflies and they became a signature item in her life as well as in those now going on without her! Darby was given a butterfly ring by Mrs. Amy along with Victoria's other close friends to always remember her by. Victoria is actually buried a few feet from Shane as everyone knew eachother so we were able to visit with her mother too and let the twins see her picture on her grave while learning to say "Victoria"! Darby would've loved it! I of course pulled out my phone, got a video of the babies touching her beautiful picture and practicing her name, and shot it off to Argentina! I couldn't help it! Darby still struggles through many hard days without Vic. I can remember that sinking feeling all the times Darby would call from college or in the middle of some other ordinary day, have that tone in her voice and say, "I miss her so much mom"! It got to where she didn't even have to say her name. I just knew! I hope the video made her feel connected to the day celebrating Shane and remembering Vic too even though she was on another continent! It is hard to believe Vic isn't here! I remember all the times she would be at the house for sleepovers (she loved waffles with peanut butter for breakfast), going to Alabama to go sailing with Nanny and papa and Darby's cousins, cheerleading with Darby and Mary, and all the dances those girls went to. Darby and Vic acutally tied for Homecoming Queen in middle school. It was so fitting as they were best friends! Shane was Mary's older brother and always looked out for the girls! Although we had moved over to Harrison High School district and the girls didn't get to see eachother as much anymore, Darby still loved and missed her so much! After she died, Darby borrowed her prom dress to wear to the Harrison senior prom! It was her way of taking Vic along with her! It's still hard to believe she and Shane aren't with us! I love their mothers dearly! As the three of us posed for a picture, one of them commented on how much we had seen and been through! So true! After the events at the cemetery, we all headed to Shane's favorite Mexican restaurant and enjoyed visiting, laughing, and remembering! The twins were passing out hugs and kisses to several of Shane's family members! It was cute!

We finally came home, got in comfy clothes, and curled up for a nap. 3 hours later, the twins woke up, eager to get outside to have neighborhood time! All the kids were out playing while most of the parents were cutting grass! Stella held little Abigail and the twins ran around soaking up the sunshine! It was good to visit with everyone! We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening out there until it was time for dinner and a bath!

While in the bathtub, Annabelle was sitting behind Cade and started to scratch his back! He froze! It must've felt great! ;) She stopped and soon he said "back" again as he scooted closer to her. She scratched it again! So funny!

We have been short on sleep this week since converting the cribs to toddler beds! Cade woke up at 5am the first morning after sleeping in it. then the second night, at 1:29am, he got up, opened his door, walked in the pitch dark across the open landing, down the staircase, across the den floor (littered with toys), through the baby gate, to bust our double bedroom doors wide open (loudly) and said, "mama"! I nearly had a heart attack! Each night has been so challenging to get them to stay in bed and go to sleep. One night they had a "lets take everything out of the drawer" party! Annabelle's clothes were everywhere! There have been some spankings and fussy parents in the Anderson house!! Hopefully it will get better soon!

Little Cade has also mastered turing the deadbolt on the front door and opening it! Off to the store tomorrow to handle that! He is so smart and logical! I crack up that his favorite little TV show is Bob the Builder! Maybe another little engineering mind like his Daddy! He smiles and gives me a proud look when he accomplishes something new..especially when its something he shouldn't! :0! I got a stool for Abigail to use in physical therapy the other day and he proudly put it next to the wall so that he could reach the light switch! If I had a dollar for every time that light goes on and off! He is picking up a lot of new words still! Friday night we got them a hamburger and fries while on the way to Costco. (It's a weekend thing, I promise I cook and we all eat together at the table on weekdays, but you know, even the good Lord rested one day out of the week) Anyway, Cade has learned to say "hamgeburger"! It's so cute!!

Annabelle just keeps me giggling! The other day I dropped a 3 ring binder full of recipes on the floor and of course they all fell out! I said, "oh no, You've got to be kidding me" as I leaned over to pick them up! Later at the next meal, Annabelle plunked down her sippy cup onto what she thought was the table. Unfortunately, it was on her open faced fake peanut butter and jelly sandwich! She picked it up, surveyed the messy bottom, and said with a big sigh and perfect inflection, "oh no, you've got to be kidding me". It was hysterical! WE laughed so hard! The other day, Jamie asked her if she loved her Daddy a little (with his hands barely apart) or a lot(with his arms wide open)? She answered with her little arms stretched as far apart as she could get them, "a lot"! Oh, that grin on Daddy's face didn't fade for hours! She's quite methodical too! When we had burgers and fries in the truck Friday, the twins held their hamburger and tucked their fry container into the side of their car seat. Little Abigail expected a cut of the yummy goods as she thinks she's a triplet. I found a little squishy fry and gave it to her. Oh how she worked it with her 2 little teeth! Annabelle wanted to give her more but I told her no, that the baby could only have little mushy ones since she doesn't have many teeth. The next thing I knew, the baby was happily chewing and Annabelle had resolved the issue! I watched her and realized she was pinching off little pieces of french fry, putting them in her own mouth, chewing it up a bit, then giving it to the baby! If you discount the gross factor, that's pretty brilliant! 25 mths...I'm definitely in trouble! She has also been really keeping her baby doll with her all the time. That poor baby has to wave bye bye to Daddy every morning, ride in the toy stroller endlessly, even get her diaper changed. She had to look at the cake Annabelle baked the other day..but unfortunatley, looked a little too closely! When Annabelle pulled her back, she had icing on her head..not to worry, Annabelle did what any good mother would...she licked it off! ha ha!

Abigail is determined not to be outdone! She makes her mark among the twins! She decided to start waving while we were at Costco! She did it 3 times to different people over about 45 minutes. I was determined to get a video on my phone and finally did! I'm sure all the people watching me try to get it thought I was crazy and that it wasn't a big deal. But when it comes to Abigail, its all a big deal to me! Most people don't realize that she has Downs just by seeing her while we're out and about. They all seem surprised when we chat and I tell them. (Because I never meet a stranger, I know). Usually only a precious soul who has devoted time to working with special needs children or those who are blessed enough to have them in their families can tell! (today the photographer at the cemetery gave a warm smile to Abigail and photographed her during the events. She later was chatting with me and I told her Abigail had Downs. She indicated that she had taught special education. I stated, "then I'm sure you could tell", she nodded, but understood how most people can't with the way Abigail functions and looks!) She said she loved working with children with Downs most and it was evident she was drawn to Abigail. That sweet baby just claps and giggles and enjoys her little life! That makes mommy's heart happy!

There are so many other things but it's late! More later! Night