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!!!!