She's two!

Yesterday was the last day I was able to say, "I have a three-year-old, a one-year-old, and a five-month-old." Today my Hadley Jayne turned two!

I wanted so badly for her to have a special day doing something exciting like Chuck E.Cheese's, Jumping Jimmy's, or the WARF. The problem was though that after throwing her and Caleb a big party this past Saturday, I was completely worn out and still recovering. My Lupus flared up like crazy, I think I may have developed a sinus infection, and I just felt awful all around. I hoped after resting yesterday that I would be better for today, but when this morning rolled around, and Hadley woke up at quarter of six, I was still in bad shape. Thankfully, Dave came in and took her from me, let me go back to bed, and took the day off from work to help me recuperate.  

At first I was bummed because I wanted to get up early and make my sweet girl pancakes for her birthday, but to my surprise, her wonderful, thoughtful Daddy had it covered and made her some even though I'd never told him my plan. (I love that man!)

After that, the morning started out pretty much like any other; Hadley played toys, watched a little TV, and did some coloring with a new book she got from Grandma Nora Ann over the weekend. She was happy, and that made me happy.

Part way into the morning though, she conked out early for her nap because she'd been such an early riser. However, when she woke up, we had some more yummy treats for her. Dave made some corn on the cob as part of her lunch because he knew she'd like it, and I baked some cookies, which are of course always a hit.

Afterwards, we just hung out around the house and played together. Though I couldn't take her to any of the fun places I'd considered, my being sick did have it's advantages because Hadley got to spend her birthday with her Daddy who would have been at work all day otherwise. Since Dave is wrapped around her finger and she is such a daddy's girl, I think quality time with him was the best gift she could have gotten for her birthday anyway.

Uh-oh! The lizard puppet is getting you, Daddy!

Daddy got Hadley's tummy!

While big brother napped and the other two boys did some errands, Hadley and I got some quality play time together too.

Mmmm...good.

Doggie, Doggie, where's your bone?

Then, Hadley got one of her favorite snacks - raisins. (I'm not kidding when I say she loves these; we usually have to cut her off!)

All day we'd hoped to have the opportunity to go to the playground, but the morning was cool and windy so we thought we'd have to stay inside. However, when Dave got back, he reported that it was gorgeous outside and told me to go wake up Caleb so we could head to the park. Hadley was so excited when we arrived that she could hardly wait for me to get her out of the car and let her down so she could get over there.

Once she got across the parking lot, she was having the time of her life. Climbing, sliding, running - what a great way to spend her birthday. 

Sometimes she'd play by herself and other times she's watch Caleb and do whatever he did. She is a big kid too now after all!

My mom met up with us for a few minutes too to give Hadley her birthday present - a pair of roller skates!

Finally, it was supper time so we came home and stripped everyone down to get off those dirty clothes. We enjoyed a fried ham steak, mac and cheese, yeast rolls, and watermelon for dinner - all favorites of Hadley's.

After a good scrub down in the tub, we rounded out the day by giving her a few birthday gifts from us. Since Hadley loves coloring, especially with markers, I picked up a set of Color Wonder markers and some paper sets with Dora and Hello Kitty. She put them to good use right away.

Finally, it was time for bed. Well, for Hadley anyway, Caleb tried out the new skates NaNa bought them, and kept the party going just a little bit longer.

It might not have gone exactly as I planned, but it was a good day nonetheless and I know my girl enjoyed it.

March Family Outing

Last year, we took lots of outings as a family. We actually tried to set aside time to do at least one special family day each month.

This year we've been mostly keeping the kids home on the weekends though because we've had so much to do, the weather's been nasty, and it's hard work getting everyone out the door. For the past month, we've been passing around colds too, which further dissuaded us from any type of big day out. But, after two months of skipping our family outing habit, I was ready to try getting everyone out of the house again.

At the preschool fair I attended last weekend, I saw a flyer from the library advertising a family story time event they were hosting. I suggested the idea to Dave, but we never really decided for sure until twenty minutes before it started that we wanted to go. Neither of us were confident that we would make it out the door in time, but believe it or not, we were only a few minutes late and we even beat the librarian to the story area.

Reid helped us get ready by being a good boy and entertaining himself with his toes.

