Your majesty!

 Since my cousins are all coming to visit this weekend I thought I should update on my past few weeks, because I know we'll have lots more pictures after this weekend.

We had a very busy memorial day weekend at home. Friday night began with dad taping the woodwork in preparation for mom's painting. Mom and Dad have been wanting to do it for a long time (well since they moved in nearly 3 years ago. The purchase of a new tv stand became the catalyst for it all to happen. I was only allowed to pretend to help. Then Dad and I were banished from the Mom and her friend Becky did all the painting.

The color of the room is so nice. I was shocked and kept saying how blue it was to mom and dad. We all love our new living room. It completely changed the room. We'd love to have you over in person to see it, come by anytime.

 

 Memorial Day was a hot one, but Mom, Dad and I headed to the parade and memorial day ceremony. It was very nice and I was most excited because I got two American flags to wave.  Now I point out every flag I see everywhere we go.

 

I even worked on my photography skills again. I took this cute picture of mom and Dad.

I

 We got my pool and new swimming suit out so I could do some swimming. So refreshing on a hot day.

 We had quite a jam packed memorial day weekend of family fun. On Monday afternoon we headed to the Frisbee golf course and I tried my hand for the first time at Frisbee golfing. It was just okay. I kept asking Mom and Dad when we were going to the park, they sort of tricked me into thinking I was going to the park.

 Mom taught me how to throw a frisbee. It's difficult for her because she has to learn to teach me things left-handed, since that is still the way I prefer.

 I was good at getting the discs out of the baskets though.

 Finally, after 9 holes of golf, Mom and Dad took me to the park, but look...Dad made me push him on the swing. Doesn't this seem backwards?!?

 The next weekend we saw the Hellman's and I got to play with my best friend, Kayleigh. I told Mom that she was my best friend. We had a great afternoon/evening and I got to stay up way late that night.

 Last weekend Dad was out of town so Mom and I drove to visit the Strocks who were camping 30 minutes from our house. I went in the lake and build a sand castle with Ellie. It was fun, I think we'll go back again when they camp there.

 I even got to roast my first marshmallow and have my first ever S'more.

 I only ate a bite, and then tried to share with Uncle Brian. He didn't seem interested in my leftovers once he realized they were pre-soaked...hehe

 Dad came home from his trip early (he finished 3rd out of 24-but we know I can beat him), which was very exciting for Mom and I.

 We decided to take advantage of the nice afternoon and visit our community pool for the first time. We had a blast. When we first got there though the whistle blew for everyone to get out and take a break. I didn't understand why I couldn't go in.

 It was soo hot out that you dried off right away. The perfect day for the pool.

 The little kids area was so much fun. We also went in the big pool for awhile too. I was nervous at first, but then I couldn't stop smiling and laughing.

Last night Dad brought home a beautiful princess dress that Sandy at his work gave him. I put it on last night, danced around. I only took it off to go to bed. Then this morning I put it back on and Mom and I ran lots of errands. It's amazing how many compliments you get when you put on a fancy dress and go shopping.  Nothing like a little tulle to make your trip to Goodwill and Aldi seem like the royal ball!

Above is a picture of me in my dress being Doctor. Who say's the doctor has to wear a boring old lab coat!

Here's a video from last night.

Cousins, Races, Etc

Time to update you on what I've been up to lately, which is to say a lot!

I get to dress myself, and this is what I chose one day. Mom thought I looked just like a little school girl, which of course was adorable. This outfit was one of my better choices. I have also worn patterned socks with sandals, patterns that don't match, pink with red with fuschia, and yesterday I even wore a coat to the park in 92 degree weather. Have I mentioned I'm fiercely independent and Mom and Dad realized long ago that letting me pick my clothes was one way to make their lives easier.  Plus what harm is there in it. Mom gets funny looks when I wear a coat or stocking cap to the park or a helmet while I walk, but who cares, I'm 2!

Helping mom make pancakes for dinner one night. I LOVE LOVE LOVE to help her in the kitchen, whether she wants me to or not.

Do you like this picture? I took it. I have taken a serious liking to photography lately. I grab the camera any time I can and take pictures. Mom has turned the camera on before to find 20 + pictures I have snapped without them knowing. They are not always so clear, but this one sure was.  I guess I'm a scrapbooker in training. Whenever Mom and DAd are watching a movie and there is a framed picture like this in the house they always ask who took that picture. Pay attention next time you watch a movie there are always cute couple's pictures, many of which are situations you wouldn't usually have someone else photographing, and now we know. They must have had a young (2 year old) photographer in their house.

The first weekend of May we went to Dixon to surprise Grandma for her birthday. Bakka arranged to have us all at the Wine Bar she likes to go to with co-workers. Yes, that's right all us cousins got together at the wine bar. I enjoyed some water and popcorn.

Once us kids got restless at the wine bar we went on a walk to visit Uncle Brian at the fire station. He got called in and since it was only a couple blocks walk we went on a field trip. We sang songs on the way there. Uncle Brian acted like it was no big deal, but I think he secretly loved having us all come visit.

Yep, this picture says it all. Molly holds on for dear life, Carly stands up like a rebel, while wild Emily drives us around. Can you imagine what I am saying, "Be careful Emily"  I'm sure I was trying to take the wheel from her and drive safely. If you aren't familiar with my backseat driving, well it involves me saying, "Be careful" an awful lot.

That same weekend Mom ran in her first half-marathon. She was running it with her friend Abbey and Abbey's uncle Mark. Abbey had bronchitis that week and was unable to finish the race, what a bummer after 12 weeks of training.  Mom finished in 2 hours 16 minutes and 40 seconds. While she ran Dad and I slowly got up at home, got dressed, ate breakfast, drove 45 minutes to the finish line and waited. I even got to cheer and high five other runners before mom finished.Mom said it was a really bad run for her, but at least she finished, and didn't walk.

