The Bug, rockin' out...
...Personally, I think she looks an awful lots like Duckie, from Pretty in Pink!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Playing at school
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Halloween 2009
As we do every year, we went trick-or-treating at Daddy's office to celebrate Halloween. But this year, since the actual day fell on the weekend, it meant we got two days of dressing up, carving pumpkins, trick-or-treating and eating candy.
First though, our busy little witch had some work to do...
Then it was time to search the building for candy. And ice cream. And decorations.
"Please can I hold that pumpkin just for a minute?"
Our little witch, and our even littler pumpkin:
Lily chose both costumes, months ago, out of a catalog. She was quite certain that Rory wanted to be a pumpkin.
On the morning of Halloween, we finally carved our pumpkins. Lily has been asking about this for 3 weeks now, since we went to the pumpkin farm. She was so very excited to help desgn each of the four faces and thrilled when we started cutting into the pumpkins. And then we asked her to touch the insides. She almost cried she was so disgusted. When we were on the 4th pumpkin (Daddy's), she finally gave in.
And then had great fun sorting out the seeds for me to roast. Which she then refused to eat, of course. These three-year-old mood swing will give you whip lash!
But at least we got some fabulous jack o'lanterns for our trouble!
(Lily's, Daddy's, Rory's and Mommy's)
We were undecided up until the last minute whether to do any real, neighborhood trick-or-treating. We've never gone before and Lily didn't really know what she was missing. And she had gotten plenty of candy the day before. But we saw some neighbors earlier in the day who asked if Lily would stop by. So Daddy and the Bug headed out after dinner to go to one or two houses.
Lily was really excited!
One of our neighbors took this picture of the two trick-or-treaters:
One or two houses turned into every house on the block! Lily came home with all kinds of stories about seeing the moon and "28 stars", some dogs and lots of people. She got a glow stick, a pumkin shaped lantern and a bucket full of candy.
As she was going to bed, the Bug informed us that she "really, REALLY loves Halloween!"
Who can blame her??
First though, our busy little witch had some work to do...
Then it was time to search the building for candy. And ice cream. And decorations.
"Please can I hold that pumpkin just for a minute?"
Our little witch, and our even littler pumpkin:
Lily chose both costumes, months ago, out of a catalog. She was quite certain that Rory wanted to be a pumpkin.
On the morning of Halloween, we finally carved our pumpkins. Lily has been asking about this for 3 weeks now, since we went to the pumpkin farm. She was so very excited to help desgn each of the four faces and thrilled when we started cutting into the pumpkins. And then we asked her to touch the insides. She almost cried she was so disgusted. When we were on the 4th pumpkin (Daddy's), she finally gave in.
And then had great fun sorting out the seeds for me to roast. Which she then refused to eat, of course. These three-year-old mood swing will give you whip lash!
But at least we got some fabulous jack o'lanterns for our trouble!
(Lily's, Daddy's, Rory's and Mommy's)
We were undecided up until the last minute whether to do any real, neighborhood trick-or-treating. We've never gone before and Lily didn't really know what she was missing. And she had gotten plenty of candy the day before. But we saw some neighbors earlier in the day who asked if Lily would stop by. So Daddy and the Bug headed out after dinner to go to one or two houses.
Lily was really excited!
One of our neighbors took this picture of the two trick-or-treaters:
One or two houses turned into every house on the block! Lily came home with all kinds of stories about seeing the moon and "28 stars", some dogs and lots of people. She got a glow stick, a pumkin shaped lantern and a bucket full of candy.
As she was going to bed, the Bug informed us that she "really, REALLY loves Halloween!"
Who can blame her??Looking back...
2006 (8 months old):
2007 (20 months old):
2008 (2 and a half):
2009 (3 and a half):
Can you tell that I no longer get to choose what "the Bug" dresses up as?
2007 (20 months old):
2008 (2 and a half):
2009 (3 and a half):
Can you tell that I no longer get to choose what "the Bug" dresses up as?
Thursday, October 29, 2009
October Artwork
Apple art:
Transportation stamps:
Glue & "toushie paper" school bus:
Collage of orange things:
More finger painting:
(Apparently, Lily thinks the object of finger painting is to cover
every. single. inch. of the paper with paint.)
The Bug's snack-time placemat:
This was sent home because Lily is changing classes next week. When she saw it at home though, she started to cry and said that she was going to be "Very hungry at school!"
Transportation stamps:
Glue & "toushie paper" school bus:
Collage of orange things:
More finger painting:
(Apparently, Lily thinks the object of finger painting is to coverevery. single. inch. of the paper with paint.)
