Little shopping buddy

Today I decided to venture out of the house with just Syd for some mommy time shopping. It is kinda rare these days that I get to go somewhere with just her. We started out at old navy the first thing she did was zero in on a hello kitty sticker book. I had a set list of things I wanted to get, but when she looked at me and asked me if she could get one for Lyla because she likes hello kitty, well I couldn't resist. She then walked around pointing out all the" beautiful and adorable" items. Next we headed over for the latest craze fro-yo, she was more excited for the toppings. The crowning achievement was though that she fell asleep in the car, if you know Syd, this is a rare event. Such a in afternoon with my big girl

First Day of Preschool

We officially have a preschooler and I am one sad mommy.  Sydney started Preschool last week and absolutely loves it!!!  We are lucky we found an amazing school for her this year.  She came home after the first day already and all she wanted to do was play teacher with Lyla and show her all the new things she learned.  I can't wait to see what this year holds for her, she is such a sponge!

It's Peanut Butter Lyla Time

Being a typical second child, Lyla doesn't get much time alone with one of us.  She is such a laid back child though that she never really seems to mind.  Well this past week we had the opportunity to take Sydney to stay with her Mimi and PopPop in Myrtle beach, leaving me with just my Lyla bean.  We spent Thursday just hanging out with MeMaw, and Lyla took that opportunity to ham it up.  She was just as adorable and sweet as can be.  And as soon as she realized she had the run of all the toys she was one extremely happy camper.  On Wednesday night, I even pulled her into bed with me and snuggled her all night long.  (shhh, don't tell me hubby) Then on Friday on our way home, I decided we were going to make a slight detour and stop at the NC aquarium.  Lyla loves her some fishies so I thought this would be the perfect field trip for her. This turned one of the best memories I have ever had  as a parent. It was such a perfect day and one that I will never forget!!!!

Running to the first tank pointing and yelling fishie

 More fishies!!!

Look mommy, MORE FISHIE!!!!

  Whoa, what is that thing???

 This thing really wanted to eat her, he was going nuts, hard to tell in this picture, I couldn't get it, but he kept opening and closing his mouth

 She was mesmerized!!!!

 Look mommy, I'm a big girl!!

We capped off Lyla time by taking her to touch a truck, she wasn't so into the trucks and she was getting one on one attention

This girl loves music and dancing

I am so glad we got the opportunity to have this time with her and that Sydney had such an amazing time with her Mimi and PopPop!!  

My legacy.....

After I showed my mom this blog, her response to me was, aren't you worried about putting the girls pictures out there, and my response was yes, but I can't live my life worrying about the what if. I decided to start this blog as a way to chronicle my daily life with the girls. I want to give them the gift in 20 years of being able to go back and see the love and joy I put into raising them. We are not always promised a tomorrow and I think about that so often with the girls. I want to pour in to them everyday all that I am, lessons I have learned, and guide them through life. If something was to heaven forbid happen to me, I want to give them something tangible to remember me and our memories by. Also, life with two toddlers is incredibly challenging and draining, I can barely remember what I ate for breakfast, much less that after a particularly trying day last week Sydney came to me and said, " I try and be good girl today". I never want to forget that... So I am writing this for them, and for me, a way to remember all the fun times, to challenge us to live life to the fullest everyday, and to show them just how much I love them.

Lnln.
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-This post was brought to you by little miss Lyla:)

Baby mullet

Yesterday I decided that I had had enough of the baby mullet and it was time for Lyla, (and Sydney) to get a haircut.  The place we go is for kids and they have these adorable fire trucks and police car chairs to sit in.  We told the girls about it the night before and they were so excited.  Lyla, my little genius kept saying sit fire ruck.  And that was all Sydney could talk about that day.  After the gym, we were off.  We got there and there were several kids crying because they didn't want to get their hair cut, and Sydney jumped right up there and was all smiles.  She just got a little trim with layers added in.  Lyla was anxiously waiting her turn and well and hopped right in the car, no tears whatsoever and got the cutest little trim.  After we finished with the cut they each got to pick a sucker, Sydney wanted a blue one, so guess what color Lyla asked for....blue.  SO sweet, and they showed everyone they saw that day their new hair cut!

My little parrot

Sydney is such a parrot these days. Lucky for us she hasn't said any cuss words, which is amazing considering we often slip up in front of her. However here are some of the funny things she has said recently
Jesus Christ river pee peed in my room- compliments of Chris
Holy cow- thanks memaw
I'm gonna bust your tail- big poppa

Monkey see, monkey do

Today was a gorgeous day, so the girls and I decided on a whim to pack up and head to the zoo this morning.  I decided that I was going to forgo the stroller as both girls usually want to walk anyway.  The girls did a great job with this and loved being able to see everything.  We started with the birds, which if you know anything about Lyla, you know she loves her some birds, she calls all birds quack quacks and she went nuts!!!  We then moved on to the carousel.  Sydney eagerly jumped on the giraffe (her favorite animal) but Lyla was much more apprehensive.  Once the carousel started going to though I forced her to sit on it, ( I know, mean mommy) but she ended up LOVING it, the girls were giggling and reaching for each other, and they have this call and respond dance move they are always doing.  It is fun to see Lyla enjoy new things.

