April 6

Have I mentioned that Daisy is officially in her room full-time? We've removed the bed rail from our bed - it's THAT official. And today? She slept until 8:30 am. As a reminder, she was waking up at 5:30 am. But today - 8:30. Granted, she has a cold. But still. 8:30! Even better? Caleb got up around 6:45, and when Chris left for work at 7:15, Caleb climbed into bed with me and we both slept until Daisy woke up.

I want to be sure you understand what a big deal this is. I got to sleep until 8:30 this morning. That's big. HUGE! Daisy and Caleb were both in such good moods from all of their sleep that I got to take a morning shower, which never happens. When I got out of the shower, I saw this:

Caleb said, "Look, Mommy! The cars are eatin' breffast, too!"

Why yes, they were. Never mind the fact that he had pilfered those Cheerios from Daisy's breakfast.

 After we (and the cars) had all finished our breakfasts, we went to Walgreens and Target and Costco, and Daisy took a three-hour nap. Her routine was totally off today, but the girl made it work.

When Chris came home from work, the kids and I were playing in the front yard.

Caleb was so excited about his new sunglasses!

(I tried to help him choose a basic black pair, but he was really fond of the bright red ones. So bright red it was!)

Daisy, meanwhile, was sitting on the ground, playing with a ball. But every time someone walked their dog past our house, Daisy scooted toward the sidewalk, saying, "Dah! Dah! Dah!"

She really wants to get her hands on a dog!

And then, a neighbor we know walked by with his dog and Daisy's wish was granted.

"Wait, you mean I can touch it?"

The dog was as excited about Daisy as Daisy was about it.

Daisy was in love.

I do not look forward to the day when she asks me for a dog of her own, because no matter what the answer will be a resounding, "NO." I just can't do it.

Maybe a kitten. She could have her own kitten to compensate for our antisocial, neurotic cat. But no dogs. Ever.

April 5

Today, Daisy demonstrated that she has mad Easter egg hunting skills.

OK, so the "hunt" might not have been so challenging.

But still. Mad skills.

She even shook the eggs first and only took the good ones.

Kidding. She shook the eggs just because they made a fun noise.

After MOPS and egg hunting and naps, the kiddos accompanied me to the grocery store. I haven't taken them shopping since the big move, so it's literally been at least three months since they did a full shopping trip with me. I was already anxious about taking them, but then today was also Coupon Thursday, in which my favorite grocery store automatically deducts $10 off every $50 you spend. It's always a madhouse, with big crowds and long lines. But I don't just do a normal shopping trip on Coupon Thursdays, because I have learned that if you spend $100, they don't take off $20; it's just the $10. Unless, that is, you bring a calculator, fill your cart with exactly $50 worth of qualifying groceries, pay, take your groceries to your car, and return for round two. Which is exactly what we did. Three times. We spent two hours at the grocery store, with Caleb in the cart seat and Daisy in the Ergo. But we saved $30, so I call it time well spent. 

And my children? They were delights. People smiled at them and commented about what good shoppers they were. Their happiness held until the very end of round three, when they both kind of melted and started fussing and I became The Woman with the Screaming Kids that you always glare at/feel bad for at the store. But I whipped out some snacks and they pulled it together and everything was a raging success, and we got home just as Chris returned from work.

"What? I definitely wasn't fussing at the grocery store. I am charm personified."

Caleb was happy to show off his running and jumping skills.

(I might have helped him pull himself together at the grocery by promising that if he stopped fussing, I would let him splash in the big puddle in front of the store. He may have calmed down, and it's possible that he might have had a lot of fun splashing. There's also a chance that he could have gotten soaking wet if I let him splash in a puddle, so he potentially could have ridden home in nothing but a T-shirt and his undies. Maybe. If I were the kind of mom who allowed things like that.)

"Wait - there was splashing? And I missed it? That sounds fun!"

I said maybe, Daisy! Maybe.

April 4

Today was much better than yesterday. Really, I'm not sure it would be possible for a day to be worse than yesterday was. Regardless, today was good. Chris took the morning off work, so I was able to sleep in. Caleb woke me at 8:00 when he ran into my bedroom, yelling, "What did we get you at Bread Company?!?!?" Of course, he was also wearing his rain boots, so it wasn't the yelling that woke me, but the CLOMP CLOMP CLOMP of his boots. But happy are the feet of those who bring good news, and those clomping boots brought word of a pumpkin muffin and hazelnut coffee, so I was a happy girl.

Then we headed out  to meet my MOPS group and our friends Amber and Michael and their family at Purina Farms, and the fun began in earnest.

We got there just in time for the dog show. It was by far the best part of our visit; I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be worth the drive if not for the dog show.

The kids were captivated. Caleb was clapping and squealing and giggling in a way that is really, really rare for him.

But if you saw this, I think you'd be squealing and laughing and clapping, too!

Daisy was totally into the show, too. She kept reaching out, trying to touch the dogs, and saying, "Dah! Dah!"

(Clearly, she was trying to say "dog". Duh.)

Caleb's second-favorite feature was the waterfall. He kept asking to go back to see it.

They didn't have fish food, but Catherine figured out that if she put her finger in the water, it would trick the fish into coming close. Clever girl. Also, see Caleb and Michael Jr. in the background? Caleb actually initiated a conversation with him, which was adorable. Michael was standing, and Caleb said, "Hey, Michael! You can sit here! You can sit here and put your hand in the water!" And then I died from the fact that my child was having a conversation with another child. It's a little thing that is really, really huge.

