Sara's Potty Party

Yes, you read that correctly. We had a potty party Wednesday night in honor of Sara!

We're not sure how it happened but we successful "diaper trained" Sara instead of potty training her. At 6am every morning, Sara would wake up and we put her in her Minnie Mouse or Daisy Duck panties. Every two hours or so we would sit her on her potty and hope (and silently pray) that something would happen. It never would. Lunch time would roll around and then nap time. I would put her in her diaper and put her in bed. About five minutes later I would hear, "Mommy. I go potty!"

We knew she could "hold it" and that she knew when it was ok to "go." So we decided to bite the bullet and go with panties full time (diapers only at night). Long story short, Sara finally used her potty on Wednesday afternoon! Yes, she was naked sitting on the potty on our backyard deck while playing in a bucket of water and she had held "it" for 9 hours ...but it happened! So I ran out and got cupcakes!

I'm planning on bravely venturing out for a quick, and I do mean quick, trip to Publix this morning while Sara is wearing panties. Pray the checkout lines are short!

Happiest Place on Earth

Yep...we branched out and traveled to California last week to visit Disneyland!

Don't we look cute!

Thanks a bunch to Grana and Grandaddy and to Grandma and Grandpa. They had a "stay-cation" with our girls while we took our vacation!

Pool Party!

The girls joined Cooper at Grandma's house for a splashin' good time!

Emma loved running through the Mickey Mouse sprinkler.

Sara was happy to fill up her watering can and empty it over and over and over. Cooper spent most of his time cooling off in the pool.

Yum! Popsicles!

When It Rains...

...go outside and ride your tricycles!

Our Memorial Day weekend was pretty wet and the girls needed to get outside and do something...anything! Since it wasn't lightning or thundering, we decided to suit the girls in their raincoats and boots! They had a great time and so did we!

We also put Emma to work mowing the concrete. You know how it gets in the summer!

Since we backed out the van into the driveway and it was raining, I decided to use Mother Nature to help me wash the "magic door." Sara also pitched in!

Program and Party!

Emma's end of the year program had a patriotic theme this year. All the children brought in a white t-shirt that they decorated for the program.

Emma models her all-American look!

Yes, I resorted to sugary distractions to keep Sara semi-quiet. She still was able to stand up in my lap and yell, "I'm Cinderella!" at the top of her lungs. I'm not sure why she felt the need to share that information, but the people around us thought it was funny. Then she leaned over and told her Grana (who did not yell...not even once), "Shhh. Be quiet Grana."

There is Emma in the middle holding her flag proudly.

After the program, we all came back to our house for the Strawberry Shortcake party-rama.

We love cake!

Cooper's cousins tried to lure him into their tent, but being the smart boy that he is, he hightailed it the other direction!

Opening presents went really well this year. Both of the girls were interested in what each package contained. Can't wait to see how they devour their Christmas presents!

Sara took Fancy Nancy for a slide ride.

Cool! A basketball goal!
Watch out WNBA, here we come!

Birthday!

Here are a few pictures from the girls birthday party. We had a special supper at home, complete with cupcakes. We saved the "big birthday cake" for the party the next night.

Emma blew out her #4 and was ready to dig into that cupcake!

We also decided to be "extra fancy" and had some petit fours too.

Tearing into a present!

Sara listened patiently while Daddy read one of her cards.

Sara was really excited when she opened her new Imagination Movers DVD. She wouldn't even let Daddy hold it so she could open more presents!

Emma was excited to get some spending money!

I promise to post Emma's end of the year and birthday party pics soon!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Emma and Sara!

Happy Mother's Day!

Our family would like to wish a Happy Mother's Day to our mothers, grandmothers, aunts...basically all the ladies that we love and love us in return!

We thank God for you and the blessings that you have been to us and to our girls.

Here is an early Happy Mother's Day gift I received from Emma when I picked her up from pre-school.

It's a lovely portrait of me and a section with questions that Emma answered about her mommy. Emma's responses to the questions is in pink.
I'm sure her teacher had a ball!

How tall is Mom? This much big
How old is Mom? 15
How much does Mom weigh? 15 lbs
What color is Mom's hair? black
What color are Mom's eyes? blue
What is Mom's favorite color? pink
What is Mom's favorite food? cheese
What is Mom's job? Takes care of Sara

Fire Truck Friday!

Our playgroup took a great trip to the fire department. They firemen took us on a tour of the truck and the tools that they use on a call.

They also let each of the children sit in the driver's seat of the truck.

Emma on her own.

Sara's trying to buckle up for safety in the cab of the truck.

After looking over the fire truck, we watched a short video on fire safety and got to see a fireman in all his gear. He spoke to the children so they would hear that his voice sounds a little different when he's all hooked up to his equipment.

Emma proudly displays her fire hat! When she put it on she said, "Mommy, look! I'm a fire hydrant!"

Here's the crew in front of the truck.

Thanks to Katie for setting up a great morning!

1st Frozen Treats of the Season!

We decided to put some of our favorite juice in the freezer so we could enjoy a cool treat on a warm afternoon!

Sara goes for a bite!

Emma made "smoodies" with sand from the sandbox. The sticks are the straws!

Due to Popular Demand...

I received a strongly worded email requesting more pictures of the girls. (Just kidding, Aunt Leveda!) So, without further to do...here is a mumble jumble of what we've been doing lately.

"Pooh Friends" continues to be Sara's favorite book. She really enjoys reading it with someone when Emma is at school. That way she doesn't have to share page turning responsibilities!

We also took a quick trip to Grana and Grandaddy's house. Grandaddy was more than happy to get the girls outfitted for a little fishing off of his dock.

Grandaddy and Sara are waiting for the "big one!"

Grandaddy and Grana's neighbor, Ms. Jackie, has a sun on a tree in her front yard. Every time we visit, we have to go and check on "the sun on the tree." Well, this time the sun left Emma and Sara a letter! It also came with stickers!

Sara enjoyed trying on the eye glasses that go on Grana's teddy bears. It's quite a look, isn't it?

Emma and Sara accompanied me to Muffin's with Mom at Emma's preschool. It was very nice and even included live "vi-low-lin" (as Emma says) music.

Enjoying the muffins!

We also met Grandma at the strawberry patch to pick some more berries.

Sara ate many more than she actually put in our basket.

I can't remember why Emma had on this get-up but it "certainly is a lot of look" as Tim Gunn would say on Project Runway.

We also traveled up to Waller Elementary for the spring carnival. I tried several times to copy Grandma's pictures from Shutterfly but it wouldn't let me. I'll keep trying!