Slumber Party

I hadn't planned on moving Kennedy to a big girl bed for quite some time. I didn't see any need for it and she absolutely loved her bed. Loved. Past tense. A few afternoons ago, she declared she was finished with her crib. "No crib, bed" is what she told me over and over at nap time while carrying her stuff to the guest room or our room. I do partially blame Elmo for this sudden stance on where she sleeps. I downloaded Big Enough for a Bed before getting on airplane with her and now she reads it all the time.

Anyway, after some failed attempts in the crib (she can and did climb out) and a series of temper tantrums, I brought in her nap mat from school and put it on the floor as a last ditch effort. She literally laid down with out a fight and slept for 2 hours. The same thing happened at bedtime Monday night.

She is now happily sleeping on her nap mat (on a quilt with all her sleeping friends) on the floor in her room. Since we hadn't planned on the toddler bed happening for a while, we don't have everything we need (I don't think) to convert her crib just yet. Hopefully by this weekend we will have it all set up.

I knew it had to happen at some point, but my baby is officially a big girl now.

 Slumber party with all our sleeping friends: (l to r) fish, chicken, Minnie, Mickey, baby, sheep and seahorse

Bedtime stories. 

Hill Country Weekend

Greg and I got to escape to the Hill Country for a little vacation this weekend. My parents flew in Wednesday night to keep Kennedy so we could go to Shep and Brooke's wedding baby-free. We drove down to San Antonio Thursday morning, checked into the hotel and went to do a little sight seeing. It was my first visit, but Greg played soccer there before transferring to the UT his sophomore year, so he's a little more familiar with the city. We did a quick loop through his old campus before we headed down to the River Walk. We didn't really want to do much walking, we were in more of a sit-and-sip-margaritas kind of mood and found the perfect spot on the water to do just that.

The rest of the weekend was filled with cabanas, water slides, pool parties (and sun burns), golf, cocktails and general merriment. The wedding was absolutely gorgeous and my iPhone pics from the reception don't even do the tables justice. Brooke, the bride, is an interior designer with her own store in Midland. We knew it would be well done, but it was breathtaking walking into the reception. Roses everywhere. Hands down the best wedding food I've had. We were apparently carb loading for a night of dancing because there was a mashed potato bar, mac and cheese bar, risotto bar and prime rib station. The band had us all dancing before food was even served.

We have some awesome friends and family in Midland and it was sad to say good-bye Sunday morning. They were all trying their best throughout the weekend to sell us on moving to Midland.

By Sunday morning, I was anxious to get home and see Kennedy. We were so busy all weekend that I didn't have much time to miss her. But by the time we were leaving San Antonio I was ready to give her a squeeze. I know she had a great time with my parents and kept them on their toes all weekend. I'd share some pictures of her weekend, but I think she wore my parents out so much that they didn't even bring out the camera!

 

Mariachis and margaritas. (And a fresh manicure)

The Wedding Hunters 

Mr. & Mrs. Sites plus all the ladies at the wedding.  

Roses galore. 

 First dance. And the last time the dance floor was empty. 

Tea Time

Yesterday I got to go pick Kennedy up from school a little early and enjoy an early Mother's Day celebration in her classroom. Her teachers had juice and snacks for all and an art project for us to complete together. Kennedy was pretty surprised that I was in her classroom and sitting at the art table. Sidenote: this is one of few times in my life I can recall being thankful for my short stature. I can actually sit quite comfortably in a toddler chair. Anyway, after she scarfed a blueberry muffin (not the healthy kind mommy makes) and some *gasp* grape juice, it was time to get down to the business of coloring. We colored a paper teacup and then each kid put a Tazo Tea bag in it for their mom.

I especially loved chatting with the other moms and teachers about what their days are like in the class. Apparently, Kennedy and her friend Emily must be separated during lunch or they eat each others food. Not shocking. Usually Caroline and I set out a trough, so to speak, and let the girls go to town hoping they will each eat a little bit. They are good about sharing their snack though. Kennedy also is the only kid in the class that doesn't nap. She has the gift of gab and sometimes one of her teachers has to take her on walks as to not wake the other kids.

Kennedy and Mommy. Clearly the tea bag is more interesting than the camera.

 Happy to color. 

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

Magic

Kennedy does magic now. I have no idea where she learned this, but the other night she picked up her fairy wand and started waiving it at the ceiling shouting "magic!"

Unfortunately, her magic is not the kind that puts stubborn toddlers to bed with out a fight.

Busy Weekend

As I mentioned in the previous post, we had quite an agenda on our Albuquerque visit. First up was playing bunco, a mindless dice game, with a bunch of my girlfriends. Rosalie hosted everyone for a hawaiian themed night. And not to brag, but I did take home the prize for the most "wins" of the evening.

 

Note to self: pressed powder. 

On Friday we celebrated my mom's birthday with gifts and a yummy lunch at one of her favorite lunch spots with my grandma and aunt. Later in the day we dropped Kennedy off with her Grauntie (my aunt Anita) so my mom, dad, brother and I could have a grown up dinner together. What a treat it is to eat at a restaurant with out a toddler!

Kennedy helped Lainey open her birthday gifts. 

Saturday my mom and I went to this cute little tea house, Mes Amis,  for a wedding shower. My cousin Chris is engaged to a lovely girl named Andrea and I was so happy to be in town for her shower. We even snuck in a little afternoon shopping since Kennedy was staying home with Gramps. Or Bamps, as she actually refers to him. I enjoyed a night out with friends while Kennedy hung out with Lainey and Bamps.

Some of the girls at the shower: Marlowe, Andrea, Brittany, Me

We did manage to find lots of time to play at the house and enjoy the nice weather. Kennedy got a few princess dresses and did not want to take them off for anything. She also loved playing basketball, splashing in the water table and playing with the slide in my parents yard. And after Gramps/Bamps washed his car she got to sit and pretend to drive all over the place.

Princess on the run!

All smiles when were outside.  

Water break. Minnie was parched. 

Also, don't mind the barcalounger in the top of the photo. That's just the neighbors unpacking the largest motor home I've ever seen. 

The flight home was early, but a total success. Kennedy scored her own seat and we had, hands down, the nicest flight attendant ever bringing her juice, crayons and Southwest wings.

Now I have 2 days to unpack and repack for our next trip to San Antonio this weekend! First legit baby-free vacation officially on the horizon. Excited and a little nervous to leave her for 4 days. I'm sure Olive will take good care of her. And if Olive needs help, Lainey and Bamps will be here, too.

Meeting Baby Hank

We took a little trip to NM last weekend and had quite a full agenda when we got there! One thing I was really looking forward to was meeting the new baby of one of my best friends, Michaela. We met in high school and have been friends ever since. As it so happened, another one of our good friends, Julie, was in town for a visit. It was so much fun catching up and talking about our lives in NM, TX and CO. I can't believe we are all moms now. Seems like just yesterday we were getting in trouble at our high school Winterball.

Anyway, I had gone home for Michaela's baby shower in February when she didn't know if she was having a boy or a girl. I was dying to hold baby Hank, but because of a little cold, I had to keep my distance. He is so sweet, and cute, and tiny. Its hard to look at him and remember when Kennedy was that size. I can't wait to go back in July and give him a proper squeeze!

At Michaela's gray and yellow baby shower in February.

Julie (due with baby #1 in Sept!), Michaela, Hank, Me

 

 Hank Thomas, born April 12, 2012