Go Fly a Kite

The weather this weekend was cold and ridiculous. We decided to make the most of it.

Flying the kite!




She really had fun.


Lila doesn't walk yet, but she loves using her walking toys to help her along. It's especially handy when we go outside so she doesn't ruin all her clothes.


Earlier this week I heard a loud boom, which is never good. Went into the living room and saw that Lila had knocked the top off of her activity table, then climbed into it. Now it's one of her favorite spots to hang out. She still has to figure out how to get out, though.


Get OUUT!


Lila watches Da-dee on the lawnmower.

Elsa's 3rd Birthday

Here are some birthday photos. I didn't have much time to elaborate, but you'll get the gist.

August 22: Happy Birthday Elsa! She started the morning with a traditional number pancake.



Later in the day, we took a walk down the path in our backyard.




The girls stopped to eat some apples from the tree.


Momma and Elsa.


Tim, a.k.a. Lawn Butler, gets the yard ready for Elsa's party.


The swing set was a hit with the kids.


Elsa and her two cakes: a Thomas ice cream cake and a fairy cake.


Lila with Grandma E.


Happy #3!

Update Part 2: Children's Museum

Today we went to the Children's Museum with Trinity and Sophia. It was super fun, but also sad. They're moving soon to Paulsbo, WA. We'll miss them! I've known Trinity since college back in 1995. We also worked together at an ad agency from 1998-99, and again at Minnesota Monthly in 2005-06. But, Paulsbo seems really cool. It's like the Lindstrom of the West coast. Looks like a great place to live, and to visit!

Speaking of Lindstrom, the water room at the Children's Museum had photos of local water towers, and Lindstrom's tea pot made the cut. Represent!


The water room. Elsa played with these bubbles for at least 20 mins. I think they could've stayed in this part all day.


I finally got Lila out of the stroller and she was SO happy. Loved the water!


Lila playing at the water table.


Lila and Clifford.


Elsa in Clifford's dog dish.


Elsa and Sophia play with the sand castles.


Lila with one of the characters from Clifford.


Lila, Elsa, and Sophia playing with music in the Clifford room.


Picking flowers out of the flower bed.


Bus driver Sophia with Elsa and Lila.


This is Lila to a T. Crawling like a maniac right in front of a city bus! I wanted her to have fun, but when I'd put her down she'd crawl away so fast, and when I picked her up she'd scream and yell,"No no no no no no NO!"


The kids playing in the grocery store.


Elsa in the turtle shell.


Lila in the toddler room. She had a blast climbing and exploring, and then of course, sticking her fingers in her mouth. If neither of them gets sick after this, it'll be a miracle.




On our way out. A very fun day!

Update Part 1: Classic Car/Air Show

Last weekend we went to the Forest Lake airport to watch the planes and helicopters take off and land. They also had a car show, so we had to go since Elsa is into old cars. Every time we leave the house, she's commenting on cars and telling us if they're old or new. In this instance, she pointed at every one as we passed and said,"Old car, old car, old car...". She's really into pretending to drive cars, too. Whenever we go outside she wants to sit behind the drivers seat. When I asked her what she wanted for her birthday? A car! Yep, it starts at 3-years-old now.



Lila loved watching the planes land. She kept saying, "Zoooom!"


I think Elsa's favorite thing was this Root Beer Float.


Sometimes Lila will disappear for a few minutes, and then I'll hear laughing and shrieking and find her looking at herself in the mirror. She can't get enough.

some new stuff

Elsa with a ponytail. I wish she'd wear one more often, but she always takes it out after 20 mins or so.


Rockin out with the harmonica.


Found this dance costume from cousin Ani the other day. Sure enough, it inspired some dance moves.


Couldn't resist. Her fingers are actually starting to curve apart. Hope they don't stay that way!


I love the end of this one. I was trying to get her to say "hello" on the phone, but in the end she surprises me by getting up close, mugging for the camera, and saying something else.


In other news, a couple days ago Lila took her first few steps! And next weekend, Elsa turns THREE.

Lila: 13 months

I was away most of last week on a much-needed vacation with friends. So, I don't have many new pictures of the kids to share, but I do have a bunch of pictures of my vacation that I can't share. Mua haha!

Anyway, I took some video of Lila playing after her nap today. Unlike Elsa at this age, she loves to watch TV. She even knows the names of the DVDs we watch. I quizzed her on a few and this is what I got:



(In case you didn't get what "Ho-taat" was - it's Horton, from "Horton Hears a Who".)

This one is similar, except it shows her personality. She's clever, quick-tempered, and a bit aggressive. Not scary yet, but I'm dreading the twos!



"Throw" and "Thank You".


Tonight we were brushing teeth and she got fussy. She pointed to the toothbrush and said, "hold". I gave it to her and she was so happy!

Elsa's quote of the day: "Mom, you hug me waayyy too much!" Alas, it's true.

Not sure if I mentioned it, but Lila is finally sleeping through the night for the most part. If she wakes up, we just lay her back down, say "night-night" and leave. And it works! I have tons of toys in her crib, but she still ALWAYS wakes up crying and screaming. Perhaps not a morning person?


Can't leave it on that note, though. Here's what she looks like most of the time.


Til next time!