Photo Friday-Happy Halloween

More tomorrow...I promise.

Photo Friday-Late Autumn Afternoons and Random Updates

This is still how we spend our late afternoons before dinner. Although, when it's still 80 degrees during the day, it doesn't really seem like Autumn.Whenever Kate sees anything Halloweenish, she says, "How-een is coming!" It's usually followed up by "I be a Yady Bug for How-een!" Great. She was a ladybug last year. The costume still fits. Less work for Mommy.Padyn has quickly adapted to kindergarten. She loves her teacher and some of the other kids in her class, especially one of the little boys. He broke his leg a couple weeks ago and is in a wheelchair now. Padyn likes him so much, she's willing to give up her lunch recess on the "big kids' playground" to play games with Mr. G.Kate hasn't adjusted to kindergarten as well as Padyn has. If I need to be home during that time, she gets extremely bored and just wants to watch TV the whole time. It's like she really can't figure out what to do when Padyn's not around. Well, that or she's so excited to finally get to choose the video, she just wants a chance to watch what she wants while Padyn's not home.Potty training for Kate is going well. Her pull-ups are usually always dry and I don't remember seeing a poppy diaper this week. I would put her in underwear, but the days I tried it she peed in them after her nap both days in a row. (She was in a pull-up for her nap, and then when I switched her back to underwear, she would pee.) I don't like pee on my carpet, so it was back to pull-ups. Which she hates, by the way. Oh, but that's the next update...Kate is a very strange child, and is driving us crazy in the car. She seems to have an aversion to wearing clothes in her carseat. As soon as she sits down in her carseat, she arches her back and whines, "It's buggin' me!" She could be referring to her shirt, her pants/skirt or her diaper. I don't always know. I know she doesn't like buttons or bows on her back and apparently pockets on her pants are also a problem. If I don't take the offending clothes off, she spends the entire car ride screaming at the top of her lungs and spitting. Oh. So. Fun. It's always an internal battle-do I just give in beforehand and take her clothes off? Or do I decide she needs to get used to it and just let her scream? Such a dilemma.Oh, Padyn hates homework. Who doesn't? Sorry, Padyn. You better get used to it.Padyn can now spell cat and other words that rhyme with it, as well as the, go, I, she, like, my, look, to, are, you, and a. Her class is memorizing sight words and she can read 22 out of 24 of them.

I think it's time to get Kate a little bike. She loved riding our neighbor's two wheeler (with training wheels, of course). Maybe a Christmas present.

Happy Friday. Hope your weekend is a bit calmer than mine in going to be.

"Dis Is Good!"

That's what came out of Kate's mouth as she ate her breakfast...a combination of foods that she created:

Scrambled eggs on Peanut Butter Toast

It reminds me of another creation my other child came up with a long long time ago: a turkey and peanut butter sandwich.

I don't think I'll put this one on my food blog.

Photo Friday-Sky High Adventures

Can you guess what we did two weeks ago?

The Zip Course at Mt. Hermon. The initial terror of being 150 feet off the ground (and yet only half way up a redwood tree) worn off after the second zip. Once the fear subsided, the rides were just what you'd expect: exhilarating. (Plus, the line was wet due to the sprinkling of rain, so it made for a pretty fast trip between the trees.) But before that, jumping off that ledge, even knowing you are very securely hooked to that line, was one of the scarier things I've ever done. If you haven't done something like this before, and you don't think being that high up with make you vomit, then you should do it. So. Much. Fun.

There are not many actual zipping photos of our time. The ones that the photographer was close enough to take came out blurry. Well, except for that one above of Joel. I guess we were just going to fast for the camera.

While Joel, Uncle Greggie, Aunt Hezzie and I flew through the air between the Giant Redwoods, Padyn and Kate hung out with Grandpa and Mimi. Thanks, Grandpa, for being our photographer. You did a great job. Happy Friday. Maybe you should plan a new adventure for this weekend.

She's so Cute...

...even with a pigtail in her face.

Ever Expanding Vocabulary

Mommy: Padyn, you got a card in the mail from Camille. I think it's a thank you note.

Padyn: Really? I LOVE thank you notes. They are so thank you-ish.

My Daughter, the Rock Star

A few weeks ago, our church had an open mic night at our local coffee shop (the church happens to own the coffee shop, but shhhhhhh...). Anyways, one of the kids ministry staff members had the awesome idea of having a kids open mic before the grown-up event. Padyn and Kate had decided that they were going to sing "Itsy Bitsy Spider" with Miss Wendy. Well, in the end, Kate and Miss Wendy sang it. Kate didn't get stage fright like her sister did.

