Sunday, September 1, 2013

Here it is . . . the month our family waits for all year long!


Here it is . . . the month our family waits for all year long . . . SEPTEMBER!  I am a little sad to see summer softly come to a close (at least the parts of it that many ascribe to summer, i.e. pools close, schools start, teacher friends go back to work, the days get shorter, etc), but in our family, this is a BIG month every year . . . and especially this year in some ways.  Two thirds of our little family was born in September and this year, Jesse and I celebrate 10 years of marriage! 

As our little girl turns three and we celebrate 10 years this year, it feels as if some milestones have been reached.  I plan on writing a letter to K. later this month in honor of her turning three and also a post celebrating our 10 years, but for now, I will keep it light by reminiscing about some of the little things that makes K. who she is.


She loves princesses, purple and pink, ice cream, playing with friends, making up stories and songs, dancing and making music on the piano with her daddy, reading books, Marisa, looking at pictures of when she was a baby and her last tutu tea party birthday party, talking about her upcoming birthday and party, wearing bling and accessories, collecting tiny rocks (everywhere we go!), playing with her cousin Ian, calling things "silly," giving kisses to people she loves, trying on princess dresses, doing ballet "moves," watching "Weggie Tales" and princess movies (her favorites being the clips off YouTube with Cinderella singing "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" and the "Mouse Song," also from Cinderella), having tea parties, having picnics at the park, going to the park, Sweet Frog, . . . the list goes on.  And the wonderful thing about this list is how much she has broadened our view of the world and appreciation for the little things.  I don't think we had half as many picnics or jaunts to the park as we do now with her!

A picture from today . . . It can be a rarity to get her to smile at the camera these days, unless it is her idea.  She was taking pics of me with her smart phone while I took pics of her and then pausing after taking the picture and saying, "Oh, this is a nice picture!"  Notice the tp in the background.  With a three year old, you keep it real!
From our dinner picnic the other night.  She loves corn on the cob and wide open grassy fields!
At the campsite beach with our friends the Gills a few weekends ago.  First time I have ever seen her having fun in the waves . . . thanks to some swim lessons earlier this summer that gave her confidence.

Princess dress worn to library story time. . . on a rainy day.

 Looking at a lightning bug with Daddy as we took a stroll through the Fan after dinner on Granny's last night with us.  That princess dress has gotten some serious wear!

       Our little princess . . . more to come!





Saturday, April 13, 2013

Another wonderful night

This morning I ran the Monument Ave 10k and tonight we had another wonderful night! 

The 10k went better than I expected having not run for the past 2-3 weeks.  It was a much needed boost to my confidence to go run again. 

But, as for tonight, we had our second night of enjoying dining outdoors!  Tonight was a Proper Pie Picnic night at Libbie Hill Park! 




Kezzie took this one!
And Jesse took this one!

We are so blessed to live in an amazingly charming neighborhood with so many great parks and places within walking distance!

Some things I don't want to forget

Last night, we spontaneously decided to walk to Alamo BBQ for dinner, and what a glorious night it was!  Beautiful sunset, perfect breeze, and with my two favorite people!


On the way there, Kezzie decided she would rather walk than ride in the stroller . . . so, we definitely took note of so many more details on the way there than ever before . . . such as a silver fire hydrant, "buflies" (aka butterflies), many flowers, such as clover and dandelion, etc.

Before leaving, Kezzie had to take her cough medicine. :(


So cute in her rain coat and bumble bee rain boots. . . and actually posing for a picture (historical moment)!





 Her "surprised face" at Alamo BBQ.
 The skyline from Jefferson Hill Park.
 Walking home.  I love the colors in this picture.
These clouds reminded me of a famous picture that I can't seem to place. 

Fun night . . . we'll have to do this again soon!

Friday, April 12, 2013

Tutus never tire for a two year old

Some kids could eat pizza everyday and never tire of it. . . . Kezzie could wear her pink tutu everyday and love it!