The Bug's snack-time placemat:
This was sent home because Lily is changing classes next week. When she saw it at home though, she started to cry and said that she was going to be "Very hungry at school!"Tuesday, October 27, 2009
State Fair '09
Ah, the NC State fair... Fried stuff and farm animals and rides and some thick southern accents - what fun! Lily has been talking about going to the fair pretty much since we left it last October. Mostly, she's talked about going on the ferris wheel (which we didn't do last year) and holding the baby chicks & ducks. We'd been counting down the days til we could go, and this weekend it was finally time.
One of these years, we will remember that LilyBug needs a little bit of time to warm up and that rushing right into overwhelming experiences never goes well. But we didn't remember this year, and since it was raining when we first arrived, we ran right into the first building. Which might explain why, even after all that talk, she wasn't so sure about the ducks...
Wait, no, ducks are hilarious!
Things got better from then. Curious George was there...
In a different building, we saw horses, momma cows with their newborn calves, donkeys and goats, including this one who kept trying to eat his sign:
And there was a momma pig with 10 piglets!
Mommy milked a cow (Lily refused to help, but she did pet "Bessie"):
Then, for the first time ever, we headed down to the midway, since Lily was actually big enough (and interested enough) for some of the rides and games. First, Lily took Auntie through a fun house.
And then we walked from one end of the fair to the other. Like I said, all Lily has been talking about is the ferris wheel. So we headed over there, but she was too short by about three inches. Luckily, there are two! We were at the big one, so we walked all the way back to the smaller one, where Lily was tall enough by about a hair. Phew!
Lily & Daddy, seeing all of the fair and even downtown Raleigh from the top of the ferris wheel:
Then Lily took Auntie on the tea cups:
And she took Daddy for a ride on this silly, bouncy worm:
She couldn't wait to get on these bumper boats:
Then, Daddy suggested she take Mommy on a ride, while he fed Rory her lunch. But Lily only had eyes for this train, which she could ride all. by. herself. Thank-you-very-much!
And then, of course, she chose Auntie to ride with her on the merry-go-round...
I love this picture - Lily giving me her sassy face, and Auntie looking so shocked!
I have no idea what was so funny, but these two had a blast:
Lily was beyond delighted to realize that there is ice cream at the fair! Chocolate ice cream! With sprinkles!!!
Finally, finally, the Bug let Mommy come on a ride too. We went on the swings...
After the first couple of turns, as I started to feel nauseous and regret getting on, Lily grabbed my hand. I thought she was scared, so I smiled and told her it was okay. She looked at me as though I had suddenly grown another head and said "I'm just holding your hand so you don't fall off!" So thoughtful!
And then we had lots of fun, spinning and screaming:
I think she had fun!
Mommy, Auntie and Lily posing with our fried cookie dough. Yes, you read that right. And, yes, it was delicious!!
We love the fair! The Bug is already asking when we can go back again...
One of these years, we will remember that LilyBug needs a little bit of time to warm up and that rushing right into overwhelming experiences never goes well. But we didn't remember this year, and since it was raining when we first arrived, we ran right into the first building. Which might explain why, even after all that talk, she wasn't so sure about the ducks...
Wait, no, ducks are hilarious!
Things got better from then. Curious George was there...
In a different building, we saw horses, momma cows with their newborn calves, donkeys and goats, including this one who kept trying to eat his sign:
And there was a momma pig with 10 piglets!
Mommy milked a cow (Lily refused to help, but she did pet "Bessie"):
Then, for the first time ever, we headed down to the midway, since Lily was actually big enough (and interested enough) for some of the rides and games. First, Lily took Auntie through a fun house.
And then we walked from one end of the fair to the other. Like I said, all Lily has been talking about is the ferris wheel. So we headed over there, but she was too short by about three inches. Luckily, there are two! We were at the big one, so we walked all the way back to the smaller one, where Lily was tall enough by about a hair. Phew!
Lily & Daddy, seeing all of the fair and even downtown Raleigh from the top of the ferris wheel:
Then Lily took Auntie on the tea cups:
And she took Daddy for a ride on this silly, bouncy worm:
She couldn't wait to get on these bumper boats:
Then, Daddy suggested she take Mommy on a ride, while he fed Rory her lunch. But Lily only had eyes for this train, which she could ride all. by. herself. Thank-you-very-much!
And then, of course, she chose Auntie to ride with her on the merry-go-round...
I love this picture - Lily giving me her sassy face, and Auntie looking so shocked!
I have no idea what was so funny, but these two had a blast:
Lily was beyond delighted to realize that there is ice cream at the fair! Chocolate ice cream! With sprinkles!!!
Finally, finally, the Bug let Mommy come on a ride too. We went on the swings...
