Mmm, Mmm... Good!

So this morning during our standard Monday Grocery Run, Grace grabbed a can of chocolate frosting with confetti and wouldn't let go! She was so excited over the little colorful sprinkles that I couldn't bear put the frosting back. I've been teaching her about textures so I figured I could build a little lesson right into the cake baking. I prepared a yummy chocolate cake and saved the frosting and sprinkling until Lance got home so he could help me with Grace (read: so I could take pictures of Grace during her first baking experience :)

She was excited all afternoon. She kept looking at me making the cake and kept saying, "cake, dots (sprinkles), help you". So cute!

Here's our little pumpkin watching us put sprinkles on the cake Okay, let me try This is FUN! Mama, I like "sticky texture"? Hands-on learning is always the best kind...especially when it comes to cakes, chocolate, and sprinkles! And after dinner, time to enjoy the fruits of our labor More please! Think she had fun?!?!?!

Surprise, Surprise!!!

Don't you just love when an unexpected package from a loved one shows up on your doorstep??? I do!!! So imagine how excited I was yesterday to find a package from my best friend Jammie, all the way from NYC! And inside were these yummy goodies:

Cute little twirl skirt set for Grace. Now, Jammie, how did you know I love this mocha pattern??? This pattern was Grace's infant car seat cover - I purchased it even before I knew I was pregnant with Grace - so that should tell you how much I love it :) Grace - Oct. 2007 (7 mo.) And for me, this book full of funny quotes, like "I get annoyed at my kids for picking their noses. But I do it too."

But the best part of all, Jammie sent the package to celebrate Grace's and my "1/2 year birthday" (we were both born in March). Such a cute idea! And to answer your question Jammie, I think this is a very fun tradition for Grace and her Aunt Jammie to celebrate every year! :)

And here's a few cute pics from a couple of days ago of how we spent her 1 1/2 birthday...Playing chase and hide-n-seek - two of her current favorite games!!

Now, where did that apple go? Ha, ha, I found it! Catch me if you can! Showing Mama her apple Running after Mama - blankie in hand! Hiding her favorite "bina tag" (ballerina leotard tag) behind one of mama's pillows. Don't know why, but Grace loves this tag! HAPPY 1 1/2 BIRTHDAY, LITTLE PUMPKIN! MAMA & DADDY LOVE YOU!!!

Thank you Aunt Jammie for my unexpected present! I love it!!! XOXO, Grace

Sesame Street

We recently switched from two naps per day to one longer nap right after lunch...which means, Grace is awake for Sesame Street! Knowing how much she loves her Elmo dvd's, I knew she would be excited to watch Sesame Street and see all the characters come to life. I still remember watching Sesame Street as a little kid, complete with the number and letter of the day, so I was really looking forward to seeing her reaction. So on Monday we sat together to check it out. She was too, too funny - SO EXCITED!

What is this???? Mama, it's Big Bird!!!!! Not too sure about Count von Count Yeeaaaay, Elmo!! Such a cutie pie!

First Day of School

Okay, so it's not technically school, but we've been calling the two-mornings-per-week Mother's Day Out "school" to help Grace figure it all out :) So last week, outfit selected, lunch packed, nap mat ready, we headed out for the big day. She was such a little trooper when we got there. She was excited to check out the new room and play with all the new toys. She smiled at her teachers and pointed out her classmates saying, "boy", "girl".

It was all going a little too well and I was starting to think that I was the only one fighting back tears. Since Grace was doing fine, after a little while I gave her a big hug and kiss, told her bye, and left her for the first time in the hands of non-family caretakers...and managed to spend every single minute of the next couple of hours thinking about her. Was she okay, was she having fun, did she like her teachers, did she eat her snack, did she miss me...you get the picture!

I came to get her a little early being the first day and all and boy, am I glad I did. She was crying when I got there and her teachers said she missed me all morning. They said every time she realized I was not there, she would start saying my name and looking for me. Broke my heart. As soon as she saw me, she gave me a huge neck hug and between little sobs, said, "Mama, go" not letting go of my neck for a single second. She did wave at her teachers and told them bye. As soon as we got in the car, she was smiling, eating the snack she wouldn't touch earlier and singing along to her favorite songs. I guess it's to be expected, but it was so hard to see my almost 18mo. old little pumpkin sad :(

This week was a little better and she's been talking a lot about "school", "teachers", and "toys" when we're home. I guess it's going to take a little getting used to...for both of us. This morning when I picked her up, we were talking about it on our ride home and I asked her if she had fun at school. She didn't say anything for a little while, then she looked at me in the mirror and said "No School" - oh, my!

