This Is Why We Eat Ice Cream Outside

Enjoying a summer night treat, followed almost immediately by a bath.

Belated.. Happy Mother's Day

We were able to have a great Mothers day weekend, which included time with just our family, time at the lake and time with cousins and friends, and a birthday party.  The girls gave me a very nice card in which they had recorded themselves saying "Happy Mother's Day, we love you", or according to Lyssa, "Happy Mudders Day".  I was super surprised when Brett got me a present (a first, since we normally don't exchange)- an ipad!  It is yet to be determined if we keep it, due to some internet access problems, but the thought was wonderful.

We only have pictures from our last celebration on Sunday evening, but all events were fun!

Yum!

What strong girls we have

Lyssa joining in

Yeah for Amma

Really?

Bye Bye Pack N Play

We finally took the option of sleeping in the pack n play away.  Given the choice, Alyssa will be the pack n play every time.  Lucky for her, she still gets to sleep in it when we travel, which some months is quite often, and bear, baby and her blanket made the transfer to the big girl bed with her.
 

Bike Rides and the Park... Some of Our Favs

Driving the girls home at night, I usually hear 2 requests-- Alyssa asks (or states) she wants to go on a bike ride to see the waterfall and Shay asks to go to the park.  Most nights, if Brett is home we try and accomplish both.  Bailey comes with us for the most part, and it is nice to have her get some exercise in.  Apparently it has become an engrained in our routine, because last night I had 2 disappointed girls when we did baths instead :)

All buckled up in our new bike trailer

 Playing at the park

Still got outside last week, despite the rainy weather :)

Alyssa's 1st Haircut

We took both girls to get their haircut at Great Clips, since I was struggling for them to sit still at home.  We figured with strangers and getting a sucker at the end maybe a more successful way to get their hair trimmed without anyone getting hurt :)  Shay was a champ.  She did very well sitting still and enjoyed picking out her sucker.  Lyssa did not know what to think of her first haircut.  She was shy/afraid of the hairdresser (who was really good) and also of the spray bottle.  Lyssa did a great job holding still until she found out Shay was done and had a sucker.  At that point it went downhill until we got Alyssa a sucker and finished up the trim as quickly as possible- I was glad we were not trimming bangs!   All in all, a good experience.

She has such a cute profile!

Having her have control of the spray bottle worked better for everyone

Proud big sister- she was so excited to show Lyss how to do it

Lyssa sitting still

Seriously this is the best "after" picture we have

Alyssa immediately put her hands (with sticky sucker stuff on them) in her hair. Oh well.

Sister Time

Lyssa:  nonverballing communicating "Shay, don't help right now"

"Really don't touch me, I don't want your help"

I told you I didn't want your help and you didn't listen, so I had to do something

Shay and Alyssa often like playing together, but there are definitely times where they do not appreciate each other's company.  Shay will get upset when Lyssa is disrupting her play or takes toys that she has set out to play with (such as having all her princesses out each in a special place on the floor or couch and Lyssa goes by and takes one).  Lyssa will get upset when she wants attention from Mom or Dad, or wants something like milk and Shay steps in to try and fix it.  Alyssa also doesn't like to be comforted at times, as you can see in pictures.  All in all though, they usually end the day with goodnight hugs :)

Happy 2nd Birthday Alyssa!

It is so hard to believe that the baby in our family turned 2 this past weekend!  We celebrated by having 2 family birthday parties.  On Friday night the Carroll family got together for dinner, cupcakes and gift opening.  The girl cousins all enjoyed "helping" Lyssa open her presents.  On Sunday the Sturm family came for laid back afternoon of visiting, playing Mexican Train, and opening gifts.
It has been so fun to see Lyssa grow.  She is a determined, spunky, sweet, vocal 2 year old who loves to cuddle and still sleeps quite a bit (she just stopped taking 2 naps a day!).  Love you Lyss!

Lyssa practicing blowing out her candles

She also practiced singing the "Happy Birthday" song.  She greeted everyone who game with "Happy Birthday to You, Lyssa"

Enjoying her cupcake :)

Olive (5)

Millie (3)

Becky and Gus (5 months)

Notice who is actually opening the presents

Rachel and Grandma Ginger

Amma

Same routine for party #2

Our not so great family picture

New raincoat and boots

Trying out her new shoes