We then moved on the the monkeys, I have to admit, I loved it.  If you have ever been to the Richmond zoo, you know it is a more unique zoo, you are very up close and personal with most of the animals, which the kids love.  The apes were no exception.  They just finished building an observation house, basically a hut with a ledge on both sides and glass.  But the monkeys were enamored with my girls, they came right up to the window and put their face up to it and the girls did the same and they both just stared.  One, which was a tamarin, just sat and sucked his thumb and stared at Lyla.  It was fascinating and the girls loved it!  From there we went on the see the kangaroos, which were sitting within petting distance of the fence.  But Sydney was ready for her favorite part, the giraffes.  As we started walking, I saw two giraffes standing very close together, one was much smaller than the other and I thought it was a mother and child, turns out, it was a boy and a girl and they were getting it on.  The girls thought it was hysterical, but thank goodness they didn't ask any questions, because one giraffe, well let's just say he was well endowed, ewwww.

Sydney didn't care though, she was ready to feed them, so off to get some food we went.  She loves feeding the giraffes and I must admit, it is pretty cool too.  If you don't put the cup close enough they well stick out their tongue anyway and reach the food, their tongues must be at least a foot long.  Lyla wanted no part of feeding them, but she was happy to pet them anytime they were within reach, go figure.  Sydney screamed and giggled with delight.  

Lastly, on the way out, we found a talking parrot and the girls were in heaven, we sat and listened for close to 15 minutes, all the while Lyla just kept screaming...Rio...Rio.  At the point we were all tired and Lyla kept stopping in the middle of the path and sitting down and Sydney would run in the opposite direction.  I was really regretting my decision to not bring along a stroller, but in the end, we made it back to the car, and a quick stop and McDonalds, and I had some tired happy campers.  Such a fun day!!!

Time for church

Naked chef

For this.... I have no words

Chucke Cheese or Mac n Cheese

We took Sydney to Chucke Cheese for her third birthday.  I know what you are thinking, that we are crazy, but we went first thing Sunday morning and it was empty and she LOVED it!!!!  But now she keeps referring to it as mac n cheese, cracks me up everytime!!!!!

Rainy day forts, soup and bubbles

What better way to spend a rainy day than with a fort.  We decided after nap time to build a fort and Sydney's room and the girls had a great time running in and out, that is until the game became jump on the other when they were in the fort:P

So we decided to transition to making "soup" aka warm water and soap and lots and lots of towels, the good news is though, now my floors are clean.  We finished off the evening with pizza.  My girls can put away some pizza.  Let's put it this way, all together we ate 6 slices, and I only ate 1 1/2.  Although some of that was smeared from head to toe on Lyla.  We finished off the evening with baths and the our nightly ritual of running around post bath naked.  After bath, Sydney had to go potty so of course, Lyla followed her in, Sydney took of Lyla's diaper and told her to go potty, so she sat on it.  After she got up, she kept trying to pull her pants up and walk at the same time, it was the cutest thing ever.  The girls then went to play with Sydney's dollhouse some.  Sydney has two princess dolls, Belle and the other she calls cindy booty.  Hysterical.  I love watching their relationship grow and develop, I am lucky to be a mom to two little girls!!!!!

Leaving on a tiny prop plane

Dear Sydney and Lyla,

Tomorrow, I am taking you to your me maw and poppa's house for 10 days while mommy and daddy go to Honduras.  Mommy is almost having a heart attack thinking about being away from you for so long.  I don't know how I am going to do it, I am going to miss each of you so much.  You bring so much happiness and fun into my day that a day without that makes me sad but I know mommy and daddy need this time together.  Tonight we took you guys out for ice cream as a little going away treat, probably not our best parenting idea.  Lyla, you really like your sugar, I don't think I have ever seen you so hyper, my usually calm sweet child, but it was adorable.  Sydney, you were funny as ever making dinosaur roars at the table for all those in the restaurant to hear.  I love you girls so much and if anything were to ever happen to me I hope you know just how much I love you and treasure being your mommy!!!!

Fish or Baby

It's official, Sydney is a fish. It's funny, the first time we gave her a bath she screamed bloody murder, then about weeks later, a switch flipped and she LOVED her bath time. Ever since then bath has been one of her favorite activities and one in which her daddy and I treasure. I knew that as soon as she was old enough she had to start swim classes. The requirement was you had to be at least 6 months old so we finally got her started at 7 months. She loves it, she kicks and smiles and giggles despite the fact that the water is so cold that she turns blue. Yes that is right...blue. While in class last week another mom turns to me and says, you know your baby is turning blue right, and sure enough she was, but she was just as happy as could be. We can't wait to take her to the beach in two weeks to see her poppa. I think she might be swimming before she walks. But for now her are some pictures to enjoy.