Fun with Pay-Pay

Every other Wednesday (at least), Payton (my sister's youngest son), comes and spends the afternoon with us. Now, about a year ago, Lily would cringe the moment he came into view - just waiting for him to hit or push her. My, how things have changed! Now they are "best fwends". Last Wednesday we went outside and played baseball for awhile...Payton WILL be a player someday, and probably a famous one. He is amazing. At almost 3 years old, he can already clobber the ball over my head and his arm is beyond belief! Lily decided to stand on the sidewalk and be his "cheerleader"...chanting "Go Payton! Go Payton!" over and over. She admitted that Payton is great at baseball, and that "baseball is just not my game." "Soccer is my game, momma." So, they kicked the ball around for awhile too. Daddy has taught her that when she falls, she is NOT to cry, but stand quickly and yell "tough player!" (which sounds hilarious coming from the tu-tu wearing toughie!) Oh, and he also bought her a real soccer ball last weekend, so she won't have to practice with her beach ball anymore!

And, of course, bubbles were blown! (duh)

After our time outside, the kiddos came inside to relax. Secrets, giggles, hugs, and pizza flavored goldfish were shared.

Payton (aka Pay-Pay), we love you buddy and can't wait to play again today!

Porch Picnic

One of our favorite things to do in the summer...porch picnics. Lily and I will often have our lunch or dinner out on the porch with our picnic blanket. I love how easy to please she is (most of the time)...this particular evening she must have told me AT LEAST 5 times "Mommy, this is the best picnic ever!" We also enjoyed some popsicles for dessert. In Lily's words "Dere sugar free, so dere healfy!" (Baby Spot and Baby Ducky were also guests at our picnic - of course. But they didn't eat much).

Although they are calling for cooler temps this week, we know we will be back to porch picnics in no time! Happy Monday everyone!

I'd also like to say a big CONGRATULATIONS to my friend Kim - today, she and her beautiful family, are one year closer to their sweet Isabella! It's a long wait...but well worth it. (Stop by and give her some love.)

Now THAT is a rubber ducky!

I couldn't resist posting this picture of Lily and her "baby ducky"...she got this from Jay's grand-parents a couple years ago and honestly didn't pay any attention to him until recently. All of a sudden, she insists that her ducky take a bath with her...PIPO, this one's for you!

Springtime fun with cousins

Sunday after lunch we had Logan and Braden come over for a few hours. I can't say enough how much Lily loves her cousins (and vice-versa). They have such a blast together. We walked to the park and just enjoyed the warm weather. Lily loves the monkey bars and the swings best. She kept telling me to push her "the highest of all!"

I took Lily back to the park the next day and was pushing her on the swings again...she was all smiles at first and then got dramatically sad and said "I wish Logan was here. And I wish Braden was swinging with me too." (sniff, sniff)

Now, I wouldn't be a good aunt if I left out Payton (my sister's youngest)...Lily adores him too. They have become "best friends" (in her words). He was over today and I almost didn't wanna give him back! I'll save those cute pics for another day.

Our Shining Star

You know, it's one thing to think your child is really great. I (obviously) think that Lily is a really amazing girl...I'm her mom. I can go on and on about all of her endearing qualities...and I often do. It is a completely different feeling when someone ELSE thinks she is really special and says so. Over the past month or so, Jay and I have received several "compliments" on our girl. I won't go into all of them here - don't wanna gush too much. But, it does make a mom and dad proud to hear other people saying good things about their little one.

Last week at dance class, the grandma of one of the other little girls in Lily's class said that Lily is the STAR of the class. In her words, Lily always knows what is going on while the other little girls are about 2 steps behind. That really threw me for a loop...but of course, I couldn't agree more! (ha ha) The girl really CAN dance. Then, tonite at MY dance class, Lily's teacher stopped by to watch us for awhile...after class she was talking to my hip-hop instructor about Lily...going on and on about how sweet, funny, and talented she is. She told me that Lily is "way ahead of where most kids are at her age." She encouraged me to keep her in dance. She said "she continues to amaze me every week!"

I do plan on keeping her in dance for as long as she continues to love it. I really enjoy watching her - and would love to do so for years to come!