After the first couple of turns, as I started to feel nauseous and regret getting on, Lily grabbed my hand. I thought she was scared, so I smiled and told her it was okay. She looked at me as though I had suddenly grown another head and said "I'm just holding your hand so you don't fall off!" So thoughtful!
And then we had lots of fun, spinning and screaming:
I think she had fun!
Mommy, Auntie and Lily posing with our fried cookie dough. Yes, you read that right. And, yes, it was delicious!!
We love the fair! The Bug is already asking when we can go back again...
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Great Wolf Lodge!
In celebration of our 8th wedding anniversary, Daddy surprised us girls with a trip to Great W*lf Lodge...
We had so. much. fun.
The lobby was so cool. There were wolves everywhere,a clock tower where all the animals sang at storytime, and a giant stone fireplace.
Lily was so excited to get there, and was in her bathing suit and lifevest almost as soon as we were in our room!
And who could blame her?!?! This place is kid heaven! First, the was the Cub Paw pool, especially for the tiniest kids...
It had little waterslides and spray toys, plus buckets that dumped, and fountains in the floor.
And did I mention the waterslides??
Fort Mackenzie had tree houses and big waterslides! This was Lily's favorite part. She must have gone down those slides 20 times.
Lily & Daddy had a blast in the wave pool...
And then Rory swam with Daddy for awhile...
While Mommy played with Lily:
Lily loved this giant floating snake that she could ride on.
And those swim lessons from last summer finally paid off, as Lily perfected her "reach and pull" and backstroke that she had refused to do during her lessons!
She also really loved this "umbrella" of water!
Before dinner that night, Lily wandered the lobby, scolding decorative bears for climbing on lamps and tables.
The four of us, cozying up by the fire:
That night, Lily & Mommy went to storytime in the main lobby.
By the clocktower:
Lily got to wear her new pajamas:
The animals sang...
And Lily was entranced!
After "the show", there was a story and then a costume contest . And then Wiley, the wolf, came out to see the kids. Lily is usually afraid of mascots, but she ran right up to Wiley for a picture and even gave him a hug!
He joined us at breakfast the next day too!
The second day at the pool was even more fun than the first!
Rory played in the water too...
Daddy stood under the BIG BUCKET, that dumps 1,000 gallons of water at a time.
Lily thought it looked like fun, so she tried it too:
And Mommy took both girls up into the tree house.
Lily played until she was so cold her lips turned blue...
Rory dined poolside.
And stole a handful of french fries!
And oh yes, she ate them!
One more bear to pose with:
Kissing the wolves goodbye:
The four of us...
We had so. much. fun.
The lobby was so cool. There were wolves everywhere,a clock tower where all the animals sang at storytime, and a giant stone fireplace.
Lily was so excited to get there, and was in her bathing suit and lifevest almost as soon as we were in our room!
And who could blame her?!?! This place is kid heaven! First, the was the Cub Paw pool, especially for the tiniest kids...
It had little waterslides and spray toys, plus buckets that dumped, and fountains in the floor.
And did I mention the waterslides??
Fort Mackenzie had tree houses and big waterslides! This was Lily's favorite part. She must have gone down those slides 20 times.
Lily & Daddy had a blast in the wave pool...
And then Rory swam with Daddy for awhile...
While Mommy played with Lily:
Lily loved this giant floating snake that she could ride on.
And those swim lessons from last summer finally paid off, as Lily perfected her "reach and pull" and backstroke that she had refused to do during her lessons!
She also really loved this "umbrella" of water!
Before dinner that night, Lily wandered the lobby, scolding decorative bears for climbing on lamps and tables.
The four of us, cozying up by the fire:
That night, Lily & Mommy went to storytime in the main lobby.
By the clocktower:
Lily got to wear her new pajamas:
The animals sang...
And Lily was entranced!
After "the show", there was a story and then a costume contest . And then Wiley, the wolf, came out to see the kids. Lily is usually afraid of mascots, but she ran right up to Wiley for a picture and even gave him a hug!
He joined us at breakfast the next day too!
The second day at the pool was even more fun than the first!
Rory played in the water too...
Daddy stood under the BIG BUCKET, that dumps 1,000 gallons of water at a time.
Lily thought it looked like fun, so she tried it too:
And Mommy took both girls up into the tree house.
Lily played until she was so cold her lips turned blue...
Rory dined poolside.
And stole a handful of french fries!
And oh yes, she ate them!
One more bear to pose with:
Kissing the wolves goodbye:
The four of us...
Friday, October 16, 2009
Panic.
The scene: Lily & I playing with her doctor kit, with Lily listening to the "baby's" heartbeat, as she saw the midwives do at all my pregnancy appointments....
Lily: "How do people get babies in their tummies?"
