Ann Arbor Art Fair

We never go to the Ann Arbor Art Fair. It's always really hot. If there's one thing I hate, it's being hot and being crammed in with other people. One of my biggest pet peeves is feeling other people's sweaty skin push against me in a crowd. However, this year it fell in the middle of another "polar vortex". Score! 

 Every year I buy the girls a hand blown glass ornament. It's a fun tradition that I started because I wanted a tree full of glass bulbs. They love to help pick out their bulbs. I figure, if they want them when they are older, they are theirs. If not, score for me! This year each girl got to pick out their bulb early (usually we do it on Etsy in December). They loved selecting them. Although Leah was remorseful that she went for the first one that caught her eye, because later she found one with a tree inside of it that she really wanted. I told her we could look next year. :) 

We had fun walking around, eating galeto, and shopping. And, we didn't break anything (though there were a few close calls with Juliet the Destroyer who loves to tough everything she sees). Juliet even used a porta potty which amazed me! 

Potty Training Juliet (2 years, 2 months)

I feel like I need to document the process of "poppy" training Juliet. Lord knows I will want to look back at it when it is time for #3. I'm just going to say that potty training is my Kryptonite. I like to think that I am a calm, focused parent. When it's potty training time, though, I become an entirely different person. I am so much more stressed and rattled. 

We started playing with the idea of potty training Juliet in May. She was waking up with dry diapers regularly (about 50% of the time), so Chris would put her on the potty right away on the weekend mornings that he was home. Truthfully, I wasn't thrilled with it. I like our routine of all laying in the bed for 20-30 minutes and cuddling and talking. Once they go potty, they quickly want to get dressed, go downstairs, and eat breakfast. Anyway, Juliet would pee on the potty right away. She was really comfortable with it (which was the opposite of how Leah felt about the potty). 

After doing this for a few weekends, I started experimenting with putting her in undies in the morning. She would do okay, and even stayed dry for 5 consecutive runs to pick Leah up from Princess Camp. On the last day of Princess Camp, I changed her into a diaper for nap. After nap (she woke up dry and refused to go on the potty), she went pee in her diaper, then took it off and gave it to me! "Change me!", she said. I said, "no". From that moment on, we were done with diapers. 

At that point, she was really upset with the decision. We spent a memorable Friday evening tag teaming her in the bathroom. She would get super upset, throw her head back and scream loudly. She would shout "NO WORK!" over and over. She looked like a wild, feral child. It took a couple of days to break this. The thing was, we knew she could do it. She had done it. Regularly. She just didn't want to going through the process. 

From the start, she was reasonably dependable with pee. There were a few accidents here and there, but atleast they genuinely felt like accidents. Like many kids, poop was the issue. There were several days of poop problems. The worst was when she held it in for days, refused to try on the potty, and then put herself in time out to poop (under the guise of being put there for standing on her chair, and refusing to sit down during dinner). There were several poop accidents that all thoroughly disgusted and annoyed me. Leah even told me to be calmer and nicer. 

However, it's been 2 weeks, and I feel like we are there. The poop issues have gone away. During her birthday party (stimulation overload), she stayed dry and told me every time she needed to potty. I am so excited to have her potty trained. I forgot how much nicer it is to not have to deal with diapers. 

So, I guess when I come back to reread this in a few years, I want to tell myself to remember how relatively short the experience is. It's worth it. 

Birthday Extravaganza

 Two sweet girls getting ready for their party. We've planned, talked about, and counted down to this party for months. Leah kept trying to claim it as her own, but Juliet was quick to correct, "My Anna Party!". The girls wore crowns and Elsa and Anna clippies in celebration of their Frozen Party. 

 A sweet family photo. I love all these people the best. I like to get a nice picture before the party, because we are rarely all together during the party. Plus, with a bounce house and 80 degree weather, it's easy to look disheveled. 

 Leah eating her dinner in the presence of (cousin) Trevor. She loves him so much, but gets so nervous around him. 

 Juliet was happy that other people were on the swing set. Her favorite thing is to be pushed on the tire swing. 

 The girls and their Frozen cake. Leah is protecting hers because Lukey had the gall to say that he wanted some of her cake. Leah insisted that she got the cake all to herself. Don't worry, Juliet was happy to share her cake. When I asked Juliet what she liked best about her party she said, "Lukey and Anna". 

