Copy Cat

Thanks to Grandma and Aunt Pam, Abby loves to put on makeup. She likes to dip the brushes in the different colors and smear it all over her face without rhyme or reason. I love that she is becoming such a girly girl. She certainly didn't get it from her mother...

Decisions, Decisions

Jeremy and I had a conversation the other night about how many children a family should have. I am set firmly on two, but Jeremy is starting to lean towards three. I am positive that I will win that battle unless he agrees to have the third one.
I am so glad there is not a set number and it is a personal choice that should come down to prayer and promptings. But what if you don't get any solid promptings? What other considerations should be priorities? I've been asking tons of friends and family lately and it has been very enlightening to hear their answers. Some people have financial concerns both for the care of their children now and in the future. Others have shared concerns over whether they can emotionally handle more children. Some people are worried about being older mothers and it limits the number they feel they can have. One friend I know came from a large family and hated it so she had only one child. Another friend was an only child and hated it so she created a larger family.

So I thought it would be fun to hear what you guys thought. What is the perfect number for you and why? What if you can't agree on a number? Who should get the final say?

Reese's Big Day

Abby and I were thrilled to be home for Reese's first birthday. The weather was fabulous. Reese was such a doll. It was a fantastic day!Pam and John had so much fun.

Nothing says birthday like badminton.

Abby got into the birthday fun with her party dress.

Reese and Abby took a birthday ride in the wagon.

This is one of the only times Reese got to ride her new princess car. Abby seized control of it shortly after this photo was taken.

Abby taking some solo time to reflect on the big day.

This was Reese's first time having sugar. She LOVED it.

Heather brought the entertainment.

Reese digging the sugar!

Cousin Time

Watching Reese and Abby play together is loads of fun. Here are some cute shots from their last play date....

Abby loves to give Kim reasons to clean. She loved smearing her face all over Kim's clean windows.

Reese wouldn't take her eyes off that sippy cup. It's the only thing she is willing to lay the smack down over. Abby doesn't mind sharing her soy milk. She's all about spreading the germs.

What a doll. Can't get enough of my Reese.

Fight Club

Last time I was at Kim's house I saw this interesting toy setup....

It looked like she was having a Little People/Farm Animal fight club in her living room. And who would put a baby up against a wolf? The farmer is going to get his trash kicked. He's way too old for gangster games.

Kim claimed she set it up so they could have a dance off. Boring. Clearly wolves can't dance. You would think a teacher would know this kind of stuff.

P.S -- Notice the black sheep wasn't invited to the party. How ironic.

Techie

Nothing makes Abby happier than playing with remotes and phones. It has to be the 'real' phone and not the fake one that we purchased. She knows the difference and won't be fooled.

She is well aware how to change the channels and turn up and down the volume, which is super fun when you're trying to watch a movie.

When using the phone, one should say hi as loud as you can and then laugh hysterically. It's always appropriate to bang the phone off the floor before making a second call.

It's clear she thinks that all I do is talk on the phone and change channels. Wouldn't that be fantastic :)

Abby in her glory!

Nighty Night

I know that you are not allowed to let your kids have bottles when they are sleeping -- it rots their teeth -- and you also shouldn't let them drink lying flat -- they get ear infections -- but Abby was miserable and wanted to do both. I let her. She already has an ear infection and dentures look real enough.

I could have watched her sleep like that all day long. Just Abbers and her monkey, sleeping like angels. It's enough to make your heart melt.

Miss Potato Head

My cousin Andrea lent us an old school Mr. Potato Head kit for the month we're here. Abby can't get enough of it; however she thinks that she's supposed to put the pieces on her own head instead of Mr. Potato's head.

She also has other inventive ways to use the props, especially the glasses.......

Shes likes to use them to dig in her ears. I'm sure that doesn't help her ear infection at all.

They are also a great teething tool. The narrow arms fit perfectly in between all her teeth.

Whenever she puts them on her face she says, "Hi Dad." She is so smart. Then she takes them off her face and pokes me in the eye putting them on mine.

Lovely Laura

I got to spend a Saturday with the ever-hysterical-elementary-school-friend Miss Laura. The girl is no-stop hilarity. Abby joined in the fun by painting my arms with the sour cream from my nachos. Too fun!

Storybook Gardens

Another great childhood spot is Storybook Gardens. It is constantly changing and each time I go it's like seeing it for the first time. I was so happy that we were able to get there as a family.

I was a little alarmed that they let peacocks run free throughout the park. The children chase them down, pull their feathers and freak them out. Where is PETA when you need them? Pam wasn't afraid to get up in their business as well. Rebel yell.

Abby and the peacock were having a stare off. We totally won. That bird ended up doing the walk of shame.

A teaching moment.

Abby was SUPER angry we made her be in this photo.

This water center was not here when I was little. It is too bad that it was so cold out and we couldn't go in.

Abby wanted to push this stroller every where. Anytime I tried to help her she would throw a HUGE tantrum, push my arms and scream NO. She has quite the little attitude now.

We stopped for a quick photo while lost in the maze.

Abby's checking out the best route out of there.

Reese loves wood chips. Endless fun.

This little duck caused us huge problems. He was camped out in the food area and ran around picking up anything we dropped. Pam and I had a blast putting fries on each other and near a very annoyed Kim. It was all fun and games until its hissing mom came over to join into the fun.

I convinced the sisters to get on the frogs for this shot.

Kim climbed to the top of this rock wall so we all joined in. It was a crapper trying to get down in my flip flops. I love trying new things with my girls.

We also dominated this ropes course. Who says playgrounds are only for children?

Reese showing off her mad walking skills.

Modern pioneers.

Of course Abby started screaming so we pretended to throw her out. I do this a lot and it makes her giggle. I love that she is a modern pioneer in her Puma shoes. How posh.

We wanted to get some pics of the babies in the cutouts but Aunt Pam kept making cameos. She makes the spoon look good!

Notice Abby has all the pails and shovels and Reese is just sitting there. Good thing she doesn't mind.

Pam taking control of the toys.

There was an old lady who lived in a shoe......

Abby almost had a great fall off this wall. Go-go gadget arms.

Reese fell in love with this owl and kept holding it to her face in the toy store. It makes a creepy hooting sound when you push its stomach. Aunt Kim was so kind to buy it for her.

Reese loved Abby's shoes and kept stroking them.

Abby was not a fan and kept holding her feet over her head so Reese couldn't touch them.

Abby liked the carousel for the first five minutes. Near the end she threw a tantrum and banged her head off the metal rod. Game over.

I think she was pretty loopy from smashing her head and didn't make a peep on this train ride with Pam, Reese and Grandma.

She couldn't be happier.