Mommy: (Silent panic as I struggle to find the right answer.)
Lily: "Tummies are for food, not babies!"
Oh, so all she was worried about was that I had somehow eaten Rory. That one I can handle.
Lily: "How do people get babies in their tummies?"
Mommy: (Silent panic as I struggle to find the right answer.)
Lily: "Tummies are for food, not babies!"
Oh, so all she was worried about was that I had somehow eaten Rory. That one I can handle.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Patience.
Lily, from the backseat, as we sat at a red light: "Why doesn't the red light see that we want to go? When will it turn green?"
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Pumpkin Picking
In one of my favorite fall traditions, we went to the local pumpkin farm today! It was so much fun. It was really cool to watch our LilyBug running around there, remembering how much smaller she seemed last year, and realizing how much she's grown. It was also a little unnerving to realize how much she remembers from a year ago. Seriously, that girl has a steel trap!
Our first stop was outside the store, where we learned that Rory is about 2 feet tall and Lily is just over 3 feet.
Once inside, the first thing Lily wanted to do was feed the goats:
What trip to a farm would be complete without cows?
This was after Lily said to the cows, "Smile cows! That's my mommy with her camera!"
She had a blast going down the big, rumbly slide inside the hay mountain:
And we all had fun on the hay ride...
She ran through the hay maze, which was shockingly shorter than her this year. Last year, her head just barely reached the top!
The Bug picked cotton.
And soybeans. And corn.
While playing in the corn maze:
(And then we had to grind the corn, to feed to the goats.)
And then, of course, it was time to pick some pumpkins. Lily wandered around in the patch for awhile.
Our little pumpkins!
I love the perspective on this one:
Here's our big girl...
Our first stop was outside the store, where we learned that Rory is about 2 feet tall and Lily is just over 3 feet.
Once inside, the first thing Lily wanted to do was feed the goats:
What trip to a farm would be complete without cows?
This was after Lily said to the cows, "Smile cows! That's my mommy with her camera!"
She had a blast going down the big, rumbly slide inside the hay mountain:
And we all had fun on the hay ride...
She ran through the hay maze, which was shockingly shorter than her this year. Last year, her head just barely reached the top!
The Bug picked cotton.
And soybeans. And corn.
While playing in the corn maze:
(And then we had to grind the corn, to feed to the goats.)
And then, of course, it was time to pick some pumpkins. Lily wandered around in the patch for awhile.
Our little pumpkins!
I love the perspective on this one:
Here's our big girl...
Happy Halloween!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Friday at the Park
Oh how we love fall in North Carolina! It was sunny and 80 degrees today, so us girls decided to have a day at the park. We went for a walk and fed the ducks...
And then we played on the playground. Lily taught Rory how to swing!
She seemed to like it!
After a picnic lunch, and a surprise visit from Daddy, we still had some time left to play, so Lily finally took Rory down the slide - something she's been excited about doing since she visited Rory in the "hos-tible".
And then we all came home for well-deserved naps!
And then we played on the playground. Lily taught Rory how to swing!
She seemed to like it!
After a picnic lunch, and a surprise visit from Daddy, we still had some time left to play, so Lily finally took Rory down the slide - something she's been excited about doing since she visited Rory in the "hos-tible".
And then we all came home for well-deserved naps!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Discovery
One day a week, at school, Lily gets to go see Miss Pam at "Discovery", which is a really cool science class. They do things like plant flowers, watch bugs, and hammer nails into styrofoam. (that's practice - the 4-year-olds build bird houses!) But right now, I think they are mostly just playing, judging by the pictures of Lily & her classmates in the tee-pee:
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Fun at Preschool...
Playing with friends & cars:
Reading a stories in the book corner (I think this is her favorite spot!):
I think this was their first class craft project... little lambs!
Reading a stories in the book corner (I think this is her favorite spot!):
I think this was their first class craft project... little lambs!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Baby got a name...
Ah... Baby. How Lily loves her...
Baby was a Christmas gift from Grammy & Bumpa on Lily's first Christmas, so she's been with us nearly 3 years. Toys have come and gone, and other friends have been among her favorites, but she always comes back to Baby.
These days, Baby has her own blankie, made by Mommy, to match a blanket I was making Rory. And she has her own soothie, made by daddy out of an old medicine dropper so that it will actually fit in her mouth.
When Lily moved upstairs to her big girl room, we had an issue because she was trying to bring all of her friends downstairs each day, and then if we forgot something for nap or bedtime she would freak out. So we instituted the "three-things-rule", where Lily can only bring three things downstairs and then she has to bring them back up before bed. If there are only three, we can usually track them down. Nine time out of ten, those three things are Baby, her blanket and her soothie. Baby spends her days down here with the rest of us, and then sleeps with Lily for her nap and at bedtime. For awhile Lily had the cradle next to her bed and she would tuck Baby into that, but she ultimately decided that Baby needed to be tucked in right next to her.
