Beach in a Bottle

Our Project

Looking at the Pretty Shell

Most of the sand made it in the jar.

Max Working on His Beach

Examining my Work

What an easy, breezy stroll for the two of us!

Lori and Max

Sliding - or at least considering it

King of the Rock!

Check out the cool food!

Max invited me over for some beach fun this morning! His mom had this fun art project for us to do. We layered sand, rocks, shells and plastic fish in a glass jar before pouring in water and adding blue food coloring to make a BEACH IN A BOTTLE! She also made sandwiches that were our initials, beach scene graham crackers and blue jello with (gummy) worms in it! We even managed to fit in a stroll to the park to play. Thanks, Max (and Lori), for a super fun morning!

Play Date with Skylar

Taking turns feeding baby...taking turns is not a concept I usually embrace.

Kissing Skylar on the head - so sweet.

What do you mean you want to take your doll with you?

My friend Skylar came over for a play date today. We had fun playing with dolls - she even brought one of hers over and let me hold and play with it while she was here. Recently, I have not been known for sharing well, but today I shared my toys very well with her. The only problem we had was when she left and wanted to take her doll with her.

Thirty One Months Old

Dearest Victoria Pearl,

Something happened when you turned two-and-a-half last month. Someone came and snatched my mostly happy girl and replaced her with one who is upset over many things...sharing, wearing clothes, taking baths (although you love them when you finally get in the tub), your leaving/someone else leaving, brushing your teeth (no surprise there!)...No worries, I love you all the same.

You are getting strongly attached to your cows (which you call "moo-moos"). You have to take them every time we leave the house. Usually you are toting the two cows, one baby and two other miscellaneous item. You load them all in your arms and then proceed to hand them to me after about two steps for me to carry. Leaving them behind; however, is not an option (see paragraph 1). Your bed is also loaded to the brim with stuffed animals, blankets, and books. I am surprised you can find room to sleep! Speaking of bed, I am so proud of how well you adjusted to your big girl bed. You are the best sleeper, and I am soooo thankful for that! You have been sleeping really late this summer - often until 9:00, so we will have to work on getting up earlier now that school is starting. Changing routines...hmmm, that can't be good for a discontent toddler!

You have definite opinions about things, like what you want to wear (usually a Disney Princess nightgown - all day). I try to give you a couple of choices for decisions during the day (water or milk?, Veggie Booty or Goldfish?), but usually the answer is just "No!". I am learning patience and persistence!

I know that not being able to communicate with those around you is difficult and makes this toddlerhood even tougher, but you are making progress all the time! We are so proud of how hard you work and celebrate each step in this journey of learning to talk. Know that no matter what the challenges you face in your life, my sweet child, I will be beside you - helping you, supporting you, pushing you, protecting you, loving you...

Hugs and kisses,
Mommy

The Week of the Meltdown

I have been quite discontent this week. That has resulted in much screaming and crying and even occasions where I have been forced to throw myself on the floor while kicking and thrashing about. It has happened at the most inopportune times - the open house at my school, six times in the mall, etc...There's a line in Lily's Purple Plastic Purse where, after having a rough day at school, her teacher slips her a note that says although that day was difficult, the next day would be better. Mommy is hoping that although this week has been difficult, next week will be better. One can hope...but I am, after all, two-and-a-half.

The Simple Joys of Childhood

A lollipop from the bank drive-thru...

New Do - "The Bob"

I was not given thick and/or wavy hair (my friend Fiona was born on the same day at the same hospital and she got ALL the hair that day!). Undeniably, the ponytails I have worn over the last couple of months were cute, cute, cute! However, when my hair wasn't in them or usually by noon on the days that my hair had been in them, it became unruly. It's hard to imagine that my few strands of hair could get tangled so badly, but they can. My hairdresser, Margo, suggested that we do "the bob" and here is the result....also cute, cute, cute!

Hyatt Lost Pines (Again!)

My Chauffeur

Baby and I had fun on the playscape - Mommy and Daddy were happy I didn't see the skunk that ran by!

The best part of a vacation is the sleeping arrangement!

Daddy and I are headed to the pool.

We call this one Two Squirming Two Year Olds

Playing in the Sand

Thanks to Emler, Max & I are like fish!

We built a "house" out of beach chairs and an inner tube

We even had a history lesson.

We decided to take an end-of-summer break. We had so much fun at the Hyatt Lost Pines this past June, we went there again. We did the usual - roasting s'mores, playing on the playscape, general running around and lots and lots of swimming. My friend Max and his mom Lori came out Monday morning to join us for some fun by the pool. What a way to end the summer...now starts the grind of school (a whole five hours a week!).

Choose Your Battles

In the world of parental advice, one comment heard often is "CHOOSE YOUR BATTLES". One battle I have started waging is having an opinion about what I am going to wear. On this day, Mommy chose to let me win this one. The photo doesn't quite do it justice, but I am wearing my Disney princess gown from the night before (I did let Mommy tuck it into a skirt) and sandals with socks.

Circus

Today we went to see the Ringling Brothers Circus! It was FANTASTIC! There were elephants, clown, horses, dogs, motorcyclists, acrobats, contortionists, ponies, trapeze artists, fireworks...the list is endless. I sat in my chair for over two hours, watching, pointing, clapping...Mommy says the best birthday gift she could ever receive is seeing me so happy.

Mommy's BIG Birthday

Mommy celebrated a BIG birthday today. The plans for a big celebration (complete with Willie Nelson) dwindled down (per Mommy's request and the $200K price tag for Willie) to a simple dinner with best friends. If you guessed that it was Mommy's 30th birthday, you would make her day, but you would be wrong...

Bed Update

So far I have spent two nights and one nap in my "new"(ly configured) bed...without ANY problems. I crawl in and stay there until I wake up, at which time I call Mommy. I wait for her to open the door to my room, and then crawl out and run to give hugs and kisses. It really couldn't have gone more smoothly...other than Mommy's realization that first night that her baby was no longer in a crib.

Big Girl Bed

Guess who's (kind of) in a big girl bed? ME! After my nap, Mommy converted my crib to a toddler bed. It's low to the ground and has a rail, but I can climb in and out at will. That, of course, worried the parents, but I went to bed and stayed there. As Daddy just said...the night is young! Next on the list is getting rid of the binky at night (good luck!) and potty training (double good luck!).

Snore No More

I think this goes like that...

The fit feels just right...

Don't think this will stand in the way of giving you a big smooch!

Daddy's snoring prompted him to go in for a sleep test. They discovered he has sleep apnea, so he got this really cool machinge with a mask that he will wear when he sleeps. Tonight I helped him set it up by the bed and adjust the mask. Here's hoping Mommy...I mean Daddy...gets a good night's sleep!

Full Set of Teeth

All 20 of my baby teeth are officially in!