Much better

Today was Jillian's two year check up at her pediatrician's office. Much better than her last well check. I am so thankful that she is healthy and hasn't had to visit a doctor in the last 6 months. It seems like every paper I read or blog I stumble across has a very sick kiddo, and I am so so so thankful that my girls are healthy. Things could be much worse than weighing a teeny weeny bit more than your sister did at that age! I should also note that she is 1.5 inches shorter and 2 sizes in shoes smaller than Mia Kate was at age two???

Anyways, our two year old impressed the doctor and was very cooperative. She stood for her weight and height, as opposed to lying on the scale. As her finger was pricked to test her for signs of anemia, she just looked at it, no tears. Additionally, she spoke in sentences to the doctor. You never know if she will be excellent in these situations, or a real pistol. She was fabulous!

At the time I wasn't sad, but now that I type this I am kind of sad about her being able to stand for her measurements. I really had that whole scenario of taking the diaper off, step away, dingle the chime above, bring a clean diaper, down pat. Hmmmm.......

Moving on, I recently came across the following quote by Eleanor Roosevelt:

Yesterday is History, Tomorrow a Mystery, Today is a Gift

Yes, today was a gift, the health of our family is a gift. I often struggle with the "what if" and "maybe this will happen" possibilities. My biggest weakness is that I worry too much about things that are completely out of my control. But even though my plan could change in an instant, Someone Else has a greater plan, and I should be thankful of today, it truly is a gift.

Swim Class

Mia Kate recently finished (and passed, way to go sis!) swimming lessons. We chose to have her do them indoors this spring at a new facility. She loved class and was very brave, really boosting her confidence in the water. We are very fortunate to spend so much time at the lake, and she enjoys swimming there, but obviously wears a life jacket all of the time. I just feel that she is learning a false sense of security in the water, either always having a life jacket or the zero depth entry at the public pool. I love to swim and think it is a necessary life skill, so we are going to keep working with her. (This might have something to do with the fact that I was a lifeguard, which has caused me to freak out about being able to swim.)

Brad came and watched her one day at class and was amazed at the confidence she had in the water. He was also amazed that Jillian and I had been sweating it out for the last six weeks, the pool room was a SAUNA! By the end of class Jilli was always down to her onesie and it looked like I had dunked her she was sweating so bad.

Time flies

December 2007

May 2009

Happy Birthday Jillian!

Jillian celebrated her 2nd birthday on Monday! So hard to believe that she is 2, seems like yesterday she was born. She had me worried her first year of life, as she was quite fussy. Nevertheless, she has grown into such a treat. Each day she wakes up with sparkles in her eyes and a smile on her face. She is a little chatterbox and is always saying please, thank you, bless you, I sorry, and so much more. Often at dinner she is just being herself and Brad and I have to look the other way so she won't see us cracking up. We had a mini-party on her birthday, but will celebrate again later in the month.

She was not happy about us singing or lighting her candles.

She had this face the entire song, never a smile.

Still not happy.

Daddy had to step in and help her blow out her candles. By the way these two are best of buds these days, she used to be a complete Mommy's girl, but now has her dad wrapped around her finger.

A Lovely Weekend

We started the weekend with a movie night, Eloise Goes to Hollywood!
Then Mia Kate went for a spin on her new Trail-A-Bike. She is SO CUTE on this and sits up nice and tall. I am so proud of her for trying this and actually liking it.

On Sunday she woke up saying "I want to go on another bike ride!" Brad wanted to see the new Lake Lenexa. Ummm, for all of the KC readers we started out at 83rd & Woodland and road to 95th & K7. The beginning leg of that was a HUGE hill, yes, I had to walk it. Several miles into it I noticed a closer parking lot, would have been nice. We rode bikes for 3 hours! Also curious if Lenexa residents know this exists and that they paid for this dam? It is pretty neat.

Stopped at a park mid ride for the girls to play.

Sunday evening we celebrated our friend Alison's graduation from law school with a lovely reception at her parents' home.

Mia Kate love running on the hill in Linda's backyard and playing ball.

Myself, Jillian, Mia Kate, & Alison

Once we arrived home and put Jilli down, Mia Kate and I prepared for somebody's birthday!
On Friday, MK and I spent naptime wrapping the gifts.

I finished the weekend by frosting this schnazzy cake. We aren't having her party for a couple of weeks, but she has to have something on her big day! If you can't tell, we are going with a Minnie Mouse theme and her daddy is going to decorate the party cake, it should be a good one.

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School's Out for SUMMER!

Today was Mia Kate's last day of preschool. Once again, we are so very proud of her for being such a great student. She is very shy and really adapted well at school, helping her to be a little more social. I was very satisfied with the school we chose for her. It is Montessori based along with a fantastic art and religious program. She comes home talking about Jesus, which is awesome!

The art program was fabulous! Instead of doing pre-made crafts (like an old 4th grade teacher I know used to do :)) she was engaged in using many different mediums to create with. They learned about many different artists such as Jackson Pollock, Van Gogh, and Michelangelo. Actually on her birthday they did the Michelangelo study and painted on their backs under a table to mimic his work on the Sistine Chapel. In April, the school had an Art Gallery exhibiting all of their work. It was a great time wandering through the gallery looking for Mia's work.

After school we celebrated the year with a picnic with friends at Lake Quivira. I kept it a secret until I picked her up, she was very excited! Thanks for the invite Cheryl!

