impromtu visit home

We had not been home for a visit since Kaylea's birthday and it was a chaotic weekend, so we decided to drive home.  I'm always torn because when we go home we don't get a ton of time with Kaylea (everyone else is wanting time with her).
Friday night we had dinner with Kathy and Shannan while Kaylea played with Trina, Meagan, Mikey, and Linda.  She was excited to come home and see Pop and very excited she got to sleep in bed with her mama.
Saturday morning (after some snuggle time) Kaylea went back to play with Trina and Jordy & I got some time out alone.  We went shopping and had foot massages at the mall.  We had lunch alone and shopped for a new car.  We didn't find one :(

We picked up Kaylea and played for a bit before she went to hang out with Aunt Shannan.  We had a great night out with a group of friends.  We went to Outback and then bowling.  After bowling, Shannan & Elbert caught up with us for drinks & dessert at Cheddars.

finger painting

I bought some finger paint for Kaylea to play with.  I saw an idea on pinterst (of course) and I wanted to try it.  Kaylea enjoyed squirting the paint and getting her fingers messy.  She says, "messy is fun."  However, she also constantly wants to wash her hands when they are messy. 

Kaylea was hesitant about painting the one with her initials on it, and she wanted me to help her, so I added my hand print, daddy added his hand print, and Kaylea added her hand print.  The next day when I came home from work, daddy had hung the picture in the laundry room.  He said he loved it.  I still need to take a picture of the final product.  Kaylea gave her other canvas to Aunt Shannan.

slumber party

I almost forgot to post this.  Last Friday night we decided to have a slumber party with Kaylea.  We blew up the air mattress and watched Puss & Boots.  We were planning to sleep downstairs, but when the movie went off, Kaylea wanted to sleep in her bed.  It was late and she was asleep in about 2 minutes.

lafayette 4h fair

We had an awesome weekend.  We have started a Sunday tradition that includes sleeping in, going to church, and then taking a trip to the mall for jumping and Cinnabons.  We did that today, but added a Starbucks stop on the way to church (it's the last day before we start P90X again, so we decided to splurge).  Tonight, on my way to the grocery store, I passed the 4H grounds and saw that a fair was going on.  I told Jordy about it and he was up for going, so after dinner we headed to the animal fair.  Kaylea rode a ton of rides.  Mama rode the scrambler, followed by a twisting roller coaster and was feeling a little queasy!  I was shocked when Kaylea rode a ride that goes way in the air and drops you!  She is one brave girl.

She loved seeing the animals and there were so many friendly people willing to let her pet their animals.  She got to pet a cow and a rabbit.  We looked at the rest of the animals.  We finished the night off with caramel apples and cotton candy. 

bowling

We purchased a deal chicken for bowling with the Zuercher's.  Basically, you got bowling for 6 people for 2 hours.  We only paid $10 each and this included shoes (Jordy and I actually have our own).  I was a little nervous about taking Kaylea.  I thought she might be bored or that it would be too hard, but we had a great time.  We had bumpers and a ramp for the kids.  Kaylea bowled a strike and a couple of spares thanks to mama lining the ramp up properly.

After bowling we headed Downtown to try a new place for lunch, but it was closed for a party that evening, so we ended up at Moe's and the Cold Stone Creamery.

fun toys

I need to write a post about it, but Mimi moved in next door, and with her came fun boxes we can play with.  Mimi watched Kaylea & Owen one day last weekend and she made them castles out of boxes (I love my mom).  Saturday, Owen and his family came over and we got out the boxes again.  These two have a ton of fun together.  They played doctor, sang songs, played the piano, and even read some books.  We are taking them bowling this coming weekend.  I cannot wait to see how it goes.

moments

Two nights ago, I was laying down with Kaylea trying to get her to go to sleep.  As long as she is being a good listener and trying to go to sleep, we stay with her until she falls asleep.  Anyway, she wanted to talk and I wanted her to sleep, so she would say, "hey mama" over and over.  When I didn't answer she says, "HELLO?  HELLO?  Is anybody there?"  It was so cute and I had to work really hard to keep from laughing.

