See Mommy Do It

Yesterday, Elizabeth and I took a long walk, picked up some take-out lunch and had a picnic in the park (where we ran into some friends: Bonus!).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We even signed up for swim lessons (the last time she took lessons was about a year and a half ago and we have been meaning to sign up again). We checked out the pool per Elizabeth’s request. She is getting excited.

 

 

 

 

 

The activities proved to be too much and she caught a power nap in the stroller on the way home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I really cherish these kind of mommy/daughter days.

~Krista

I had a great mother’s day this year. I am such a lucky mom.

Elizabeth still isn’t very clear about what sleeping in is, but that is ok. It was pretty cute to be woken up by an adorable little girl standing beside my bed saying, “Do you want to get up now? How about now? Can you get up now?”

When I got up, she presented me with a homemade (and stamped) Mother’s Day card. It is pretty cute.

We had a great breakfast with my mother-in-law and then we headed up for a BBQ at my brother’s house.

My mom even showed me how to make my very favorite food:  Mom’s Potato Salad.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is so very good. I may have eaten a bit too much.

I’ve never liked any other potato salad. This one is so yummy and doesn’t have too much mayonaise (I really hate mayo and will only usually eat it in this potato salad or our family’s deviled eggs). Picky, I know.

We worked hard to measure and write down the recipe this time. Hopefully I will be able to make it on my own for Elizabeth’s 3rd (!) birthday next weekend. If it turns out, I will post the recipe on the blog.

Happy (Belated) Mother’s Day to all the great moms out there!

~Krista

During my off week of blogging, we took a family trip to IKEA to buy Elizabeth a twin bed. She had been sleeping on her crib mattress on the floor since she sent her toddler bed out to the garage.

We had looked at a local furniture store (since we do try to buy local first), but she wasn’t that enthusiastic with their beds and most you had to pick from a catalog. I don’t think nearly three year-olds are prepared to catalog shop.

I was intent on finding something she would be enthusiastic about since I really want her to spend the night in her bed and not migrate to mine anymore. Co-sleeping was great for us when she was little, but she has long since become more of an octopus in bed with us than a toddler. I am constantly being assailed by limbs punching me or trying to grope down my shirt. It is time to get serious about Elizabeth sleeping in Elizabeth’s bed.

So we went to IKEA and checked out beds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

She lasted far longer than we expected for such a long shopping trip.We also did far better than I thought we would at only buying what we came for (probably because Duncan was with me and he is always unimpressed with candles and picture frames). We ended up with the reversible loft bed (the same one my niece has).

We got home and the real process started. Elizabeth had to help every step of the way.

 

 

 

 

 

We vowed that if we ever bought more furniture from IKEA that we would set it up when she was away from home. I don’t think we want to go through that again. She thought it was awesome.

Elizabeth was thrilled with the result:

 

 

 

 

 

 

So were Mao and Poe:

 

 

 

 

 

After a week below the window, I couldn’t take it anymore (the light blocked, so hard to open the curtains, ect.) and we (I mean my friend Adam), moved the bed to the other side of the room.

Better (even with the mess). This is the view coming into her room now:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the view from the main window:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first week was a little rough for Elizabeth. She wanted us to “sleep” with her until she fell asleep, but things are already getting better.

~Krista

I would never have thought we would break out the pool in April, but we had a heat wave this weekend.

I felt really unprepared. We don’t have sandals, sunblock, or a new swimsuit for Elizabeth yet. We made do as best as we could and ended up with a very happy little girl.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~Krista

Every year a local business has baby animal day. I think it is brilliant. Tons of little ones show up ready to pet the unsuspecting baby animals.

It was even more brilliant that Duncan took her this year. I love it when they get daddy/daughter time (and when I get ‘me’ time).

 

 

 

 

 

 

This expression looks like she is begging for a new pet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth said her favorite animals were the guinea pigs (sorry no pictures). Luckily she is too young to be asking for more pets yet.

~Krista