The Flower Girl and Ring Bearer

Elena and Evan had the privilege of being in Chris and Patty's wedding! Elena was SO excited to play her role as the flower girl and would have been more than happy to take on the ring bearer's responsibility if it looked like Evan was not up for the task. But he was, especially with the lollipop awaiting him at the end of the aisle.

I dressed them up the morning after the wedding to make sure I got some pictures of them in their cute get-up. (There are more pictures on facebook)

Wedding Bells

...were ringing for my sister Patty on Saturday!

Patty and Chris were married at the Bright Shawl downtown, and the wedding went really really well! Patty looked amazing (no surprises there), and Chris seemed to keep both of them calm and focused. I wish I had been able to get pictures of the day, but it's pretty amazing at how occupied you are part of the bridal party... and when you have three kiddos to keep track of (although it must be said Ben did the majority of "kid herding" throughout the evening).

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Mimun!

No Boys Allowed

After she hung this sign, Elena explained to me that she simply did not feel her brother had the maturity to appreciate the finer things in her bedroom . This coming from the girl who peed in the corner of that very room last week... just for kicks.

She asked how to spell "boy"; but "princess", she was born knowing how to spell.

Hey Mom, Look What I Can Do!

The fascination with going up slides backwards apparently starts young.

No More Diaper Day

...is coming soon around here.

In fact it's just one week away (eek!)

I made this little countdown calendar to help prepare him for the day, but I think the concept of counting down may be lost on a two year old. However, I'm keeping it up, because it is a huge mental aide to me!

Ash-Man - 8 Months

I feel like this month was a big one for changes.

He is eating his pureed veggies for lunch and dinner and loves them. He sits in his chair kicking wildly as he watches me get it ready.

He did a real crawl for the first time last week.

He pulls up on things; not to a standing position, just on his knees. He love to hang out on the bottom step of the stairs.

He is thrilled to see members of his family walk into the room (especially daddy) and again, that excitement is evident by kicking legs.

He gets giddy when he gets to look in the mirror at himself.

He takes 2 to 2 1/2 naps a day. Lately has been going to bed around 9pm and waking up around 7am.

The past couple weeks, his nickname has been "booger boy" because he had a persistent runny nose.

He can now go from sitting to the crawling position.

He wanders around the house making a funny noise, best described as a Donald Duck sound.

It really hit me this month that he is no longer a newborn (I've been reluctant to let that go). The excitement of the stages to come is tempered with sadness of saying good-bye to the little baby one I've enjoyed so much. Love you Asher. You are a big blessing to this family!

Our Proverbial Daughter

How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? - Proverbs 6:9

So last night Elena came into our room saying something... I don't really remember what... and I told her to go back to bed; I immediately fell back to sleep. I had completely forgotten about the incident until I walked out of our room this morning (she was still asleep) and saw a trail of sorts left by my darling daughter who apparently did not go back to bed, but instead had herself a little party. I started cleaning things up but as I came across more and more signs of Elena's tampering, I decided to stop cleaning and start taking pictures.

The "childproof cabinet" that has beads, messy crafts, and playdoh

She played with her dough; in the kitchen and in the living room... crumbs don't lie.

A tin with beads and pipe cleaners. There was a trail of beads going up the stairs.

Little Care Bear Stamps, figured out what she did with those later.

This was Evan's party favor from Saturday. He had painted it (but just slightly) with a little yellow paint. She finished the job with a red crayon and then jammed the crayon into the hole.

More party favors - CANDY!!! Wrappers are everywhere.

And when I went into check on my worn out little girl this a.m. this ring pop wrapper was at her door and...

...the half eaten pop that I guess was used to sooth her back to sleep on her nightstand.

And here she is; now awake with cheeks and feet adorned by little stamps.