Playing the keyboard

I am so behind in posting pics. Sorry!

My mom pulls out the old keyboard for Isabella to play with. When Aunt Sue was visiting, she and Isabella had a great time making up funny songs.

Happy Birthday!

Isabella (and me) wants everyone to know that the best daddy in the world is turning 32 today!

Happy Memorial Day

Baking Brownies

Isabella loves helping Grandma Mary wash dishes, cook dinner and bake. Since relatives were in town, Grandma Mary thought it was the perfect time for freshly baked brownies. Isabella pulled a chair over to the counter to help.



Before you can bake brownies, you have to warm up the oven. Bad thing about this time though was that Grandma Mary forgot she had put some store-bought cupcakes in the oven for safe keeping. Oops! Funny thing - the plastic didn't even small bad burning. It smelled liked cupcakes!
The brownies were delicious!

Only the round ones

We had a great visit with Aunt Sue and Cousin Tricia who were heading home to Florida from Wisconsin. It was exactly one year ago this week when we spent a week in lovely Corolla, NC with them. Aunt Sue got Isabella laughing by sharing potato chips with her, but they could only eat the round ones! Yum!

Playing the Computer

One of Isabella's favorite things to do at Grandma Mary's house is to play on the computer. Check out how big she looks at the keyboard.

Busy weekend Post #1

What a busy weekend!

We had parties and get-togethers from Friday through Sunday's disappointing Cavs loss in the playoffs.

I'm going to do a series of posts to commemorate the fun ( and heart-breaking) festivities.

Starting with Thursday, Isabella and I had a "girl day." Disappointed by a rainy zoo visit the day before, we stayed inside to do our hair and nails and get some play time in. She's finally taking a liking to dolls thanks to my recent babysitting of little girl Jordan, our four-month-old neighbor. Isabella loves to help feed and change Jordan, but does not like it when I have to hold Jordan without her.

The Bed

I've have been bugging Kevin for weeks to convert Isabella's crib to a day-bed. Yes - Isabella was still in a crib until Sunday! She loves her bed and didn't want it converted, but I'd convinced her she needed a Big Girl Bed. (How else will she be able to go "potty" if she needs too, but that's a whole other post...)

First night in the converted bed - Sunday!

We lectured Isabella about always staying in her bed unless one of us was in her room. She's listened well. No problems so far.

We added a guard-rail with see-through netting since Isabella rolls in her sleep.

De-construction

Trying our her new Big Girl Bed

Wonderful Celebration

Mother's Day was great even if the weather didn't cooperate here.

Isabella gave me a beautiful card and two Precious Moments figurines (I collect them.). Kevin's card brought tears to my eyes. Even the dogs got me a card!

We started with our traditional brunch at Bob Evans with Grandma Mary, Papa Steve, Aunt Julie and Uncle Chris. Four cups of that hot chocolate and two pancakes later, I was stuffed. Isabella woofed down mini-pancakes, scrambled eggs, two sausage links and two cups of apple juice.

After brunch we headed over to see Grandma Sue and Papa Al. We were surprised to see the whole family there, too. Isabella gave Aunt TT and Aunt 'Lissa candles. This was a special Mother's Day for Aunt 'Lissa because she's 10 weeks pregnant. YEAH!

After a nice visit, we headed home for - yep! - laundry and dishes. Hope all you mothers enjoyed your special day!

Happy Mother's Day

To our moms - thank you for all you've done and continue to do to help us be the best parents we can be!

To our sisters, sisters-in-laws, aunts, cousins, godmothers, grandmas and friends who are moms or moms-to-be - that includes dog and cat moms: Have a wonderful day!

I'm going to cuddle up with this munchkin and thank her for letting me be her MOM!

Aurora Farms

We've been trying to enjoy the warmer days. We've all been really sick this winter so we welcome the days we can get out of the house.

Aunt Julie joined us for a day of shopping at Aurora Farms Premium Outlets. Bella needed shoes - desperately - and I was getting a jump on Christmas shopping (Yes, I know. Christmas, you think? Well, I have to find the deals because we have a lot of people we celebrate with!)

Bella had fun riding along in her stroller and playing at the parks.



Visit http://www.julieandchrismadera.blogspot.com/ for more great photos!