A Night on Vacation

One night at the beach we had a little fun.

The Berenstain Bears

Arden loves the Berenstain Bears books. So for her birthday I found the perfect book for her.










Even though she's not smiling in this book...she really likes it and we've read it several times. She loves learning about the different systems in the body. She is intrigued by the muscle and skeletal systems.

Cards

Arden loves greeting cards. It all started on her 2nd birthday with a Cinderella card from her Great-Aunt Bonnie. Again this year she recieved two music cards one from Bonnie and one from Grammy. Arden will play them both and sit and listen.

When we go to any store that has greeting cards she loves to stop and look at them. It's one of her quirky traits. She loves greeting cards.

The Birthday Gift

We just returned from vacation and we had a great time. Pictures are soon to come.

We left for vacation the day of Arden's birthday and we decided to let her open her big birthday gift before we left. She was speechless when she saw her dollhouse. She played with it up until it was time to get in the car to leave.


She told me today it is her favorite thing to play with in the house. I'm glad she likes it. My favorite part of the doll house is it was given to us by our friend Kim whose daughter just started college gave us the dollhouse back in the spring and we've held it out for a special day. I just love the fact Arden loves her house and it was cherished by Kaitlin and Kim and now our family will cherish it as well.

Thomas and The Potty

I have to tell the story of Thomas and the potty. Last night Dave was getting Thomas ready for a bath and Dave asked Thomas to sit on his potty. In the past couple of weeks Thomas has been pulling on his pants and asking to sit on the potty so we put him up there but nothing. But we continue because he's interested and doesn't fight us on it.

So last night Dave said that Thomas was pulling on his pants so Dave helped him to sit down and Thomas was successful. And today I put Thomas on the potty after his nap and he sat there for a while acting as if he couldn't care less and he used the potty again.

Now I know that he's not completely ready for go solo but we are encourage that he is very open to it. So hopefully, he will catch on sooner than later.

Question of the Week

Guess who pee-pee'd in the potty tonight?

The Fireman's Pole

This picture is proof that Arden is growing up. A year ago she could not master the fireman's pole. She wasn't strong enough. Not now. She is growing up way too fast.

Baby With Sand

Arden has several baby dolls but only one is her favorite. Her name is "Baby with Sand". This baby was given to Arden by my great aunt Helen. The baby has something in her that feels like sand and makes her a little heavy. Before Arden could walk she would carry this baby in her mouth as she crawled across the floor. She really loves this picture.

The other night I found Arden asleep with baby and it was too precious and I am so glad I was able to capture it.

Riding Lessons

Arden is finally tall enough to reach the peatals of her big girl bike. It took Dave a while to get the training wheels just right. She loved it! As soon as it gets a little cooler outside we are going to teach her how to ride a bike without the training wheels. It should be interesting.

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The Party

We had a birthday party for Arden with her friends from pre-school. We had a blast. The party was at our pool and the kids really enjoyed themselves.


The Ariel cake was a success and Arden said it was the best birthday party ever. So I say it was a success.



Thomas hanging out enjoying himself.




Arden and Sydney.






Dave playing with Arden, Reese and Thomas.

Dane jumping in.

Dane and Sydney

Arden, Reese and Sydney having fun with Dave.

Here comes the cake.

Happy Anniversary

Yesterday, in addition to Arden's birthday, my parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. It is such a huge milestone that I could not let it pass by without recognizing them. My parents taught my brother and I what it means to make sacrifices for family and what it means to put your family first. They have set such a great example of what it takes to make a marriage work.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad.

Four

Today is Arden's fourth birthday. I cannot believe that she is already four! It just seems like yesterday we were celebrating her third birthday.

This past year was a great year. She took it upon herself to be a great big sister to her brother and she's learned so much. She can spell her name, she can recognize all of her letters and she loves to learn about everything. She can swim and she is in the process of learning to ride her bike.

As I think back to the day she was born. Arden was premature. She decided at week 33 that she was ready to come into the world. The doctors held my labor off for 5 days and Arden was born on August 22 at 2:40 am. God answered our prayers and she was a healthy little girl. She spent two weeks in the NICU growing stronger and stronger everyday. She knew that she was ready to come into this world. She is a determined little girl and I am so thankful her. I can't imagine my life without her. She's amazing.

Question of the Week

Do you think he's comfortable?

Worldess Wednesdays

Taking Her Role Seriously

Ever since we told Arden that we would have a baby we've taught her that she is the big sister and her brother will look up to her and follow her lead. Most of the time she loves him well.


The other day Thomas wanted applesauce for lunch but he won't let me feed him anymore. He would rather make a huge mess and feed himself. This is where Arden came to the rescue. She offered to feed him. She took the role very serious and Thomas enjoyed having Arden feed him.

Notice how serious and focused she is as she feeds him.

I love the sunglasses on the head. She's such a little me sometimes.

My Own Mermaid

Arden's been swimming on her own since the middle of June. She keeps getting stronger and stronger everyday. She loves to dive deep and pick up rings off the bottom. She likes to make a big splash coming off of the slide and really enjoys jumping off the side.

Here are a few pictures of her in action.

A Little Laugh

I was trying to take Arden's picture the other day and I wanted her to smile but she wouldn't smile at all. Finally, someone had to jump in and liven things up.

Question of the Week

Guess who asked to go off the diving board today?

Question of the Week

What does Thomas look like when he loses his ball?