brenden comes to visit!

Shannan and Breden were on Spring Break this past week, so they (along with Nana), took the weekend to come up and visit us.  We had a great time.  Kaylea got to show off her new bed.  We also went to Jump It, XXX Burger, and played on the trampoline.  I showed Brenden how to play basketball, too :)

the circus pages

I saw a sign last week advertising that the circus was coming to Lafayette for one day.  I read some reviews from last year and knew it was pretty lame, but I thought Kaylea would enjoy it, so Thursday evening (before watching our CARDS make it to the Elite 8), we headed to the circus.

Kaylea enjoyed some aspects of the circus - she really loved the tigers and lions and the cotton candy.  It really was pretty lame.  They stopped after every act to try to sell you something.  I think by the time intermission arrived, Kaylea was ready to go, but not before riding the ponies and then the elephants.  I was shocked she rode the elephant, because when we talked about it the day before, she told me she would not be riding any elephants, just ponies. 

All in all, it was a good experience for her and I'm glad we were able to take her...and including admission, we got out of there spending only $45.

with daddy before the circus

self-portrait



enjoying her cotton candy



pony ride

elephant ride



lions and tigers

clean teeth

Kaylea had her first dental appointment on Tuesday.  I wasn't sure how she would react, but I thought she might be okay because she likes going to the doctor.  However, the night before she told me that she was scared and that dentist were mean.

She chattered the entire way to the dentist.  She wanted to know where he was and what he was doing.  She even asked me if he had a dog :-)

We didn't have to wait long to see Dr. Sammons.  He is a pediatric dentist, but I saw him in January because I thought I needed a new retainer and not only could he get me the same day, but he was by far the cheapest.

The first exam is just a lap exam.  Kaylea sits on my lap and leans back into his.  She did great.  She opened her mouth and let him count her teeth and look for cavities.  She even let him scrape some of the plaque off of her teeth.  I was impressed.

Although we recognize this, the dentist says the paci needs to go soon.  I asked what harm it would really do - I mean, her vocabulary is amazing, her baby teeth are going to fall out, and I'm fairly certain she is going to need braces anyway.  And honestly, his explanation wasn't very convincing.  She may go with a gap in her teeth until it's time for braces.  Either way, we have been planning to give the paci to the Easter bunny next month, so we shall see.

I asked when we will actually clean her teeth and he said when she will go back in the room by herself and sit in the chair.  We went back with the dental assistant and as I suspected, Kaylea sat right in the chair and let me take the picture below.  I assume we will be cleaning her teeth in 6 months.  I can't believe how old our girl is getting.

moments

Kaylea came home from school the other day and wanted to read.  She kept telling me and daddy that she needed to go get her story tales.  I asked if she meant fairy tales and she said, no.  She insisted they were story tales.

so big

Kaylea is getting so big.  Her hair is finally long enough to go in one single pony tail (not that she will actually let me fix it that way).  I had to bribe her in the picture below.  I just had to take some pictures of my adorable girl the other morning before school.  I was afraid her WHITE Minnie dress wouldn't make it back the same color.  I bought it for Disney World, but since we were going to a Minnie birthday party and she wanted to wear it, I said what the heck.

Have I mentioned how much Kaylea is into dresses this year?  She calls her nightgowns dresses and only wants to wear them in the evenings and she often requests dresses in the morning.

happy 3rd birthday teagan

We came home to celebrate Teagan's 3rd birthday.  We were late because Jordy had to work, and when grandmas Mimi doesn't get to see her grandbaby everyday, they are anxious to see them, so we didn't get to stay very long either.  We were really glad we got to come.  Teagan wanted a Minnie Mouse party with the Big Mouse.  Katie & Matt did an excellent job hosting and making sure everyone had a great time.  I can't wait to watch these kiddos grown this year.

moments

When I picked up Kaylea from day care on Friday, Miss Shelia told me a story about the day before.  Kaylea told her she needed to use the potty.  She was wearing a dress.  Apparently, she didn't get far enough back on the toilet and peed on the floor.  She called Miss Shelia into the restroom and said, "Look, Miss Shelia.  I peed a puddle on the floor.  Aren't I adorable?"  This cracked me up.  They tell me something funny she says almost daily.

big day

Today was a big day in our house.  We gave Kaylea a long overdue Christmas present - her trampoline.  Ok, I confess, we never bought it back in December.  It was cold and I wasn't sure which one I wanted to get.  We lucked into a great deal.  There is a sporting good store going out of business at the mall and they had a 15' trampoline with the enclosure for "almost" as cheap as the 12' one at Wally World.  Jordy picked it up on Saturday and the weather is going to be so nice this week, that we simply couldn't resist putting it together. 