Then Caleb found Amber. I was sitting next to her, taking the photos above when Caleb sidled up between us and fairly pushed me out of the way so that he could be next to her. He kind of likes her. Then he started telling her about the lily pads in the water. And he was right - there were definitely lily pads.

Trying to lure some fish over.

Poor runny-nosed Daisy (who is eleven months old today, but I didn't take pictures due to the aforementioned runny nose) enjoyed the loving attention of Catherine and Mary.

Caleb enjoyed the tractor ride.

Our family on the tractor. Hooray!

This kid was so tickled to be riding on the tractor!

He even smiled and waved at every passerby.

Soon Daisy figured out that all of the cool kids were waving, so she started waving and saying, "Ha! Ha!"

And Caleb was maniacally happy.

Oh, Catherine. Isn't she adorable? I love her curly-poof-pigtails.

I also love Michael's sweet little face as he watched his mama snuggle Mary.

So. Long drive, weird naps, but fun, fun, fun. And very few tantrums today, so I call it a win.

April 3

Today was tantrum-y and terrible.

I don't even want to talk about it. Let's just cut to the pictures, shall we?

In his fleeting tantrum-free moments, Caleb showed me that he has mastered the song "Devoted to You".

I know you want to see a video of it, right?

Pretty cute, huh?

It almost makes me forget how horrifying his behavior was the rest of the day. ALMOST.

Then - thank God - Chris came home and took the kiddos on a run.

My sweet girl who will be eleven months old tomorrow and who is no longer a resident of my bed!

I know. She totally looks like a little boy here, but those shorts actually have some sweet feminine details on them.

Apparently we can't grow grass in our yard, but we grow dandelions really well. 

(Caleb is wearing his new favorite shirt. It has Kermit on it. His GREAT Aunt Mag knows just what he loves.)

Baby toes. Because every rotten thing in life can be fixed by baby toes. (Or by chubby baby thighs, but who are we kidding? This girl has not a chub in sight.)

April 2

Another busy day - I am officially declaring tomorrow "Do-Nothing Tuesday". So don't expect us to do anything. We invited some friends over for a playdate this morning, and it ended up being much more hectic and noisy than I anticipated. But that's ok. Then Chris came home early to take me to see The Hunger Games. I loved the books, and was so excited to see the movie! My mom and Jenny came over to play with the kids, who napped the first hour and a half we were gone.

Mom and Jenny also fulfilled my camera-y needs; I hadn't taken any pictures, but they were sure to document the fun they had with Caleb and Daisy.

A cheerful, freshly-woken Daisy, out on the deck.

(Side note: she got wicked splinters in her scooting foot the other day. I definitely prefer patios over decks.)

Daisy loves when Jenny tickles her with her braids.

Oh my. Apparently Daisy is big enough to go down the slide unassisted? I definitely wouldn't have tried this, but she seems to be fine... Also, I love how Caleb is "helping" her. Jenny told me later that he thought it would be helpful if he sat on Daisy's lap while she went down the slide?

Awww... hugs!

Also, Daisy now knows that shoes and socks go on feet. If you hand her one, she will first try to put it on her foot, then try to eat it. Progress!

Love this girl. Love my mom and sister for letting me have a date with my husband. Thanks!

April 1

Every year, our church has its big Easter celebration the week before Easter, on Palm Sunday. That was today! This was the first year that Caleb was willing to participate in the festivities, so I was really excited. I decked the kids out in their fancy new Easter clothes (no big deal if they wear them two weeks in a row, right?) and went a little camera-crazy. Forgive me for all of the photos?

Emily and her boys came, but only Max was young enough to join in the egg-hunting fun.

Ryan may look cool, but I can tell he's itching to get his fingers on an egg...

Caleb's Easter clothes - his shirt matches Daisy's dress, and they both have straw hats. I know it's cheesy, but I also know that my time to dress my children in matching outfits is limited.

Daisy wasn't interested in hunting for the eggs, but once they were in the basket she loved them.

Also, doesn't the hat make you want to die? And the shoes? Love it!

(About their outfits: Everything I buy for my children is either from garage sales, thrift stores, or end-of-season clearance. If I don't buy it, it's a hand-me-down from a friend. I was really excited that I was able to buy these Easter outfits in season, not on clearance. Yes, they were on sale, and yes, I used a coupon too, but still. They're current clothes, which is a special treat. Hooray!)

I brought that plush bunny basket for Daisy to use, but once Caleb saw it he was smitten. He insisted on carrying it into church, and refused to use the bigger basket that held more eggs. Funny boy.

Daisy and Daddy, examining their loot.

*sigh*

Love her.

Daisy was happy with her eggs, until she saw how many Caleb had.

Did I mention that I love her?

Our happy little family. Only Caleb doesn't look so happy, does he?

My girl and me.

Then we went inside for lunch and more festivities. 

Caleb had a Cardinal painted on his arm. At first he was really hesitant and didn't want to get in the chair or let the lady touch him. But as soon as she got out her paint brush, he was very curious.

Daisy liked the balloons.

Then, a performance by Babaloo. Caleb was captivated.

I promise, Daisy wasn't that into the performance. She was smiling at Kevin, who often sits near us in church. He really likes babies, and Daisy (apparently) really likes him.

Oh! And I almost forgot to mention - night two of Operation: Reclaim the Bed was a success. Daisy woke up at 1am and 3am; both times I went in, fed her, and laid her back down. No crying, and she slept until 6 am! Hooray!