The SC State Fair

"Peek-a-boo!"

"This is my favorite thing to do!"

"Mom, why won't dad let me touch the pig?"

This blog entry's title is "The SC State Fair" or should otherwise be known as "Izzie, Girl with a Thousand Expressions." Did you catch all those faces? The first is my favorite.

We took Izzie to the fair today. We weren't sure how it was going to go. Last night, I looked up online and saw that the website said it was kindergarten and physics day *enter the sarcastic "Yay!" here*. So, we debated whether we should go or wait till later in the week. Well, the answer was obvious. No one wants to wait longer than necessary to go to the fair. It turned out to be a good day to go afterall.

Nina was nice enough to watch Garrett for us. We thought about taking him too, but realized that he would be better off staying with his grandma. He'd get some good playtime in and Izzie would be able to do a little more than she would if he came. Besides, we knew he would get to go next year.

Our day started off with Todd getting up looking like a kid on Christmas morning. ;) That's the cool thing about being a parent, you sort of get a second childhood. We arrived about 10:30 and stayed till about 2:3o (way past Izzie's naptime). The rides weren't open yet, so we headed straight to the barns. Izzie walked through the petting zoo, saw some pigs and cows. Later on, we went back to see the rabbits, chicks, and ducks. Todd was Izzie's designated ride partner. They rode the carousel first which is Izzie's favorite. She rides the one in the mall all of the time. They rode this little bumble bee ride, the slide, and the ferris wheel. Of course, we ate the fair food and walked around the exhibits, too.

It was so much fun. She had a blast. My favorite part of the day was when we were driving just outside of the fair, pulling up to the gates, Izzie let out a big squeal and yelled "the fairrrrrrr!" Todd and I were both surprised by it. It was so cute and you could tell she was so happy. Another moment of the day was when I had her beside Garrett on the bed this morning, she looked over to him and said "we feed the animals." I was asking her to tell Garrett what we were going to do at the fair. :)

Oh, I love my babies. There are so many great moments in our normal days at home and so many more on special days like this. I'm so happy that God chose me to be their mommy. I know Todd feels the same way about being their daddy.

This is how a professional does it.

I'm a baby wearing, breastfeeding, cosleeping mommy... and proud of it. I wouldn't do things any differently :)

I took this picture the other day. I needed to sweep the floors and little man wasn't happy with that decision, so he swept them with me. :) I wish someone else would pick the camera up every once in awhile. That would be nice. I would love a picture of me and my children lol. I guess I might have to figure out how to use the timer on it.

Izzie's 2nd Birthday

She blew her candles out like a big girl!! I don't know why this surprised me, but it did.

My first baby is 2 years old. I find everything bittersweet about being a parent. I've become so much more emotional and sentimental, too. There's just something about being a mommy that other people don't understand until they have become one, too. I find myself appreciating my mom so much more, too. It's not that I didn't before, but now I just have a different appreciation for her. Ok anyways. On to the birthday party!

The day of her birthday, Todd and I took Izzie out by herself while Mimi and Aunt Hannah watched Garrett. It was a good time. We took her to Toys-R-Us. We planned on letting her pick out something, but she is still sort of too young to appreciate that. She would pick up one thing and hold it for a minute then run to the next. Right now, she is on a princess kick. I love it by the way. She is turning into a little girly girl. So, we picked up the Disney DVD, Princess and the Frog. I think it's important to collect the Disney DVDs. I always loved watching them growing up and still do!! After that, we went to the mall to eat dinner and ride the carousel two times. She loves it. She waves every time she goes around. The lady that takes the coins thinks that Izzie looks like her granddaughter and thinks Izzie is a hoot. We then came home. Everyone went to bed, but me of course. I had a lot of birthday party planning to get done.

As you can see by the picture, she made a pretty Minnie Mouse. Beautiful as always. We decided Minnie Mouse was a good idea. She likes Minnie and Mickey. Minnie is also a little girly. I like girly. I believe she is starting to like girly, too. It was a tough choice though. Our other options were that big purple dino named Barney and Elmo. You see why I chose Minnie?

