Having Fun At Thanksgiving

This year, we spent time in KY for Thanksgiving.  It was our first time back home since last year at Christmas so needless to say I was a little excited about going home to visit.  Layla had so much fun being in KY and playing with Haley and Kenzi while she was there.  She also got to spend some time with her great-grandparents.

Visiting with grandparents and great-grandparents

Layla with her great-grandparents

Layla and Kenzi taking a break after fun at Aunt Shirley's

Layla loves her Uncle Jason and Kenzi

Layla, Haley and Kenzi having fun at CU

Halloween

October was a busy month!  The weather was so pretty and warm most of the month so we tried to take advantage of it while we could be outside.  Layla got so excited for Halloween this year and couldn't wait to dress up.  Her costume of choice -- a cupcake (if you will recall, we were a cupcake or "cake party" as she called it last year too!  She couldn't wait to wear the costume. I think more than anything she was excited to get to trick or treat with her friend a few doors down (it was his first REAL Halloween since he wasn't but a few months old last year).  She got so excited to show him "how to do it".  We practiced our "trick or treat" and "thank you" for several weeks.  

Layla did get to go to daycare on Halloween so she wore her costume, ate a bunch of candy and other not so great foods (although mommy did take in fresh fruit)!  See how exhausted she was before she even went out trick or treating.  She took a small nap before we work her up and told her it was "time to trick or treat".  She had a great time.  Now ...what to do with all of that candy!

Summer -- Just a Little Late

Our last day at the pool for the summer was the end of September.  The weather was only in the mid-70's and the water was FREEZING, but my little swimmer wanted one last day at the pool.  Layla has done so well this summer with trying to learn how to swim -- even with her "swimmies" on .  I was finally able to get video of her on the last day.  Enjoy!

Summer of Fun

We have had so much fun this summer!  Layla and I spent several of our days enjoying the sunshine at the pool.  She has loved wearing dressing, playing ball and getting to know new friends.  Here is a recap of some of our pictures we took this summer.

Layla with her Tangled Barbie Doll.  She was proud that her outfit matched the doll.

Styling and profiling in Toys R Us.  We went looking for a bicycle, but she was too interested in the cars.  She was told she can't get a car until she can pay for it herself!

Smiling for the camera!

I don't want to take a nap!!!  She refused to lay on her bed but fell asleep laying across it!

Trying out mommy's seat after she had surgery!  She said it was pretty comfy!

"Are my friends outside playing?  Well, I'll just sit her and watch to see when they come outside".

Throw me the ball, throw me the ball!

Layla is watching the U.S. Open intently to see the correct form needed to play.  She really enjoyed watching this year!

I'll Hold Your Hand

A conversation in the Worthington house last week:

Laryessa:  "Brent. Are you going to get a flu shot this year.  I'll probably need to since I can't get it at the hospital".
Brent:  "I'm not sure.  I probably should though".
Layla:  "Daddy, I'll go with you and hold your hand".

What a sweet, tender-hearted little girl.  We took her to get her flu shot about 2 weeks ago and daddy held her hands and we are proud to say, NO TEARS were shed when she got her shot.  She just wants to make sure that daddy is okay getting his shot too!!!

That Guy That Says My Name

Layla is named after the Eric Clapton song, Layla (as if you couldn't guess).   Before Brent and I even knew that we were pregnant, we had talked about names.  We had agreed upon Layla if we ever had a girl.  I've looked forward to the day when we could let her hear the song for the first time and always wondered how she would react.  Well....last week we were playing some videos over the t.v. and I told Brent to just play the song and see if she would react.  She did!!!  What a priceless moment to see this. When you ask her if he really wrote the song for her, she replies "Of course he did!!".   Enjoy!

Kids Say the Craziest Things

The old saying, "Kids say the darnedest things" have certainly been true at our house over the last few weeks.  I'm sure this is just the beginning but we are having so much fun trying to figure out 1) where she got these things from and 2) what she is going to come off with next!

Scenario 1:
Brent's mom and sister Jan were here helping us out while I was recovering from surgery and  Jan was trying to find something for Layla to watch on t.v.   She was in the on demand videos section and wanted to let Layla watch Epic.  It's currently one of those new movies that we would have to pay for.  Jan pulls the movie up and asks Layla, "Would you like to watch it".  To which Layla replies in her most serious voice, "Your gonna have to pay for it.".

Layla really likes to watch the same movies...over and over again!  When there is nothing on that she is willing to watch -- we try to see what FREE movies are available.  If we come across something that costs money -- I tell her that we can't watch it because I don't want to have to pay for it.  It's not that I mind paying for her a movie once in a while -- but I know we would spend a ton of money if we continue to pay for the same one over and over again, so I try to stick with free ones!

Scenario 2: 
Layla was supposed to be taking a nap the other day when she gets up and walks over to her toy box.  She pulls an imaginary animal out of the box and leads it to the steps.  She proceeds to tell such animal that they are in time out and they are to sit there and NOT MOVE!.  She gets down right where the animal would be to tell them this and then walks away.  I ask her what happened.  She told me her dolphin had "given her a look" and they needed to sit in time out for 2 minutes.   Think she has heard this a few times?

Never a dull moment with her!!

The Next U.S. Open Star

Layla got her first tennis racket about a month ago and she rarely puts it down.  She is really trying to play -- and she has a great swing already!  I just need to get her on the tennis court now!  She loved watching the U.S. Open the last two weeks!  Now if I can only keep her interested in tennis!

Grandma's 90th Birthday!

Last weekend we traveled to New York to celebrate Brent's Grandmother's 90th Birthday.  The family had planned a really nice outdoor party for her and invited almost 100 people to help her celebrate!  There were many family members and friends that come to visit and express well wishes to Grandma.  We asked her if she really felt 90 and her response, "Not really. I feel more like 80"!  

