Caitlyn's New Do

(multiple posts today, scroll down to see them all)
Caitlyn has been begging to get her hair cut like her friend. I let her and it is the best move I ever made. Tangles be gone!
Besides the open mouth, she looks so cute!

Happy 1st Baby Brent

My baby boy is one! Caitlyn, dad, and I threw him a fun party!
He loved it!
The cake was his favorite part!
Although he really loved the Tonka truck that his dad picked out!
Fun things I want to remember about my precious little one (who is really 13 months now): he giggles every time I put his shoes and take them off.
He loves to play peek-a-boo after bath time and instigates it himself.
He smiles and laugh while he interacts with one of his night time books "Hugs and Kisses"
He is walking everywhere now.
He loves to stand up on his four-wheeler. He's a wild man.
He still loves to hang upside down.

I love you Brent Tyler!

Brent's Haircut

These are pictures of Brent's 2nd haircut. Jeff was in charge and I have to say that Brent loved it. He giggled the whole time. The bad news is this was a month ago and we have to do it again. Which really isn't bad except for the cleanup.

Wedding ring

Caitlyn: What's that mommy? (pointing to my wedding ring)
Me: It's my wedding ring.
Caitlyn: Who gave it to you?
Me: Your daddy.
Caitlyn: Why?
Me: Because he loves me so much and one day a long time ago he decided he wanted me to live with him forever and ever. So he asked me to marry him and gave me this ring as a promise.
Caitlyn: It's so pretty.
Me: One day you will meet a man that will love you so much that he will give you a ring and ask you to live with him forever.
Caitlyn: No, Mommy. I am going to live with you forever. (She leans in and gives me a big hug and kiss)

She was really looking at my engagement ring. I can't find my wedding band. I had to take it off during my pregnancy and I have put it somewhere so safe that I can't find it. Can't say I have looked high and low as of yet, but I hope when I do that it fits me now.

Who let the dogs out?

Tonight was Jeff's first night back to normal hours. We are talking 9-6 instead of 9-9. He has been working extended hours to cover a co-worker for over 2 months now. We are over joyed to have him back for dinner.

I made dinner for the 2nd time this week and the 2nd time in 2 months tonight. Sad, I know. But the first of the school year is always interesting.

I made a great foil dinner with summer sausage, potatoes, onion and green peppers. Unfortunately I ran out of foil. But my good friend around the corner came to the rescue. So I threw the kids in the car and ran to borrow the foil.

Back in a jiffy to finish up the meal, I come back to the discover the dogs had eaten my supper. I felt like Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Of course, I tell them (holler) at them to get outside, which in turn makes Caitlyn cry. Then Brent starts crying because Caitlyn is crying. Geez.

So we met dad out at a great restaurant! What I won't do for a meal without dish duty!!!!

Little Gym Success

We took a week off and I'm proud to report that my sweetheart did much better. Tonight I told her that if she didn't listen to directions and stay inside the gym area that we would go home. She did a great job!

I figure there is no reason to sit and allow my BP to rise and allow her to act crazy. I'm so proud of her good behavior so of course I rewarded her with ice cream when we got home.

On a side note, I have obviously been taking some time off from blogging. I've been trying to keep my head above water with school and family. I'm hoping to get back to it because there is so much I want to record before I forget, like Brent's first birthday pictures, what he is doing now, a cute story about my wedding ring and so much more. We have been so busy around here and unfortunately I haven't been photographing it either. I hope when I start writing there is still someone out there to read it!

Decisions, decisions

Caitlyn has been in Little Gym (LG) since the beginning of the summer. It was a rocky start. I would say the root of her LG issues are social. However, I have perservered. I have taken her week after week even when I knew it would be a battle.

She has improved. Dramatically. Yet, I am wondering whether we have come to the end of the LG road.

I feel like I (she/we) stick out like a sore thumb. The teachers say it is all normal. That her behavior is normal! First of all, no three year behavior is normal! Right?

In short, she has trouble going into the classroom, even though she loves the teacher(s). She wants to watch from the door for many, long minutes. She chooses when she wants to listen, participate and stay with the group. I on the other hand require my classes to stay on task at ALL times, and they do. So my blood pressure goes through the roof during this hour. It drives me nuts to watch her naughty behavior. And it doesn't seem to bother the teachers at all.

So, I hope I have given enough information to get some feedback. What do I do? Do I stick with it? Does she need it? Have I left her out of the game too long and now she is socially behind? I'm afraid that she needs more structure, like ballet or some form of dance. But would that be too rigid? How do you know? BTW, she is in an at home daycare environment that we love.

I would love to hear your words of advice, encouragement, etc. Every Monday night this seems like a huge problem!

BTW, something good to know is that my dear daughter is stubborn, just like me. Maybe that is why we butt heads often?