The Colby Coalition: August 2011 2nd Half-With Video Link

Ok, so where did we leave off? The Kaisers were here. I'm a little fuzzy on the details, but one day we went to Bath:

And got to blow glass bubbles. Which was awesome.

One day Solia and I stayed home while every one else went on a bus tour of London. Here are some pictures:

That afternoon, Justin and Amaia came home and left the Kaisers touring around. We had a babysitter come and watch the girls, while Justin and I went and met the Kaisers to see the musical Les Miserables. It was awesome-it was the first time I'd ever seen the musical version of this story (we have the DVD with Liam Neeson, but it's just not the same).

The one day, the most rainy freezing day ever, we drove all the way to Windsor Castle. It was so cold and wet, that here are the only pictures we took of the entire place:

The worst part was it was freezing and raining outside, but drafty inside, and we weren't really prepared with coats and stuff wise, so we were all freezing, so we just kind of blew through it as fast as we could. It was a lot of fun though and we're glad they were able to come and hang out with us.

Here's my Solia. Being a stinker, as always.

* Every time Justin comes to kiss me, or pick me up, Solia literally freaks out-like has a full on panic attack

*Every time Solia eats in her chair, she offers me a spoonful for me to blow on before she will eat it (even if it's cold)

*Solia is getting better at kisses, she gives open mouth almost-making-outs, and she also tries to actually kiss by making a popping sound.

*Solia has certainly warmed up to Justin now, and she will actually let him hold her and play with her, and she even gives him hugs and kisses.

*Solia's starting to say the beginning of words, like she'll say "buh" for ball or bug, "duh" is for duck

*Solia has a hard time letting me get stuff done. Every time we do into the kitchen, I'll put her down to make dinner or do dishes or laundry, and she'll freak out and grab onto my legs or try and push me away from the counter so I'll pick her up.

*Solia can sign: banana, food (points in her mouth), all done, hat, and more (thumb into the other palm)

*When Solia is finished eating, and I offer her more food, she'll act like she wants it, and then just smack the spoon/food onto the floor when I offer it to her

*When someone leaves she'll say "buh buh" and wave goodbye

*She's getting really good at following basic instructions, like 'bring me that' or 'give that to mommy' or 'get down' or 'can i have kisses' or 'go get amaia'

*Solia will hand me a book, stand right by me and wait for me to open it up and read it, and as soon as I start, she'll turn around and go get another book before I can even finish the first page.

*If Solia is not 100% happy, any time I move it's a fit. It doesn't matter where I"m going, if I'm sitting or standing, on the computer or xbox or at the mirror, it's like a total meltdown unless I'm laying on the ground with her or holding her.

Amaia: Likes to make soup (bottom right pic) with water and dirt and grass out in our yard

*I've finally given Amaia scissors, and she loves sitting in the office cutting up paper-I usually give her past art projects that have already had their time on the wall

*Amaia says prayers exactly like this every time: "Heavenly Father, thankful for this day, thankful for the rest of our days, in the name of Jesus, Amen!"

*Amaia's always saying "You gotta see this, Mommy"

*She is the bad word police. As soon as we tell her not to say something, she makes sure we don't say it either. On the list so far are: stupid, idiot, freaking, and shut up.

*Amaia likes to say "that was the craziest thing I ever seen" or "that was the funniest thing I ever seen"