Our Little Big Girl

Our 2.5 year old has made some gigantic toddler strides in the past 2 weeks.  Part of me is crazy excited about these developments and another part of me (my Mama heart) is crazy sad that she's not an itty bitty anymore.  She's even losing some of that irresistible baby chub.  

Squirt's first stride eliminates $25 from our bi-weekly budget.  We started potty training last weekend and she's been a total rock star.  We had a few accidents the first few days but have been leak free for the past 4 days.  We'll take it.  Later diaper friends.  I spared you visual evidence of this particular stride.  Second, our little pip squeak is now sleeping in her own big girl bed.  Our neighbor friends were selling their daughter's toddler bed, so we bought it and set it right up.  It's a perfect fit for her teeny room and her teeny self.  She does look so small in her big bed.  Tim and I can't get enough of peeking on her after she nods off.  After 5 nights in her bed, she hasn't gotten out once.  Again, we'll take it.  

 We got darling new bedding after I took this shot.  I'll take more pics when the room transformation is complete. 

We adore this age.  It's inevitable that she'll keep growing up right?  

   

A Morning of Happy

Backtracking to Nana and Papa's Colorado time, we treated the kids (and our neighbor buddy Tommy) to a morning at the children's museum here in town.  We haven't been in over 2 years, so it was high time.  And the kids definitely had a high time.  A membership might be in order.  It's like 3 hours of daycare, complete with bubbles, velocity, ball machines, trains, tunnels, fire trucks, a construction room, grocery store and darlingly disgusting, hairy costumes loaded with unimaginable nasties.  That my kids gravitate toward each and every time we go there.  Moving on.

Here's a photo collage of the fun had at the museum.  Let's start with the coolest part of the day.

We visited the train room at the museum with Nana and Papa when Dude was Squirt's age.  There was a photographer there that day, but I never saw our picture on the website and didn't think anything of it.  Until my dad saw THIS!  How cool is that?  

 He's in a giant bubble in this shot.  Pretty sweet.

Happy H2O Time

My parents came out for a couple weeks of Mile High fun this past month.  Mom was able to join us at the ranch, which was pure awesomeness.  Dad flew out after his high school's graduation.  We love sharing our every day life with them.  No big entertainment hoops to jump through - just life.  And they love being a part of it.  There's something magical about these times our kids get to spend 2 straight weeks with Nana and Papa.  We sure do treasure it.  The night featured below included pizza dinner out on the town, dancing at an outdoor park concert and tromping through the fountains.  Can you tell how my kids felt about the evening?      

 This is Squirt's trademark move.  We giggle each and every time she does it.  And mind you, she does it at least a dozen times per day. 

It's amazing how much a little H2O can add to a child's level of joy.  And to their parents for that matter.

These were taken on the way up to the ranch and got neglected in the prior post.  

 Christmas picture?  Well, no. 

My Mama creates culinary masterpieces for us when she comes.  It sure is nice coming home to a home cooked meal.  I certainly didn't appreciate that aspect of my childhood until I became the one putting the food on the table.  Thanks Nance.  

We had a fabulous two weeks.  Lots of pool time, lots of baseball games for Dude (we're done next week - THANK GOODNESS), lots of good eating, game playing, museum visiting etc. etc.  Thanks for a fabulous visit Mom and Dad.  Sure do hope you figure out a retirement game plan that includes Mile High Us!

B&B's Backyard Bliss

We love hangin' at family friend's, Bruce and Barb's, backyard.  For many reasons.  But in the summer, we especially adore the masterpieces that are their gardens, flower pots and perfectly manicured, bright Kelly green grass.  Bruce is often referred to as "Marty Stewart," a name he should be proud to own.  He's a  manly dude if I ever met one, but he knows his stuff when it comes to decorating and making things look real perty.  Sorry Bruce.  Barbie is much the same (not the manly part) and together they create quite the beautiful scenic backdrop.

We take advantage and take family pics there every year, so below are this summer's photographic results.  And a sampling of the flowers that spoke to me that night.

 You wouldn't guess they're a day over 50 would ya?  Oh, they are.  

 Decent shot eh?  I thought so.  Dude isn't karate chopping, so that's somethin.  Then of course there's the beauty below.  Much more stereotypical of our children.  

 

  
B&B's flower friends....