Taking the initiative.

Don't you love it when your toddler climbs over to her crib, tries to climb in it all the while saying, "Nap, nap!"

Oh, wait . . . that never happens - except for today! What a little angel. Sweet dreams! 

Exciting News! For a mom at least . . .

 Maddie loves to be naked. She also loves to be in the bathroom when Charley is using it - she's quite curious about the whole process. She likes to take off her diaper and sit on her little potty while Charley is doing her business.

While Charley was at school today I decided to put in "Elmo's Potty Time" just for kicks to see if she'd watch it. (She's only 22 months and has a short attention span so I wasn't expecting much!) About 10 minutes into the movie she starts tearing off her diaper and saying, "Elmo potty! Elmo potty!"

I figure if she's going to be naked, I might as well put her on her potty and let her watch the show. Two seconds after I get her seated, she proceeds to use it. Wow! Now, to a lot of you reading this you'll be thinking, "Is that what your life has come to Kristi? Are you REALLY that excited about a little pee in the pot?"

The answer my friends is yes. I am. It's a milestone - Maddie's on her way to "kicking the habit". Bless you Elmo.

The Big Night! Halloween parties 2 & 3! Phew . . .

I’m going to apologize right now for the number of pictures in this post! I am a proud Mom and just can’t resist showing off my little princesses! I love these two little girls and all of the smiles they bring my way :)

Cinderella checks out Minnie.

Ready to go Mom? I am!             

Waiting for Daddy to arrive.

Our first stop was at Charley’s friends Lexi and Kylie’s house.

Maddie was totally freaked out by the “Hulk”!

Notice anything different about me?

Our church’s Halloween party!

Shaggy and Marge Simpson . . . Andrew & Annette.

Snow White & Tigger . . . Becky & Ethan.

Ameri, Maddie and our friend Jane. Maddie’s first piece of candy for the evening!

Playing around while everyone cleans up. Lauren, our little nakey friend, was the CUTEST chicken I’ve ever seen! I’m so sad I didn’t get a picture of her dressed up!!

Helping clean up at the end of the night!

The girls slept really well that night! Hope you all had a very Happy Halloween!

Halloween Morning

I was glad Halloween was on a Saturday this year because we were able to spend some time with Ameri that we usually don’t get to. It was a real holiday dedicated just to having a good time! We spent the morning at one of our favorite “haunts”. It was the perfect way to start our day!

Our dose of the macabre that day! Ameri sighted a huge praying mantis eating a bee . . . you can see another bee flying precariously close! We also sighted a huge hawk on one of the lawns. Unfortunately, I was too slow to get a picture. :( She was a gorgeous sight to behold though!

Carvin’ Pumpkins

We waited until Daddy was able to join us to carve our pumpkin, so we didn’t carve it until Friday night. Nothing elaborate this year – Charley wanted it to look just like her “candy holder pumpkin”.

Maddie was “over it” at this point!

Charley has been loving the Cinderella pose . . .

The final product.

Halloween Party #1

Charley had her Halloween Party at school on Friday. I signed up to bring treats and so I decided to get creative and experiment . . . the night before. Needless to say, the treats didn’t turn out quite the way I had planned, but they sure tasted good!

 

Move over Vlad! There’s a new impaler in town!

Maddie found breakfast! What the heck, Halloween only comes once a year!                

Cinderella goes to preschool.

All I can say is that Disney makes bank during Halloween!

Bad Guys and Baptism

 I dropped the girls off at a friend Mariana's house a couple of days ago to be babysat. My friend has a little boy named Lucas who is about Charley's age. When I came to pick the girls up, Mariana smiles at me and tells me the following conversation that took place between Charley and Lucas:

Lucas, being the "bad guy", says something to Charley about killing another character in their pretend world. Charley looks at Luca and says, "See that river over there Luca? We can go over there right now and baptize you and wash away your sins and you won't be a bad guy anymore!"

Well, in her mind it's simple!

Today Ameri asked her who was going to baptize her and she told him John the Baptist. "He's the best baptizer ever!"

Might as well aim high, eh?

Wanna know WHY Charley can dance like a star?

On Oct. 26th, I got my braces off! (Pictures will come soon!) As I was over on the “West Side”  and had to go back to the orthodontist to get my retainers, I didn’t want to go all the way home so I took the girls to the Pier to pass the time. We had a great time and Charley let her magic “star shoes” – Converse! – take over.

Some of you on “facebook” have already seen this, but for those of you who have not, here’s your smile for the day!

October and All of the Fun it Entails

Charley and some of her best buddies from her preschool class: Francesca, Lexi and Kylie at their visit to the pumpkin patch.

Group shot!

Maddie trying to decide which pumpkin will suit her best.

A match? I’m not so sure . . .

Charley and one of the twins, Kylie, wilting in the October heat! Poor dears – it was close to 100* that day!

My favorite house in town every year at Halloween!

Embracing Her French Side

Scarves . . .

and being a trend setter.

Some Firsts

Madeleine’s first ride of a carousel. She and Charley had a great time. I, of course, got dizzy!    

Charley’s first day back to preschool.    

Disneyland! Charley and Madeleine had never been. Our friends the Moodys invited us for a day of fun. Their Dad works for Disney so they can get in for free and they kindly let us tag along! Thank-you Moody Family!         

The “Buzz Lightyear” ride. I was with Maddie in the car right behind Charley. I thought she was having a great time – and then I reviewed the pictures!! :(        

Aw! There’s my happy Charley! She had a great time driving in “Autopia”. Maddie too!        

Enjoying some music time in Mickey Mouse’s House. 

We all got to meet Mickey and take our pictures with him.

The princess and her castle! We’re definitely going to have to go back soon! THANK-YOU MOODY FAMILY: BECKY, ETHAN and BEN! Dan Moody too :) – after all, his job got us there!!