Ready to go! So proud of her for keeping her backpack spotless! I mentioned that she can use it next year and her dad added "Maybe for 5 years."

Mia Kate loves when I walk in to pick her up, as opposed to the car pool line.

Jilli's a little nervous....maybe she is wondering why I let her wear a white jacket to the sand?

Still checking out the "beach" as she calls it.

A great day to swing!

Today I said "Mia I need to change this little monkey and then we can leave." Jillian responded "I'm not a monkey, I AM JILLI!"

Sweet Mia.

My friend Cheryl made these adorable cupcakes to celebrate the beginning of summer! The teddy bears were laying on a towel on the beach!

Big Trash Day

Every year the city has a Big Trash Day and it is a hoot! You just put out your big trash and the trash service will pick it up on Saturday morning. Well, until they pick it up it is a free for all. I love watching the people drive around with trailers and pick up people's items to sale for scrap metal. Anyways, I will admit it, I found a treasure in my neighbor's trash. Call it dumpster diving if you will......I was taking the girls on a walk and found this jewel.....

absolutely nothing wrong with our Little Tykes slide! I carried it home while Mia rode her bike and I was also pushing Camryn in our Push Car. Whew. Once home I just hosed it off, scrubbed it down, sprayed a little Lyesol, good as new. Of course we have a big wooden play set, but Jilli can master this one on her own. Mia Kate jumps off of it and slides down backwards. I can drag it out front if we are playing there or pull it around to the garden where I am working. Thus far, they have used it daily, what a treasure! I would rather drag this home and use it than having it sit in the dump. Aren't I green?

Happy Feet

Mia Kate started a little soccer class last week with her playgroup. She was a little intimidated by the large number of kids last week and we arrived right as class was starting. Therefore, she was very frightened to participate. This week we arrived 15 minutes early and she was able to get comfortable with the area. Of course, now she loves it! I asked if she liked class this week and she said "Yes, can we arrive early each week?"

Poor Jilli, second child, is such a sport hanging out at Mia's activities. So far this week she has made it through swimming lessons, reading class, soccer, and dance. Yes, that list is way beyond my beliefs. I think school along with two activities is fine, four is pushing it. We are having a slight overlap in a few activities, but Mia Kate thrives on each one.

Sunshine on My Shoulders

Mia Kate has her first dance recital later in the month. Well, she is getting pretty used to her little get up. Last week was dress rehearsal and this week was pictures. She had to get her hair fixed and makeup applied both times! They are dancing to "Sunshine on My Shoulders" by John Denver, hence the yellow outfit. So far she knows the dance and performs for other students in the studio. Crossing my fingers that she performs at the actual recital! It will be a big deal for her just to get up on stage! Either way, we are SO PROUD of her for all of the new techniques she has learned this year. She is a great listener in class and has learned a lot!

Notice how the curls in the top photo have vanished!

Grabbing a snack before class.

Watching others perform!

Little Miss Sunshine!

My little shopper.

Today was the last Jilli/Mommy shopping day for this school year. I always look forward to Tuesday mornings because Jilli and I do our grocery shopping and run errands. It is so much easier to shop with just one of them. All year, she has been so good going from store to store, but a little snack always eases the pain! Last week I even took her birthday shopping for herself. I am excited to spend more time with Mia Kate as Thursday is her last day of school this year.

I know my shopping cart cover isn't the most fashionable fabric, but hey it protects her from germs and it was only $3 at a consignment sale! Knock on wood, she hasn't been to the doctor since her 18 month well check, which is awesome compared to last winter. Also, in the last month I have had 3 people approach me and ask me where they could buy one. Most likely the swine flu has prompted this.......

Jillian's Throne

Jillian reading her Mickey book.
Mia Kate loves her disc swing!

Jillian's favorite spot!

We never use our lounge chair on our deck, that is until Jillian discovered it this weekend. She loves to sit up in the chair and yell at birds. She throws her hand up and yells "Stop Birds!" as they are digging in the yard, sitting on the fence, or just flying. She also stands in it and asks "What are they doing?" about each neighbor she can see. This evening Brad and Mia Kate were swinging and she sat in her throne and read books.

I can't believe that she will be two in one week!

Thank you Brad and girls!

Brad and the girls gave me the best Mother's Day! I am so lucky to have such a loving husband and children. Brad made me breakfast in bed and the girls delivered it. Once Jilli was up in bed she decided that she was a mom too and proceeded to eat half of my food. Mia Kate kept going to the kitchen and bringing back more dishes, then presents! Mia Kate made me a necklace at pre-school that is so precious, I can't wait to wear it!

My feast included hot whole wheat pancakes, sausage, eggs, fresh strawberries, and ice water. Yum! Our house smelled of maple syrup all day. In the afternoon we planted flowers, transplanted some perennials, and spread mulch. The day was finished with dinner and dessert out!

All day they tried their hardest to make it a special day and I appreciated every single moment!

Lunch....

Jillian
The girls and I!

Today my friend Alison finished Law School....yeah! So we decided to celebrate with a lunch outing to feed the ducks and a mini picnic. Mia enjoyed throwing bread in the water as Jillian commentated every event for us. "Plane went bye-bye. Fish went bye-bye. We brought yogurt. The yogurt is all gone." and on an on. She is such a chatter box, I love it!