Just playing around

Yesterday, Mommy and I were enjoying a nice quiet morning at home for a change, doing some arts & crafts. Mommy read somewhere about putting a colored piece of paper in front of your flash on the camera to create some cool pictures. Check it out:

Do I look better in red or blue?

Here's a video of our craft time, along with a great tantrum one:

Last day of Pre-school

It's a sad day for Mommy and me- the end of pre-school for the summer. I want to thank my wonderful teachers, Miss Kimmy and Miss Melissa, for a great 5 months! Over that time, I learned my ABC song, my colors in Spanish, how to share better, and be an overall sweet 2-year-old! Here's the video of us performing the ABC song (except for me who got stage fright & my best friend Ellery who wanted to do it by herself):

Check out our cute handprint aprons with my entire class on it!

And this is wonderful Miss Kimmy! She is amazing and I'm going to miss her! Maybe she'll come baby-sit for me one night!

My new hobby

Mommy bought me some ponytail holders since my hair is now long enough for pigtails. I like putting them on as bracelets too.

Check out this cool new plate that Mommy painted for me!

My hair is started to get unruly when I don't have anything in it.

Daddy and I have started playing "Dragons" together, which means getting out his miniatures and in this case, putting them on my trains!

My friend, Lilly and I were princesses for the day!

Check me out singing, "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep" here:

My day with Georgie

I woke up today so excited to go see Curious George at the EdVenture Museum in Columbia! Mommy and I had so much fun with the mom's group and we look forward to taking Daddy back with us next time to join in the fun.

Here's my favorite little monkey (and my friend, Blake)

And this banana will cost you..

Spinnin' the turntables (or making George wash the windows)

Here's a glimpse into my future job as a newscaster:

They had a butterfly exhibit going on also- 2 for 1! George & butterflies!

Mommy said I couldn't touch the butterfly (see my sad face)

I was giving Mommy a hard time smiling for the camera, so she tickled me

Shopping for groceries was my favorite part. (Mommy can't wait for me to do this for her! She's going to teach me her money saving ways.)

I need a price check on these avocados, please.

My end of the day smiling face- can you tell I'm exhausted?

Busy as a bee

It's Tuesday and time for Mommy to update you on our weekend. We had a busy few days as always! On Friday night, we went to the Italian Festival at our church, St. Philip Neri. They had some great food, fun games and an awesome band.

Saturday morning took us to my favorite store, Target, where I get to see more Thomas and his friends' trains.Then, Mommy and I headed down to Aunt Net's house for a baby shower for Daddy's cousin, Wendy. She is looking great with a baby boy due in July and I had a blast playing with Uncle Dean, so much that I didn't want to leave.

Sunday started with early church, a nice long nap (even a small one for Mommy), Daddy cut the grass, and dinner at our friend's house, Dustin, Erika, Rory, Tiger, Allegra & Sydney. I know, it's a mouthful and I didn't even include their 2 dogs (plus one more hopefully after this weekend!). Sorry there are no pictures from these 2 events, but let's just say that I climbed into a small dog crate on Sunday night all by myself. I was too quick for Mommy to get a picture but it's cool since I don't want to get them in trouble with CPS or anything.

Here's me visiting the ambulance- don't worry, just for fun!

Enjoying a baby cone of peach ice cream

Going, going, almost gone!

And finally, a few videos of the fun at the Italian Festival!

I love parties!

Last Saturday, we went to my friend, Ayla's 4th birthday party. The theme was Princesses and Pirates, so I enjoyed wearing my crown, since I believe I am a princess.

Here I am with the adorable birthday girl, Ayla:

One of my many boyfriends, Hollis

Don't worry, Daddy- you are my one and only Prince!

Now, my Princess look is complete with the magic star wand, pink ring and bracelet.

Back to my silly self!

It's a beautiful day for the Zoo!

Even though it was sprinkling on the way down, the weather cleared when we got there and gave us a gorgeous day! I hadn't been there in 2 months so I was extremely excited about seeing my animal friends again!

Here's the beautiful sea lion:

Meerkats are fun to look at (and play a staring game with- he won):

Here is Daddy's favorite- the Gorilla

This was my reaction to the giraffes (actually it was a little yawn, but I was really happy to see them!)

"Come here, Cow" is what I kept saying to this one

The monkeys are extremely entertaining and LOUD!

Check out me and Mommy with our "baby" dinosaur friend

The "baby" dinosaur needed a kiss

I could sit and watch the fish forever!

Come on, Komodo Dragon, let's get up and go!

A Video Montage

She loves reading The Snowy Day, even in the spring:


Not sure if Mommy or Daddy taught her this, but she licks her fingers to turn the pages:


A few examples of her terrible 2-year-old personality coming out:




Showing her motherly side:


Sweet, adorable, wonderful Eleanor (but I am biased)

My Mother's Day

For a change, I'm letting Mommy write on the blog in her words instead of mine. I'm taking this break to celebrate my wonderful Mommy on her special day.

In 2 years, my life has changed immensely and I cannot imagine it without Eleanor in it. She is the light of my life and makes each day a fun, new adventure. She has taught me how to be truly patient (which was a hard one for me), love with all my heart, and how to laugh at everything. I'm not always the best with my own words (unlike my wonderful husband) so here's a poem that describes how I feel about being a mother:

Before you were conceived I wanted you
Before you were born I loved you
Before you were here an hour I would die for you
This is the miracle of life.

-Maureen Hawkins

Mommy will always hold your hand, even if there is peanut butter on it..

Thanks for the beautiful flowers and I can't wait to plant a garden of them with you!

Thanks to your wonderful preschool teachers for the gift of a beautiful picture.

My two favorite people in the whole wide world- I love you Daddy & Eleanor!

I will never let you fall in unless I am there to catch you! I had a wonderful mother's day!

Picking Strawberries

On Thursday, we were lucky to have Daddy take off work so that we could go Strawberry picking! The Bush-N-Vine Farm was the perfect location.

I'm all ready to go with my Dora bucket!

How exciting to find my first strawberry!

Yum, it smells good- can I eat it yet?

Mommy says I have to wait until she cleans it off, but I'm not upset about that.

We could be here for hours with all these rows!

Daddy and I each show off our perfect ones- I preferred to get the baby ones.

Our bucket is full- let's eat some now!

After rinsing them, I relish in the taste of the first fresh strawberry- so good!

The perfect bite