Jean shopping

Oh, this was really fun.  The girls were subjected to all day shopping.  They were great sports.  In fact, Bella figured out how to have fun on her own.  Note - she took all the jeans off of the display shelf.  The sales associates walked by one by one and looked disapprovingly at Mommy.  Mommy just laughed and helped clean up.  Our favorite part was when Bella would dance over the top of all the jeans.  The mound wasn't high enough so she would pull more off the shelf and dance again.  This happened quite a few times.  

Cleveland Zoo

The Camaglia's were off to the zoo over the weekend.  We saw lots of great animals and had a blast walking around the zoo.  Bella walked and ran everywhere.  She kept up with Grampy for over three hours.  We were looking for the elephants who were sadly moved until 2011.  We had a great time in the butterfly pavilion and the rainforest.  Marin loved looking at the bears and seals.  

Shopping

Bella loves shoe shopping.  She dances all around and looks in the mirror to see exactly what the shoes look like on her feet.  Marin is getting into shopping as well.  She prefers finding the purses and carrying them all around the store.  And one is never enough we have to have more more more!

Children's Museum

We went to the Children's Museum in downtown Cleveland with the girls.  We went into the Red Barn area where there was lots of good to play with.  Then, we had a little fun in the space room.  Mommy loved the astronaut outfits.  Of course the girls were good sports.  Bella & Marin got a little water time as well.  Bella walked the duck up and down the steps.  While Marin's water play was short lived as she splashed the water everywhere.

Piano

Marin was in awe of the player piano.  Grammy & Grampy say she is going to take over where her Daddy left off.  That would be mid lessons!  I am sure one of our girls if not both will be musically inclined.  Or at least Mommy hopes so.

Sidewalk chalk

Marin and Bella tried out sidewalk chalk for the first time.  They had a great time.  Marin proceeded to sit in all of the drawings and spill all the bubbles.  Bella and Grammy drew great lines and circles all over the driveway.  The girls enjoyed a hopscotch that Mommy drew.  Bella was great at jumping together and apart.  Marin amazed us all by carrying the basket full of chalk around the driveway.  She is super strong and never mind that she has only been walking for a week.  She is a power house!

Marin & Daddy share a dance

Bella & Daddy dance

Wragg Wedding

We landed in the US and drove immediately to Charolette NC for Daddy's high school mates wedding.  The drive was long but we had a fabulous time catching up with friends and family.  Bella and Marin loved the wedding.  Their favorite part was the dancing.  Once the music started Bella was charging all over the floor and drawing everyone in to dance with her.  Marin, walking barely a week was out bebopping around with her big sister.  They were so charming and cute! 

Walking

New play house

Marin's birthday was a great reason to purchase a new play house for the girls.  They were in total awe watching it be put together.  Then Mommy couldn't get them out of the house for a good hour.  Bella was sitting in the kitchen making phone calls and Marin would ring the door bell then open and close the door over and over.

Happy Birthday Marin

We started off the day on Mommy and Daddy's bed opening presents and singing Happy Birthday.  Marin had the biggest smile.  Then we had special chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast.  Marin had a ONE giant pancake while Bella proceeded to eat 5 herself.

Princess Marin

Marin loves her purses and necklaces.  She watched Bella put on all her necklaces and in a jiffy had it worked out on her own.  So clever and so girly!!

Finger Painting

The older kids had a blast finger painting on the wall.  To preclude any messes we stripped down and created some fantastic art work.  Bella loved using the paintbrush and Marin wasn't too keen on the painting idea.  But she put her handprint on the wall with a lot of help from Mommy.  

Birthday Party

We borrowed the car from friends and Marin just loves it.  She opens the door and pushes it around.  She isn't too into sitting inside yet.  Baby steps - oh of which she took 5 steps at her party.  Go Marin!

Liam was checking out the bubble machine.

Aunty Simone with Kianna & Aunty Paula with Angus were catching up in the aircon.  It was really hot today!  

Cake decorating

We are celebrating Marin's first birthday with friends later today.  The girls are putting the finishing touches on her double layered vanilla and chocolate butterfly cake.  Bella loved icing the cake and Marin thought dumping the sprinkles (hundreds & thousands) would be loads of fun.