In all this time though, Baby has always been just "Baby". I've suggested on many occasions that we give her a name, which has always been met with a disdainful "Her name is BABY!"
But, Rory got this silly sock monkey recently, which Lily loves and has been playing with nonstop. We decided one morning that the monkey, who is apparently a girl, needed a name, and one that started with "M". I suggested a whole bunch before Lily agreed to "Madeline", like the girl in one of her books.
The next day, Lily came out of the playroom holding Baby and announced that Baby needed a name. I asked her what kind of a name and she said "Maybe another Madeline." I said that we already had a Madeline and we should think of something else.
So Lily marched upstairs and started pulling books of her shelf. She considered Corduroy and Marley, but decided those were boy names. Then her eyes lit up and she pulled "Knuffle Bunny" of the shelf as she squealed "Trixie is a girl's name!"
And that's how "Baby" became "Trixie".
Baby was a Christmas gift from Grammy & Bumpa on Lily's first Christmas, so she's been with us nearly 3 years. Toys have come and gone, and other friends have been among her favorites, but she always comes back to Baby.
These days, Baby has her own blankie, made by Mommy, to match a blanket I was making Rory. And she has her own soothie, made by daddy out of an old medicine dropper so that it will actually fit in her mouth.
When Lily moved upstairs to her big girl room, we had an issue because she was trying to bring all of her friends downstairs each day, and then if we forgot something for nap or bedtime she would freak out. So we instituted the "three-things-rule", where Lily can only bring three things downstairs and then she has to bring them back up before bed. If there are only three, we can usually track them down. Nine time out of ten, those three things are Baby, her blanket and her soothie. Baby spends her days down here with the rest of us, and then sleeps with Lily for her nap and at bedtime. For awhile Lily had the cradle next to her bed and she would tuck Baby into that, but she ultimately decided that Baby needed to be tucked in right next to her.
In all this time though, Baby has always been just "Baby". I've suggested on many occasions that we give her a name, which has always been met with a disdainful "Her name is BABY!"
But, Rory got this silly sock monkey recently, which Lily loves and has been playing with nonstop. We decided one morning that the monkey, who is apparently a girl, needed a name, and one that started with "M". I suggested a whole bunch before Lily agreed to "Madeline", like the girl in one of her books.
The next day, Lily came out of the playroom holding Baby and announced that Baby needed a name. I asked her what kind of a name and she said "Maybe another Madeline." I said that we already had a Madeline and we should think of something else.
So Lily marched upstairs and started pulling books of her shelf. She considered Corduroy and Marley, but decided those were boy names. Then her eyes lit up and she pulled "Knuffle Bunny" of the shelf as she squealed "Trixie is a girl's name!"
And that's how "Baby" became "Trixie".
Monday, September 21, 2009
Bubble Bath!
Is there any better way to relax?
Bubble beard!
The Bug really enjoyed herself!
This was one in a series of rewards for making it through the night with a dry pull-up, including getting up to go to the bathroom by herself. We're so proud!
Bubble beard!
The Bug really enjoyed herself!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Going on a "Spider Hunt"
Don't know why - it's just what she wanted to do. And she needed a beach hat, a dress, a scarf, fancy shoes and mittens to do so.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Preschool, take two
When Lily left school the first day, she came running to the car with her teacher, squealing. She was literally too excited to form words. Her teachers told me that it was the best first day they'd ever had. And that Lily was "Very talkative. She had a lot to share." So much for our shy girl!
Anyway, it took us several days to learn how to ask the right questions to actually get her to tell us about her day. But she did... all about who used the potty like a big kid, and who talks like a baby, and the big drum in music class and the story about the dog who goes to school.
I didn't know how day two would go - would she still be so open and enthusiastic?? But when Miss Vivian arrived at our car, Lily immediately showed off her nail polish and announced that it was for waking up with a dry pull-up. She didn't even wave goodbye as Miss Vivian led her into the school.
I love many, many things about this school. But perhaps my favorite so far is the fact that they send pictures. So today, before I'd even had a chance to miss her, I had this view into Lily's day:
I arrived a few minutes early for pick-up, so I parked in the back and got to watch the kids on the playground. Lily looked so happy, and so at home. I watched her climb and jump and run, cuddle with her teacher, play with other kids and take turns driving a car. It was awesome!
