Birthday!

In 2002 Eric brought me a single rose on my birthday...this year, he sent me these beautiful flowers at work, took me to a fantastic dinner at Piropos, and planned a spa day (complete with chocolates and champagne) for Eva and me!! He's definitely improved over the last nine years!

Dress up

It's a paid holiday for me, so I get to be home with Eric and Lily!! That means lots of cuddle time, Raffi, and playing dress up!

Lily, the Ladybug Princess

Lily, the Ladybug Princess...hoping the Sorting Hat places her in Gryffindor!

Snow day!

School was cancelled today due to snow, which means I get to be home with Eric & Lily!! Does it get any better than being paid to be with the two people you love most?!

Here's a picture of Lily playing in the bath. I can't believe how big she's getting--She can even shampoo her own hair now!

First day in a new school...

I just wanted to let everyone know that Lily's drop off went really well this morning! We prayed on our way to school and I tried to be as confident as possible, so Lily would feel good about the experience. I know she is going to have fun there, but it make take a few weeks to adjust.

She was apprehensive at first and didn't want to leave my side, but right away one of the girls in her class came up and took Lily to wash her hands before breakfast...that seemed to help Lily feel more comfortable. She actually was able to wander around the room without me, inspecting her new environment.

As I was leaving, Lily started to fuss, but the teacher came over and reached for Lily. Surprisingly, Lily went right to her without any tears. I watched through the class windows before I left and Lily was still laying on the teachers shoulder.

After we registered Lily at La Petite, we found out that Eva's neighbor girl, Alexandria, also just started in the same classroom. Now, if Alexa joins, the girls can all be in the same pre-school class together in a few months! How fun would that be?! :)

Please keep Lily in your prayers today!

La Petite Academy

After careful consideration, we have decided it is time for Lily to leave her in-home care center and transition into more of a pre-school setting. Thankfully, we found (and fell in love with) La Petite Academy (http://www.lapetite.com/). Now, Lily will receive focused, age-appropriate socialization and education and we couldn't be more excited!

Her first day is Wednesday. I'll be sure to post an update on her experience.

Heading home

Today we headed home after another wonderful trip to Washington! Like always, feel sad to leave our family and friends, but look forward to our next visit!

Saying goodbye

Lily and Baby Sophie, out cruising...again!

Halle's birthday

Carli was kind enough to plan Halle's birthday party while we were in town and I have to tell you--it was amazing! She planned, cooked, and baked for it in one afternoon and the party was so much fun! The kids had a little scavenger hunt, decorated cookies, played games...

The party itself was perfect for toddlers--lots of activity to keep them busy, in a comfortable setting, without too many people. But what was most impressive to me was Carli's composure! She put her kids down for naps, went shopping, came home to cook, did all the party prep...calmy, efficiently, stress-free, in only a few hours...It was unlike anything I've seen before! It was such a great lesson for me to watch her work!

Merry Christmas

Lily and Halle, the best of friends

holding hands

watching their daddy's playing football

Grandpa and Grandma with their grandkids

Happy Holidays!

Great grandma Reinstra with her great grandchildren

Staying with the Grants

Dinner time!

Bed time!

Hide & Seek

Lily and "baby lukie"

Aunt Carli's homemade breakfast!

Lily, the jet setter

We are heading to Washington for the holidays. Traveling is a little easier now that Lily can carry her own luggage! We made sure to pack movies, snacks, books, art supplies, and extra clothes. That first trip home, when I had babypoop all over me, seems like ages ago!

Mommy's dress

We tried to get pictures of Lily in a dress I wore as a toddler, but she just didn't feel like modeling tonight. Hopefully we can try again another time...

Mini celebrity

Being so stylish is exhausting!

I know her poor little neck is all kinked, but I couldn't resist taking a few pictures.

Happy Halloween

Well Lily refused to wear her Ladybug costume today so instead of trick or treating at Liberty Square, we just stayed home to pass out candy.

She had so much fun opening the door and talking to all the kids that stopped by! Everytime the doorbell rang, she thought it was her friend, Alexa coming over to play!!

We had less than 20 people stop by...but it was an interesting crowd. A little Dracula actually just walked right on in and came upstairs--he never asked for candy, but he did ask what movie we were watching. I gave him a few pieces of candy, but he still stuck around for another minute or two just checking the place out and talking to Lily. Eventually, I turned him around by his shoulders and redirected him back to his parents, who were waiting inside their car.

It certainly wasn't that I minded having him around...but I did wonder if he's had that stranger-danger talk yet?? After that, I decided to lock the door.

Lily & Friends!

Photo by Kristina Richmond

This is a picture of Lily and her daycare friends, after completing a photo project.

Family day at the Alldredge Orchards & Pumpkin Patch

We spent the afternoon at Alldredge Orchards and Lily had such a great time! She played on the wooden playground, in the wooden play house, she pet the animals, she picked an apple, and we took a short hay ride!

I recommend this place to anyone in KC who has children because it's very relaxed and the prices are really low! We came home with two large pumpkins, two corn stalks, and a jar of apple butter for $15! We also enjoyed the best piece of apple pie with our lunch in their cafe!!

She was having soooo much fun running around, that she refused to sit nicely for a picture!

We crossed paths with this hen after our hay ride, and Lily really wanted to hold the poor thing. She followed this hen through the orchard, under the bushes...Lily's shirt eventually got stuck on branches before she finally gave up!

We brought two pumpkins from the patch, but traded them in for some pre-cut pumpkins back at that barn when we got ready to pay.

Temporarily breaking from her chicken chase, Lily picked a tiny apple off a low branch.

Lily & Friends at the Pumpkin Patch

Photos by Kristina Richmond

Lily's daycare took a field trip to the pumpkin patch today where everyone got to pick out their own pumpkin to bring home!

Pals!

Lily and baby Sophie playing in the car. As only children, they were happy to have found a friend...most of the time!

Good bye, Oregon!