tiny dancers

Kaylea has been wanting to take dance class and we finally started on Thursday evening.  I wasn't sure how it was going to go.  I took her in on the gymnastics side and she immediately wanted her "nastics" class.  We found the dance room, but she was still mad that we weren't going to gymnastics class.  It took about 3 minutes of me doing the moves with her before she took over and did not want my help at all.  In fact, when it was time for me to help her with something she asked me to go away.  It was a fun class and I like that she wants to be involved.  She totally picked this outfit to wear, too!

development - THREE YEARS OLD

I was going to wait to post this until I got Kaylea's 3 year pictures on CD, but I decided to go ahead and post it now and I will update it later.

I decided I would ask Kaylea a few questions each year around her birthday and then we would compare her answers each year.  Some of her answers are interesting and they could change if we asked her tomorrow, but I went (mostly) with what she told me.

Favorite Color - purple
Favorite Toy - doggies, numbers (bath tub foam numbers)
Favorite Fruit - strawberries
Favorite TV Show - Barney
Favorite Outfit - dresses
Favorite Snack - pancakes
Favorite Animal - horsey, dog
Favorite Song - ABCs
Favorite Book - all the books
Best Friend - Nana & Pop
Favorite Cereal - Fruit Loops
Favorite Thing To Do Outside - play
Favorite Drink - lemonade (she said water, which is so far from the truth)
Favorite Holiday - ?
What Do You Take To Bed At Night?  lots of people
Favorite Breakfast Food - all of your food (could be biscuits & gravy or pancakes)
What Do You Want For Your Birthday Dinner?  bread & sprinkles
What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?  a princess

Here are some things I want to remember about Kaylea at age 3:

• Loves to read books - she has several memorized and reads them to use. Current favorites are the Hungry Caterpillar & Lady Bug Girl & Bumblebee Boy.
• We finally think she is right handed, but she still uses both from time to time.
• Kaylea loves dogs - on TV, outside, doodle, and stuffed animals.
• Kaylea loves to sing & dance, but sometimes she gets shy when people are watching.
• She is completely potty trained (we actually declared it at 2 1/2).
• Loves going to school.
• She is less attached to her blankie, but still loves it. 
• She has really learned how to use the iPad - she plays games & listens to stories.
• Her favorite movie to watch is Kung Fu Panda
• Her favorite shows are Cailou & Barney.
• Her best friend is Owen - she lights up when she sees him and they play so well together.
• Kaylea knows that she is 3 years old and her birthday is July 10th.  She also knows that she lives in the city of Lafayette and the state of Indiana.

We took Kaylea to the doctor on Friday morning and she did great.  She has not had shots since she started going to this doctor in Lafayette, so she still enjoys going.  She meausred 37.5'' tall, which was above average and she weighed 30.2 pounds, which was a little below average.  She told the nurse she was there for her check-up.  She let them take her blood pressure and answered all of the questions she was asked.

chuck e cheese

What a week for the birthday girl!  We finished celebrating today.  Kaylea had biscuits & gravy for breakfast (her request) and then we played most of the morning.  Kaylea went over to play with Mimi for a little while.

We had a small party at Chuck E Cheese this evening.  Kaylea had several of her friends at the party and she had the best time.  We are so lucky to have great friends in 2 different cities.  Kaylea is one blessed little girl.

playing dress up

ready to party - love the hat

on the carousel with her friends

dancing with Chuck E

excited about the hat Chuck E gave her - she told daddy she is chuck e's girl

posing with the cheese

ticket blaster - we got the 1000 ticket

never grow up

Your little hands wrapped around my finger

And it's so quiet in the world tonight

Your little eyelids flutter 'cause you're dreaming

So I tuck you in, turn on your favorite night light

To you, everything's funny

You got nothing to regret

I'd give all I have, honey

If you could stay like that



Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up,

don't you ever grow up

Just stay this little

Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up,

don't you ever grow up

It could stay this simple

I won't let nobody hurt you

Won't let no one break your heart

No, no one will desert you

Just try to never grow up, never grow up

Even though I know she has to grow up, I never want to forget!