Lily greeted me the same way - with squeals of excitement and giggles. (I could get used to that!) Today she learned about Mary and her little lamb. She colored a picture of a lamb. Her class celebrated one little girl's birthday. And a boy used the potty like a big boy. Good times.
Anyway, it took us several days to learn how to ask the right questions to actually get her to tell us about her day. But she did... all about who used the potty like a big kid, and who talks like a baby, and the big drum in music class and the story about the dog who goes to school.
I didn't know how day two would go - would she still be so open and enthusiastic?? But when Miss Vivian arrived at our car, Lily immediately showed off her nail polish and announced that it was for waking up with a dry pull-up. She didn't even wave goodbye as Miss Vivian led her into the school.
I love many, many things about this school. But perhaps my favorite so far is the fact that they send pictures. So today, before I'd even had a chance to miss her, I had this view into Lily's day:
I arrived a few minutes early for pick-up, so I parked in the back and got to watch the kids on the playground. Lily looked so happy, and so at home. I watched her climb and jump and run, cuddle with her teacher, play with other kids and take turns driving a car. It was awesome!
Lily greeted me the same way - with squeals of excitement and giggles. (I could get used to that!) Today she learned about Mary and her little lamb. She colored a picture of a lamb. Her class celebrated one little girl's birthday. And a boy used the potty like a big boy. Good times.
First Homework Assignment
In Lily's classroom, there will be a scrapbook, where each child has a page to display their favorite things. Her teachers tell me that it is inevitably the kids' favorite thing. They will sit and look at that book for hours! So we made Lily's page this weekend...
Lily showed me where to glue the pictures and then she put on all the heart stickers.
The finished product:
Captions include "My Family at the Beach", "My dog Scout", "This is my baby sister, Rory", "This is Auntie. She's my best friend!", "Rah Rah Carolina!", "I love the beach!", "I love to dance!", and "I love to dress up and be fancy!" We also included some favorite places: Marbles, The Sea Turtle Hospital and Monkey Joe's.
She was so proud to take it to school today to show her teachers and friends!
Lily showed me where to glue the pictures and then she put on all the heart stickers.
The finished product:
Captions include "My Family at the Beach", "My dog Scout", "This is my baby sister, Rory", "This is Auntie. She's my best friend!", "Rah Rah Carolina!", "I love the beach!", "I love to dance!", and "I love to dress up and be fancy!" We also included some favorite places: Marbles, The Sea Turtle Hospital and Monkey Joe's.
She was so proud to take it to school today to show her teachers and friends!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Riding the big bike...
Lily decided that she wanted to go for a bike ride. Unfortunately, our driveway is mostly a hill and our street doesn't have sidewalks. So we walked up to the building behind our house, whose construction has been making us crazy for over a year, but which has a really nice, flat parking lot. And a cool, shaded parking garage. Perfect for riding practice!
Once we got up there, Lily wasn't so sure she wanted to ride. So Daddy and Rory gave her a ridiculous demonstration of how fun bike-riding can be.
She did get the hang of it eventually.
Just one more way she's such a big girl!
Once we got up there, Lily wasn't so sure she wanted to ride. So Daddy and Rory gave her a ridiculous demonstration of how fun bike-riding can be.
She did get the hang of it eventually.
Just one more way she's such a big girl!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
First Day of School, continued
One more picture that her teachers sent... This is Lily with Miss Maura. Think she likes her much??!!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
First Day of School
Lily was so excited this morning she could barely contain herself. She put on her new dress, frilly socks and new fancy shoes. She asked me to put her hair up in braids with "jinglies". We packed her snack in her new backpack. And she was ready to go!
Lily got a little nervous as we waited in the carpool line. I thought she might panic, but she watched a couple other kids get out of their cars, and that seemed to help. When Miss Vivian, the director, came to get her out of the car, Lily was quiet, but smiling. She gave Daddy a big hug and then hopped out. And then, when Miss Vivian asked if she wanted to put her backpack on, she said "Yeah! I have my snack in there!" And after that she was fine. She waved goodbye:
And then she walked into the school, without a glance back...
This is where her class hangs their backpacks:
Here's Lily's turtle, where her bag goes:
Lillian's Mommy snapped these ones as the girls went into the classroom:
And as they hung up their backpacks:
And here's a picture that the school sent, of Lily playing. It was in my email by the time I got home. So she was obviously having fun right from the beginning!
Here's a picture they sent from snack time:
And one from the craft table, as Lily & Lillian worked on sticker projects:
LilyBug, I am so proud of you! It has been eerily quiet around here without your constant stream of chatter, and I miss you, but I am so excited for you. And I can't wait to hear all about it!
