What we've been up to

Chloe and I had fun sorting through Poppy's old saved clothing for suitable hand-me-downs. She is now set for spring and summer in terms of clothing. I love putting Poppy's old things on Chloe:) As Chloe grows out of them I stash the special items away for safe keeping. I'm not sure what I will do with them yet, maybe a quilt someday, maybe give them to the girls when/if they have little ones of their own. I wonder at what age it's appropriate to stop saving things. At some point I'm going to run out of room for storage bins.

We are having the best spring break weather! We've been outside every day, to the park, zoo or just our yard. I think our dog thinks he's died and gone to heaven.

I love this shot, I took about 700 to get this one:

And I don't know about where you are, but here in Wisconsin I think it's safe to say we are all feeling like this:

Our house guests (the guinea pigs from Poppy's classroom) are making themselves right at home. And I'm happy to report they don't stink at all. I would never get our own but to have them around for the week is fun, particularly for Poppy. Aren't they cute? I love how they match:

I bribed her with a sucker to get this shot- the light was just perfect:

And that's about it. We're going outside now- we have rocks to climb in our Christmas apron:)

NOT this moment

Some tube or something came loose last night when I was washing the dishes. Thank goodness for my prep sink (it just dawned on me as I was typing this that I could use it to wash dishes). I just ordered the part Chris thinks we need. It cost as much to ship the part (overnight) as the part itself cost.

The joys of home ownership:) Oh well, at least we have a home.

I volunteered to take Poppy's class guinea pigs over spring break. I hope they don't stink. I never notice an odor in her classroom so I think I'm safe. It should be an interesting week.

Happy Weekend:)

Sunshine, Stars, and Straight Talk

We are enjoying lovely weather this week, sunny and in the high 50's. We met some friends at the park for a picnic yesterday. This particular park has a shoe slide. So cute:)

I really wish I could get this kid to eat something other than a cheese sandwich for lunch. I packed an egg salad sandwich, a cheese sandwich, cantaloupe, pineapple, and broccoli. I knew the little girl we were meeting liked broccoli and I was hoping that the peer pressure would lead to Poppy eating the broccoli. It didn't work, "little tree" talk and all. She ate a tiny piece of cantaloupe and the cheese sandwich. I try to sneak veggies into as much as I can but it's really hard with her. She's really funny about the texture of food so even if she can't taste it, she can feel it in her mouth and will spit it out. I will stop boring you with the details.

The park is next to the zoo so we stopped by before leaving. It's free so it's worth a trip even if you can't stay very long.

When we got home we continued our picnic in the backyard. I can't wait until we can start having lunch (maybe breakfast? dinner even?) outside. The clean-up is so easy!

***

I missed Dancing with the Stars Monday night so I watched it last night online. Pamela Anderson is perfect for that show. I wonder if this season's ratings will be higher because of her? I feel for the pro's that are paired with stars that obviously will not go far. I wonder if the pairings are random?

***

Poppy likes to point out the elementary school down the road from our house when we drive past. She knows that she has two more birthdays before she'll go there. After she reminded me of this fact this morning, she added:

Poppy: "I get lots of presents for my birthday"

Me: "you sure do, but you know...the best thing about your birthday is that we can all celebrate you"

Poppy: "me?"

Me: "yes...it is your day to realize how special you are...presents are nice but they aren't everythi-"

Poppy: interrupting me "I don't like carrots"

We then passed a lake.

Poppy: "you have to be very careful if you see a duck so you don't fall in the water"

Me: trying to reinforce the importance of floating on her back "yes, that's right. Do you know what to do if you fall into the water?"

Poppy: "wear goggles!"

And with that I wish you a happy Wednesday!

Memory Lane

As I searched through my photos to find a more spring-appropriate header picture, I was taken back in time. Back to California, to our tiny one bedroom apartment that in the summertime was so stifling hot that we were forced to check into a hotel to escape the heat. We did not like living in Los Angeles. I counted the days until we left. But our time there was special.

Those were the days when Poppy was in the infant seat:

and teething:

and in the carrier:

and the high chair:

One of my favorite things about that little apartment...Poppy's crib was in our room, at the foot of our bed:

My world revolved around her. It was not uncommon for me to just sit and watch her sleep:

Eventually she would wake up:

And we would have our daily photo shoot:

We had a large balcony with a spectacular view. We loved sitting outside at dusk:

I cherish that time. What I wouldn't give to hold that baby again, if just for a moment.

But isn't this what makes each moment, each day of our lives so special?

