Minus One.

It's been a crazy thing to get used to since school started, being down a member.

Between getting Sassy out the door for school without Little A losing it, or getting used to playtime with Lynzee sans LMB (hello, full-day kindergarten...), I am ready to throw in the towel. Or get all nostalgic. Or something.

It breaks my heart to see Little A find her shoes when we are eating lunch, knowing that Sassy will soon be leaving for school. Nap time has been super hard, and I think it's because she fears she is missing out. I've taken her with me several times to drop Sassy off, and somehow, I think it makes her feel even worse. I allow her to wear her own backpack and all, but I think we'll stick to having Little A accompany me to pick Sassy up- it's a much happier occasion. I can't wait until MDO starts next week so Little A can feel included in something...

So, last week Lynzee and I took the girls out two mornings- once to Crane Park and once to McDonald's. Although I'm sure LMB would be less than thrilled knowing the fun we had, it's been a nice chance for Sassy and LuLu to spend some time together. After all, LuLu will be three in a couple of weeks, and she is certainly old enough to be included in the "big girl" games.



They make a pretty fab pair!



Little A is pretty content with being on her own. I have that sense of mommy guilt constantly about the amount of social interaction she gets. When Sassy was a baby, we were constantly at playgroups and activities. I was not really a working mama with Sassy. I am a working mama now. I can't commit to quite so many activities, and I worry that her social aptitude will suffer.



Poor Little A...



Truly, she seems none the worse for wear...



...unless you consider that entire inability to share thing...



...or that 100% self-centeredness she has going on...



But, then I must tell myself that she is two and that is her job. Truly, it is.

Sometimes I question- is it time for Little A to have a new playmate??



Then, I quickly come to my flippin' senses. Nope, we're good here for now. Thanks!

A Berry Good Time!

The girls attended an adorable birthday party this weekend. Theme: Strawberry Shortcake.

Doesn't that just bring you back?

My friend Ragan was gracious enough to include Little A, too. Even though it was a "big girl" party at the spa. She was very thankful:



The girls had the nail salon all to themselves. Each girl got to choose their colors and have their fingers and toes dolled up. There was glitter. There were jewels. The girls were in heaven!

Miss A, the guest of honor, getting her nails painted. It's tough to be five these days:



Sassy, sitting like an old pro. She originally chose blue and coral paint to match her outfit, but soon changed her tune when she saw Bo-Bo's awesome pink and purple glitter patter-in.



Little A didn't quite know what to think. She really did well getting her fingers done, but was not so willing to let the girl paint her toes. She kept saying owie, which was a bit perplexing, so we skipped the glitter and topcoat and all that.



She was so stinkin' cute, though. If I do say so myself. Which I do.



Aside from the manicures and pedicures, each girl received an adorable reusable strawberry bag and a lip gloss. Needless to say, they were all pretty much ecstatic!

We all hopped into the car and headed to the birthday girl's Grandma's house for cake and presents. Miss A sat proudly at her throne:



And did a bang-up job on those candles!



Each of the girls left the party with a Strawberry Shortcake coloring book and some fine looking nails. It was so berry sweet!

Two Years, Two Days...

Last night, as my Mom and I looked back at a really cute video or two from when Sassy was younger, I realized something...

Two days ago marked my blog's 2nd birthday... how could I have forgotten??

I ♥ keeping this blog, and I would do almost anything to go back in time and document things before Sassy was already two.

Thanks to all my peeps for rooting me along the way, offering advice when I've asked for it, and laughed and shared along with our crazy life in the SPH. ♥

Happy 2 years, 2 days!

Last Time I Checked You Were TWO, Missy...

With Little A, I constantly find myself uttering the words isn't she too young for this?

Today may just have taken the cake.

Twice today (not once but TWICE) she stomped off to her bedroom after being reprimanded and slammed the door.

I'm not talking about needing her space and shutting the door for some alone time. No. I'm talking full-blown, had-to-check-and-make-sure-she-still-had-ten-fingers SLAMMING of the door.