Lily got a little nervous as we waited in the carpool line. I thought she might panic, but she watched a couple other kids get out of their cars, and that seemed to help. When Miss Vivian, the director, came to get her out of the car, Lily was quiet, but smiling. She gave Daddy a big hug and then hopped out. And then, when Miss Vivian asked if she wanted to put her backpack on, she said "Yeah! I have my snack in there!" And after that she was fine. She waved goodbye:
And then she walked into the school, without a glance back...
This is where her class hangs their backpacks:
Here's Lily's turtle, where her bag goes:
Lillian's Mommy snapped these ones as the girls went into the classroom:
And as they hung up their backpacks:
And here's a picture that the school sent, of Lily playing. It was in my email by the time I got home. So she was obviously having fun right from the beginning!
Here's a picture they sent from snack time:
And one from the craft table, as Lily & Lillian worked on sticker projects:
LilyBug, I am so proud of you! It has been eerily quiet around here without your constant stream of chatter, and I miss you, but I am so excited for you. And I can't wait to hear all about it!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
The night before Preschool...
My little LilyBug,
It can't be possible. There's no way that it's time. You can't possibly be this big. I'm quite certain it was just days ago that you learned to talk. And surely it was only weeks before that when you started walking. And it seems like it was just months ago that you were so tiny that you fit in one arm as I rocked you. I can't begin to fathom where this charming, clever, articulate little girl, who sleeps in a big bed, corrects my grammar, and is ready to go out into the world alone, has come from.
Tomorrow you start preschool.
It's a wonderful beginning for you. You will get to play and create and imagine and explore. You'll be able to play with playdough every day if you want (despite Mommy's dislike of it!). And you can play with toys that are choking hazards for your baby sister. You'll get to learn things that I don't know, or wouldn't have thought of to teach you. You will probably love every moment of it. And I am so very excited for you.
But. It's also an ending. The end of 3 and 1/2 years. Of lazy days and silly games. Of just us girls, together all the time. We will still have some of that, of course. But you will no longer be all mine.
And I think what's really bothering me is that I know where this is leading... Tomorrow I will say goodbye to you for 3 hours, twice a week. But someday, sooner than I can imagine, I will be saying goodbye to you for 8 hours, every day. And someday not long after that I will drive you to some school with all of your most important things and leave you there. For weeks, and months and years at a time. Tomorrow is the beginning of you belonging to the world. And what a lucky world.
Be brave. Be tough. Be yourself. And learn a lot. There is so much out there... go find it. I will be right here waiting for you.
I love you.
Always,
Mommy
It can't be possible. There's no way that it's time. You can't possibly be this big. I'm quite certain it was just days ago that you learned to talk. And surely it was only weeks before that when you started walking. And it seems like it was just months ago that you were so tiny that you fit in one arm as I rocked you. I can't begin to fathom where this charming, clever, articulate little girl, who sleeps in a big bed, corrects my grammar, and is ready to go out into the world alone, has come from.
Tomorrow you start preschool.
It's a wonderful beginning for you. You will get to play and create and imagine and explore. You'll be able to play with playdough every day if you want (despite Mommy's dislike of it!). And you can play with toys that are choking hazards for your baby sister. You'll get to learn things that I don't know, or wouldn't have thought of to teach you. You will probably love every moment of it. And I am so very excited for you.
But. It's also an ending. The end of 3 and 1/2 years. Of lazy days and silly games. Of just us girls, together all the time. We will still have some of that, of course. But you will no longer be all mine.
And I think what's really bothering me is that I know where this is leading... Tomorrow I will say goodbye to you for 3 hours, twice a week. But someday, sooner than I can imagine, I will be saying goodbye to you for 8 hours, every day. And someday not long after that I will drive you to some school with all of your most important things and leave you there. For weeks, and months and years at a time. Tomorrow is the beginning of you belonging to the world. And what a lucky world.
Be brave. Be tough. Be yourself. And learn a lot. There is so much out there... go find it. I will be right here waiting for you.
I love you.
Always,
Mommy
Getting ready for preschool
,To help ease the transition into school, the PTA held a playdate on the playgound. Lily was very excited to go, had a fabulous time playing and even got to meet her teachers.
And she got to have a snack with Lillian!
Then, the day before school started, we got to go in for a one-hour "mini day". Sort of a trial run, with Mommy & Daddy there. Lily was thrilled to check out the toys, and meet some of the kids in her class:
I think she's ready!
And she got to have a snack with Lillian!