Since they weren't quite ready to start, the kids got to play with the toys for a bit beforehand. This was to our benefit actually because Caleb was wanting to play toys first anyway and was a bit cranky that he might have to wait until after story time to do so.

Then, Ms. Tamara was ready! Out came the books and lots of stuffed animals. The focus for the day was "poultry." We read books, recited poems, and learned fun facts about chickens, geese, and ducks.

Hadley couldn't sit still very long, but she found toys that went along with the topic of the day at least.

After family story time, I went to look for some books to take home while the kids continued to play. I love the children's section of this new library. There are so many fun learning toys for the kids to play with, bright colors throughout, and friendly staff and volunteers always ready to help.

Dave hadn't had a need for a library card yet since we moved back to Virginia, so I asked him if he wanted to sign up for one while we were there. Caleb, overhearing our conversation, piped right up, saying that he wanted one too. I wasn't sure if they let three-year-olds have their own cards, so I took him to the lady at the children's desk to ask if that was a possibility. To our surprise, she told us he could definitely get one, so both he and his daddy got library cards that day.

Checking out his first two books - The Day Dinosaurs Came with Everything and D.W.'s Guide to Preschool

Proud of it!

The librarian gave Caleb this shiny new flashlight in addition to his library card, which was even more exciting than the card.

"What's your favorite color?" the man at the desk asked. "Purple," Caleb replied.
Who knew (especially since it changes all the time)?

It was a beautiful day outside, so we thought a trip to the playground was in order once we were finished at the library. Since it was lunch time, we stopped by KFC and decided to have a picnic at the park. 

Caleb very concerned that we didn't have a picnic basket and adamant that we needed one. I wasn't sure what we could use as a picnic basket since I don't have one, but then I remembered a metal grocery basket I use as decor on our front porch. We swung by the house and grabbed it, and thankfully Caleb was happy with it.

Hadley and Reid napped while we picnicked with our big boy. Then, Caleb took off for the playground where two little girls introduced themselves and made quick friends with him.

Charlotte, who had just turned four, wanted to go down the slide with Caleb. She told him that she would go first since she was already four. Then, she grabbed his hand and down they went.

She was such a sweet kid, encouraging Caleb when he did a good job at things. I got a little cracked up though because she thought his name was "Calo" and Caleb never corrected her. "Great job, Calo," she'd say. Too cute! 

Though he was the littlest, the girls kept asking him to chase them. He was happy to oblige - after all, he is used to playing with smaller kids and this was exciting!

When the girls had to leave, Josie, the older sister, came over to give Caleb a hug, and Dave got so tickled because heard her say "I love you" as she left. What sweet girls.

Hadley woke up and ate her picnic lunch shortly after Caleb finished his and pretty soon she was raring to go. It was fun to see how much she's grown from last year. I didn't have to hoover over her like I did in the past; Miss Independent could maneuver her way around that playground equipment almost as good as her brother.

When Caleb tried to hug her, she even said "No" and pushed him away. She had places to go and didn't want anyone holding her back. 

Shortly after, she was trailing behind him again like usual.

Reid couldn't climb on the playground yet, but he still had fun riding along in the stroller and talking to Mommy and Daddy.

After a while we went home for Caleb's nap, but later that evening, my eldest son and I went for a shopping trip together. It started out a little rocky because I wouldn't buy him a balloon that he really wanted, and not understanding why he couldn't get what he wanted, he fussed, "I don't want to live with you any more, Mommy," letting me know just how disgruntled with my decision he was. I felt sorry for him that he felt so upset, but he was so cute trying to explain his disappointment that I can't help but smile.

Eventually though, his frustration dissipated and we had a good time together. And, by the time we were finishing up at our last store, we were good buddies again.

As we were about to check-out at Walmart, he spotted a bouquet of flowers and asked to buy them. When I asked who he wanted to give them to he said in a sweet little voice, "You, Mommy." I hesitated but finally relented and let him "buy" me the flowers. He's a thoughtful boy!...Maybe next time I will get him that balloon after all.

It wasn't as unique or as exciting as some of our other family days have been, but sometimes keeping it low key is best. With the warm weather coming, hopefully we'll feel up to getting out of the house a little more these days for opportunities for quality time.