Meeska Mouska Mickey Mouse

Last year Adelaide's favorite character was Dora, this year it is definitely Mickey. So off to Orlando we went for the weekend so that she could meet the real thing.

We were in Orlando the weekend before Halloween so everything was decorated and A loves pumpkins which made the visit even better.


The magic of Main Street

I thought that Adelaide was going to jump out of the stroller when she saw the woman with bubbles.

After a day of strolling around A needed a little break so she got to take a little break at one of the playgrounds.

Of course A wouldn't look at the camera, I think she was afraid Minnie might get her if she took her eyes off of her.

In true toddler fashion, A wouldn't go near the giant mice until it was time to leave and then we couldn't get her away from them. This is her walking out blowing kisses the entire way.

I know this is an odd pictures, but it is from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. A lot of kids were screaming and scared, mine on the other hand got comfortable and tried to take a nap.

A long day for little Minnie.

The fun didn't end at Disney World, after the fun day we met up with the Mesick's for dinner and a little bit of shopping.

Sweet big girl cousins love little A.

On Sunday everyone played at the pool and A learned to go down the water slide all by herself. She was really excited and this poor Mom got tired of helping her on and off.

Sister unite!

A Monday with Mommy

This is my last year of working for a bank that observes all of the holidays that make non-bankers use terms such as "bankers hours". No, I don't have current plans of being a stay at home mom or getting a new career, but as I mentioned in previous posts my employer Mercantile Bank was recently acquired by TD Bank. TD Bank has legendary service and is "America's Most Convenient Bank". So guess what that means...7 days a week and 4 holidays a year.

So we took advantage of my last Columbus Day off by...

...going to the dentist which was really cute. Adelaide went for her first visit, I didn't realize that I was supposed to start taking her a year ago, whoops. She got a bunch of new prizes including a lunch bag, magnets, bouncy ball, stickers, new tooth brush and a new princess rubber duck.

...after the dentist we went to Ya-Ya's office to say hi to everyone and steal Ya-Ya away for lunch. After lunch at Biscotti's we had just enough time to stop into The Hobbie Horse which is Mommy's favorite boutique for A. No major purchases, but Adelaide loved looking at the shoes.

After we got home I broke out the icing to try my hand at Halloween cupcakes. Two dozen spider webs, mummies and Dracula's later I had tasty treats to take to work.

weekend fun

So glad that weekend fun can now include outside activities that aren't the pool. The craziest thing has happened...Adelaide has decided she likes her bike helmet!!

Ready to go Momma!

Daddy had to try out A's chicken helmet with a head butt. Not a good idea, but they lived.

The best part about bikes rides for A is they lead to the park. The best part for me is that a nap is usually in store for the entire house.

My little girl loves, loves, loves the slide and swings.

oh hair!

Just because a bad hair day and a silly morning is always a good post.

Adelaide is not a climber so she is still sleeping in her crib and this Mommy really likes it that way. We did try taking the front of the crib off in July and obviously it was not a successful venture. She got to the point about a month ago where when you would lie her down in her crib she didn't fuss, fight or call out every word she could think of. She just plays in her bed until she goes to sleep. It is so nice that I don't want to jinx things by taking the front of the crib off again.

finally

We have finally hit the time of year where the doors and windows can be opened and we aren't sweating like crazy. In order to celebrate the occasion Adelaide decided to break out the old sticks and practice for the Fall golf weekends.

The Chicken Lives!!

After the stress of the dead chicken on my floor all week, in the eleventh hour I tried the costume again and it was a great success. We took a few photos at home and then went to the community ammenity center for games and a Halloween Costume Contest.

First we had to try out the shoes which were chucks covered with yellow rubber gloves.

My sweet little bock bock chicken.

Waiting in line for the costume contest...there had to be close to 200 costumes.

Watch out, flying chicken!

Playing games with Dada and Ya-Ya.



Did you notice how quickly this post went up...same day. Well that's because I wanted to brag about my little chicken and my Martha Stewart craftiness. The picture below is of my little contest winner and her loot. She may not have been trick or treating on Halloween, but she did win Most Original Costume!!!

A's costume was hot and of course it was in the 80s so we skipped the candy this year and went home to chili simmering on the stove instead.

Isn't it amazing how different she looks from a year ago.

24 Hrs of A

Warning: There will be discussion of potty habits in this post so if you don't want to know, please stop reading now.

Tuesday 5:30 am:
"momma"
"Momma"
"MMMOOOOMMMMMAAAA"

This is way too early for A and I to be up, but I drag myself out of bed and go to see what is going on. I am talking to her as I walk through the house to her room, turn on the light and what is the first thing I see in her crib...a diaper and it is not attached to the baby in the room. Obviously she is upset which is why she is up so early so I get her out wipe her down (probably should have just given her a bath when I realized how many wipes I used) and got her dressed. Yes, the bedding and nigh-nigh (A's favorite thing in the world) are soaked in pee. Do a load of laundry before work and we are off to school.

Tuesday 6:00 pm:
"Ada come her, lets try your Halloween costume on"
"no"
"come her"

Running away, tears, yelling and then there it is...the half made costume is on the kid.
"NO, NO, Don't do that" - she is tearing it apart because she hates it so much.

An hour later she is in bed and I am searching the Internet for more ideas since she obviously isn't going with the original plan. Grant senses that I am upset and tells me to stop looking, because she will probably like it tomorrow. Mean while there is a dead chicken laying in the middle of my living room floor.

Wednesday 6:30 am:
"Ada, it's time to wake up now"

Light on and yay, the diaper is still in her butt - BUT WAIT - it is only half way on and then she looks at me and says "eeewwww". Yes, there is was, poop all over the blankets and nigh-nigh. So yes, another morning of cleaning, laundry and this time rushing because it is later in the morning and I HAVE to be downtown for an HR meeting at 8:00.

To top it all off A walks by the dead chicken on the living room floor and firmly says "NNNOO" and starts pointing at it. What she will be for Halloween, only Sunday knows!

Just wanted to share what 24 hrs can look like in my house even when I go to work all day. Oh and you are welcome for not sharing any photos (I didn't have the energy to find the camera at that time of the morning.)