More Snow Fun!

Throwing snowballs!

Running from Mommy

Finding a way to get back up the hill without walking... yes I had to pull her!

Wipeout!

The swingset is fun in the snow too!

Swinging on her tummy is her favorite!

Flying

Down the slide with bath baby.

Climbing is not easy all bundled up...especially while carrying bath baby.

I sure am glad I bought Delaney snow boots.... they sure have gotten some use this winter! We were also lucky her snowpants and coat still fit from last year! President's Day morning we woke up to a new layer of snow..and as soon as Delaney saw it she wanted to go sledding. It always takes forever to bundle her up to play in the snow... but this time was worse as she insisted on getting dress by herself! (and undressed when we came in too) We had a lot of fun outside in the short time we played out there though. I have found she loves sledding but she also enjoyed playing on her swingset in the snow!!!!

Baking with my Valentine

"I'm stirring it all up!"

"I did it!"
"Stir in the candies"

"I'm gonna put da icing on and eat IT!"

You can never have too many sprinkles... especially when they are pink!

She couldn't wait to eat her "cakes"

Yummy

We had to taste each one!

I love how her little pinky is held up in this shot...

They were all good!

I just love baking with Delaney. She was so excited to make some "cakes" for Valentine's Day! We often cook from scratch but she had picked out a Valentine cake mix at the store so we started by looking at the directions. I said we needed oil and water and eggs... she carefull counted the eggs in the picture and said "1,2,3... 3 eggs mama" That's my smart girl! She loves stirring it all up and watching it bake in the oven...but the best part for her is decorating and I'd have to agree! She spread her own icing on a few cupcakes and went to town with the sprinkles... she kept asking "Can I eat them now?" .... and finally it was time... so she taste tested each one of the four she had made all by herself.... "YUMMY!" she exclaimed.... though she really only ate the icing and sprinkles off the top! It was a fun way to spend Valentine's Day morning...baking with my little sweetie!

Let's Go To The Movies.....

It takes concentration to suck down this blue slushie so fast!

Anxiously waiting for the movie to start and chowing down on some popcorn.

We've been wanting to take Delaney to see The Princess and the Frog but we justn't hadn't found a good time to go. It was good we waited because now it is playing at the discount movie theatre right up the street from our house. This meant we all got in for less than the price of one ticket at any other theatre! I figured this was good in the case that she didn't make it through the show. We loaded up on popcorn and slushies and headed to find out seats. Another good thing about the discount theatre on a Saturday night... not crowded... and only 1 preview... so it didn't waste any of her sitting still time! She sat up straight and real serious at first... eating her popcorn and chugging down her blue slushie! She spoke up a few times and laughed out out covering her mouth like she does when she thinks somethings funny.... at one point sh elooked at me and said "They funny togeder" referring to the frogs. She clapped when good things happened... like when they got married at the end. It was so cute to watch her facial expressions during the show. She made it through the whole movie and says she wants to go back and see another movie! I think we will.... the next time they have another preschool friendly movie!

30 Months Old

Look at that sweet girl.

but looks can be deceiving... :)

Delaney drew this shape... and then said "I drew a heart" I have no idea if she set out to draw one or not!

This is her cheesey smile!

She loves her Daddy to pieces! (I think he loves her just a little too!)

Dear Delaney,

Today you are 30 months old... which makes you 2 1/2! Oh 2 1/2! It's such a fun age in so many ways... and in other ways... well it's challenging. You win us over though every day with your smile and your laugh. Your laugh can make the worst day go away the second I hear it. You redeem yourself often just by smiling at me, giving me a hug or telling me you love me.

In the past few months you've grown into a strong willed and confident little girl. You'll always be my baby, but baby you are not... you are a little girl for sure! You love tea parties and taking care of your babies. You love your Tinkerbell dress up and your tutus and fancy shoes. You love to paint and color. You will lie on your tummy and color for 30 minutes if I let you. You have started naming your drawings and making people as well. Your people are so cute! You often give your people diapers.... hmmm is that symbolic in any way?

You have made some major improvements in the potty area. Many days you stay dry all day (with the exception of your nap).... and some days you have accidents.... but you are excited to wear your big girl panties and I think we may get there before you turn 3! :) Like I said earlier you are a strong willed little girl!

Your vocabulary just blows us away... you never cease to amaze us with the things you say and come up with! I used to keep track of your phrases, but I can't keep up anymore. Here are a few of our recent faves....

"Now Mommy, when you need to go potty you tell me okay?"

"Just two more minutes" (when she wants to keep doing something)

"I not going night night" (anytime I mention a bath or books....)

"How about a hot dog, applesauce and some milk" (asking for dinner)

"This is my baby brother, baby Jesus" (yes, the Christmas story stuck with our little angel)

There are many more but I am drawing a blank!

You love to sing and dance. You make up your own songs when you are playing, usually about what you are playing. Today your song was about dancing and you added in "oh yeah" after each "verse". I need to get some of these songs on video..... but the best ones are when you don't know I am watching you!

I really could do without the meltdowns and tantrums you like to throw... you are quite the little drama queen... you can carry on about the littlest thing FOREVER! I know its just your age and this too shall pass!

You continue to love to read books... and although it is somewhat procrastination of your bed time... you like to ask for "just one more book please?" every time we finish a book. You have finally taken some interest in alphabet letters... your favorite letter books are "The Letters are Lost" and "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom"... but you don't really like me to tell you names of letters... in fact you don't really like me to teach you anything... which is hard for me to just play with you.. I am a teacher and all! We signed you up for preschool for next year... hoping your preschool teacher might be allowed to teach you something.

We love you Lulu... you continue to light up our lives.... and everyone you interact with too!

Keep Shining Delaney Grace!

Love, Mommy and Daddy

Playdate and Reading

Delaney has loved to read to herself for quite some time now... recently she has taken to reading to her big pink bear.....This isn;y just any book though... she "wrote" this book just for the bear.

It was a whole story about Delaney and the bear and how they played outside and went to the park.... and she was so serious when she was writing her book and then reading it to her bear!

On Martun Luther King Jr. Day my friends got all the kids together for a playdate. We always have so much fun together. The kids play great together and us mommies all get to chat! Devon was so kind to host!

Maya and Luke

Zack and Delaney playing with the train table.

Will wasn't so sure about me taking his picture.

Baby Grant chillin' in his swing!

Olivia, Maya and Delaney

Addy, Olivia and Delaney... I think they were playing school.

It's so fun to watch Delaney play with her friends. She loves going to see friends and talks about her playdates for weeks afterwards! She remembers all their names and on any given day she will ask to go play with Gavin and Maya, or Olivia or Addy.... it's so cute.