Kaylea and I played together all morning while Jordy put it together.  She had a great time bouncing this afternoon.

Tonight is also Kaylea's first night in her "big girl" bed.  We toyed with the idea of buying this doll house bed from Furniture Row.  It is very hard for me to spend money on furniture because we have always been able to get such a great deal (since it's a family business).  However, my mom made a great point to me about what I am willing so spend on vacation, so I broke down and bought the bed we all liked.

After a nap, an attempted nap, we started taking Kaylea's room apart.  The bed was here and up in no time.  As for how tonight went - I had to take her in to potty twice (I knew she really didn't need to go the second time), but she didn't come out of the room at all.  I laid down with her for about 15 minutes.  We had about 30 seconds of "fake" tears - she told me she was going to cry when I left.  I heard her singing for a little bit and as of 9:10, we haven't heard a peep.  I want to go in and check on her, but I'm afraid I am going to wake her up.

trampoline

having fun (wearing out) mommy

baby room coming apart

kaylea is helping take it apart

her new bed

the finished product

her new set up



aloha

Kaylea had some fun with the leis I had left over from Jimmy Buffett.  She loved wearing her new flower necklaces.

what i want to teach kaylea

I have spent some time thinking about things I want to teach Kaylea in life…and thinking of ways that I can teach her.  I finally decided to put these down on paper so I could actually make a concentrated effort.  Here they are -

1. To seek contentment in life, but never give up or think your dreams are out of reach - not sure how to explain it.  My wants are limitless, but I am content with what I have.  I want Kaylea to always work to reach her goals, but not feel she needs material things for happiness.
2. To help others - to put others in front of herself when necessary.
3. To forgive others.
4. To dream big, work hard, and play harder.
5. To not be afraid to speak up for what she believes, even if it isn't what society believes is right.  The road less traveled may bring the greatest rewards.
6. Don't be afraid of failure - you have to take risks and learn from your mistakes - what really matters is that you gave your best effort.
7. To be a saver and giver and not worry about what you are given.  There is so much joy in giving, not receiving.
8. Your happiness doesn't need to depend on someone else.  Love yourself no matter what and others will love you.

I know there are going to be a lot more things I want to teach her, but these were the first ones I could think of when I started putting the ideas on paper.

fins to the left...fins to the right

Jordy and I went to Louisville Saturday night to go to the Jimmy Buffett concert with some friends.  We were Buffett virgins!  We hung out with Kaylea Friday night and Saturday morning before driving back and letting her have some time with Mimi, and Nana & Pop. 

We had an awesome time at the concert.  I heard they are usually better with the outdoor venues, but we didn't care.  We enjoyed the time with great friends.

And, the shark hat you see (made of foam) - I totally sold it for $40.  It cost me about $7!  I wish I would have bought more to sell!

art projects

Kaylea loves doing art projects.  It doesn't matter what it is - if it involves glue, scissors, markers, paper, or glitter, she is interested!  After driving back from Louisville tonight, we did a bunny project.  It was fairly simple, but I thought Kaylea did an awesome job getting all of the pieces in place.

working on a project with daddy

the finished project (not sure why it rotated)

loving her glue



a mommy project from pinterest!

tragedy

Friday brought a terrible tragedy to Clark County, Indiana, when a tornado (or more) touched down in Henryville.  Power is out.  Homes were severely damaged.  There was warnings on the news, but no one ever expects it to really happen so close to home.  However, it did.  Through the tragedy, it has been amazing to watch the outpouring of support through the news and through Facebook.  The community has really pulled together to help.

We drove home for the Jimmy Buffett concert on Saturday and drove past Henryville.  You wouldn't believe the damage.  We were in awe.  We will continue to pray for the families involved.