I'm 3 and I Can Do It All By My Self!

So, I have been waiting and waiting to write this blog.  Unfortunately life has gotten in the way.  I have been obsessed with Doodle's birthday party for the last 2 weeks (pics are coming, I promise) and haven't made time to blog.  Anyway, this picture has been on my mind a lot.  Here is the phone conversation that preceded the picture:

Sisterwife: Hey!  Jayburb wants to know if Doodle can come out to play.
Me: Sure.  We would love to come out.
Sisterwife: Oh good!  And you will also get to see Jayburb's outfit.  He did such a great job dressing himself after his nap (please imagine your best "little ears are listening" mom voice.
Me: We can't wait!  See you a few minutes.

When we arrive outside, we find Jayburb in what can only be called an "outfit" if you reside in Toddlerland.  Good thing Sisterwife warned me, and I thought to bring the camera.  The picture is in black and white, and while it captures a lot of other things, it doesn't do the clothing justice.  The shorts are red and a little shiny.  They are pulled up as far on his mid section as possible.  He is wearing a perfectly cute rhinoceros backwards (notice to tushie on the front).  

As Jayburb got situated outside, he wanted to ride his bike.  He had to put on his helmet.  And as Mayor of Toddlerland, he had to "do it by himself"!  And that is the picture I got.

September 2 (43/365)

As soon as I took the picture, I knew it would capture "3" perfectly.  So determined to do things on their own.  So proud of what they can accomplish.  I just love how intense his face is!  Eventually he allowed me to help him line up the buckle!  But he did do a lot of the work by himself!

So Long Summer!

I have a love hate relationship with this time of the year.  It is so full of beginnings and endings to me.  It is the end to long hot hours filled with sunshine, but the beginning of crisp cool mornings.  
It is the end of open plans and flying by the seat of our pants.  School starts back and our lives become governed by schedules and routines again.   
About this time of year,  the reality of Doodle's upcoming birthday hits me, and there is yet another internal struggle.  Excited for all the things to come in her little life, but a little nostalgic for the bits of her that are left behind in her battle with becoming an independent person.   

August 30 (40/365)
One of our friend's feet enjoying a cool morning turned warm afternoon at the spray ground

August 31 (41/365)
I hope that Doodle never outgrows her imagination.  She loves to play with her toys, and makes anything into a new friend.  Look closely and you will see a few Sesame Street friends taking a ride!

September 1 (42/365)
Doodle after open house for 3 year old preschool.   All set for fresh beginnings!

Run Curly! Run!

Right after we moved to C'ville in 2009, I was brainwashed into thinking I could be a runner.  Sisterwife and Landlord convinced me it would be "fun" to run in the Charlottesville 10 Miler.   I once told someone the only thing I ran for was the bus, and only then if I was going to be late for class!  But somehow they prevailed.  For about 6 months we ran.  We ran Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday mornings... at 5:00ish. We ran in the rain.  As the weather turned wicked cold and LOTS of snow came, we ran in the snow.  We ran, and ran, and ran.  I enjoyed it.  It wasn't bad.  Then it became an obsession.  It took every being in my body to get out of the bed.  I refused to quit.  For once in my life, I was going to set a physical goal, and I was going to achieve it.  I did!  I ran the entire mountainous 10 miles.  It was a beautiful day.  My parents, My Favoritest, and Doodle were all at the finish line cheering me on.  Maybe I WAS a runner.  
Then, I had allergy troubles and took a couple of weeks off.  Then I had some hip troubles and took a couple more weeks off.  Landlord had really become a runner (like headlamp and a cool visor real runner), and I quickly fell out of her league!  Then Sisterwife had some foot troubles, so in a move of solidarity I took some more time off.  The true end came when Sisterwife got knocked up.  It was all over for me then.  By this time, Landlord had continued to run and was miles and miles ahead (literally) of my pace.  I was really okay with it.  I didn't really think I was a runner.  It seemed a little too healthy and tree-huggery to really be me.   So I quit.  I enjoyed waking up at a reasonable hour of the morning.  My only regret would come when someone would ask if I was still running.  I would  mumble out the string of excuses and change the subject.  But really, overall, I was okay with it! 
A few weeks ago Sisterwife and I decided to lace up our shoes again.  We left at 5:30.  We had no planned route.  We walked and slogged (slow jogging).  We chatted.  We came home.  And at about 6:30, as I was enjoying my post workout endorphines, I started to think that maybe I was a runner after all.  I'll keep you posted!

August 29 (39/365)

I Can See Clearly

There is not much to say for this picture.  I just simply love it.  

August 28 (38/365)

 Behind those thick wet curls, I can catch just a glimpse of the baby that is no more.

This was taken by The Princess 8/24/2009.  I promise, I didn't plan this!

I am not sure when it happened.  But seriously in the past couple of weeks she has changed again.  She has turned into a kid.  No more babyness about her.  The toddler belly has all but disappeared.  She is starting to say her words correctly.  Today she had the nerve to say music instead of yick!  I am loving the funny, independent, spirited kid she is, but just wish I could hold on to that babyness just a little bit longer!

Got Milk?

Saturday and Sunday mornings are stay in bed days at our house.  Typically, my Favoritest gets up to feed the dogs, and gather milk and Froot Loops for Doodle.  I get Doodle up and changed and settled in our bed with a movie.  My Favoritest returns and we all settled in for a little relaxation.  Favoritest goes back to sleep, Doodle watches tv and chats with us, I read.  It helps break up the monotony of being a stay at home mom.  Eventually, Doodle looses interest in the TV and wants to eat a real breakfast.  Usually, I end up taking her down and letting my Favoritest get a little more shut eye.  Last week, I was lucky  enough that my Favoritest took Doodle downstairs while I read some more.  When I came down about 45 minutes later, Doodle started telling me she was hungry.  My Favoritest forgot that she might need more to eat.  He went up to shower, and I was left with fixing breakfast.... again.  
Doodle requested Daddy's cereal (Frosted Flakes, I know we are healthy cereal eaters) with milk.  She normally eats dry froot loops.  We tried cereal with milk about 6 months ago and it was a disaster we haven't revisited.  But, since she asked, I gave it a shot.  Amazingly, she ate the whole bowl and then wanted to drink her milk like Mommy does.  In a strange way, this picture made me a little sad.  It is proof that she really is turning into a kid and not a toddler anymore!

August 27 (37/365)

In the Details

So it seems the closer I get to keeping up with this blog, the farther behind I fall.  Oh, well.  Here's a couple of pics and thoughts to help me catch up a little. 




Here's the last picture from our recent trip to Bethany Beach DE.  

August 25 (35/365)

This is Doodle's shadow.  It was taken while she was jumping off a step.  Imagine, Doodle jumping! The picture itself wasn't very interesting.  But the shadow was really cool! The funny thing is, I brought the camera out for a totally different reason.  We had silly string for the kids.  Sisterwife and I bribed the kids with a really cools surprise if they would take a nap.  We thought it was a cool surprise.  The kids, not so much.  Funny how that works out.  They weren't strong enough to push the nozzle.  Doodle didn't like the way the string felt.  She was more entertained by tree climbing attempts.  Being moms that never give up, Sisterwife and I just kept spraying, 3 cans worth of silly string.  Then we spent a good 10 minutes cleaning up the mess.  The kids thought this was.... not so fun at all!  I guess we get points for trying.  

Sadly our time at the beach came to an end, and we headed back to Crozet.  Along with a million other people evacuating Irene.  It took what seemed like forever to get home.  We hit the road with 2 cars, 3 kids, and one dog at 6:00AM.  By the time we pulled into the parking lot, it was a little after 2:00.  I was exhausted and my camera was the last thing on my mind.  I put Doodle to bed, and unloaded the car.  On my first trip in, I noticed a butterfly on the door.  While I got the camera the butterfly moved.  Good thing I had such easy inspiration, or I might have missed a day!

August 26 (36/365)