 I made their cakes for a party for the first time ever. I was pretty happy with how they turned out. They each had an "ice palace" cake. I wanted to put on little Frozen characters, but everything Frozen related is so over-priced and impossible to find right now anyway. The girls loved their cakes. 

 I think Lukey is giving me the stink eye because he knows he got some of Juliet's cake, and not Leah's. The blue ice cream was a hit with the kids. I thought it was nasty. 

 Opening presents. These girls got so much. They are really lucky to have so many people that love them. I made my mom hide some of the presents last night after they opened them. It's better to spread out the toys and games in my experience. Leah hasn't even asked about them today. We will certainly use and appreciate them, though! 

 The crowing jewel present for Leah Bean. The Elsa dress. 

 Wow. 

 Both girls also got "FurReal" pets. They LOVE them. Leah has been walking around with her cat, treating it like the real think all day. 

 The girls also got new clothes for their Bitty Babies and immediately changed their outfits. They are good little Mama's. 

 Oh my God. Leah looks about 12 here. The leg cross?! I'm dying. 

 Leah got a new CD player and some CD's. She entertained us with some lovely dance moves. 

 Juliet got her own Barbie car, and couldn't have been more thrilled about it. She was waiting for this toy all week. She needs to learn how to steer, but when she can't steer, she just pushes. 

 She was so happy, "My own Barbie car!" she kept saying. 

 There was a costume change and then Princess Elsa did more dancing and entertaining. 

 Juliet likes Doritos just like her Mommy and Grandma. It's a curse. I made Chris throw them away, because the rest of the bag wasn't going to last long between Juliet and I. Leah thinks they are gross. 

 Birthday girl had to get the crown and her kitty for one last picture. 

Hannah's Graduation Party

 I can't believe Hannah has graduated High School. I remember baby-sitting her like it was yesterday. Somehow I don't have singe picture of the graduate (likely because we spent a good potion of the party in the bathroom with Juliet--TMI alert--she got through the day accident free and also pooped in the potty! HUGE for her!), and because all of her friends were there, too. I got a few good pic's though. Leah loved playing with her cousin Lucia. The bounce house was a hit. The girls bounced until they were all flushed. 

 A sweet picture of all the sisters and Mom.

 Some more sweet pictures of the kids. I love the one of Juliet and Lucia hugging! So sweet. The food was a hit. Chris and I lost count of how many cookies Juliet had after 4. Leah had at least 2 cake pops and brought home another. 

Some Cute Pictures

 Juliet loved having Grandpa read her books. He read her several each day he was here. Her favorite thing to do was to give him books and then correct his pronunciation of the names "No, Abby Ca-DABBY".Grandpa was very indulgent, and Juliet soaked it up. 

 Nicole got us tickets to see Book of Morman downtown. We all looked pretty cute so we snapped some pics before we left. I love these pictures! I think some need to be framed for sure. Leah was a little nervous about me being gone at night (and we *both* might have shed a few tears before I left), but it all worked out. Grandpa and Daddy did a great job with the girls. Daddy put both to bed all by himself.  I feel liked it helped to prepare me for California. 

 A picture at the restaurant before the show. Thanks, again, Nicole! 

 A few cute girls before going to Costco. Leah is obsessed with this little flutter top. Juliet had it first, and Leah asked me every time she saw it when I was going to get her one, too. I found one a few weeks later, and when it came in the mail, Leah was dancing all around with it. The girl knows what she likes. :) Also, she is very appreciative of it. 

Home Depot Kids Workshop

 Juliet "bammered" her fingers 3.2 seconds after this picture. She bammers 10 times harder than Leah. 

 Leah made a bug house. She was super excited about the project. We've never done a kids workshop; but I think we'll be back (sans J-Boo). Leah had a lot of fun. 

4th of July

 We celebrated the 4th of July (eve) at Auntie Nicole's house. The girls posed nicely for pics, too! 

 Sweetest picture ever! These girls love watching fireworks. Leah wandered off at the mention of S'mores, though. Juliet stayed in undies and accident free for this outing. We were so proud of her!