Seriously?

Do you want to know the funny part, though?

She's yet to figure out doorknobs.

Hee hee.

Guess who's just a little beside herself when she realizes she's just locked herself in her own room?

She may or may not have started screaming MOMMY in a way that I was sure I would walk in to find her head spinning and pea soup spewing from her little bow lips.

It was just a tad bit gratifying, nonetheless.

Lord help me when she becomes a teenager.

Giddy For Fall...

This little change in temperature has been just enough to send me into full-blown over-the-moon happiness and excitement for fall to come.

Pumpkin Patches.
Apple Picking.
Leaves Turning.
Sweatshirt Weather.
Halloween.
Windows Open.
Fall Scentsy Burning Away.
Football!
Chilis and Soups and Crock Pot Meals.
Bales of Hay.
GREAT Sleeping Weather.
Pumpkin Bread.

All in all, serenity for ME! I ♥ fall!

Who's with me?

On the Farm...

Little A's Statbook...

Little A had her 2-year check yesterday with the pediatrician.

Things are good. Her growth is coming along nicely. We have the go ahead to knock her down to skim milk (YEAH for buying one type of milk again!). Her developmental milestones are being met (not that I needed the Dr. to tell me this, but you know...)

Here are her stats:

Weight at 18 months- 25 lbs 8 oz
Weight now- 29 lbs 13 oz (80th percentile)

Height at 18 months- 31.75 inches
Height now- 34 inches (57th percentile)

Oh, and her head circumference is in the 90th percentile. HA!

My Little A is feeling a bit under the weather from her Prevnar 13. She's running quite the fever and just wanted to cuddle with her mama. Or her monster. Either will suffice.



Poor, sweet girl. ♥♥♥♥

Back to the Grind...

I don't know about you, but I have been feeling stressed out lately.

Since Sassy returned to preschool last week, we have been working on getting into a new "routine". I use the term loosely, since my work schedule fluctuates so much from week to week. I still have hope that things will reach some sort of normal once the dust settles. I guess time will tell.

Afternoon preschool is weird. It seems like we have just enough time in the morning to not get anything productive accomplished. Is this what I have to look forward to for the next 9 months?? By the time the girls wake up, eat breakfast, brush their teeth, and get dressed, we scarcely have enough time to run a local errand or get to an appointment before it's time for me to prepare and serve lunch and get Sassy off to school at noon.

I guess I'm not sold yet.

Oh, and then don't even get me started on Little A. For months, I have looked forward to a quiet afternoon with Sassy at school while Little A naps. You know- time to complete paperwork, blog, organize and edit photos, the likes. So, yeah... point-2 seconds after Sassy started preschool, Little A has decided to go on nap strike. For reals. I didn't have problems with Sassy giving up a nap until 2.5. Not ready for this!! As we speak I type, Little A is up in her crib yelling and propelling her 6,792 stuffed animals and blankets over the side rail.

Family dinners, how I loathe planning, shopping for, and preparing thee. We have attempted to start the school year off on the right foot with our healthy eating. I need suggestions, friends- how do you plan and organize for meals? How many do you shop for at a time? How do you stay withing your budget? For whatever reason, I am having a hell of a time with this lately, which typically equates to grabbing takeout way more often than is healthy or financially sound. Help!!

Am I the only person on the face of this earth that absolutely, positively despises putting away laundry? I can wash and fold all the live-long day. Actually taking the clothing to respective bedrooms and placing in proper areas of clothing storage- I'd rather stick needles in my eyes. Oh, and speaking of laundry- please share your best tips on cleaning your washing machine. I have done several cycles of vinegar and even resorted to bleach, which I actually had to go out and buy for the occasion (I HATE bleach), and it still smells less than stellar. I have taken Q-tips soaked in cleaner and physically cleaned away the build-up, too. What gives?

Well, I could likely go on and on, but I'll save the rest of my bitching for another day. Ta-ta...

Cease & Desist, Birthday Posts...

OK, OK... last one, I promise!

