Oh Perfect Day

An absolutely glorious spring day! We spent the morning outside enjoying the breezy warm day followed by a walk with neighbors to the park for a picnic lunch. This is why spring has always been...and always will be, my FAVORITE season.

Gotta run...going back outside (after we reapply the sunblock)

Almost there. :)

Almost 6 1/2 weeks and Dr. Pepper has not even grazed my lips! I confess I have sniffed a can or two of Jason's (that doesn't count).

Side benefit? 6lb loss...guess that's what caloric decrease of approximately 600 calories a day does all on its own. I can't wait for that first taste on Easter Sunday, but have decided that the commitment to hydrate myself in a healthier way has many benefits and thus, consider myself a reformed Dr. P. addict. I have vowed not to relapse to a 5 can a day habit ever again.

Everything in moderation, right? (not talkin' chocolate here)

She sleeps...

Finally. After a one hour battle to get her to nap today...she destroyed her room...the first time she's done this. Finally tuckered out, she apparently collapsed on her floor. Is there anything sweeter in the world than your sleeping child?

Kate's big girl room

I really wanted to give Kate the quintessential little girls room. I love to "redo" rooms all the time, so in the future I tend to go a little more modern and less frilly. She LOVES her new room. For over two weeks now, she has slept in her big girl bed without an ounce of hesitation.

BEFORE: (GOODBYE bubble gum pink walls!)

AFTER: (Hello Asparagus Green and Begonia Pink)

Aunt KK gave Kate her new bedding and we designed the room around it.

(The bed rail drives me nuts)

I looked for artwork for her walls forever...and couldn't find a thing. So I just designed some on Photoshop and printed them on textured paper.

BooBoo

My ipod (clipped on my waist...not my arm) rubbed my waist RAW after a recent 10 mile run. After placing a baindaid over my injury, Kate started saying "MEOW, MEOW..KITTY!" and pointing to the medicine cabinet. She loves to wear Hello Kitty bandaids, injury or not. This time instead of her chubby little finger, complete with chipped rose petal pink nail polish, she lifted up her dress to bare her little paunchy (& quite kissable) tummy and directed me to place it exactly where mine was. Then gave my waist a kiss. "Betta' Mommy?"

Kindergarten Round-Up

I took Jonathan to Kindergarten Round-up last night (Jason took Nick to swimming lessons and Kate had our neighbor come over to watch her). It's hard to fathom that it's almost that time. We toured the three Kindergarten classrooms, the Gym, Music Room and Art Room. All of the kids recieved a card made by current students upon arrival and a little gift from the principal before leaving. Jonathan is so blessed that three other neighborhood friends will be starting kindergarten all at the same time and riding the bus together...I think for some reason that eases my mind about the transition to come. Knowing he's not alone. (He even recognized a girl from his Montessori...I asked who she was as she kept waving at Jonathan. Jonathan's response? "Oh, that's just Alex, mommy". Scanning the room..."I wish Kamry was here" (Referencing the little gal he does his hair spikey for. The same gal who recently told another four year old girl not to talk to Jonathan because he was her boyfriend. The same gal who told Jonathan to ask his mom if he could marry her).

I'm not teary yet, but I know those tears are soon to come. Thank goodness I get him all to myself this summer!

Spring Trip to the KC Zoo

Sophie, Nick, Kendric, Jonathan, Daniel B., Kate, Cadence Aunt Natalyia, Kate and Cadence

Aunt Nana and baby Sophie (she is such a trooper!)

Our picnic lunch

Looking through the peep holes to see the new Polar Bear exhibit under construction

Jonathan took this pic of Nicole and I. Not bad.

Sea Otters.

We took advantage of the lower 60's today to get in our first trip to the KC Zoo this season. I think everyone else had the same idea as the zoo was PACKED...when we left the lots were full and poeple were parking on the grass!

Aunt KK made us Friends of the Zoo for Christmas. Thanks Aunt Katie...we had fun!

Kansas City St. Patrick's Day Parade

Nick thought this was Santa...striking resemblance, don't ya think? Uncle "Sir" was able to provide parking right behind where we were standing...and halt traffic for us so we could sneak out a little early. ;-)

This girl was all boy...rolling aroud on the wet street. She wouldn't let go of the free pencils.




Aunt Nana (Nataliya and Sophie)

They do actually like each other...although Jonathan thinks she's slimy and stinky.

The cousins spent St. Patrick's day downtown...first to watch the parade and then to Union Station/Crown Center for lunch. Although it was chilly and damp, the kids toughed it out and seemed to really enjoy the crowds, the noise, the bands and the floats.

Epiphanie

I don't usually use my blog as a platform for winning contests or giveaways...but when I saw this one, my mouth watered. So....you can go HERE to try to win this:

or buy this....

fabulous camera bag. (I'm in the process of sweet talkin' my honey in to one)*

Flashback Friday

KC Marathon-2008

Nick~22 months

Jonathan~3 1/2,

Kate~8 months

I chose this flashback as I prepare to officially introduce my big four year old, Jonathan, to racing tomorrow. This was the first race Jonathan saw me compete in.

....and this is what he liked to dress up as for quite a while later:

He will be running in the Westport St. Patrick's Day Kids Run with his friend, Myles. :)

He is super excited.

Good Luck takes on a whole new meaning!

I'll be sure to take a few pictures.

The Great Outdoors & "Li-barry" Time

Look!!!! Spring really is on its way.

This one deserved a series...can you tell he's excited to be OUTSIDE! 50's!!!

We are now in month two of our Friday morning library time...and we have the protocol down pat. :)

Wordless Wednesday

Ain't She A Beaut?

She splashes and say's "fish!" as she slides along her belly in the bathtub. She likes her bathtime to be solo (no brothers to torture her). There's nothing like cuddling the freshness of a little one after a bath.

So our ritual includes drying her hair...and whilst I was doing my mean mommy job of detangling and drying, she grabbed a tube of lipstick and went to work. (I don't really ever wear lipstick...but this girl knew exactly where it went...sorta'.)

The things to look forward to.