These pics were taken before class last week...they don't showcase her "talent" (but they are cute)! Lily can almost always be found stretching, dancing, jumping, shaking, etc. She has also been singing "Please don't stop the music" OVER and OVER again lately...her theme song?

Grumpy Bird

Thanks to the recommendation of the sweetest mommy/librarian I know - I bought a new book for Lily called "Grumpy Bird". It became a FAST favorite. We've had it less than 2 weeks, and she already has it practically memorized. Here is her rendition. I know you won't understand a lot of what she is saying, so I suggest you run out and buy it. It's great! How cute is she - sitting on the rocker just reading away!?

More bubbles...

Well, that about sums up our last couple days. I don't work Wednesdays and Thursdays, so Lily and I were outside enjoying the sunshine. Yay! Blowing bubbles, looking for bubbles, chasing bubbles...and sidewalk chalk too...then some resting up on the porch. Lily's new favorite is hop-scotch, although I need a refresher course on how that game is played! Oh, we did spend some time indoors cleaning out closets and drawers...bye bye winter clothes...hello capris and sundresses! We are happy girls here!

And, I'll end with a Lil' Tidbit...the other night after I tucked Lily in bed, I came downstairs to my bedroom and heard this on the moniter..."I love you, mommy. I hope all your dreams come pwoo, I mean ta-rue."

Hate to gush all over the place, but since she's come along - all my dreams HAVE come pwoo, I mean TRUE...

Have a great weekend!

Weird Wednesday

Last Wednesday we went back to our favorite spot for Mexican food...this time I brought my camera to catch Lily's antics with the Mariachi band. Wouldn't you know that she decided to play it shy? She went nuts shakin' and twistin' as long as she was hanging on to the end of our table (she looks a bit possessed in those pics, eh?) But when I tried to convince her to go dance with her "amigos" like last time she was not real eager. Ah, well, what can ya do? The food was still delish and she did manage a big "Adios!" on our way out.

Happy Hump-day everyone! It is sunny and semi-warm here today so we're heading outside for some fun.

My Bubble Queen is READY!

Took these pictures last week when the temp peeked above 50 degrees...we didn't stay out long. But, Lily is SO ready for bubbles again. She still claims that winter is her favorite season, but she is ready for the next one...and so am I. She and Payton are so cute together. They play so well together - and share really well too. And, Payton isn't afraid to get his hands sticky, so he held the bottle for Lily when it was her turn. (he caters to the princess too!)

I'll end with some recent tidbits from Lil.

She now recognizes that her skin is different from mine. She will say "I have tan skin cuz I'm fwom China. Do YOU want tan skin wike mine, momma?"

When she wants more juice and I have already cut her off she will protest with "but the thirsty is not gone yet!"

The other day she told me "we're babysitters momma"...then she took Bella and Spot, put them on the couch and covered them with her blanket. I asked if they were taking a nap and she said "yeah, they were gettin' pwanky". (aka cranky)

We had a wonderful weekend, despite the cold weather! We had a great time with Jay's sister Saturday. Kristen, if you're reading this: it was so nice to see you and we hope you had a blast at your ball...Lily can't wait to see pictures of you in your princess dress.

We are looking forward to a great week ahead...Happy Monday!

Some Friday Favorites

Just playing catch up here...the first pics were taken last week before Lily's dance class. There are actually a couple new girls in the class now, but they hadn't gotten there in time for the photo shoot. Besides, these 4 girls have been there from the beginning and truly have become friends. Their recital is in two months! Yay!

Then, I had to post some pictures from Saturday's daddy/Lily trip to Home Depot. (just for you, Kim)...she made a planter box. Then they headed over to the garden section and bought a couple plants for it. Lily couldn't wait to show me my "pwesents"...

Lastly, these pictures were taken on Monday ("famiwee day"). Jay came home from work at noon so we could spend the afternoon together. The weather was beautiful, so we went downtown for lunch, walked around, grabbed a coffee, and spent some time at the bookstore. When we got home, Lily's friend Laney (from across the street) came over for a few...always a nice surprise. We had SUCH a sweet day together as a family. When I was leaving for work that nite, Lily asked "Is famiwee day gonna be over?" She seemed so sad. She gave me a huge hug and told me she'd miss me...I assured her that every day is family day around here. This seemed to cheer her right up. That's my girl. My happy girl.