After Little A's 2-year-old birthday shoot out front, we had to include Sissy-Sassy in a few.

It was the best of times...



It was the worst of times...



{Isn't that lip just enough to make you laugh out loud? Us, too!}

Be sweet, SPH ladies...



I need to get this one framed. Be still my heart.



Graycop had the day off from work, so we headed down to Winfield and took the girls to Island Park. Fun times.

We checked out some butterflies:



Little A did some swinging:



And, played in the mist for a while:



We ate lunch at Neives'. If anyone ever travels to Winfield, it was really good.

After naps, I made dinner, and we did a little family gift opening.



The girls had a great time. Tyler and I bought Little A the Melissa & Doug sushi set (cutest.thing.EVER), a wooden lacing apple, and the Tickle Monster book set with monster mitts.



Sassy picked out an Olivia stuffed animal and the Olivia dress-up trunk. I was a bit concerned about the quality, but the girls LOVE it. I think we are going to have to get another one for the holidays!



Little A also got several fall outfits and the Violet sleep puppy, which is her new favorite thing. She's a lucky little princess!

Then, there were cupcakes.



Lots and lots of cupcakes.



Another birthday... DONE!

We ♥ you, Little A!

Second Birthday Photo Shoot: The Way It Really Went Down...

Don't let my Mom fool you. Having a successful photo shoot with me is nothing short of a miracle. So, it should come as no surprise to you that I wasn't going to let her have it easy on my birthday. I mean, I have a reputation to uphold here, folks.

So, she dressed me all cute from head to toe. I wasn't going to give a lot of resistance on that front. I've been eyeing that pink tutu in my closet for-ever, so when I saw it laying over my changing table, I knew it was best to keep my mouth shut. I even let her put the little pink rose in my hair, although it made me twitch a little to leave it in there. That's so not my style.

So, we started off outside. I let her get a useless shot:



Then, I turn on the distress signals. See, I did this during my invitation photo shoot, and it earned me fruit snacks as bribery. C'mon, I'm no dummy.



Mom runs inside to find fruit snacks. SCORE! But, wait... she returns and tells me there are no fruit snacks, and tries to give me Gerber puffs. HELLO... did anyone get the memo that I'm two today?



Mom says there may be something else inside. Envisioning something great, I decide to give her a little glimpse of what she may want, just so she doesn't go all white flag on me and throw int he towel on the entire operation. I rule this game.



Da-da-ta-da. A cookie. Now that's what I'm talkin' about!



Oh, how sugar makes me happy.



Oh, wait... I guess it's time I take a taste of this thing. I mean, what good is a cookie in hand if not to eat?



Oh, yeah. I know how to work her. This cookie is like a little piece of heaven, I reckon. Sure would be good with a nice tall one (milk, that is).



Just a minute, Mom. I'm still finishing this cookie you gave me. Nope, not ready to smile for you yet (ever)...



Boy, this cookie is good, but I'm gonna pay for it later...



I best get up and start moving around, lest I apply this cookie directly to my thighs...



And, I will, I promise. Just one more lick...



Now, Mom... you'll be just fine with me not actually making eye contact with you, right? I don't believe I read that as a requirement anywhere in our contract.



I think I'll just take a little stroll, help shape up the gastrocs on these stairs for a bit...



The uneven surface of the grass is ideal for shapely gams, you know?



Hey, bird... GET AWAY FROM MY COOKIE. Thanks.



Ooh, look at him go. I think I scared the woz out of him! Works every time. You really can never be too careful.



Bye, bye birdie.



A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. Now, remind me again why I'm just holding this cookie?



Mmm... much better. Man, this thing is good. Mom, did you get your shot yet? I'm really ready for some milk and a nap.



Oooh, look... a leaf!



I wonder if this thing is edible?



Haha. Just jokin' ya, Mom. I kid, I kid. Now, there's your smile. I know that's what you're waiting for. It's been fun, Mom... but, I'm dunzo.



It's a good thing I'm so friggin' cute.