TOY STORY MANIA!

Mimi just sat through her very first movie! It was precious!!!! Since she pretty much becomes a fan of whatever comes her way these days, I bought her the Toy Story DVDs because I enjoy Toy Story. And let's face it, I sort of still like kids stuff... ;)

Now Woody, Buzz, Jessie and Bullseye are characters in our house daily. So naturally when Toy Story 3 hit the theaters I wanted to take her. We went to a matinee and skipped all of the 30 minutes of previews. Then, we unintentionally sat in the PERFECT toddler seat...lower level, back row on the side. This let us sneak out a couple of times to run or get a drink. Also, when she started yelling out each character's name with joy, she wasn't yelling down to the WHOLE theater because we were so close to the front. It was so fun. The best part was looking over to see Mimi's little self, sitting like a big girl in her seat with the 3D glasses on (which didn't make it for most of the movie. She didn't seem to mind though!).


I recently realized what a big deal shared family experiences are; they just light me up. So to share a movie (one of my favorite things) with my little fam (my favorite people) was the greatest- a moment that won't be forgotten :)

5 am

What?!?! Not everyone is playing dress up at 5 o'clock in the morning?!

Mimi has been inspired by the David Shannon book Alice the Fairy and has been turning family members into frogs with her new cupcake wand (which was a hand-me-down from a family at school, along with her whole get-up!...gotta love those. I hope I'm never out of the loop with those Eldorado moms!)

Almost Two...

I really can't keep up with all of the funny that happens in our house on a daily basis.

(but of course, I will try)

Today: While we were reading Chrysanthemum (my favorite children's book) there was a character who is pregnant. When I explained that the teacher had a baby in her belly, Mimi said that she too had a baby in her belly. When I asked what it's name was she said, "Um...Julie." :)

Also, lately Mimi has been standing at the top of the stairs, calling for me saying: "Hold Mimi's MOM!" I guess that she means me! I think that she was thinking if she thought of a different way to say it, I'd come carry her down the stairs...sometimes it works...

I can't believe that she is almost TWO! :)

Summertime

We have had a great summer so far and have stayed pretty busy! First, Ben went to a guys weekend and Mimi and I got to hang out with Julie, Kelly and the kids! It was FUN!


Then, Mimi and I made a huge "castle" out of a box in our living room...

The scene of our fabulous yard sale...

(for awhile Mimi was going for $10...although I completely disagree. She is worth way more!!! I may have accidentally priced her when she was in the middle of an "I DO IT MYSELF" tantrum.. ;)

We've also spent some time at B.T. and Oma's pool...(and the park near it!)

On Father's Day we went over to Bob and Robyn's to have a Father's Day dinner and celebrate Laura Barnett being in town.


Mimi continues to be in SERIOUS dog-love. Especially with her two best buddies at B.T. and Oma's...Griff and Daisy:

Mimi and Ben hit some balls from the backyard...

Hangin' with L.B.

We all had a wonderful dinner out back at Bob and Robyn's...it truly was a scene from a Cooking Light magazine...Buffalo Burgers, mixed with Drew and Kate's fresh herbs from their garden, fresh cut oven fries, salad with hearts of palm, asparagus and grape tomatoes...and a summer breeze...it was magical.

No NO, Yes YES! A Toddler's Guide for How To Stay Out of Trouble

I really do love Children's Books more than most things. I realized that the best part of my job this past year was the last month when I was assigned to making a summer brochure of titles for kids to read. I think in my next life I will be a librarian.

This author has written the CUTEST board books. We got the first one "Big little" as a hand-me-down and I've been looking for her other titles ever since. When I saw this one at Marshalls the other day, we snagged it. Even though the last thing Mimi really needs is more books, this one has a special purpose. The more I read it, the more it seemed like an ESSENTIAL purchase. Instead of being read for fun, it's being used in our house as a picture manual of what to DO and NOT to do. I feel like I could've renamed this book: "A Toddler's Guide for How Not To Get in Trouble" or "How To Stay Out of Time Out" (coming soon to a toddler household near you!).

It couldn't ring more true to our lives right now. All of these things have happened in our house...some happen daily (*see coloring on walls, chairs, bodies, animals...)

Read with us:

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(this one is ESPECIALLY relevant since the phrase "I do it myself!" entered our home)

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and finally...

You can see how useful this book could be! Make sure to buy it for the independent, strong-willed toddler in your life! :)

I do have to give the girl credit though. There are a lot of things that she has started to do that are wonderful and so "big girl" of her...For example,she has started to wipe her own hands:

Maybe she saw that in a book somewhere...:)


Other favorite "big girl" things about Mimi these days are:

-she says 'Scuse me mama if she bumps me or fake burps, (or if I burp)
-She says "please" and "sanks"
-She says sorry to Henry when she steps on him (sometimes)
-she is super interested in the potty and has even picked out some big girl Tinkerbelle undies for after our trip to WI when we will start potty training!

GOOD JOB, BIG GIRL!