The SC Aquarium

We definitely get our membership's worth during the months when it is too cold and too hot to play outside.  Seeing as how it is March now, we probably won't go again until July!!

 

 

Kayla's 2nd Birthday

Kayla and Mommy had a full day of celebrations planned for her second birthday!

 



It started with opening new Minnie Mouse dinnerware before breakfast (and yes, the balloons in the background are recycled from last year's party).

Kayla kept insisting (and is still making the claim) that she is six, not two.

After a hug from Maw Maw, who came down to help celebrate Little Bean's birthday, Mommy and Kayla hit the Children's Museum with Kayla's bestie, Marley.

 

Kayla kept calling this pirate "Mommy".  I love that this is how she sees me.  Too bad I don't have this chick's figure.

 

After the Children's Museum, we took the girls to a Cupcake shop on King Street.  Two words: Sugar. High.

Two more words: Sugar. Crash.

Can I blame one of my children for the decorations on this cake?  Naah, that is probably considered child abuse.

Time to open presents!  I love that Kayla delegated most of the actual present opening to Avery.  That's my girl....way to conserve your energy for the important stuff, like playing with the presents!

 

Kayla got her very own doctor's coat and tools.  Usually, Avery gets to be "Doctor Dino" (their pediatrician) and Kayla is stuck being the patient (which I think she actually prefers, as she loves all of the attention).

Opening gifts from Ninny and Grandaddy, who do a good job reminding her that she is a girl!

Wearing her Kentucky Derby hat from Ninny and Grandaddy for the rest of the evening's festivities.

I love Kayla's facial expressions in this video.

Kayla celebrating her birthday with her school friends the next day.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Kayla!

Dearest Kayla,

Before you entered this world two years ago, I was informed that there was almost no more amniotic fluid for you to swim in....and yet you were hanging on, content to stay in your cave. And at 6:23 pm on February 28, 2011, it took two doctors to pull you out...something that might have been traumatic but was quickly forgotten once I heard "It's a girl!".  On some days, I think your birth represented how much you love your mommy...I mean, with 6/23 being my birthday and 2/28/11 being your daddy's and my ten year anniversary of when we met on spring break, so long ago.  However, on other days, I think your birth day was merely a sign of your future personality: confident in what you want in life with a boat-load of stubborness to back you up.  Girlfriend, you drive me crazy sometimes...and yes, I am blaming most of my grey hairs and the occasional need of an adult beverage before 5pm on you.  But I am so so SO in love with you and could not be more proud to call you my daughter.  I love the way you can dance at the drop of a hat, whether there is music playing or not....the way you have a "happy walk", that is half skip-half gimp....how you boss around and terrorize your older brother one minute but can dole out the hugs and kisses to appease him the next....how you use going to the potty as a bargaining tool....when your teachers at school tell me that "Kayla is in charge"....how you make tiny "lady spits" when brushing your teeth every night....how you are so insistent that you are turning "six" on your second birthday...how you always end up needing mommy to tuck you in at night....and of course, thousands of other tiny, minute things that make up each and every day we get to spend together.

Happy 2nd birthday, girl...I love you.

Mommy

Kayla's Best Dance Moves Of Last Year

A Fire....WHAT???

Everything's Just Beachy

Yes, I realize that in the past 4 years, I have probably used up all of the clever puns that my puny brain can come up with for going to the beach.  Please send suggestions ASAP.

 

 

I thought Kayla was being a drama queen, struggling to carry a bucket with approximately 2 inches of wet sand to the water's edge.  Then I picked it up the deceptively heavy bucket myself: my daughter is one determined young lady.

Falling face first into 50 degree F water is no laughing matter.  #worstmommyever

January in a Nutshell

Nothing too exciting has been going on in January...which is a nice change of pace for us.

 

 

Avery helped us make "rainbow noodles", a food that he has been obsessed with after seeing it on the cover of a parenting magazine last November.  Great way to get kids to eat pasta; not sure about about the health benefits (or lack thereof) of food coloring.

Mommy's Little Helpers.  Kind of.

Kayla the chef will be preparing our meal this evening.

Avery practicing his Spider Man and tumble gym skills.

Big brother sharing his umbrella with his little sister.  Too bad Mommy is getting soaked during this interaction.

Avery and Kayla have developed a case of sibling rivalry this month, meaning they fight just about ALL the time.  However, they occasionally have their moments of "playing nice" together.  Sidenote: I love how Kayla's 18 month pants now serve as capris.  Bonus!

 

Enjoying some beautiful weather in the beginning of January.

Buzz Lightyear is a playa-playa!

 

Piano ADD moment: "Garbage truck!!"