The Hippo Pool

It seems that we are getting a lot of use out of the hippo pool the last few days.  Sophia is at the perfect age to enjoy it and I like the ease that comes with simply pulling the girls out of the pool when they are done and bringing them inside; there's no messy sand to deal with and the girls are relatively clean (with the exception of a thick layer of sunscreen).

We really should just get a larger pool so that both girls can enjoy it, but for now, this suffices.  Sophia feels comfortable climbing in and out of this size pool, and Sam is conscious of the limited room when she is in there.

My posing princess:

The girls do a lot of splashing in the pool ... and they giggle right out loud!

And this girl has no fear -- she just stands right up in the slippery pool!

Sam and Sophia play a little game with each other where they both stand up in the pool and then sit down at the same time, creating a huge splash.  (It still amazes me how they communicate together and understand each other so well).

Splash!

Giving her sister a kiss ... (sigh) ... it just melts my heart.

Warming up in the sun:

Letting her sister use the squirt gun on her:



And finally, Sophia discovered the hose and deemed that it was her personal job to try and turn it on.

I finally made her understand that she is not to touch the hose -- only Momma!

********************

In other news:  Sophia took her first steps last Friday (July 13th).  She took three steps in a row, unassisted, while we were playing in Sam's room that morning.  That evening, she walked across Sam's room to me -- about a total of 12 steps!  I was so excited (and so was Samantha)!  She is continuing to take multiple steps, both with us encouraging her and also on her own will.  This is a major milestone for her and I love the independence that is finally starting to show ...