A year ago I would have never been able to tell you what smocking is. But because I have two little girls, I have been introduced to this particular type of dress (doesn't have to be a dress, though). Even if I had known what it was, I probably would have never chosen for them to wear such a dress given the opportunity because it just doesn't seem to be my style. That is, until I heard mothers talking about how special and classic and priceless they are, and until I found one for sale as a hand-me-down for $4. So now Vivian has a smocked dress and she wore it a couple of Sundays ago.

That evening we met Papa and Gramme for dinner at The Homeplace, so we tried some picture-taking. It didn't go that well because they wouldn't sit still. This is how most of the pictures turned out: The ones that follow are the only ones that didn't come out so blurry.

Yes, Kate is a walker now. She hardly crawls anymore. It's precious to watch her waddle.