Little A Turns Two!

Sweet Baby A isn't so much of a baby these days. She's able to communicate all her needs, tell you when to set her on the potty (used only on rare occasions), and fight for her own toys. She runs, moos and waddles like a penguin. She mothers her baby dolls and pretend walks all the little animals into the barn. She has an amazing sense of humor and a dizzying array of facial expressions. Pretty much, she's a kid - her father and I wonder at what point we'll have to stop referring to her as The Baby. (College?) Most recently she's embraced this idea of being two and, having a bit of the drama in her, thrown the most irrational fits I've ever witnessed. (Who puts on shoes to go outside? Who?) Her birthday saw her healthy and happy with the proudest parents and sister on this globe. Quite frankly, she's the cutest thing we've ever had the pleasure to see!

The morning of A's birthday, and her party, this happened.

About 5 inches later, we rescheduled the party for the next day.

See the ribbon? A last minute weather-related substitution!

Cousin D was in town to share in the doll house fun.

He only got embarrassed when the camera came out. Before that, he was arranging furniture, styling hair and tempting the monster cat to storm the village.

This is her "I've been naughty" face.

Why it's on her face at this moment I can't tell you.

Practicing for tomorrow.

She's a natural!

Picture it:

Grahmi's singing, "Happy Birthday to you! Happy Bir..."

and then, "NOOOOOOOO!"

We finally figured out the formula, no candles - no singing.

Cake for the big day.

Blowing out the candles. Perfection!

Demonstration of excellent utensil skills.
Bubbles. If you have a 2 to 56 year old, I highly recommend the bubble grill.

That's it. It was a blast!

Merry Christmas

I'm feeling richly blessed this evening with my little household tucked quietly away for the cold night. I never thought for a minute that my heart would be all caught up in a sticky little elf and a cat-toting monkey. But it is and I'm forever grateful. Today I wish I'd accomplished much less and snuggled more. Tomorrow's goal is full-on under-achievement. Merry Christmas and go love on your babies.... Go!

Five

This weekend E turned five. Five. It didn't seem like such a big number when I was a kid but today it's a quarter of her sweet childhood and definitely the end of all things baby. I asked her the day before The Big Day if she'd like to stay four forever and she just giggled and said, "That's silly, Mom." She's right. It is silly, but still...

Some facts about being five, according to E: You grow much bigger (and she means overnight, people); you can reach the top of the fridge; you can do anything you want and make your own rules; you don't need a sippy cup; you can ride on 2 wheels instead of 4 on your bike; you get a bigger swing; can play as much as you want; and, you can clean your own room.

So, to sum up, she's taller than me and running the show, but cleans her room. Clearly we're in for a wild ride this year!

She requested a Princess Party complete with a rainbow cake.
Rainbow is a color, just ask her.
We had a pinata - as I'm certain all Royals do.

We decorated cookies, ate cake and spread a little pink eye - it's the gift that keeps giving. (We discovered both girls were afflicted the evening after the party. Again, let me say I'm sorry if you were in attendance.)

Some of our big cousins really got into the project.

Really.

Princess E got a kitten to love.
It's the King and Queen's sincere hope that love does not hurt Houston The Kitten.
Then we all took a nap and lived happily ever after.
The End.

The Fourth of July

My little firecrackers! A's a bit of a loner when it comes to posing. Or maybe her sister squeezes too hard.
E wanted everyone to see her special nails. Normally I don't allow red on little ones, but we've got spirit, yes we do!
A runs off some energy before the long car ride to the country where DIY explosives are welcomed!
Aren't they sweet together? I'm not sure what had A so captivated, just that it wasn't me.

There's a baby in there! And I'm pretty sure I can get to her! My cousin's little girl is almost exactly a year younger than A - in fact, this is the dress A wore last summer!Cake break. After eating 1/4 of a hamburger and approximately 3 beans she took off. Naturally refueling is necessary.
Ready for the show. This made her Daddy real nervous. Something about shrapnel falling I think. Sissy.

E wields sparklers with caution. It's quite surprising really.Look! Fireworks! Our families did a pretty good show this year.
Ahhh. The aftermath. This is what spending time running with your cousins is really all about, at least that's what it's about for the grown-ups! Precious memories followed by precious silence!

Goals, Part June

My cousin came into town and we celebrated with a trip to the aquarium. It's really a fantastic place to take the kids. This is the touch tank where you can feel the difference between a ray and a small shark. My opinion is that sharks feel like sandpaper while rays feel like the smooth side of a raw chicken breast.Look, it's a baby! See how it behaves in it's natural environment? Oh look, Fred, it's waving at you! Isn't it cute?
Another touch tank. Here the children are allowed to feel shark eggs, starfish and an urchin.
You never can tell what each new exhibit will bring. Here we have human arms. I believe they're female. Gender can be difficult to determine at this angle.
We celebrated Grahmi's birthday this month. We were asked to make a sign on the fly and get a picture of both kids with it. My brother's family did the same and their picture has the children sitting very nicely on their front porch, each holding a sign with military precision. Our results were slightly different.
We got a little pop-up pool this summer. It's been fantastic fun, and very little trouble. Totally worth it! No hauling children to the public pool and I don't have to don a suit in front of all my neighbors! The water's still a little chilly for the wee one, but she has fun running around the backyard while E swims.
Apparently the December ice storms weakened the trees a bit. This is our neighbor's beautiful tree, felled by a summer thunderstorm. There was an identical incident across the street.
A started her one year old class at the church. The girls will overlap this summer, but then E will move on as A begins her journey. I'm in love with the teachers here, E has never once not wanted to go and A just walks right in without looking back. That says it all!
There are fewer things more heartwarming for me than watching my husband enjoy our girls. Happy Father's Day again, sweet man.
More Daddy Love, with E making her contorted goofy faces and A clapping and sucking her lip. Just another day in paradise!
All caught up! Thanks for coming along!

Goals, Part May

Peek-a-boo with her closet doors. We can't even go into her room without doing this every. single. time.E's time at our church's pre-school program is nearly over. Next year she'll attend Pre-K at a public school. She's very excited, but I'm a little bit sad. At the year end program E posed with her best friend. They've gone to this school together since they were one. How sweet is that?
This is our first attempt at finger painting. It won't be our last, but next time I might feed her first. (Yes, Mom, the paint was non-toxic.)
Just about the cutest little grin in the world. A's such a flirt, it's awfully fun to share her with others. She's never met a stranger - begs to be held by the person in line behind us at the store.
But this is what happens if you tell her no. She doesn't like no.

And there's this if you say no with conviction. O the drama! She stayed like this for at least 2 minutes!

Did I mention she's walking? That could account for the serious lack of semi-regular posts! Many of you will appreciate that in spite of being new to this walking thing, she's managed to pull off "Walking with Purse" without any problem.

In this house, you learn to eat pizza on your own. We don't cut up the big chunks into little sissy bites. You want the good stuff? Tackle it like a man.

This work of art was aptly named "Melting Snowman with Party Hat." I really wish I'd gotten a picture of "Anteater," it was truly a masterpiece!

May. The End.