Ice Skating

Today LP finally got one of her wishes from the past year, she got to go ice skating. She has been begging to ice skate since last spring and couldn't wait for summer to end so she could try it. Unfortunately, LP Dad does not skate and I am unable to this year because of the pregnancy, so we haven't had a chance to take her. But she was invited over for a playdate at Maggie's house this week and was invited to bring skated since they have a pond in their backyard.

LP had no fear of the ice, she took right off holding onto Maggie's mom's hand with perfect balance. She started off with tiny strokes of her skates, quickly learning you have to push and glide instead of picking up your feet. She has amazing balance, I was surprised how easily she was able to catch herself and straighten out instead of falling even when she wasn't holding onto anyone.

The girls enjoyed a little bit of skating on their own, making some numbers and letters in the snow with Maggie's mom, and most of all, sitting on the ice eating all the snow. It was a beautiful day to be outside enjoying the winter sun and we both hope to do it again soon.

Fourth of July with Friends

LP and I had a great Fourth of July this year. We started off with a nice lunch with LP Dad and Uncle Dave, then when LP Dad headed to work, we headed off to another town for a celebration. We met up with Buby and Bleu and their parents for some playground time, blue ice, and a little handholding. It was the first time we had spent more than 5 minutes with Buby in quite a while, and LP was so happy to spend the afternoon with her friend.

Meet the Teacher

We got to go to LP's school last week to meet her teacher and check out the classroom. We went with Alessandro and his parents and the kids had a great time playing on the playground while Miss Erika introduced herself and the classroom to the parents. The kids came in to check it out and LP got right down to business trying out some of the work. On the way back to the cars, LP and Alessandro had to stop to say hello to the chickens and they took a moment to pose for me.

Silly Faces

Waiting on the bleachers for swim class to start.

Happy Birthday Jumpin' J!

Jumpin' J we can't believe you are 2 already! Time has flown and you have grown from such a little baby into a wonderful cousin and friend. We hope you have a wonderful day and we will get together to celebrate soon!

Trike-a-Thon Success

The trike-a-thon was a big success. LP happened to be snack helper and leader that day, so she got to start of the event as the first rider. Miss Marianne was smart about it, she waited until LP and Mackenzie got the hang of staying outside the cones and going in a circle before letting in a few more kids at a time, and they were pretty good about following the rules. There were definitely a few collisions and even a couple of tumbles off some of the tricycles, but the kids enjoyed every minute. They rode for the full 30 minutes, I lost count of LP's laps but she never stopped riding (except to pose for pictures with Marianna). After the ride she was very proud of having worked hard to raise money to give to sick kids. And I was very proud of her.

First Cookout of the Season

Last week Alessandro and his mom came for a playdate. The weather was beautiful and LP Dad was home for the day, so that playdate turned into the first cookout of the season. Burgers, lamb steaks, yellow squash, and corn cooked perfectly on the grill, while the kids helped LP Dad and Uncle Dave get the firepit ready. The kids were both great helpers, carrying armfuls of kindling and small logs.



After dinner was done the fire was lit and we pulled out the marshmallows, chocolate bars, and graham crackers. The kids had more fun toasting the marshmallows than anything else, Alessandro toasted all of LP Dad's for him and LP set her marshmallows on fire, made a s'more, took a bite, then passed it off to someone else to eat while she made another. We had a great night and can't wait to do it again throughout the summer.

Touchdown, Score!

LP and her friend Alessandro went bowling for the first time this week. We went to the local bowling alley and had the entire place to ourselves. We took over 2 lanes, one for the adults and one with the bumpers for the kids. Some brand new red and blue shoes, a special lightweight ball and we were ready to go.


She is definitely mommy's girl, she has the Crossman tongue.




There's the tongue again. She's concentrating hard on the pins.

LP and Alessandro loved it. The ball would be pushed down the alley, then they would run up the steps, have some crunch, play with the chairs, then run back down to watch it hit the pins. Yes, it did take 2-4 minutes for the ball to make it all the way down. I was amazed that the ball could actually still be moving when it was that slow. Every time a pin was hit they would yell something sports related, including "Touchdown!", "Score!" or "I Win!"


Touchdown!


I win!

Not bad for a couple of first time bowlers. In fact, LP scored better than her Daddy in the first game!

Round and Round We Go

December was such a busy month that it passed without LP getting to see most of her friends. The other day she got desperate enough to leave a message for her friend Gavin on his mom's phone asking him to come play. We ended up going to their house for a playdate in the afternoon. A good portion of the day was taken up by the sit and spin and the cameras, which ended up being combined into one activity. I was surprised that both kids were able to fit on the sit and spin, LP just plopped her legs up onto Gavin's and round and round they went (and over as well!) But I think the most fun they had was taking pictures of each other taking pictures.


Taken by LP


Taken by Gavin

Fall With Friends

The sudden rush of fall couldn't stop the kids from having a great time at our playdate this week. Despite cold fingers and runny noses, they ran, climbed, batted balls, and covered themselves and us with leaves.

Let's Go Shopping!

Yesterday LP and I took a road trip to Ikea and Trader Joe's with Alessandro and his mom. The kids actually love going down, apparently Ikea is almost as good as a playground for them. They now know exactly where to go, they don't even need us moms with them. Does this mean we go there a little too often?

Good Friends

There is nothing better than a good friend to swing with, run around with, and hold hands with while watching the fish.

Big Cousins

A couple of weekends ago, LP and I went to her new baby cousin Madalynn and Hunter, Cole, and Ella. After getting my baby fix in, I took Hunter, Cole, and LP to the local family day festival. It's been too long since I've taken Hunter and Cole somewhere with me, I used to love having them for weekends, but I hadn't realized it would be even more exhausting now! All three kids were very good though, Hunter and Cole took good care of LP while they waited in line for bounce houses and slides. And LP was determined to keep up with them, somehow making it to the top of the slide (I think the boys gave her a little hand the first time), running races with them, and even trying cotton candy once she saw them eating it. LP wants to know when we are going back to see them again.

Happy Birthday Gillian!

A very happy 3rd birthday to LP's pal, Gillian. Gillian is the last member of their little group to turn 3, but being the youngest has never held her back. She and LP have been partners in crime during playdates since July 2006.



She has more hair now, but still always has her great big smile, big blue eyes, and happy, full of life personality.

At The Park

Last week after Little Gym Lilypad Princess and I went to the park with Alessandro and his mom. The kids had a great time on the swings, on the slide, and climbing everything.







Things were great right up until I told her it was time to go home.

The Firemen's Parade

Saturday was the annual Fire Department Inspection parade and our neighbor's picnic. It started off rainy, but the kids loved it. They rain around in the rain pulling on the tree branches to get even wetter when it wasn't raining hard enough. Lilypad Princess and her friend Ruby grabbed umbrellas and headed off to the top of the street to watch the local fire departments show off their best trucks and private collectors display their antique trucks. The rain stopped long enough to put down the umbrellas and enjoy the parade. Then we headed back to Uncle Dave and Uncle Michael's house to enjoy lots of food, great conversations, and fun with friends. The rain didn't dampen a minute of the day.