Grandma in front of her cake and a board that Brent's sister Jan put together with pictures throughout her 90 years.

Layla was so excited to get to see Grandma

Layla with Madison -- she really didn't want to leave her side all weekend.

Grandma with her 3 children -- Ross, Elaine and Lyn

  

Grandma's old car.  A family member currently owns it and keeps it in excellent condition.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Layla!

We're a bit late posting pictures from her birthday, but Layla turned 3 a few weeks ago. Layla wanted everything "Tangled"!  She had a great time and keeps asking if she is still getting presents for her birthday (doesn't quite get that she doesn't have a birthday for another year!)

Grandma and Grandpa come to be with Layla for her birthday.

The Tangled Cake !

She opened the doll earlier than she was supposed to, thus the mischievous grin!
 

Tangled figurines

Clothes!  Of course we had to try them all on!

A puzzle to learn about countries. 

Turning 3 was soo tiring.

The past 3 years have gone by so quickly -- we can hardly believe it.  Happy Birthday our little princess!

Shopping At Target.... With No Nap

A week or so ago Brent had been working on our entrance way and Layla just refused to take a nap -- she wanted to help her daddy.   We know that not getting a nap has serious consequences (as she still takes 2-3 hour naps most days).  We were hoping for an early bedtime.  I had to run to Target and she insisted on going.  She was almost asleep by the time that I got there (it's only 5 minutes away) so when I put her in the cart -- her head started to nod up and down. I told her it was okay to just lay over on the cart and rest a little.  An easy (and cheaper) shopping trip for me!!!

Up, Up and Away

Laryessa and I found a hot air balloon event that was part of the Preakness Week festivities.  When we mentioned the word "balloon" in front on Layla her face lit up and wouldn't stop talking about upcoming visit to the the "bayoons."  Laryessa and I took Layla rode a bus from the Howard County fairgrounds over to the balloon staging site. There was quite a few people gathered to see the balloon glow just after sunset.

Layla was wide-eyed as she realized just how big the balloons really were up close. She especially liked the Peppy Le Pew balloon. The balloon glow was nice although brief was nice and we think Layla had a great time.  Layla thought that riding a school bus was a real treat.  We shall see what she thinks of riding a school bus after years of riding one to school.

Summer is Almost Here

 The weather has been getting better over the last few weeks and it seems as though we have been spending a lot of time outside.  Layla has always enjoyed being outside when the weather is nice, so we have been taking advantage of the nice weather by going to the park, kicking the soccer ball and drawing on the sidewalk!  We can't wait for the pool to open up too! We are looking forward to the summer and all the fun things that we get to enjoy!

This is a random picture that I found of Layla when we were shopping in early April with Beth.  She decided to get in the bed and "try it out".  She said it was "comfy".  

I'm A Big Kid Now!!!

We've had a big month and Layla is ALL smiles!!  We have been trying to potty train Layla for quite some time and a few months ago I was ready to go all out and take the pull ups away when she got frustrated and decided to just take it upon herself to put her own diaper on.

I had been reading a lot on Pinterest and talking other parents and one had told me about the 3 Day Potty Training book.  I ordered it -- read through it a few times and wanted to be ready when we decided to try again. About a week ago, I decided that this was 'it" .  We were going to do the potty training thing again and that we would be successful this time.  And guess what.....we did great!!!  Layla was such a big girl!  

We had been talking about the "big day" for over a week and how we were going to start going to the potty.  So the morning of, we got up and had our normal routine -- eating breakfast and got a bath.  We came back downstairs and packed all of our diapers up and "threw them away".  Brought the little potty into the living room and waited.  About an hour later -- I was so excited that she sat, used the bathroom like it was nothing and went about what she was doing!

We are so proud of our big girl and can't believe that we have hit another milestone!  

All smiles!

Playing a little dress up.

Take a picture of me! 

Potty training is really tiring though!

She Said What???

Over the past week, Layla has come off with some really funny comments -- and also have Brent and I looking at each other and wondering "What are we in for later on?"....

Conversation #1:
We were leaving dinner last week for my birthday and walking down the street to the car in Annapolis when a well-dressed woman walks by in a pair of high heels.
Layla:  Mommy -- I really like her shoes (what 2 1/2 year old pays attention to shoes??)
Me:  Oh really?
Layla:  Yeah.  I think I could wear those.   They are cute!
Me: ...............

Conversation #2:
Preface:   I have recently had my hair cut and highlighted.  Layla keeps looking at it and saying she really likes it.

Layla:  Mommy -- I want to color my hair.
Me:  Oh really?  And what color would you want?
Layla:  I want my hair colored pink...and red!
Me:  What?????

I'm only hoping she has gotten this from watching Strawberry Shortcake where they have pink streaks in their hair.  Otherwise....we are in trouble!!!!

Welcome to Spring

The whole family is very excited that the dreary winter is finally loosening its grip on the Baltimore/Washington area.  Longer days and warmer weather is definitely giving Layla a much needed opportunity to get out of the house and enjoy nature.  We went down to DC to see the cherry blossoms and walk the new Martin Luther King Jr. memorial. It was a bit chilly in the morning and had to contend with thousands of runners a the cherry blossom 10 mile run.  Layla is such a ham when it comes to taking pictures.

The blossoms were not at full bloom but they were still a site to see.  



Layla got to spend some quality time with her cousin Beth. Layla has woken up every day since Beth arrived and the first thing she asks is "Where Beth go?" 

 "Happy, Happy, Happy!"

We took a look at the newest DC memorial to Martin Luther King Jr. The shear size of the stone elements are quite impressive and the statue overlooking the tidal basin is very fitting and a nice tribute to MLK Jr.