Dani at 20 months!

This child is one of a kind.  She is funny, silly, loves to make people laugh; loves to make funny faces, is very adventurous, outgoing and crazy.  She is just so much fun and has the silliest little personality.  I am amazed and mesmerized by her daily.   These pictures, while not the best quality, really capture the essence that is "Dani".

I had been writing down her words or almost words to document and, of course, I lost it!   So here are the ones I can think of now . . .  I'm sure I forgot one or two:

Mama, Mom
Dada
Lily
Hi
Bye
please
"thank you"
shoes
ball
book
blocks
down
done
no
"Abby"
Grandma
cheese
pretty
phone
wear
write
Minnie / Mickey
Elmo
Doc (as in Doc McStuffins)
Uh-oh
eye
mouth
hair
bow
baby
me
wash
water (wawa)
teeth (when she wants to brush her teeth)

And she screams a LOT.  She is good at screaming. :)

My Little Princess

Dani got a hold of one of Lily's paper crowns from school and had to wear it and dance around it in all day . . .  even to pick Lily up from school!

 Shockingly, her head was a little too small.

Ice Cream Social

It was Chick Fil A night for Lily's school, so we met Logan there like we usually do and Carys, Abby and Matthew joined us.   After they ate and played they got ice cream for dessert.  Dani and Abby were SO cute sitting there in their matching chairs eating their ice cream.  Dani was really getting into it and making the funniest faces  She cracks me up!

 

Fun, Busy Week!!

Lily had what was one of her busiest weeks ever -- my little social butterfly.   Monday after school we went to the park.  Tuesday she had dance and then went to Chick Fil-A with Matthew, Carys and Logan.  Wednesday after school she went to Logan's house with Maggie.  Thursday she played at the park with Cora before swim lessons.  Friday she went home from school with Courtney, went to soccer practice and then went to Cora's for a sleepover and came home Saturday morning in time for her soccer game!! Needless to say she was pretty tired come Saturday, but it is great to see her making new friends, playing with her old friends and having fun!   The sleepover was kinda of a big deal since it was her first that wasn't with Cary/Emily who are like family and it wasn't a party like the last one.  Lily did okay -- they had some issues since Lily wanted to sleep with the lights on and Cora didn't.  I honestly didn't think that would be an issue.  Lily likes her room well lit at home, but if she sleeps with us, she'll sleep in the dark.  But apparently Cora isn't a "parent" so she needed light. 

 

Headed to pick Lily up from school

 Dani at the park is a TOTALLY different experience that bringing Lily to the park as a toddler.  Lily was always so cautious and calm.  Dani is the complete opposite.   It is exhausting.  She has to climb up everything and slide down everything.  I wish I could have gotten a picture of her going down the big tube slide (which Lily didn't go in until she was like 4), Dani couldn't get enough!!  She is fun and crazy and not afraid to try anything!

 At the school playground on Thursday.  Dani rocked that playground like she was an elementary school student!

Dani and Abby at the soccer game on Saturday -- Dani's crazy ways are contagious!   These two crack me up!

Just Because . . .

... I love these random pics I got of her.

She is always so happy.  That little cheesy smile lights up my life.

Fro Baby

Danielle got a hold of my hairbrush and brushed her hair.  It was amazing and hilarious how huge it was.  She really has a LOT of hair.  Lily and I couldn't stop laughing and since Dani will go anything for a laugh (she is a total ham), she kept on brushing.   The craziest part was that I put her to bed with her hair like that and by the morning it was back to normal and all the curls tightened up on their own!  I guess she is a Texan, so she should have big hair!

Wet Hair

Just in case you were curious -- here is how long Dani's hair is when it is wet.  She has a LOT of hair for her age.

Soccer & Mudbugs!

Saturday was a fun day!  We had a somewhat lazy morning at home making Mississippi mud cake and playing.  Then we had a soccer game and crawfish boil at Patti and Bryan's house!

Eating lunch on the couch -- well Lily is on the couch, Dani is on a chair on the couch.  I stopped questioning and have just learned to go with it.

Abby and Dani at the soccer game.

Lily played one of her best games ever.  She didn't get a goal (no one on the team did), but she was aggressive and in there and kicking the ball the whole time, not hanging back like she sometimes does.  I was so proud of her.

At Patti's house for the crawfish boil, Dani had the best time on the slide.  She was a pro at climbing the rope ladder.  She just kept doing it again and again and again and again.

 

Checking out what the fuss was about.  She probably would have liked them since she likes spicy foods and is willing to try anything, but I didn't give her one.  She can try them next year.

Patti was trying to get Dani and Abby to hold one for a photo,  but they both just looked at her like she was crazy!

Little Helpers

Lily and I made "Mississippi Mud Cake", which is essentially brownies with marshmallow and frosting, on Saturday morning.  Of course Dani HAD to get in there and help too.

Samatarian Inn

Lily's girl scout troop used a portion of their cookie earnings to purchase and donate supplies to a local homeless shelter.  We went on Thursday to deliver the supplies and get a tour.  It was a very impressive facility -- mainly for families that are down on their luck and they provide job finding assistance, classes as well as a room and food.   It was good for the girls to see sine they all live very privileged lives and often take for granted everything they have.

The girls and their donation.

Lily and Courtney trying to carry in laundry detergent.

Afterwards they had their regular meeting with dinner from Chick Fil A first.    I think Lily is starting to get something out of Girl Scouts and getting closer to the girls in her troop so we are going to sign up and give it another year.

Taco Tuesday

Lily had declared Tuesday night as Taco night since it is the only meal she likes in the crock pot and I usually have to make a crock pot meal since she has dance class.  Dani was having too much fun with her refried black beans -- she was eating them and smearing them on her face. 

Yogurt

Tuesday after Gymboree we did our weekly Super Target run for groceries and supplies.  Dani really wanted the Mickey Mouse yogurt, so I happily added it to the cart.  Of course, that wasn't good enough and she attempted to climb in the back of the cart to get the yogurt.  More than once she tried this.  So I finally just gave her the package and figured she'd play with it and be happy.  She got it open, opened a yogurt container and was trying to eat it with her fingers.  I really had no choice other than to dig a spoon out of my diaper bag and let her eat her yogurt.  In the cart.  As I pushed her through Target. Only Dani.

 

She did a great job and kept pretty clean.  Ate the whole container.  She never ceases to amaze me.  She is so funny!