Once the day is gone...

...it's gone.

Live in the moment! And take pictures!

And when you look through them years later...have a tissue handy:)

Spring Fever

We have the fever. Do you have the fever?

This is how it looks outside my window here today, this first day of Spring:

Soon enough it will look more like this:

One can hope!

In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six different kinds of weather inside of four and twenty hours.

-Mark Twain

It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!

-Mark Twain

Sun, sun, sun...here it comes:)

Despite being sick (I now have the voice of a man...lovely) I was able to get much accomplished this last week. I completed a long overdue project for Poppy's preschool classroom, we gathered all of our tax stuff for the accountant, and I took everything I've been saving to donate to the thrift store. It feels SO good.

I guess this is Chloe's idea of helping with the taxes:

We went to the playground today. It's beginning to feel very spring-like in our neck of the woods! This year Chloe was able to participate:

When we got home we stayed outside until it got chilly. I put down some blankets on the brown soggy grass and we all basked in the sun.

At dinner tonight, Poppy asked why we were eating dinner when it wasn't dark outside. Kids are so perceptive. I hadn't even noticed.

***

Last night Poppy hit Chloe and Chris and I were helping her find the words to apologize.

Chris: "I'm sorry for hitting you Chloe."

Poppy repeated.

Me: "And I won't hit you again because hitting is not nice."

Poppy repeated.

Chris: "I love you Chloe."

Poppy repeated. And then added one last bit of her own:

Poppy: "Amen."

Is it wrong that this makes me smile? I love that kid.

This Moment

***

I'm sick this week. We missed swimming and music classes. Today I will make my third trip to the Apple store in as many weeks. I managed to get a workout in this morning, but I'm pretty sure the bagel with Nutella I consumed afterwards pretty much cancels that out.

Happy Weekend:)

This Moment

I love this idea from SouleMama, one of my daily reads. One photo, no words.

This moment I want to remember:

This and That- Part Two

I've been remiss in not mentioning THE Amazing Race. Are you watching? Which teams do you like? I'm going with Dan and Jordan. If for no other reason than the fact that he makes fun of this one so that I don't have to:

THE Iraq? Seriously? Poor girl. If they win I don't think I'll ever stop rolling my eyes.

***

American Idol. I'm not sure about the guys. I like Andrew Garcia. The girls? I think Crystal Bowersox is by far the best singer. But I think some of the other girls have more of "it", as Simon would say. Stage presence, charisma, the American Idol "look". If I were voting, it would be for Crystal.

***

Last night at bedtime:

Poppy: "But, I want to sleep in your bed"

Me: "I know honey, but remember I told you that Mommy and Daddy need special Mommy and Daddy time at night"

Poppy: after long pause "but, I need Poppy time.

***

The other day in the car:

Me: "I love you Poppy"

Poppy: "I love you, too sweetie"

***

We read this book last night for the first time (I hope these pictures show up!):

Madeline falls into the river below and a dog saves her. Poppy has been very concerned about Madeline drowning ever since. She told me she would like another Madeline book without the drowning. I agree...sheesh.

***

Have you seen these children's books?

So far we have 'Dancing with Degas' and 'A Magical Day with Matisse'. We love them. I love that they're board books. I love the text and, of course, the pictures- all art masterpieces. At the end of each book is a list of the paintings and the museums in which they appear. I purchase few books (I prefer the library), but I will be purchasing this whole set over time.

What about you? Any favorite children's books? I'd love to hear:)

This and That

Poppy wanted to play outside this weekend so we decided to try and go sledding in the backyard:

It didn't go so well (but I'm loving my new camera lens!):

If you can't tell they are both crying:

In other news...Chloe is not only crawling but starting to pull herself up on things. I walked in to her room last week and found her sitting up in her crib (she's figured out how to stand, too). I was shocked and couldn't help but laugh. I can't believe how much she's advanced developmentally in just the past month.

She also has two teeth now (her first).

My shopping trip to Schaumburg went well, wouldn't you say?

Out of all of this, Poppy was most thrilled with the glue and scissors:)

And last but not least! I made this valentine for Poppy to discover at school. I am NOT crafty, but I try. I got this idea from Martha Stewart and while it isn't perfect, I was pleased with how it turned out. And Poppy loves it which is all that matters.

I think a whole bouquet of these would be adorable in Poppy's room. Chris gave Poppy her own little bouquet of flowers for Valentine's day. We put them in a little vase on her bedside table. She thought it was the coolest thing since the moon. So did I:)