Elise's 2nd Birthday

Yesterday afternoon we went to Elise's 2nd birthday party. We had already helped Elise celebrate her birthday at the pool party before we left for CA, but this was the big family and friends party at her house and Lily and I were honored to be invited. It was mainly family and neighbors, with only a few kids, so we felt special to be included.

It was lots of fun and the weather was beautiful yesterday so we spent most of the party playing outside. Lily got to pull the string on the Abby Cadabby pinata (it was a toddler pinata where you just pull strings, rather than hit it with a stick) and pin the nose on Elmo. I didn't get any pictures of that, but I think Courtney did, so hopefully I'll post those soon. I did get pictures of the kids enjoying their cake and ice cream:

Birthday girl Elise, Hannah, Lily and Emily

None of them look too happy, but at least they are all looking at the camera! And it makes me laugh since Emily has moved on and is helping Lily eat her cake. Surprisingly, Lily didn't get upset.

This shot kinda shows the 2 boys, Cole and Trent.

They were so cute at their little table!

Whee

Friday afternoon Lily took a super short nap and woke up at 3:30 (instead of somewhere between 5-6). She is having a hard time getting back on schedule after our trip to CA. It took her nearly all 10 days in CA to finally sleep in past 6am, and now we are having a hard time getting up before 9am! I can't believe she is sleeping nearly 12 hours a night -- I can't remember when she slept that long (usually it is just about 10 hrs). Normally, this would not be a problem for me at all, but next week she'll have to be at school at 8:30am so we need to get a good sleep schedule going ASAP!!

Anyway, since she was up so early and kinda cranky I desperately wanted to get out and entertain her. So Lily, Grandma and I went over to the outlets. I wanted to go to Carters and Osh Kosh for some fall clothes. I didn't find too much, but Lily had fun riding the little Teletubbies ride.

Just like Disneyland! :)

Lily Rides Again!

Grandpa and Grandma babysat Lily again last night while I was out and Chip was at class. Of course, Lily had to ride her horsey again and these photos were too cute to not post!

Pre-School!

This morning we had a "Meet The Teacher" open house at Lily's school. It was a good chance for her to play in her classroom, meet her classmates and get use to school with Chip and I there. I was actually very surprised and proud of how well she did. I didn't have to carry her once and she just kinda ran off and made herself at home playing with all the toys and stuff!! Of course, she didn't talk to her teacher, Mrs. Andrea, or anyone else who approached her, but she'll get there. It was cute watching all the kids cautiously explore their new classroom. And, I actually knew 2 of the kids in her class. One was a girl in our neighborhood who we met before at the park and another little boy, Tyler, who was in the MOMS Club playgroup with us! I had no idea they would be there. It is only a class of 12, so to already know 2 kids is pretty good.

Lily's cubby hole where she'll put her backpack everyday. They had all her stuff labeled as "Lillian" which is fine, but I think they are going to change it all to Lily. She'll recognize that easier.
She immediately went straight for the play kitchen and picked up the phone.

Then she made herself at home and started getting into the forms for the parents to fill out.

I signed up for reading time Tuesday Sept 21st! Not entirely sure what that entails yet, but I am assuming I'll be reading something to the class. :)

Coloring.

Making new friends.

Chip came home from work for a bit to come with us. Lily was glad he was there. When we got home, she said "Thanks Daddy for taking me to school." So I know that made him feel good.

I think when they come into class each morning they put the bear with their name on the welcome board.

It was an extremely successful trip! I just hope next Tuesday goes as smoothly.

Grandpa the Horse

Last night I had book club and Chip had school, so Grandma and Grandpa came over to hang out with Lily. Apparently they had tons of fun . . . and Lily has a new pet horsey!

I have no idea how he did it, but he carried her all over the house like that. They were too cute and of course, Lily loved it!! I can only imagine how sore his back is today! I hope it is feeling better tomorrow night since I'm going out again and Chip has class, so Lily will have another evening playing with Grandma and Grandpa!

Birthday Playgroup

This morning we went to Tyler's 2nd birthday party. It seems like just yesterday we were at his 1st birthday party!! I can't believe that we have been a part of the neighborhood playgroup for over a year, it definitely helped make our move here so easy. Sadly, this was our last Tuesday playgroup since Lily will be at school on Tuesday mornings. I will really miss all the friends we made. Luckily, a lot of Lily's best friends are also in school on Tuesday mornings, so we are starting up our own playgroup on Fridays which will be all 2 year old girls!! So at least we'll still see most of our friends every week!

Yummy Cupcake!
Lily and Sami at the bar.

Performing a duet with Sawyer.

Home!

We flew back home to Texas this morning. It is always bittersweet and strange coming home from California, since California will always be home and Texas is home too! But we had a great time and now have to get ready for school and get back on schedule. Chip starts school tomorrow and Lily starts next week! Plus we have 2 birthday parties this week!! I am tired and getting more tired just thinking about it all.