Mother's Day Out - here we come! Here we go! Baskets and pegs and little ladybugs with each kiddo's name Modern little nap mat - so cute! Making her first school friend Checking out the new toys Ooooh, are those toys I see out there??? This is fun! Squirmy 'cause she wanted to go check out more new toys And finally, a little first-day present from Noonie! Thanks!!

Family Fun in Cali

So after much planning and feeling full of anticipation, we finally made our way to visit my three step-siblings that live in CA. I can't tell you how excited I was! It had been a year since I'd seen Herman, Heather, and Emerson when they came to visit us and I had never met my newest nephew, Marshall, until this trip. He is SUPER CUTE by the way and such a sweet, happy baby! It had been seven years since my step-bro Ace moved to Cali and eight years since I'd seen Karla, Nikki, and Katie. Boy, oh boy, was I excited! Heather - thanks so much for being the hostess with the mostest! We really appreciate you guys letting us borrow all the baby gear and planning the photo shoot! Can't wait to see the pictures!!! We loved spending time with all you guys and Grace loved playing with all her cousins!

Here's Grace and Emerson seeing each other again (Emerson was 8 mo. and Grace just shy of 5 mo. when they first met) Just like old times - Grace going after Emerson's snacks :) Playing together like old buds! Emerson bouncing on his Rody! SO CUTE! Ace and Marshall Marshall loved it when Ace whistled! Marshall is one cute baby boy! How'd you find me in here, Mama? Playing with other people's toys is just the best! What's not to love about those big brown eyes?! I loved spending time with Emerson. He's 100% boy! Just climbing on everything! Grace's turn. Thanks for the ride, Noonie! Sidewalk chalk works much better like this, Grace. Cute boys and sweet parents A mama always knows how to get the giggles going! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this picture! Boy, have I missed you, Ace! You never cease to amaze me with your beautiful spirit. Love you, bro! Family shot! Trying on Daddy's hat just for fun As a fun surprise for Papa A.J., Heather & Herman arranged for a professional photographer to meet us Sunday morning at a local park to take pictures of his kids, grandkids, and the whole family! We somehow managed to keep it a secret and boy was it worth it! I think he was really surprised and excited! During all the craziness of a photo shoot with 13 people, I managed to capture this sweet moment without them seeing me. I love that I got this on film :) Mamas and babies I'm sad that I didn't capture more spontaneous moments between the prof. photos, but chasing after a very active 17 mo. old in a new park isn't easy :)

As I mentioned before, this was a trip of many firsts, including Grace's first ride on a choo-choo train. To say she loved it would be an understatement :) She wanted to ride again and again and again! Daddy's turn! And then it was time for Herman's b-day party. Heather did an awesome job putting it all together - she even cooked all the food while in the middle of having all of us around - like I said, hostess with the mostess :) The weather was perfect and we had a blast in their backyard! A boy has to mow the lawn, doesn't he? Driving a la Flinstones style! I think I'll go check out what Marshall is up to Hi, Marshall! Katie keeping an eye on the kiddos and indulging Aunt Jessica with a picture :) Grace so badly wanted to jump in the little pond! Like I said, this kid loves water! Exploring. Who knew gravel could be so much fun! The birthday boy! And my sis Karla in the corner - now, Karla, how is it that your camera holds the only photo of us together????? Was that planned?? And my niece Nikki somehow managed to escape my camera. Hmmmm...was this a mother-daughter plot? Don't worry, I'm sure Heather snapped a few of you guys and is more than willing to share :) Now I know Heather will probably be embarassed I'm posting this one, but I think it's the perfect finale to an awesome day/trip. Ahem, I was just trying to get a picture of that wonderful cake you baked - he, he, he. Don't worry Heather, I know you'll get me back one day :) ...A sweet moment between Herman and Heather just after he blew out his birthday candles.

I felt really sentimental leaving. I wished I could bottle up what I felt when I was with you guys, just so I could feel it all the time. I love having family around and definitely wish we lived closer. Thank you ALL for all the wonderful memories. Lots of love and hugs all around and smooches for all my sweet nieces and nephews. ~Jessica