Although I like to let Kezzie exercise creativity and pick out her own clothes to wear in the morning, I usually have some predetermined options and/or allow her to pick part of the outfit (i.e. pants/skirt) and I pick the other half (i.e. shirt).  But, the other day, I allowed her to do both and Kezzie's ultimate favorite outfit type lately has been the tutu/dress combo.


Some more fun tutu moments . . . We went for a walk at Libby Hill Park and Kezzie performed some ballet moves in the gazebo. . . Got to love the spontaneity of a 2 year old!





 I don't think I will ever tire of the fresh wonder and excitement of Kezzie's love for life! 

Sunday, March 17, 2013

She loves to dance!


Yesterday in the old Train Station in Petersburg, VA, Jesse's cousin Mary Claire married Tim.  It was a beautiful wedding and was full of Kezzie's new favorite color . . . purple!  Also, even though it was not Kezzie's first wedding to attend (it was probably her 3rd), it was the first one in which she was most interactive. . . . And her interaction of choice was . . . to dance her heart out all night long! 

First with the girls . . .


And definitely on her own . . . :)


She also loved having fun with her aunt Rachael . . . 



It is definitely fun to see a 2 1/2 year old with a beautiful bride!


Congratulations, Mary Claire and Tim!  And thanks for sharing your day with us! 

Monday, February 25, 2013

Valentine's Artwork and Sister's Party

This is the first time I have really done valentines and a big valentine project with Kezzie (for Daddy), so it was fun and rewarding to see the results.  I didn't get a picture of the individual valentines, but they were the same idea, just on individual cards.  I saw this idea for taking a toilet paper roll, bending it to make a heart shape, letting the toddler dip it in paint, and repeat to their hearts content!  Viola! 





I think she had a good time.  I love how she is always up for anything whenever I say, "Kezzie, do you want to do a craft now?"  Two is such a fun age!

We also had a fun Valentine's party with our friends at SIM (Sister's in Motherhood).  We made Valentine's Day hats.



Did a Valentine's march (of course!)


And celebrated Tenia's one year old birthday with birthday cupcakes made by Katie . . . Kezzie liked them, hence the chocolate gotee. . . 


I just thought these heart shaped cinnamon rolls (also made by Katie) were too beautiful not to photograph!


Sunday, January 27, 2013

Documenting Life

So, I basically skipped documenting 2012, but se la vi and on with 2013!  I am typically one to guilt-trip myself into paralysis, so this is a good step for me to just do it! 

Kezzie is definitely a major motivator in blogging and documenting in general, because, as with most kids, and especially 2 year olds, the world becomes such an awe-inspiring place full of new wonder . . . and thus hilarious things are said, discovered and experienced on a daily basis! 

So, without further belaboring my desire to blog and yet procrastination in it, here are some recent memorable moments with Kezzie that I don't want to forget:

1) In the past week or two, she has begun calling me "Mama" more frequently (versus "Mommy").  I'm not quite sure where this came from, but we do seem to read a lot of the Berenstain Bears and, of course, Mama Bear is present.  I think what is so funny about her calling me "Mama" is that it reminds me of something out of Little House on the Prairie or a Jeannette Oke book.  But, we live in the city, the very opposite of women wearing flowing skirts part of the city.  I also wonder if Kezzie started calling me Mama to somehow get me attention or try something new out.  Either way, it is music to my ears!
2) Just last night, while Kez and I were Skyping with Jesse (who is in Haiti, btw, till Tuesday), I asked Kezzie if she wanted to sing "Jesus Loves the Little Children" for Daddy.  Much to both Jesse and my surprise, she rapped it!  Totally cute and was not taught to her that way! 
3) Kezzie has this cute habit when describing whether something is, for example, (I apologize for the examples) salty, hot, poopy, etc, she will say it is "a little bit, not too much" in a very matter of fact way. 

So, maybe some pictures next time and/or some deep thoughts/reflections.  But for now, that's my effort at documenting Kezzie.  You just can't get these years back!