Here are some pictures of Lily from the plane today:

She is a pro at flying now and was having fun with Chip's phone while we were waiting to take off.
Not long after we took off she announced, "I'm going to sleep on the plane now" and fell asleep. It didn't last too long since she couldn't get comfy.

As we were landing she kept saying "I can't hear" and "my ears hurt." Surprisingly she did not want the pacifier I brought just for this reason, so I gave her crackers and her sippy of water and told her to keep eating and/or swallowing. Then as we landed she got into the sleep position again and said that her tummy hurt. I didn't think too much of it until a minute later when she full on projectile vomited fish crackers and water all over! My poor baby. It was nasty. Our plane arrived 30 minutes early (yeah), but there was no open gates available so we just had to sit and wait (boo). She felt so bad about getting sick, she kept apologizing. She is such a sweetheart. But we got her cleaned up and the flight attendant said they would get a new seat in before the next flight (apparently it happens quite often). Her dress got the worst of it, and of course I didn't have a change of clothes with me, so she just walked off the plane and through the terminal in her diaper. She's cool like that.

My naked baby playing around with grandma as we waited for our luggage.

Linda's Baby Shower #2

This afternoon was Linda's baby shower with her friends from the HB church. It was a really nice shower, unfortunately it was from 1-4pm which was right in the middle of Lily's nap time. Everyone at the shower thought she was a doll and very well behaved, but I was getting frustrated with her because she was running around the house, getting into things, throwing rocks and not listening to a word I said. So it wore me out!! But it was fun -- I think Linda, Scott and Jeremy are officially good to go with baby supplies!!

The tables we set up cute with candy -- this also could have led to Lily's downfall, even though she didn't eat all that much.

Linda (the host of the shower) was so nice and understanding. She even gave Lily a bag to keep the rocks she was collecting from the backyard.

I was kinda disappointed that Lily and I didn't win the baby food tasting game. Of course they didn't have green beans -- that was Lily's major food source.

Lily and Christie (the co-host). Lily loves Christie.

Helping Anda open presents, although most of the time Lily was running around somewhere else. :)

Linda's Baby Shower

Today was my sister’s Baby Shower (the first one – we have another tomorrow!). It was at her in-law’s house and was put on by my Mom and Linda’s mother-in-law. It was a really nice shower and Lily had a lot of fun. In fact when I came home to put her down for a nap she said “I had a lot of fun at the birthday party Mommy.” Since it had presents and cake, it must be a birthday party! There were like 45 people there, so needless to say, Linda, Scott and baby Jeremy got a lot of great gifts!! It was so good to see friends and family, I just wish I could have had more time to chat and catch up with everyone – it went by so fast!!

My Aunt Karen was smart and thoughtful and brought a present for Lily and Ari to play with! Thanks Aunt Karen for the great puzzle!!
My cousin Becky and her son Ari

Lily playing the games and kinda eating her fruit. She took hold of the peanuts on the table and chowed down on those instead of lunch!

Me, Lily and Kai!

Lily, Me, Kai and Ari. I love the babies!!!

Just a shot of the whole group. Aunt Karen and Darcey are in the front.

Lily and Summer

The yummy cake

Lily had her own chair next to Anda to help her open presents.

Lily, Linda, Kai and Summer.

Summer's Mom and my Mom have been friends since Jr. High and Linda and Summer were born only 2 days apart. Needless to say, they are like family.

Hanging Out

Here are some photos from yesterday and the night before.


Right before we went to the beach Lily was out front helping Grandpa pull weeds. He was using a knife to cut weeds out, while Lily had a pumpkin carver.

She likes to help Grandpa!

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Then Thursday night after the beach, Grandpa read some of the book "My Father's Dragon" to her. He use to read that book to Linda and I when we were little since it was a favorite of his as a child. Lily actually listened longer that I thought she would. She is more into "reading" to you now that having you read to her -- but I know someday she will really enjoy it when Grandpa reads to her!

Coloring with Grandpa!

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Yesterday afternoon Grandpa went back to Texas, but we all hung out in the morning before he left.

We played games . . .

and eventually Lily ran out back after Murphy and ended up playing in the pool for awhile. :)

So we all put our feet in (even Mom!).

Playing with Uncle Scott and Aunt Linda on the treadmill.

Then we all decided to take a walk over to the park in the evening:

Of course Lily had to "walk" Murphy.

Lily had to have Uncle Scott play with her the whole time.

"Swinging like a monkey"

Yesterday was also our 5th wedding anniversary, so Chip and I went out for a little bit in the afternoon. We got a yummy "linner" at Claim Jumper (since it is like the only restaurant we don't have in Texas) and hung out for a bit in Long Beach. But we then had to rush home since we missed Lily! :)