Unfortunately, the weather is back to chilly and gray. But, we're patient. Hoping next week will bring the sun again.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

"I can do it!"

Below are two videos showing Lily's growing independence. She can now ride her little bike all by herself - and daddy just took the handle off the back, so no more pushing her around the block! She is thrilled to be on her own - the video was taken last week on the first warmer day we had...Lily found some muddy puddles at the end of our street and decided they would be fun to pedal thru (over and over and over again!)

The second video is Lily showing off her disrobing skills. Lately if I leave her alone in the livingroom for too long, I'll return to find her completely naked. (yikes)

Enjoy...she is REALLY hammin' it up in this video.

And, wouldn't you know? After all that struggling, I asked Lily if she'd like my help. Her reply: "Nope, I can do it!"

Three years ago...

Three years ago today we held Lily in our arms for the very first time. After days, months, YEARS, of hoping, wishing, praying, and dreaming, our family of two became a family of three.





I have struggled with what I would say in honor of this special day and I just keep coming up short. No words can adequately describe how I feel about my sweet girl. She has changed my life. She has completely rocked my world. Every day with her is a good day - even the bad days.


Lily, today is our family's anniversary...but we celebrate the gift of you everyday. I love you more than words could ever say. You are a blessing to everyone you meet. I am so proud of the little girl you are becoming...sweet, funny, beautiful, strong, smart, and so loving. I am so happy we are a "famiwee forever"! Love, momma

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future."

Thank you, Lord, for having such a beautiful plan for our lives. Thanks for our sweet angel from heaven.

NOT lacking personality!

Lily might very well be cute enough to get by on her looks alone...not that she would ever try! But I think her personality is what really wins people over. She oozes cuteness.

We had a great time at Logan's birthday party last nite - Lily was SOOOO excited to be having a "fiesta" and was running, jumping, spinning, dancing, and singing all night. (yes, in her tutu)...

We had a scare the other night - at 2:30am Lily cried out for me...I went upstairs, picked her up and started down the stairs to find her ballerina slipper (don't ask)...well, I was wearing big, fuzzy socks and slipped on that first step...down we came. It was only by the grace of God that neither of us were hurt...we tumbled ALL the way down...I lost my grip on her for a moment, but re-caught her in the air and I only have a small scrape on my hand from the handrail...after she stopped shaking and crying she asked me how we did NOT get hurt...I told her God protected us...she said "OH...Is God OK? Is Jesus?" I assured her that everyone was fine.

I thank God for his divine protection over my family...

Birthday girl!

My niece, Logan, is 8 years old today. It's hard for me to believe! I was there the MOMENT she arrived in this world, and have had the honor of being there to celebrate so many more special moments with her. She captured my heart from minute one with her beautiful brown eyes...




Logan, you are such an incredible girl. I am proud to call myself your aunt. I have always enjoyed spending time with you, ever since you were a baby. There was a time when I didn't know if I would have children of my own, so I always considered you to be the next best thing. (I made your mom and dad share you with me!) Thank you for being such a loving, funny, sweet, smart, yet silly, girl. We are so happy to have you in our lives. We look forward to many more fun times together...birthdays, New Year's Eve parties, sleepovers, picnics, carnivals, vacations, hip-hop recitals (haha)...I could go on and on! We hope you have a wonderful birthday, sweetie! We love you sooooo much!!!!

Looking back at all of these pictures just made me smile. I can't imagine a life without Logan in it. Not only for myself, but for Lily too. Every year on this special day I will remember that in 2005 we were in China and Logan waited until we returned home to have her birthday party. She said she didn't want to celebrate another birthday without Lily. Is that not the sweetest thing ever? And, three years later, Logan and Lily love each other like sisters...our family is so very blessed!



(Lily is feeling just fine, by the way...she has a slight cold, but her tummy is good. Thank God! So, we are ready to party with Logan tonite!)