Sylvia 1.5

Today is Sylvia's half birthday. Because her birthday is so close to Christmas, I decided it would be fun to celebrate her half birthday as well. That way we can get her a few gifts before summer each year. This year Sylvia got a swimming pool, towel, sidewalk chalk, and bubbles.

Sylvia liked the fish on her gift bag.


She still doesn't quite get the idea of opening a wrapped gift but she did well with the gift bag once I tipped it over for her.




We'll have to save the pool until our new deck is finished and it's a little warmer outside, but we were able to play with the bubbles tonight.

Granny's Visit

Last week, Dan's Granny was in town visiting. She came over to help Nana and Papa babysit a few times. We also shared a few meals while she was here. Granny met Sylvia when she was 6 months old and hadn't seen her since (in person). They had a lot of fun together. We're looking forward to stopping by Granny's place in Indianapolis this summer on our way to North Carolina.

Linda's Shower

I went to lunch at Blackstone with my friends from playgroup on Monday...without any kiddos. We celebrated Linda's soon arriving baby #2. It's harder to have an adult conversation during playgroup now that the kids are getting older. We spent almost two hours enjoying good food and chatting before heading home.

I enjoyed making decorations, etc. even though I have been busy with the end of the school year.



Violet, Linda, Shana, Laura, Kristan, and Bethany

Sleepy Time

It's not too often that I get to watch my little girl sleep. I dare not go enter the room while she's sleeping. However, on Saturday mornings, we go to Kindermusik at 11:00 and she is never awake in time. So, I get to go in and wake up my sleepy girl and get some snuggles.

Refried Beans

Who knew one little girl could have so much fun with some refried beans?

It's Almost Summer

Sylvia got a new bathing suit at Goodwill today, and I needed to water the grass seed so that equaled playing with the hose in the front yard. We're going to have a hard time keeping this girl inside this summer.

Yardwork

Dan spent the past weekend hard at work in our backyard. He rented a bobcat, dumptruck and till in order to do some regrading. Although it tired him out, I think he enjoyed using the machinery. I am so proud of him and much work he has done on our home. He really is quite talented. Plus...he looks good in a bobcat.



Sylvia also helped out a little. She was dispointed when she had to stop filling her bucket with rocks and go in and take a nap.


She didn't actually get to drive the bobcat but it made for a cute picture.


We also had a few high school kids from The Spot come help us on Sunday. They spent most of their time removing landscaping rocks from our backyard. Someday our yard will finally be free of rocks.


This is what our backyard currently looks like. Dan is outside at the moment laying compost, grass seed, and straw.

Outside

Have I mentioned before how much my daughter likes to be outside? Or as she would say it, "sigh." You can often find her longingly looking out our windows...or crying at a door if one of us goes out without her.

Hugs, Kisses, and Holding Hands

Dan and I got to babysit Sylvia's friend, Henry, once a week for a few weeks. Sylvia spends two mornings a week at Henry's house while I'm at work, so I think she enjoyed having him over to our place. These two kids sure like to play outside.

They played on their own some.




They took turns pushing each other around. Sylvia pushed a little hard one time and surprised Henry.


They both loved playing in our rock pile. Unfortunately for them, it will be going away this weekend.


And they enjoy giving hugs and kisses.


I love that Henry has both hands on the ball while kissing Sylvia.


They even held hands on the way home from the park a few weeks ago. It was funny because they held their hands up in the air just like they would have to if they were holding an adult's hand.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today is Daddy's 30th Birthday. I sure do think he's a good daddy. I especially like it when he takes me outside to play ball or pick weeds, when he tosses me in the air, when we read books together, and when he lets me climb on him in bed.



Click here to check out what Sylvia looked like last year on daddy's birthday.

Happy Mother's Day

Sylvia's Mother's Day gift to me was waiting until she was in the nursery to have her morning poop. Her real gift was a card her and daddy made together with a finger paint hand print in it. I appreciated both gifts.

A Day at the Farm

This past weekend, Nana took me and Sylvia to her co-worker's farm so Sylvia could see all the animals. We got to see baby chicks, bunnies, sheep, and a pony.

Sylvia was not sure what to think of the baby chicks which she insisted were ducks. She absolutely would not hold one herself. This chick is trying to give her a kiss.




I believe the bunnies were her favorite animal although she did continuously call them dogs. I guess we need to work on animal names.




It took a little coaxing but Sylvia was willing to pet the lamb. The sheep were not too interested in coming to see us.


She was able to identify the lamb's ears and nose after pointing out her own. Pointing at people's eyes is her favorite, and she did jab at the lamb's eye once.


Nana brought carrots along to feed to the pony.




I insisted she sit on top of the big tire for a picture. She wasn't as excited about it as I was.


Sylvia's two favorite activities were pretending to drive the little tractor and swinging on the horse tire swing. This little girl love to swing.




We also got to see a robin's nest. Mama bird didn't stick around when we got too close.

Deceptively Delicious Giveaway

My friend, Amanda, is doing a giveaway on her blog for Jessica Seinfleld's cookbook, Deceptively Delicious. Post a comment on her blog sharing a quick fix meal and you'll be entered to win. Visit, Life as We Know It for more details and to enter.

From the hands of babes

After showering the other day, I wrung my hair out on our bedroom floor. It left a little wet spot on the carpet. Sylvia walked into our bedroom a few seconds later and signed the word "potty" to me. First I laughed, and then I told her that mommy did not potty on the floor. Sylvia has gone potty on our carpet a couple of times and I have to admit that it looked the same. I told her it was from my hair and I tried to show her but there wasn't enough water in my hair to do it again. She looked at me as if she were saying, "yeah right mom. I know you went potty on the floor."