Fun at Aunt Lynn and Uncle Joe's!

Sorry it has been so long since the last post.  We have been traveling and visiting.  We went last week to Aunt Lynn and Uncle Joe's house and had an absolute ball.  My Aunt Lynn and I have always been super close (she is the one I talk about that loves books as I do and has supplied Abby Kate with hers).  My Aunt teaches pre-K (4 year olds) and has brilliant ideas and excellent resources so she helped me get new activities to work on with Abby Kate.  I told her she had no idea how much she had given me.  Those of you that stay home KNOW how special new activities are!  Especially ones that will challenge them.  

Anyway, we had a great dinner and such a wonderful time.  It was so fun to watch Abby Kate interact and love on them!  They have this GRAND backyard that feels as if you are on vacation so we spent a lot of time out there.  Thus these pics.  Hope you are all well!

Roller Skates!

Sorry it has been a while.  I will update more on my blog later but here are some fun roller skating pics from the week Kourtney was here.  Again, we had a ball.  She got to stay the whole week this time so we made stops at the Aquarium, Bounce U, Incredible Pizza and more.  We had so much fun with her as always.  Kourtney, Neannie and Aunt Krista bought Abby Kate her first pair of skates and she LOVES them.  They had a ball.  Kourtney skates like a pro and AK loved pretending to be just like Kourtney.  We also got to stay the 4th weekend at Neannie and Pop's and Krista, Audreia and Neannie got some great pics so I will try to get those and upload them soon.  Hope all is well with each of you!

Rock Star in Waiting...

Oh I love our little free spirit.  This is the 2nd day in a few day period that she has asked to wear her princess dress.  And then the accessorizing....I promise you it was ALL her.  I was in my closet hanging up clothes and she played in my jewelry for a good 10 minutes before decided on the necklace you see and a chandelier earring she wore as a ring.  Later, she found the hat and asked me to put it on her and was quite distraught that she could not find her matching "hands" (mittens).  But as she played for hours in the whole ensemble, I couldn't help but think it was a perfect rock star outfit.  Actually, I think it resembles my mii for guitar hero on our wii.  She also wore blue goggles for hours at Neannie and Pop's house this weekend.  She is nothing if not accessorized....

Another Example

Happy Fathers Day!

A Daddy Like Mine

 

This is the story of a Daddy

One who is silly and fun and strong

I am the little girl who loves him

And he loves me…deep and high and long

 

Little girls are funny creatures

Created tenderly by another Daddy’s hand

They love to love and laugh and imagine

Sprinkling beauty upon their land

 

You watch me dance through this life

With huge giggles and a grin

You look at me and shake your head

Secretly wondering where I’ve been

 

(So here’s a little secret)

I still remember the delight of Heaven

My innocence is what Jesus loves best

I remember twirling with the angels

And knowing how deeply I was blessed

 

Perhaps that’s where my wonder comes in

As I explore and trust easily

That’s why God gave you to me

To guard my innocence carefully

 

See, Daddy’s to girls are carefully chosen

They play a leading role in her story

She looks to him for love and protection

In his love you see her glory

 

And you, sweet Daddy, exceed them all

You’re playful and strong and wise

Out of all the great things I have in this world

You Daddy, are my greatest prize

 

But perhaps the most important of all

Is the way you allow me to remember and see

The sweet Father who made me

                                                    And died for me on a tree

-SNQ '08

Questions!

Okay all you Momma's out there....

Even if you have never posted before, I would LOVE your insight into these things....

There is nothing sweeter to me than fellow Mom's sharing their nuggets of wisdom.  I know I touched on a couple of these a while back but now they are looming and I need so advice.  So if you are reading this and you have been through these things, PLEASE post or post on your own blog about these things (just PLEASE let me know you did so I can read it :)

1.  Just for fun, what are favorite books your read to your child?  My Aunt Lynn, who is as crazy about books as I am, stocked Abby Kate's library WELL before she was born and has added to it often.  We are SO blessed.  She worked as a librarian so I know we have unique insight into the best books.  I just want to make sure we are missing some.  I am specifically looking for Christian books that will start planting nuggets about faith.  We currently read Gigi, God's Little Princess and her children's Bible but would love a few more.  She has literally probably over 50 favorite books but I would love some more in this genre.  

2.  When and how did you move your child to a big bed?  

* I have put this off longer than I thought but through the advice of friends and a few pediatricians, she ADORES her bed and never has tried climbing out so we have pushed it.  However, we are going to Costa Rica in November and I would love to not have to lug her pack and play into another country.  

3.  How and when did you potty train?

*We are working on this but it is slow going.  She is smart enough, she has gone a few times but she is being strong willed (surprise).  I have not pushed it but again, would love to not have to lug diapers to another country either.  Hehe.  I really have not gotten serious about it but am ready (and I really think she is too) so I would love suggestions.

Thanks friends!  I so appreciate you!

Swimming Lessons

We started swimming lessons last week and AK is LOVING it!  I mean she started squealing loudly the first time we went.  She adores the water and loves "practicing" even when we are in the car.  Daddy is doing them with her and they both love their time together.  B and I both love the water and have since we were babies so it is fun she is loving it too!

Daddy's shorts

Abby Kate-isms

I LOVE reading my friend's blogs.  My favorite is when they include funny things their kiddos have said.  I laugh OUT LOUD.  Anyway, Abby Kate has been making me laugh hard lately so I thought I would share her most recent Abby Kate-isms...

* She yelled at our neighbor who was working on his roof, "Be very, very careful Matey!"  (She has a thing for pirates lately so she likes calling people matey.

* Saying "Come here buddy" to our dogs in a super high pitched voice.

* Saying "That's enough Momma" while I kiss her

*Saying "HI!" to everyone she meets and then saying, "Bye-bye, see you in a little bit!" when we leave.

*  Calling Oreo cookies, "black cookies" and asking for one several times a day.

*  Saying "PLEASE Momma" or leaning across the table to persuade her Poppy to "Take her outSIDE!" while changing her voice to be higher and sweeter and raising her eyebrows...simply knowing she is laying on the charm super thick.  It is hysterical.

* Waving her arm in a huge circle like a 3rd base coach asking you to "come here!"

*  Funny accents- no clue where this came from but especially when she is listing things, she will take on an accent and lower her voice.  I laugh so hard.  I loved doing accents when I was little too!

*  Singing all the time...and usually messing up the words.  Like "Abcdefg, like a diamond in the sky, now I know my ABCs, next time won't you sing with me."  

*  Saying, "Let me out!  I gotta dance!" when a song she likes comes on the radio and she is in the carseat.

Needless to say, she is SUCH a character and keeps us in stitches all the time.  I adore my job, my life taking care of she and Bobby.  I am SO blessed!  

The Bounce Around Returns

So you saw its debut in a winter post....this wonderful bounce around that both grandparents bought AK for Christmas.  We have been waiting for the right time to bust it out this summer and having Kourtney here proved to be the perfect time.  They had SO much fun on it.  I haven't heard AK laugh that hard in so long!  

More Kourtney Time!

We got to have another fun weekend with Kourtney.  Abby Kate has never had so much fun.  They jumped on the trampoline for hours and chased each other and basically, AK spent her time imitating her big cousin.  I have said it before but I am SO THANKFUL for my sweet niece and the fact that she is worthy of imitating!  We went to Build a Bear on Thursday and I had planned on getting K one but not AK b/c of her overflowing collection of stuffed animals.  However immediately, she walked over and picked up a Tropical Hello Kitty (which of course was one of the most expensive) and said, "Mama, it's be-u-tif-ool."  She did NOT want to put her down and had a complete freak out when they went to stuff her.  Thank goodness Kourtney was there to help me!  But it was worth it, both girls loved their new friends and AK now has another new friend to sleep with!  

Brrrr....it's coldy!

After just "touching" the ice cold swimming pool at Neannie and Pop's house, Abby Kate slowly manipulated her way in. She stepped in on the steps and she knew she had won when her Daddy emerged from the house. She said "SWIM Daddy!" and when that didn't work (He despises cold water), she resorted to peer pressure and began chanting, "Do it Dada!" Well apparently he is weak because in he went. We had to drag her in after about 30 minutes kicking, screaming and chattering. But she got to curl up in her favorite blanket in Daddy's lap to warm up. Eating powdered donuts and watching Mickey. Aghhh, the life.

Weekend in Ozark

We got to go to Ozark this weekend for Bobby's uncle's 50th birthday and got to see his sweet family. We had a great time. Even his aunt and cousin from Florida flew in to surprise everyone. It was so fun to see my sweet mother-in-law so happy! His family is wonderful and so fun to be with so the entire weekend blessed us all. Can you now see where Abby Kate gets her famous eyes?! It runs in the family.....

Just a swingin'

I know the last one is blurry but what a face of pure delight! And yes, she was wearing a pink tutu. Mom and Dad just got back from Vegas and they brought her this leotard. It was sitting on my kitchen cabinet this morning and she asked her Daddy to "put it on me?" So he asked me and of course, I agreed (what Momma does not love the sight of their little girl in pink tulle?), not expecting she would want to wear it ALL DAY. Even out to run errands and swing and she REALLY wanted to wear it to take a nap. I drew the line, afraid the tulle would be uncomfy. But I love the idea of my child being a free spirit, wearing whatever suits her fancy. The sight of her all day has made me giggle.

Night outside....

Sweet, sweet girl...

I just love this girl so much it makes me want to burst! What a FUN stage! All you others with two year olds know the joys of this age. Though it is renowned for being a tough stage, I am shocked that it is not more like delivery....you forget how bad it was because of the good. To see this child I love emerge has been the sweetest discovery of my life. Little things that come from her mouth make me instantly tear up. Just to hear her tell me of her wants and dislikes makes me grin. I love getting to know her more each day. It helps that she is just a joyful kid. Always excited. I love that she exclaims "HI!" to any kid that passes and that she says "no thank you Momma" when I offer her something she doesn't like and/or want. I love that she has an active imagination and loves to wear dresses and calls her $10 jellies her princess shoes. I love that she loves to read and will curl up with a book and a snack for long periods of time (a girl after my own heart :)). I love that she melts down like other two year olds but has learned to quickly turn on the charm, asking sweetly, "Please Momma?" before breaking down again if I stand firm (that is a big IF because I often cannot resist her "pleases"). I love that she sobbed last night when we made her come inside after the tornado sirens started going off....she loves a good storm just as her Daddy and I do. I love that she loves a good movie and popcorn. I love that she loves shopping, especially at Wal-Mart. I love that she is sleeping with 6 stuffed animals right now, all of them white. I love that she has awoken my world again.
These are just a few pics I snapped today when she was playing outside. Hope you are enjoying this WONDERFUL spring!