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!