I turn my back for two seconds...

and this is where Max ends up.  He shimmies his way in a small opening between the couch and the table, sits under the table, plays with the shoes in the basket and pulls on the cords plugged into the wall.  Maaaxy, I say. Just a smile as he knows he shouldn't be back there.  This kid, I tell ya.  Keeps me on my toes.

Rainbow Brite

When I was growing up Rainbow Brite was a popular character.  I even had the doll.  Lately, Carmen has only wanted to wear her rainbow outfit.  It's an 18 month dress that she has turned into a top and then she pairs it with rainbow pajama bottoms.  She would wear this everyday if I would let her.  She often wears it to bed and then insists on wearing it as her outfit for the next day.  Yesterday she had a meltdown when getting dressed and I gave in and let her wear it.  Pick your battles, I'm learning.  This is a pic I snapped of her when she was returning home after spending the day at Grandma's.  I guess she is like my own little Rainbow Brite!

10 Months

10 months today, 2 shy of a year.  It's crazy to think about how time is passing way too fast.  So, instead of questioning why time moves so quickly, I will focus on the here and now and try my best to live in the moment, enjoy each day and cherish all the little things that make living so worthwhile.

At 10 months you...

 

-Are a mischief maker and are into everything even more than before

 (if that's even possible).

 

-Like to play with anything that is not actually a toy.  However, your favorite toys are ones you really shouldn't be playing with anyway--like the knife from Carmen's food set, the rather blunt plastic stick or mallet from Carmen's xylophone, the remote control, and the list goes on. 

 

-Are no longer fooled by the bait and switch and cry, cry, cry when something is taken away.

 

-Really enjoy pulling your sister's hair and taking anything of hers that you can get your hands on.  Sometime there isn't much left as she likes to hide her possessions and often climbs on chairs to put things up high so you don't get them.  She'll come around and start sharing again sooner or later.

 

-Have the most fluffy, blonde, soft hair that stands on end; I get at least one comment a day from a complete stranger about how it sticks straight up.

 

-Sleeping through the night consistently (Hooray!)

 

-Refuse to take a bottle or drink from a sippy cup.

 

-Make an "O" sound and shape with your mouth when you are happy.

 

-Love to crawl in the grass (and sometimes eat it).

 

-Are obsessed with the toilet and are always trying to stick your hand in to play in the water.

 

-Hate wearing your sun hat.

 

-Hardly ever where pants and definitely no shoes or socks

(I'm a little nervous for the Fall and Winter).

 

-Like to sit in front of the food cupboard and unearth what you can get your hands on. 

Earlier this week you tried to carry a bottle of salad dressing up the stairs.

 

-Will not sit still long enough for a book to be read to you.  I think you truly believe the sole purpose of a book is to slam it shut and throw it on the floor to see what kind of noise it will make.

 

-Enjoy taking food from your high chair tray and throwing it on the floor to see how many times I will pick it up.  Not such a fun game for mom.

 

-Love fruit: bananas, watermelon, pears, kiwi, cherries, melon, apples, plums

 

-Not so into anything in the pea or bean family, cheese or yogurt

 

-Still have the best laugh and cutest smile.

 

-Will always be my Maxy.

 





51

That's the number of Cheerios I found in the bottom of Maxy's car seat after a morning of running errands.  It was almost enough for a bowl of cereal.  Apparently he has more fun throwing the snacks out of his cup rather than getting them in his mouth.  Or, maybe this is his subtle way of telling me he no longer wants Cheerios for a snack!

Family pic at Family Picnic

After more attempts than I care to admit, here is a family picture of the four of us at a recent Skurski family picnic.  There were tears, kicking, protesting and fussing.  We even offered bribes in return for a quick smile.  This was as good as it got.  Good enough for me.

Happy 4th!

A festive day filled with waving flags, star cookie making, BBQing, glow necklaces, pop-its, being with good friends and staying up way past bed time to watch the loud booms and fireworks.

 

Good Night, Sleep Tight

After Carmen has finally fallen asleep, we make sure we check on her before we retire for the night and here is why...we never quite know how we're going to find her.  This particular night she was fast asleep but hanging off the side of the bed.  I couldn't resist snapping a photo.  It was worth the risk of waking her up.  Luckily, she did not move a muscle and Jimmy put her back on her pillow.  No photo, but recently we found her completely upside down.  I wonder what we'll find next!

 

New School

Today Carmen started a new school. She was excited and we talked about how the day would unfold.  With Carmen, you never quite know how it's going to go.  You just hold your breath and hope for the best and most of the time she ends up surprising you.  Today was one of those days. 

I was nervous, she was not.  We arrived at school, she clung to my leg for a brief moment, she met her 'Hug Bug' teacher, checked out her new cubby, went to the playground, was greeted and welcomed with open arms by the kids.  She played, I kissed her goodbye, she didn't even know I was gone.  I was a little apprehensive all day, checking my phone for a text or a call that things may not be going well.  I worried for nothing.  Carmen was a trooper--no fussing, no crying, a good eater, a good napper and on and on.  Not one hiccup today. I know tomorrow is another day, but today was smooth sailing.  We are proud of our little girl. 

 

Beating the Heat

Here's how we've spent the last couple of 80+ degree days...

 

Backyard BBQing:


 

 

 

Eating watermelon:



 

 

Pool time:  

 

 

    





More splishing & splashing:
 

 

Hanging out with Daddy in the shade:

 

 

 

 

Eating popsicles and visiting with family:

 

 

Foregoing pants: