Question of the Week

How come I can give Arden a whole apple and she will eat the entire thing skin and try to eat the core? However, if I slice it she will only eat the fruit and not the skin?

The One that Got Away

While we were at the beach we ate at this little restaurant near the beach that was a Mom and Pops kind of place. I believe we were the only ones under 60 in the place but the food was really good.

As we were leave I looked over and noticed that a deep sea fishing boat had just returned to shore and they were unloading. We headed over to check it out. I had never seen a boat like this return to shore and it was quite fascinating.

The next day we were over near the boats to get some doughnuts and Arden remembered and asked to go and see the fish.

Here are some pictures we took.

City Living?

Last night I was returning from our small group and when I pulled up to our house there were 4 deer standing in my front lawn. I'm talking 2 huge bucks with 8 points each, a doe and a fawn. I really felt that I was in the middle of nowhere instead on a street lined with houses and only 2 blocks from a major city artery.

I tried to cut my lights to see what they would do but it was too late because they were already heading down towards my back yard. It's crazy. I've seen more deer in my yard here than I did when I lived in West Virginia.

Arden's Birthday Party

While we were at the beach we had a little birthday part for Arden with her cousins Luke and Ella and Uncle Seth and Aunt Cari.

We first went out to a great restaurant and had a great seafood dinner. Arden ate so well and really enjoyed herself at the end of the table with her cousins. We then went back to the beach house and sang Happy Birthday, ate some cake and then opened up her presents. It was a really special evening.

Arden was on a sugar high from her cake and didn't know what to think of all of the gifts. At the end of the night she walked up to me and gave me the biggest hug that she's ever given me. I was so precious. I am glad that she enjoyed herself.

A Big Birthday Card

Arden received a huge birthday card from my Aunt Bonnie. It is a large card like a book and it has Cinderella singing when you open it up. Arden has carried it around all day and gets a huge smile on her face when Cinderella sings.

Here are some pictures of her opening and enjoying her card.

Arden reading her card through out the day.

Poison Ivy, Pinched Fingers and Paradise

My blogging has been terrible over the past couple of weeks but I do have some good excuses. About 2 weeks ago Dave and I both came down with a terrible case of poison ivy. I've never had poison ivy and it was terrible. I was able to fight mine off with out drugs but Dave had to take steroids for about 12 days before he found relief. Luckily Arden wasn't exposed to it.

Then last Friday I managed to slam my finger in our front door. It was terrible I thought I was going to pass out from the pain. Arden even knew that something was wrong because she sat on the couch beside me and "read" me all of her book and then took a 2 hour nap for me. I was very thankful for that. My finger is doing much better but still very tender a little over a week later.

And lastly we were at the beach last week. Dave and I were blessed this year to be able to go to the beach twice this summer. This is the first time we've done that and it was great. Both times we were with members of Dave's family.

I have so many pictures to share especially of Arden's birthday. Check back this week for great pictures. I promise to do better updating my blog this week.

Happy Birthday Arden

On Friday the 22nd Arden turned 2! It is really hard for me to comprehend that she is 2 years old. It seems just like yesterday that I was in the hospital in labor about 6 weeks before I was supposed to.

The past two years have been an adventure and that little girl is so special and unique. She is a complete joy and Dave and I love her more than we thought we could have. She has such as sweetness about her that is contagious and she really enjoys life.

Happy Birthday Arden! I can't wait to experience the next year with you.

Question of the Week

Why do we call restrooms, restrooms? They really are the last place we want to rest.

Calk aka Chalk

Arden loves to play with her sidewalk chalk or calk as she calls it. Here are some pictures of her with Gran Gran and Paw Paw "doing calk".

All's Forgiven Sorta

Remember when I told you about what my brother Eric did to Arden's dog? Well he was able to earn her forgiveness. He did this by introducing her to the classic cartoons such as Tom and Jerry, Bugs Bunny and the Jetsons. She thought they were so funny. She would just lay there laughing. She was so tired she should have been in bed but the cartoons were too funny to watch.

Now every evening she asks to watch cartoons...or at least I have deciphered the word cartoons. I asked her if she wants to watch cartoons after she has asked me a question and she replies with a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eyes "uh-hun".

However, she still will not let anyone near her dog. She's forgiven Eric. She's just not forgotten.

Here's a picture of her and Eric watching cartoons together.

A Week In WV

As you probably could tell from the question of the week. We were traveling all day yesterday. Arden and I spend the week with my parents at their house. On Friday Dave joined us and we traveled up to his parents house and spent the weekend with them.

We had such a great time. The weather was nice and cool in the low 80s . I was freezing at night when it dipped down in the 60s. It felt good for a change compared to the 100 degree days we've had here the past couple of weeks.

Arden enjoyed all of the time she had with Gran Gran, Paw Paw, Uncle Eric, and Grammy, Grandpa and Uncle Tim. She also was able to go to her Uncle Seth and Aunt Cari's house and play with her cousin's Ella and Luke. The three kids really play well together and get along. It was so fun to sit back and watch them interact.

I can't wait to share stories and pictures from the week but I still need to unpack.

Question of the Week

Are we there yet?

Celebration

Dave parents celebrated their 34 wedding anniversary this weekend. We had a great time with a small party with all of Dave's brothers therea, all the grandchildren and a set of old friends of Craig and Janet's that live in Romania who just happen to be in town. It turned out to be a really nice night.

I Need A Kiss

The other night my dad put Arden to bed and a few minutes later she started crying which is unlike her. I asked her what the problem was and she told me that she needed a kiss. She popped her head up I gave her a kiss. She laid back down and fell asleep until the morning.

It doesn't get any better that that.

Don't Mess with the Dog

Remember Arden's dog. Well don't mess with it or she will get really upset. Case in point. Last night my brother Eric decides to push her dog down the hill unaccompanied. Needless to say she did not like it. She started running and crying after her dog.

It was so pitiful. She loves this dog more than any of her toys and she believes he's real. So today she will not let my brother near her dog nor will she take him outside. He was pampered was was able to watch TV with her on her lap.

I don't think my brother will be allowed near her dog again.

Success

I just had to celebrate with everyone. Today Arden has used the potty all day long. No accidents! She's told us every time.

I just had to share her excitement. She gets up and pumps her fists in the air and screams "WOO-HOO".

I think we're onto something big.

Paw Paw I Need

Arden and I are spending the week with my parents and Arden's new phrase is...



"Paw Paw I need... milk"

Paw Paw I need...a horse"

Paw Paw I need...Popsicle"

Paw Paw I need...juice"

We were in a restaurant yesterday and she was screaming Paw Paw I need...fries. It was too cute. My dad is always asking her if she needs anything and I guess that she finally has decided to tell him what she needs.

Question of the Week

Why is it that as soon as we get to the pool Arden start asking for her snacks before we even get in the water?

Sneaking Snacks

She is starting work other people at the pool. She will walk by and start talking to a mom and before you know it the mom is asking if she can join her kids and have a snack. I bring plenty of snacks for her. I guess she would rather hangout with others.

Construction

This past week has been crazy at our house. We have had contractors in and out putting in the support beam to make our three rooms into one. They started last Saturday and the drywallers will finally finish up on Tuesday.

Usually Arden would walk into the kitchen and say "mess" and point out how messy everything was. Today she finally changed her tune and walked into the kitchen and raised her hands and declared "nice."

Now that's progress.

Here's a picture of her eating lunch after the beam was installed. It's looking much better now that there's drywall on it. She looks so small.