Random pics

funny Beansie pic...this is her high dive pose

first painted piggies of the spring season...i don't even think you can tell, but it is light pink

first outdoor water play of the year

brrrrrr, it wasn't quite warm enough

it may have been chilly out, but everyone got thirsty

big girl going down the big slide at the playground!

these morning pics before school are getting interesting...

she no longer does what I ask...instead, she makes this lovely face and yells "NOOOO!"

okay...that's the last post for tonight, i swear.

Boy Crazy?

We've all heard about Sawyer, but let's not forget about Cayden!  Millie has been so funny with him at Little Gym these past few weeks.  Maybe she's becoming a little boy crazy...

 hugs not drugs

Unrelated note:  my computer has been in the shop, so I'm trying to catch up on posts (3 in one night!).  It is going back to the computer guy tomorrow, so it will probably be awhile between posts again.

Millie Loves School!

I know I've said it before, but this kid really loves going to school (MDO).  It makes me so happy to see how much she enjoys it.  The growth that we have seen in her because of it has been amazing.  She is very social and confident with other kids, and I really believe her talking has been accelerated by being in the school environment with other new talkers...all of them having to figure out how to communicate and be heard.  Honestly, if I hadn't grown up with a mom who was also a preschool director, it wouldn't have occurred to me to put her in MDO as early as I have.  My mom has been such a great source of advice and experience; I'm thankful she's supported and encouraged our decision.  I've always heard that it isn't necessary to enroll them anywhere until they begin real preschool at 3 yrs old.  However, from what I've seen of our friends' 3 yr olds, I can't imagine how difficult that would be to wait to start her at that age; she would have 3 whole years of staying home with just mom.  Yes, that first month was difficult for us, but she got used to it quickly and we can tell she really loves going...she loves her friends and especially her teacher.  I'm so pleased with how it has all turned out, and I'm so sad that they take a summer break.  It will be a good time for her to get used to having to share me with a new baby though...and we still have The Little Gym in the summer!  I can't wait to strap Sydney in the carrier and go to Millie's gym classes together.

We think Millie may have her first crush...she talks about Sawyer, a fellow classmate, constantly.  If we ask her what she did at school today, she answers "Sawyer?".  Tomorrow we have a birthday party for another little boy in her class.  I told Mills that we get to go to Will's bday party tomorrow and she asked "Sawyer?".  Yes, Sawyer will be there. :)  For the past 2 weeks, we've heard a whole lot about Sawyer.  Hilarious.  Her teacher even told me that she says his name a lot in class.  Video: Millie likes Sawyer

Another perk of school is that Mills gets to do so many crafts, and she's proud to show them off to us at home.  I make sure to keep one displayed each week; when we talk about school, she likes to point to the artwork on display.

  Speaking of crafts:  Nana requested a piece of Millie art, so I helped Millie make her this Millisaurus.

Since she was so good for the first one, I decided to keep going that day and do a few Millamonsters. ;)  I love it.

Kansas City Weekend

Last weekend, we drove up to KC to meet some of JKK's siblings & their kids (we really missed you guys, Kathy!).  We rarely go out of town with Millie, so we weren't sure what to expect from her.  We were floored by how great she was the entire trip!  She took naps in the car on the way there and back.  She didn't complain about having to stay strapped into the stroller most of the time.  And most importantly, she slept ALL night, both nights, in the tiny hotel provided crib.  What a trooper!

We stayed in a hotel within walking distance of the Plaza area, so when we got there on Friday, we did a little shopping and walking around.  The weather was fabulous!

Colleen, Dan, & Luc met up with us when they arrived.  Since it was Easter weekend, the Plaza had bunny statues hanging out everywhere.

down time in the hotel...waiting on Uncle Mike & Ben to arrive

Saturday, Colleen got up early and ran enough miles for the rest of us.  Then we headed out early to the Science museum at Union Station.

 32 weeks!

 this helicopter was Millie's favorite thing...climb up, climb down....repeat

 sky bike!

 hamster wheel action

 Mills loved this wall painted with animals

 daddy/daughter music time

Then momma & millie had to go back to the hotel for nap time...all stretched out, she was as long as the hotel crib!

That evening we went to the T-Rex Cafe.  For the first hour, Millie was pretty much shaking in her boots.  There were humongous dinosaurs everywhere and they were roaring very loudly non-stop.  I didn't even think about this place scaring her.  It was kind of sad.  But once we got seated, she could only see a much smaller dinosaur and eventually let JKK put her in her high chair to eat.

Halfway through dinner she was fine and was used to the chaos and noise.  She's not usually a 'fraidy cat, so I was proud of her that she calmed down and was able to eat her dinner...and even played with her new bunny toy.  Bunnies get thirsty too, I guess ;)

Sadly, our group shot is missing Mike & Ben...they were trying to find a parking space when the photographer came around.  Booo.  Millie has enjoyed looking at this all week though!

Sunday was Easter...we didn't have time to do much other than get together for a quick breakfast before everyone hit the road home.  I was sure to bring the bunny ears though :)

Note:  Uncle Mike was having none of the bunny ears business.

What a fun, quick trip!  JKK and I really liked the Plaza area; it would be fun to go back sans kiddos and enjoy some Kansas City BBQ and nightlife.  Now...who wants to babysit?!

Currently

Back to MDO and our normal routine this week...wooohoooooo!

Today's artwork:  puffy paint baby chick.  Shaving cream and Elmer's glue made this super cute puff paint...such a good idea.  JKK & I love seeing what she brings home!

You can't really tell in this pic, but Millie has some wicked rugburn on her nose and upper lip.  As we were leaving school today, her and her friend Noel were running ahead and Millie tripped...went down hard.  Her little lip was even bleeding. :(  She sobbed the entire way to the car but wouldn't let me pick her up because her classmates were walking.  This is her new big demand: to get down and walk on her own.

 Sydney helps make my feet look smaller...at least from my perspective.

Millie's tech face is very serious.  She really loves getting on the "puter" and either watching short clips on PBS kids or her Little People DVD.  She gets into a zone.  I like how she puts her hand on the mouse, even though the mouse doesn't work (she broke it months ago).

Special Spring Break breakfast at IHOP with daddy last Thursday...mmmm, pancakes

Yes, she is still into pulling up her pants into shorts....no matter where we are or how cold it is.

I swear those legs grow longer every week.

We are headed to Kansas City this weekend to hang out with some family.  Should be a fun trip!