Here we are waiting for the bus to take us back to our car. Dad and I got mom a 13.1 magnet to go on her car. She was very excited.

The finisher's medal. Someday I think I'm going to run races too. In fact there is a race later this month with mom's running group that I think I'm going to run.

A couple weeks ago the Schahls came and stayed overnight with me. We went with Mom, Aunt Kim and Aunt Jen to the DuPage Children's Museum. It was a fun girls day.

The water play was a big hit, but the Schahl girls insisted on not wearing the smocks that keep you dry. I was dry, but Carly and Molly were soaked!

Aunt Jen taught me how to blow the huge bubbles.

Here we are before we left the musuem.

We then went to lunch at Potbelly and then to a place called Cookie Dough Creations where you can get ice cream or cookie dough, served like ice cream.It was delicious.

The next day we just hung out at home. One of mom's coworkers got a new office chair and they all decided that Mom should get to take the box home for me. It has been a hit ever since. I have colored on it, painted it, and hid inside of it. If you're looking for something fun and inexpensive get a box.

Before the girls left for Dixon we enjoyed a snack. We were going to go across the street to the park, but we each insisted on sitting in a stroller, which made it very difficult to go to the park, because while Aunt Kim packed up the car my Mom couldn't possibly push 3 strollers. Instead we had a snack and chatted. Luckily I had three strollers so we all had one.

we moved the box onto the 3 seasons porch so I could paint while Mom cooked dinner. Mom thought that was a great idea.

Since Abbey was unable to finish the half marathon with mom she quickly signed up for another half marathon 2 weeks later. Mom, me and two of her friends went to cheer Abbey on. We made signs. Here we are with Abbey after the race. Abbey and I love to stretch after races so I helped her yet again. I should really start charging a fee for my services. I have to say the sign I made, got a few people choked up at mile 9. Mom said she would have if she had read that sign. I guess running a race is an emotional thing, I'll find out in a couple of weeks.

Well that is it for now. I hope everyone has a nice long weekend. We are doing some work around the house this weekend, including painting the living room and putting up new curtains. I wonder if mom knows that I plan to "help" her paint. I mean I have been practicing on my box a lot lately.

A sad good-bye to a beloved friend

 Today we had to say good-bye to our dear friend Gretchen. She suddenly became ill on Saturday and we weren't initially too worried.By Sunday night we were very worried and she was at the vet by 9:00 a.m. this morning. A long story short she was in kidney failure and an x-ray later showed her stomach was up too high and would require emergency surgery. The vet did not think she could survive surgery and our amazing vet helped us to make a very difficult decision.. Our vet was amazing and has known Gretchen for years. We felt comfortable with her and we knew she really cared, she was even teary-eyed. That's the impact Gretchen had on people.

 We thought Gretchen and Cassidy would grow up together, and they have been the best of friends for nearly 3 years. Here is the first time Gretchen met Cassidy.

 Gretchen thought Cassidy was a great tasting toy that we brought home.

 They would snuggle together and for awhile Cassidy could not fight off the licking, but that quickly changed.

 Gretchen thought Cassidy was a great addition to the family.

 On a car trip one time we looked in the back at the baby mirror and what did we find, but Gretchen sitting atop of Cassidy in her carseat.

 A cute family picture.

 Cassidy learns the fine art of how to grab Gretchen's tail.

 Resting on her princess pillow. She was always our princess even when Cassidy came along and she liked to remind us of that.

 Playtime in Cassidy's room. Gretchen was always game for some fun with Cassidy.

 My favorite thing to do with my kids. We did this from the time Cassidy was a baby until now. The two best snugglers around.

 Gretchen finding the leftovers after cookie baking. She ended up with flour on her head.

Gretchen's favorite spot to sleep during the Christmas holiday. She was convinced there was a dog at the very first Christmas.

Gretchen was a dear friend and our house will never be the same. No more barking, no more little dog snuggling to keep us warm on those cold winter days. She was a great dog. To all you dog lovers out there, you know the love of a dog is unconditional unlike any person. You can scold them one minute and the next minute they think you're the greatest thing ever. Oh how our family will miss her. We love you Gretchen!

New haircut

Hello all. Today I got a new haircut and since my dad is away on an overnight work trip it seemed that we should update the blog so he could see my new haircut. While I'm at it I thought I'd throw in a couple of pictures from the past week.


It was a long night by the time we were done with the haircut, and my patience had worn thin. My mom must really love me because she even finds the humor in my temper tantrums. In fact tonight I laid face down on the driveway having a major fit. She didn't care, so it really didn't work well. Well here is my new haircut. You can also see some great video of me singing and showing off my new haircut, without a grumpy face at the link below


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmCZizEwb7M&feature=youtu.be


On Monday Mom and I went to Hennepin to meet up with Natalie, Erin and Addy. It was a lot of fun and the weather was nice so we checked out Natalie's park together. this was my first time on a merry go round.


Over Easter I got to play with Chris' darth vader helmet. I made everyone try it on. Daddy again is very successful at making me a nerd. He's so proud of me.

I love, love, love the Mickey Mouse clubhouse episode called, "Dr. Daisy." I also own the book of this story and I love to play pretend. Finally, I got a doctor kit. Thanks to Aunt Jen for this great gift. I have been fixing up all of my friends, family, and stuffed animals since I got my official Dr. kit. I even make mom and dad be goofy, minnie mouse, and all other characters from the story. The last two days I have convinced mom I have to take my doctor kit to day care because my friends and Ms. Keisha were sick and needed me. What can I say, duty calls!

I am such a great doctor.