Austin's Girls Spend the Night When Emma is Born

Melissa is having Emma by C-section tomorrow morning at 7:30 am, so they dropped the girls off this afternoon to stay while they are at the hospital. It was overcast and a little chilly, but they wanted to play outside for a bit after dinner.

Claire got roller blades for her birthday last year and she is a pro skater now! She loves to skate and goes so fast! She outgrew her old skates and got a new pair just recently. She was excited to show me her new skates.

Millie inherited Claire's old skates and Claire has been teaching her how to skate. She is pretty good for a beginner!

I bought this balance bike last fall and Maddie loved it so much Austin and Melissa gave her one for her birthday. These bikes don't have pedals, you just push off with your feet, kind of like a scooter. Supposedly this bike helps kids learn how to ride a two wheeled bike easier because they already know how to balance. She is the first kid in our family to ride one, so we'll see.  

Time for bed! Claire and Millie have sleep masks and they always bring them when they spend the night. 

Good night Millie!

The girls had fun with the stomp rockets. They jumped high and hard.

Claire got a running jump to make the rocket go even higher.

Watching for it to come down.

Claire asked me a couple of weeks ago if we could use the fire pit and make s'mores one night while they were here. I was happy to grant her request and they were all so excited!

I was surprised at how patient Millie was. She got the most perfect marshmallow out of all of us. I didn't get a picture of the end result.

Maddie had a hard time keeping hers out of the ashes, so Ryan helped her.

Yum! Millie took the biggest bite she could.

Claire gives a thumbs up because it is so tasty!

S'mores and summer nights are the best combination.

Then Ryan taught the girls about roasting Starbursts. Life will never be the same now, they will want to roast Starbursts every time they use the fire pit. 

Ryan....this looks suspicious...

What would a s'mores party be if at least one marshmallow didn't catch on fire?

Claire loves to hold Everlee, play with her, and feed her. She will be such a good big sister and helper.

See what I said about Claire and Everlee?? Playing Old Maid. The girls love to play cards.

Maddie is really good at puzzles! She did this one all by herself without any help. Maybe she will love puzzles like I do

At the family reunion Glenda told me that Grayson, who is 5, can play Mexican Train dominoes. I taught Dagny earlier this summer (we only did one round), and I have been wanting to teach Claire and Millie. It was fun, but too many new players made the game too long and drawn out.

Claire is loving walking around in these old heels that belong to Denya. 

Maddie's turn to wear the shoes.

Maddie is practicing holding babies so she'll be all ready for Emma.

Playing vet's office. Dagny is the receptionist with a fancy computer. You should see her type! Claire rescues animals and brings them in for a check up.

Millie has the Barbie toys all set up. They are camping and going to the beach.

Putting the sprinkler under the tramp is another favorite activity at Grandma's house.

There's some pretty high bouncing going on around here

Cousin time jumping together.

Calista can't quite squirt the gun, but it's just as much fun to carry it around.

Making a water slide! 

Sidewalk chalk art is always a hit. Maddie's self portrait.

So fun to have these girls for 3 days. They all played so nicely together and the time went by quickly. Everyone is excited to meet the new sister, cousin, and grand daughter!