Then, the day before school started, we got to go in for a one-hour "mini day". Sort of a trial run, with Mommy & Daddy there. Lily was thrilled to check out the toys, and meet some of the kids in her class:
I think she's ready!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Big Girl Adventure
While we were in Charlotte for the holiday weekend, Lily spent a day with Grammy & Bumpa. They rode the new train into uptown and went to the kids museum there. Lily was so cute, and so excited. She picked out her fancy dress, fancy shoes and frilly socks. (And then wore her mis-matched sweatshirt over it all day!) She had me put her hair up in pigtails, with fancy "jinglies" in them. She packed her camera in her purple, sparkly purse. And they were off!
(On the train - so excited!)
This picture must have been right before Bumpa gave Lily a piece of chocolate...
When she came home, she had a little chocolate on her sweatshirt, so I asked her what she got to eat that was chocolate. And she told me "Chocolate CANDY! Bumpa said it was a secret!"
Here's Lily & Grammy rocking...
And Lily & Bumpa trying out hurricane force winds in the wind tunnel. Lily told me that "I had to hold Bumpa's hands so I didn't fall down."
There was a pirate exhibit, so Lily tried out steering the boat:
And looking at the pirate ship:
And listening to the pirate:
When I asked if the pirate said "Arg!", Lily told me "No. He talked like us." Apparently we all speak with a British accent!
I don't know who they were calling in this one:
There was a dollhouse to play with:
And a small grocery store area. Apparently, Lily was very upset that there was only one shopping cart.
But there were trains:
And a place to build towers:
And a tiny tea set:
And dinosaurs:
But I think by far her favorite part of the day was riding on the train:
She had so much fun. My big girl...
(On the train - so excited!)This picture must have been right before Bumpa gave Lily a piece of chocolate...
When she came home, she had a little chocolate on her sweatshirt, so I asked her what she got to eat that was chocolate. And she told me "Chocolate CANDY! Bumpa said it was a secret!"Here's Lily & Grammy rocking...
And Lily & Bumpa trying out hurricane force winds in the wind tunnel. Lily told me that "I had to hold Bumpa's hands so I didn't fall down."
There was a pirate exhibit, so Lily tried out steering the boat:
And looking at the pirate ship:
And listening to the pirate:
When I asked if the pirate said "Arg!", Lily told me "No. He talked like us." Apparently we all speak with a British accent!I don't know who they were calling in this one:
There was a dollhouse to play with:
And a small grocery store area. Apparently, Lily was very upset that there was only one shopping cart.
But there were trains:
And a place to build towers:
And a tiny tea set:
And dinosaurs:
But I think by far her favorite part of the day was riding on the train:
She had so much fun. My big girl...
When YOU were little?!?!
Grammy pulled out all of Mommy & Auntie's old toys for Lily to play with (and because she's planning a yard sale). Lily couldn't believe her luck...
She took over the upstairs with all her new treasures. And loved hearing about each item, and how Auntie or Mommy had played with it when we were little.
She took over the upstairs with all her new treasures. And loved hearing about each item, and how Auntie or Mommy had played with it when we were little.
Sleepover!
Lily spent one night at Auntie's house... "Just me and Auntie! No one else is gonna be there."
She packed her overnight things in this tiny little decorative suitcase of Grammy's:
She was pretty pleased with herself!
They had a great time, including breakfast at their favorite pancake place the next morning.
She packed her overnight things in this tiny little decorative suitcase of Grammy's:
She was pretty pleased with herself!
They had a great time, including breakfast at their favorite pancake place the next morning.
Big Girl Bike!
We brought Lily's tricycle to Grammy & Bumpa's house with us. It's been so hot, she hasn't had much of a chance to ride it this summer. But there is a nice, safe cul-de-sac at their house to ride in. Imagine our surprise when she got on and her bike was too small!
Luckily, Bumpa had told Lily a year ago that when she got to big for her little bike, he would get her a new one. For the past year, every. single. time. we have been in a store that has big kid bicycles, Lily tells me about that. So when Bumpa got home from work that day, she informed him that her bike was too small and "You should get me a bigger one. 'Cause my legs are groooowing!"
Good thing for Lily that Bumpa thinks she's irresistible!
Luckily, Bumpa had told Lily a year ago that when she got to big for her little bike, he would get her a new one. For the past year, every. single. time. we have been in a store that has big kid bicycles, Lily tells me about that. So when Bumpa got home from work that day, she informed him that her bike was too small and "You should get me a bigger one. 'Cause my legs are groooowing!"
Good thing for Lily that Bumpa thinks she's irresistible!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
It's hard to argue when you're laughing this hard.
Tonight, during the normal dinnertime battle to get Lily to eat anything that's not a carb or cheese...
Mommy: "Do you know what carrots are good for? They are good for your eyes. They help you see better."
Lily: "Well, I see just fine."
True story.
Mommy: "Do you know what carrots are good for? They are good for your eyes. They help you see better."
Lily: "Well, I see just fine."
True story.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
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