I got a lot of ideas off a site called Pinterest. Oh, I love pinterest. I stayed up till 3am the night before the party making cake pops, Oreo cookie Minnie Mouse pops, and I made Pink Lemonade cupcakes. The cupcakes sounded delicious online and the picture of them was to die for. Unfortunately, they were disgusting. I had to throw them out the next morning, because they were just icky. At the last minute I just made box cake mix and added an Oreo Minnie Head. We cooked hamburgers, hotdogs, and mac & cheese. I also made Izzie's pillowcase dress and Minnie Mouse ears/headband. She liked it. She smiled when I showed her in the mirror :). Ok, so I took about probably 12hours of prep time for a party that last 2 hours. Wooo! Kid's parties are a lot of work. Worth it though.

We decided to just invite immediate family this year. We had enough food to feed an army and should have just invited friends, too.

Izzie received lots of cool presents. Nina and Grandaddy got her a swingset which was of course a big hit. She also got a little Barbie 4 wheeler.... which she currently is slightly scared of. She won't ride it, but we are working on it. Mimi and Poppy got her an easel. She is loving that. She loves to draw and write. We just have to make sure she doesn't used chalk on the whiteboard side or crayons. She also received a whole new closet full of Fall/Winter clothes which she needed. Oh, and a girl's best friend.. a ton of shoes. Of course, she also got a lot of baby doll items, a play doggie, puzzles, books, and more that I can't even remember.

Our house is really starting to look like it's run by the kids. Toys and baby equipment every where! It's ok. I wouldn't have it any other way. :)

Outside Mommy! Shoes on!

Outside Mommy! Shoes on!

This is what I woke up to this morning. It's hard explaining to a 2 year old that it is too early, too cold (a few degrees below 50), too wet (dew on the grass), and her baby brother is sleeping.

Izzie received her first birthday gift. You can say it was for Garrett, too, as I'm sure he will use it plenty over the next years as well. It has a fifteen year warranty, so this swingset better last ;). Thank you to Nina and Grandaddy for this awesome present. Izzie and Todd have already put about 10 hours of playtime in this swingset. I love it. It's also right infront of my kitchen windows so I will be able to watch her play while cooking later on in life of course.

Our Big Boy

He's a big, handsome boy. I love him.

He's going to make a great bodyguard for his sister someday. ;)

We tried tap dancing...

Well, we tried. Yes, I said tried. It looks like we'll have to try harder next year.

Izzie loves dancing all the time. She dances in her room, in the car, in the bed, in the bath.. everywhere. Todd and I like to say "Go Izzie, Go Izzie!" Cheering her on. We love it and can't get enough of her jumping, shoulder shimmy, hands in the air, and of course her hiney shake.

I decided, well she needs to get out of the house. Why not try dance? Most classes don't start until 3 years old, but there are a few that start at 2. I talked to Amanda Gunter and we both wanted our girls (who are just one month apart in age) to try together. We found a reasonable class. I called. They sounded great and informative. We bought the leotards, stockings, and tap shoes. I got to the class first. It hadn't started yet, so they had a little waiting area. When it was time two ladies walked out and called for the girls to come. I'm not used to just letting Izzie walk off with some stranger, so I held her hand and walked down the hallway with them. Talked to the teacher for a split second. She took Izzie in the room and closed the door. Now, Izzie went willingly to my surprise. She didn't hesitate at all. I hesitated. This class had no two way mirror or window to peak in. I had no clue what happened. When the class was done, the teacher came up to me and again talked for a split second saying "She started crying at the end" and just walked away from me. My daughter was no where in my sight. I found her in the back of a pack of toddlers with red eyes. No teacher holding her hand or comforting her. Needless to say, I was PO'd. We decided that this place was obviously not appropriate for my baby.

Later in the week, Amanda and I found a second place. We took the girls. The teacher was friendly. There was a window to peak in, but of course Izzie was hesitant now. It's like the poor girl was traumatized from the first class.

So, maybe next year, but for now she has a pair of tap shoes and a few dance leotards to play in :)