Now I'm not bragging, but my daughter brought down the house. She was, in my opinion (and others that I have spoken to), the best act of the night. There she was, in her almost 2 and 1/2 year old glory, up in front of a packed-out room. She knew exactly what to do. She grabbed that microphone and told everyone that she would be singing "Itsy Bitsy Spider." She told them 3 times, just so they didn't miss it. Then, clearly and loudly, she sang it, with the hand motions, into the microphone. While Miss Wendy helped make sure she didn't fall of the stool and that she remembered all the motions, Padyn stood behind, wanting to be up front, but not in the lime-light. (That pretty much describes the difference between my daughters-one is the performer and one wants to be, but is too shy to take the risk.) And there was Kate. The star.

Somewhere it is on video. Someday I will show it to you. But for now, you can try to visualize with these pictures that I shot with my friend's camera (because it didn't even occur to me to bring mine.)

This is my favorite, where she's grabbing the mic and looking right at the camera. And there's Padyn, hiding behind Wendy.

Maybe I should read more into it when Kate says, "Let's ROCK AND ROLL!" (which she does, with surprising regularity.)

Photo Friday-Kate the Fish

e patient...I can't get the photos up today. But here's one I don't think I showed you from the lake back in September.Isn't she cute? And now she's a two and a half year old terror. But that's a whole other blog post.

Hope you are having a good Friday where you are.

I'm a Big Girl Now

Kate will tell you today that she is potty trained.

If peeing on the potty 5 times and pooping on it twice in one day is potty training, then bring on the Dora underwear.

Well, I wouldn't go that far just yet. But she was amazing today. We haven't pushed the whole potty issue yet with her (even though she did turn 2 and 1/2 yesterday), but we haven't been ignoring her requests to practice using the toilet, either. At least once a day for the past couple weeks she'll say she has to go on the potty. She hardly ever goes, but hey, you have to learn somehow, right?

But today. Today she was spot on almost every time. I think she only peed in her diaper twice and once was because I won't take her to the bathroom since we were in a restaurant and there was a line. I didn't even have to ask her if she needed to go. She just would tell us she had to go, then we'd go, and she'd go. We were blown away. And the cutest part is when she's done she's SOOOOO proud of herself she can hardly stand it. She comes running up to you and throws herself into your legs for a big bear hug. Half the time she says, "Mommy, you so poud (proud) of me!" It isn't a question.

But, today is just one day. We'll see how she does tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. It could all be a fluke.

But just in case it's not, I did wash her new Dora and Jasmine underwear tonight.

Photo Friday-Padyn Ballerina and the Cupcake Princess

Sorry sorry....long week. Didn't take any new photos. These are from the beginning of the month. I think I've posted a couple in each series, but here they all are in their glory.

This first batch is from Padyn's first day of dance class back on September 4th. But really, they could be from this past Thursday seeing as how she wears this leotard EVERY SINGLE WEEK. (Grandma, I think a new one for her birthday is a GREAT idea.)

These next ones are of Kate pounding down a chocolate cupcake at C's birthday party on Labor Day. The way she was going after this baked treat, you'd think she hadn't eaten in 15 days. I'll be better with the camera next week. As Kate would say, " I POMIS!"

Happy Friday.

Bullet Updates

I haven't posted any random bits of information for a while, so I felt it was time. For most of these, the girls' tastes run very similar. In the rare cases where they don't, the differences are noted. And of course, as with all toddlers and kindergartners, these could be different in the next 24 hours.

Favorite activity: afternoon bike riding

Least favorite insect: ants. (Probably has something to do with the fact that they have inundated our house over the last few weeks. They are everywhere-the kitchen floor, the bathtub, in my freezer...)

Favorite song to sing: "Jolly Holiday" from Mary Poppins.

Favorite show/video: Kate-Blue's Clues Snacktime Playdate (today she watched it twice in a row)
Padyn-Martha Speaks

Most annoying quality: Kate-total and utter disobedience
Padyn-whining and growling when she doesn't get her way

Favorite "pretend play": Nigh-Nigh and Doggie (you really just have to be there to understand)

Favorite article of clothing: dress or skirt

Favorite dress-up item: Padyn's leotards and dance skirts

Favorite parent: Daddy

Favorite time of day: Kate-when Padyn is at school and she gets to watch whatever video she wants
Padyn-when Kate is sleeping and she gets to play on pbskids.org on the computer
Mommy-bedtime

Photo Friday-Fashion Trendsetters and Random Silliness

Let's see...what's new in our household this week? Well, Kate has latched onto her galoshes. I gave them to her for Christmas last year and she's never wanted to wear them before now. Nevermind the fact that it hasn't rained here in many many months. For some reason, she's decided that every outfit would be complimented by her pink argyle boots. She particularly enjoys riding her bike in them.

