LilyBug

Lilyisms, Mall Edition

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 12:50:00 +0000

One Sunday morning before Christmas, Lily and I were at the mall, trying to get a few last things done. I thought stores would open by 11, being the holiday season, so that's when we arrived. But it turns out that most places didn't open til noon. Rather than drive home, the Bug and I just wandered around for an hour which led to some priceless comments.

First, Lily was confused as to why we couldn't go into the stores. I explained that they weren't open yet, and pointed out the closed gates in front of each store front. Lily noticed that one store had it's gate opened about halfway (like a garage door), to let the employees in. She told me, "That store is open!" And I told her that it was only open a little bit, so we couldn't go in. She looked at me like I head two heads and told me, scathingy, "You just need to bend over!" And then she demonstrated how I could get through the gate. Sometimes, she really thinks she's surrounded by idiots!

Later, we passed an ATM. Lily loves to "work" at any machine she can reach - the computers at T*rget are a big hit too. So she ran up and pushed a bunch of buttons, swiped a pretend card and took out some pretend cash, announcing, "I got some cash!" When we reached the other end of the mall, she saw another ATM and asked excitedly if she could work some more. I asked her when she needed to, when she had already gotten some cash, and she told me "I already got cash.... Now I need some money!" Oh my.

Work to do.

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Daddy built himself a new home-office in an unused closet, and the girls were happy to give it a test-run to make sure everything was in working order!

New Jammies!

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:15:00 +0000

Thanks, Auntie 'Lissa! We love them.

One more day to play...

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:31:00 +0000

After all the fun of the holidays, and having Daddy home for a week and a half, we knew it was going to be hard to get back into the routine of regular life. So on Sunday, we headed out for one last day of family fun, at M*nkey J*e's. It had been awhile since Lily had been there, and it was the first time Rory got to play...

Lily couldn't wait to start jumping, but Rory was a little unsure at first.

The Bug was, as always, happy to lead the way.

And Rory, watching her big sister, got braver.

They had a blast playing together, as did Daddy!

Mommy got to play a little too.

And by the end, Rory was a bouncing pro:

We brought home two very worn-out little girls!

Christmas, Part Two

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 13:55:00 +0000

We were so lucky that after our first lovely Christmas, with just the four of us, we got to celebrate again with Grammy & Bumpa, Auntie, and some other friends. The girls had so much fun!

Bumpa showing Rory how to work the train:

Ooooh!

Lily, diving in to MORE presents!

Rory only had eyes for the train:

But Lily was more than happy to open Rory's gifts too.

Chillin' with Bumpa:

Obligatory baby-bow photo:

Rory didn't have much interest in staying still for this photo shoot.

What would Christmas be without playing dress up?

The next door neighbors got a new puppy, and Lily fell in love!

(With the puppy, not the boy!)

We had a dinner party with our favorite "not really" relatives. Lily was very excited to wear her new dress.

And cuddle with Auntie.

And hang out with "Big Lillie", her sort-of-cousin, and apparently the coolest person she's ever known.

I don't think she left her side all night.

Merry Christmas again!

Merry Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 17:57:00 +0000

The morning began so peacefully and quietly.

And then 7:00 came...

And then we had to wake up Rory, for her first Christmas!

When we got downstairs, Lily was quick to discover that Santa had eaten his cookies, and filled our stockings.

She found a kaleidascope in hers.

And some other cools stuff.

Like a slinky!

Rory found a ball in her stocking.

And some crayons.

At breakfast, Lily enjoyed orange juice in a fancy cup.

And Rory had some cinnamon roll to go with her banana.

And then, Lily attacked the presents under the tree. There was no stopping her. Or slowing her down. Or getting in her way.

Frankly, Rory was a little overwhelmed by the whole process.

Lily did let us stop to play with one of Rory's toys - this cool elephant game that blows butterflies up into the air for you to catch in nets.

Rory also got a dancing, piano-playing Snoopy that she was pretty fond of.

But nothing was more exciting than the ribbons and paper.

And the boxes that the toys came in, of course:

Lily helped everyone open their gifts (whether we wanted help or not!):

And when every box had been opened, Lily got busy trying everything out. Starting with her new coat.

And hen her new paints. And some books, a game, and a puzzle all over the playroom.

Rory decided that she really likes her new sit-n-spin.

Daddy got in on the fun too, helping the girls build towers with their new blocks.

And then Lily changed into a new outfit before reading a new story.

It was a wonderful Christmas, Rory's first, and our first as a family of four. I can't imagine a better, happier or more fabulous day. We all feel very lucky.

Merry Christmas!

Just one present!

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 00:07:00 +0000

We had to open just one present on Christmas eve before the girls went to bed.

They got tu-tus, from Mommy.

And then we had to have a little dance party.

And then there was just time for a quick picture in matching jammies before it was off to bed so that Santa could come!
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Christmas Eve Walk

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 23:56:00 +0000

To see the neighborhood lights...

Dear Santa, we're ready...

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:47:00 +0000

Lily spent the morning making cookie dough.

And she tested it repeatedly to make sure it was good enough for you.

Then, she spent the afternoon rolling out the dough,

Cutting out shapes,

(I asked her to look at me for this one and she said "But Mommy, I have to look at what I'm doing!"

And, of course, decorating the cookies for you:

We had so much fun! But, as Lily told Daddy, "Can you do the cleanin' up because we've been doin' all the hard workin'!"

