The Ups And Downs

Lilly is changing more and more every day - in good ways and in, well... Her tantrums, fits, and outbursts have simply gone to a new level. And there are those days when I cry and wonder where I went wrong as a parent. But I must say her good qualities have reached a new level as well. She plays better with other children, her imagination is amazing, and she can communicate a whole lot better.

Everyday brings a new adventure to our home. Some can be pretty crazy, and others are quite entertaining. Like when Lilly lines up her animals and dolls and then reads them a book or has a family prayer with them. Gotta love that imagination.

Reading stories

Making Kat fold her arms for the prayer

Having family prayer

A Day At Baltimore Aquarium

Last weekend we took a trip up to the Baltimore Aquarium. It's something we've wanted to do for a while, and we were finally able to make the trip up. Lilly loved looking at all the fun fish, turtles, sharks, and sting rays. But her favorite part of the day was the dolphin show - riding the escalators with dad was a close second.

So sad to leave

Lilly's Imaginary World

Lilly has always been able to entertain herself and has a great imagination. She loves to play in her make-believe world. Some of her favorite things include catching big fish in the bathtub, crying like she is a little baby again, marching like the elephants on "Jungle Book", crawling around on the floor like a cat, and the one that makes me laugh the most - hiding from all those scary sharks swimming around in our living room.

Today she gathered up all of her most prized possessions and went sailing in her "boat". She was so comfortable she decided to stay a while and read a good book. She knew the sharks didn't stand a chance against the invincible black basket.

Kids Workshop at Home Depot

Lilly loves the first Saturday of the month. Gus has started a tradition with her to go to the monthly Home Depot Kids Workshop and build whatever prefabricated kit awaits them. Yesterday they made a race track together. Lilly loved wearing her orange apron, hammering the table, and spreading wood glue all over her hands. It was great daddy-daughter bonding.

Hide-and-seek With Daddy

Lilly's new favorite game to play with her daddy is Hide-and-seek. She loves this game! I'm not sure what she enjoys more - finding daddy behind the door, or counting to 10 all by herself. Whichever it is, tonight we had another exciting game and Lilly was at her best.

Lilly's favorite hiding spot

"Daddy found me!"

"One, two, three, four..."

About to be scared by Daddy

Another classic hiding spot

Girls Trip to Orlando

Last Friday I flew to Orlando to meet up with Gus's mom, his three sisters, and sister-in-law for a girl's trip. We stayed for four days in the beautiful weather and had a wonderful time!

A few of my favorite memories are:

- Getting 3 hours of sleep in 48 hours
- Laying out by the pool for way too long
- Listening to KA make funny noises ALL night long
- The dance parties (I usually just watched)
- Making the last minute decision to go on Tower of Terror (freaky but fun)
- Watching the Wishes firework show
- Sydell calling Cristy 200 times a day
- All the surprises I found in the kitchen sink
- MJ and KA's choreographed dances
- Watching the movie on Norway....WOW
- Jamming all of us into a tiny dressing room while KA tried on clothes
- Sitting in the front on Splash Mountain TWICE and getting drenched
- Taking off my shirt in the middle of Splash Mountain so I didn't freeze to death
- Almost getting my hand taken off on Big Thunder Mountain
- Everyone wearing their red Valentine shirts
- The Toy Story ride
- The stomach game and Susan's sounds
- Going to church for all 3 hours
- Finding out that Forever 21 is my new favorite store
- The Mexican singers
- KA's driving
- The American Idol Show
- Emo's very favorite things

Our Hotel and Pool

Cinderella's Castle

Big Thunder Mountain Ride

Wearing our Valentine shirts, lets just say we never got lost from each other

Toy Story Ride

The Kitchen Sink

Lovely Lady

Today, Lilly was looking especially delicious. So, I took a picture of her on the steps in front of our house. It turned out lovely.