Silly faces-Kate isn't so good at it.
Speaking of bikes, that's been our favorite afternoon activity for the last couple weeks. Kate doesn't actually ride hers for very long. She rides it down the driveway and out into the street, where she promptly gets off and leaves it in the middle of the road. She then goes exploring in the bushes around the parking lot. It's even more amusing since she keeps her helmet on the entire time, whether she's picking flowers or chasing Padyn down the street on her bike.Padyn apparently does trust her training wheels now. She has been trying to go faster and farther all week. Yesterday as I was running along next to her, and she said, "Mommy, Alex wouldn't believe how fast I can go!" First, I'm not sure who Alex is (maybe someone in her class?) and secondly, why would he care?Notice her passenger? "Duckie" has been taken for a ride every day this week.The two ballerinas-here they are dancing to "ballerina music" (aka classical music).Kate copied every move Padyn and I made. It was very cute.I have another photo on my phone of Kate is the most stupendous outfit ever seen, but I have to figure out how to get it on my computer...

Happy Friday.

At Least Her Priorities are Straight

Since the pool is no longer heated, we've been riding bikes every afternoon for the last week out in our street. Padyn still has training wheels on her bike. The other day I noticed her tires were pretty low, so that night Daddy put air in them. Well, what I did not realize was that the low tires allowed for BOTH the training wheels to be on the ground at the same time.

When Padyn got on her newly inflated bike the next day, she was a bit distraught over the fact that only one training wheel touched the ground at a time. The wobbling back and forth really frightened her. I didn't want her to give up, so I kept saying, "You can trust your training wheels! They won't let you fall over. Just trust the training wheels!"

And her response as she rode by?

"I trust God more than my training wheels!"

Can't really argue with that one.

Photo Friday-Close Ups and Other Silliness

Here are some random shots taken over the last few weeks.

Kate enjoying her cupcake at Corinne's birthday party Padyn on her first day back at dance classSerious swimmer at Papa's houseNo-diaper buttOllie-Papa's new puppy, right after he's gone swimmingSilly girlContemplating the lake
Happy Friday!

Great Find

So, this morning Kate and I went to Ikea to look for duvet covers. As Kate is about to move into a real bed, I now need two matching comforters so the girls' room will look somewhat coordinated. (It will be difficult as it is in direct competition with all the books, clothes, papers and other crap that seem to be attracted to their bedroom floor, but I have to try.)

The duvet covers, they were cute, but they weren't the great find. No no...that was breakfast at Ikea. Seriously, you can get breakfast there. Are you ready for this? For as little as....$1! I got the regular breakfast, which came with scrambled eggs, 3 pieces of bacon, home fried potatoes and these french toast stick things. That came to a grand total of $2.16. That's cheaper than my half caff latte with whole milk. And it was TASTY! I was ready for it to be bland or greasey, but no. It was actually good. I'm thinking this should be our new ritual. Kate and I drop Padyn off at school, come home for a little clean up, then head to Ikea for breakfast at 10. Totally cheaper than Starbucks every day.

(Not that I go to Starbucks every day. That would just be wrong.)

Flickr Update

Over there, on the right...see that Flickr badge? Click on it and you'll see 300 or so new pictures that I just posted. No, they aren't really new...there from April and May of this year. And yes, some of them you've seen before, right here on this blog. But I'm trying to get current...really I am.

So, if you want to re-live Kate's 2nd birthday or our Oregon trip over Memorial weekend, then you should go look. Now. Right now.

Nothing Better Than Throwing Rocks in the Lake

Yesterday we spent the morning down at the lake. You may not notice it here, but in the course of an hour, the girls changed their clothes 3 times. We all started out in pants since it was still chilly in the house, then quickly put on shorts. Eventually, the shorts and shirts were soaking wet, so the bathing suits came out. Why didn't I just start out that way you ask? I guess there are just some things I'm slow to learn.Kate, the child who has been hesitant to swim all summer, was the first one in the lake. I wasn't paying attention as closely as I should have (I was probably taking pictures of Padyn) and when I turned around, there she was, walking around in the water. I guess the fear has passed.Apparently, this is a new beach dance. It's all the rage with the kids these days.Some weird walk she was doing up the beach. Who knows...
As soon as she had her suit on, she lay down in the water. Again...who knows?