And, just in case you were wondering, Santa, Lily doesn't think it's possible for a cookie to have to many sprinkles. So prepare yourself for a sugar rush!

While we still have hours to go, Lily has already selected the perfect cookies for you to enjoy:

Lily is counting down the moments til your arrival! We hope you like the cookies.

A Tea Party!

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:41:00 +0000

The first of many...

Baking Cookies!

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:45:00 +0000

We had a special Friday playgroup today. One of the Mommies very bravely opened up her kitchen to 5 three-year-olds for cookie baking and decorating. They had a blast!

Here's the Bug, concentrating very hard on decorating her cookies:

And the finished products:

Rory was there too, and desperate to "help" the big kids. But she was momentarily distracted by the singing penguins:

Sure, she'll sing THIS song...

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:13:00 +0000

Thank you, Glee Soundtrack for helping me teach my daughter the following lyrics...

Yes, you just heard Lily say "Baby mama's car crib is bigger than his. You will see him on TV every given Sunday. Superbowl, drivin' off in a Hyundai. Get down girl, go 'head and get down!"

This is why...

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:32:00 +0000

...We were so glad to get Lily's practice performances on video. We were pretty sure that there would be no actual performing in front of a live audience. Too much pressure.

Lily was really excited to see us - especially Rory! - in the audience.

And then the performance began...

And continued...

At least during Jingle Bells, she played the bells! I think I saw her lips move a couple of times too. Afterward, when we asked her if she had fun, she said that she did. And when asked what her favorite part was, she told us "Having cookies and running around with Lillian." - in other words, the play time after the concert!

Preschool Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:58:00 +0000

Gifts from Lily's teachers:

A book, a game, a cup & a candy cane.

December Artwork

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:55:00 +0000

Paper plate apples:

Torn paper tree:
Scribble drawing:

Gingerbread man in marker:

Lily's first attempt at signing her name:

This one was done at home. A family portrait... Daddy is holding Rory, Mommy is tall, and Lily has wild hair!

Painted Christmas trees:

The stockings were hung...

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:28:00 +0000

New stockings for the girls - to celebrate their first Christmas together.

It took several tries, but Mommy finally got it right. I have got to start reading patterns before I start sewing!

Dinner with Auntie

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:16:00 +0000

The Bug is never happier than when Auntie is around!

The List

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:08:00 +0000

Lily's Christmas Wish List...

A jumper - a bouncy jumper. (I think she means like Rory's jumparoo)
A green candle, with a brown candle holder.
A monkey to sleep with.
A puzzle of mashed potatoes.
A book, to go with the puzzle, about mashed potatoes.
A stick. (Seriously - you can't make this stuff up!)
And, after a trip to the toy store, a fancy dress, for dance parties.

She was eating dinner and looking around the kitchen as she came up with this, stream-of-consciousness style. Wish Santa luck as he tries to make her wishes come true...

Visit with Santa

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 17:00:00 +0000

Daddy's office throws a wonderful family holiday party every year. Santa is there, and there's lots of yummy food to eat, games to play, prizes to win and things to do.

Lily was very excited to wear her big fancy dress. And her cowboy boots.
After we ate, Mommy & Lily played some reindeer games...

And won LOTS of prizes:
Daddy & Rory were our cheering section:

We had a caricature of the girls drawn:

Lily's favorite part of the whole party was the food...

And Rory really, REALLY liked her stuffed gingerbread man:

And then, finally, it was the moment of truth - time to see the big guy. Now, two years ago this was not such a big success:

Last year, it was only slightly better:

But, this year, there were no tears!

And Lily even gave Santa a hug (sort of).

This is Lily's post-Santa giddy pose:
She was so proud of herself. I don't think the Bug managed to ask Santa for anything. Luckily, she had me write down her list about a week ago, so I guess we'll just send a letter!

The problem with breakfast...

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:59:00 +0000

Lily: "You know what the problem with yogurt is?"

Daddy: "No. What?"

Lily: "I only like pancakes. With whipped cream."

Duly noted.

Christmas Ornaments

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:55:00 +0000

Another fabulous preschool craft...

"Cinnamon Ornaments.
Don't they smell yummy?
But they go on our Christmas tree,
Not in our tummy!!

Merry Christmas"

The Hair Battle

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:21:00 +0000

Every day - the arguments about the hair. How it should be. What should go in it. It's epic.

But today, Mommy won one...

You can see the progression from "My Mommy is SOOO mean!" to "Oh, I like how this swings around behind me!" and "Oooh! I have a BOW!"

Lily's Carol Sing-a-Long

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:46:00 +0000

While we were putting up the tree (the day we arrived home from the beach), Lily started singing this song - some combination of a song about the beach and one about Christmas:

A few days later, Lily and her best buddy Lillian showed us mommies what they've been working on for their preschool holiday show:

And here's the Bug's version of Jingle Bells:

(Be sure to check out her fan club in the background!)

Best Reindeer Ever.

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:36:00 +0000

Lily brought this home from school:

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:45:00 +0000

Santa greeted us when we pulled into the Christmas tree "store"...

Lily showed Rory how to pick the perfect tree...

The upside of being a big sister? The candy canes that only you get to eat!

When we got home and started pulling out the decorations, we found three of Santa's little helpers...

The Bug put the star on top of the tree...

And got to stay up late to help with the ornaments after Rory went to bed. Doesn't it look pretty?