Miss Twinkle Toes

We enrolled Brynnee in a dance class for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 year olds and she absolutely LOVES it!  It is a tots 'n tutus class, so while they don't really do choreographed dance they do try to teach them some basics.  Sashay-ing, first position, twirling, take a bow, etc.  I'm pretty sure the two things Brynn loves the most is the mirror and her dance attire!  She spends a majority of the class watching herself in the mirror!  It's actually pretty funny to watch.

Maraca time!

Following directions

Getting ready for the princess dance!

{Which is the video you will see below} 

If you can't see the video, click here.

Haha!  They can dance however they like to the Beauty and the Beast song.  She really likes the class and she asks to go all week long!  Do we have a future ballerina on our hands?  I guess time will tell!

Where did our little girl go?

I think Brynn is pretty much potty trained! She hasn't used diapers for a little over 2 weeks and I don't remember when the last time she had an accident. She stays dry for naps, tells us when she has to go #1 and #2 {although, I still randomly make her go in and sit}, stays dry when we go out and in the car, and stays dry overnight most nights! We still put her in pull-ups overnight just in case, although she has started protesting that and insisting on wearing her undies. {She picked out Minnie and Daisy and Princess undies. Does this really surprise anyone? No, I didn't think so.}

We started with her little own potty and after a few days she decided she was too much of a big girl and only wanted to sit on the potty seat that sits on the big toilet. I can't believe how well she did and how quickly she seemed to "get" it!

AND she has been binky free for nearly two months! That one was a little more of a struggle, but after a few days she seemed to forget about it {or realized we weren't giving in}.

**POOF** And just like that two things that still made her our little girl are gone for good! Moving on to the next phase, such a BIG girl!! We are so proud of our little booger!

A bowl full of cherries...

The kiddos and I went cherry pickin' yesterday.  Well, mostly just Brynn seeing as I had to chase her around and Evan was in the baby carrier strapped to me!  :)  It was hot but we had fun and got some yummy cherries and we didn't stay very long.  Evan so badly wanted down, but last I checked sticks and dirt weren't too easy on soft little knees.

 Picking with Nana

"Gook, I found one Mommy!"

"Want some?"

 Sampling her findings!  :)

Checking for the pit

{She may have swallowed some before she figured it out!  Oops!}

 

 Evan trying so hard to reach some cherries!

"Mmmmmm!" 

 "I dun, Mommy."

Sticks
Do you see her cherry juice goatee?

11 months

Ah, it seem like each month creeps up on us faster then the last.  Evan is 11 months and is becoming quite the speed demon!  The second you open the refrigerator he's at your feet trying to get stuff out and the same can be said with anything else he isn't supposed to be in.  He is definitely rough and tumble and all boy!  He crawls over anything in his way, falls down and just keeps going without making a peep, and he has a great knack for being destructive! 

My little cutie is about 21 to 21 1/2 pounds according to our scale at home and I have no clue how tall he is.  I keep meaning to measure him, but I keep forgetting!  He loves to walk holding on to your fingers and cruises around on anything he can pull up on - the couch, tables, tv stand, your legs, etc.  And whenever possible {or most times not possible} he wants down, down, DOWN!  Believe me when I tell you, he let's you know.

He has gotten the clapping thing down really well and he has started blowing kisses {although, he has only shown me that one}, and he points  But my new favorite thing....the shrieking!  Oh.My.Gosh.  So loud!  And he does it at restaurants, grocery stores, the car...I usually try to shove some food or puffs in his mouth the stifle the maddening sound!  :)

Ev is also a big sweetie!  He loves to give kisses and he will lay his head down on your shoulder unprompted for a good 5 to 7 seconds.  But those 5 seconds are true bliss with a little head nuzzled on your shoulder.  Love it!  And as you can see...Brynn and Evan are still quite fond of each other.  Don't get me wrong, they have their moments {mostly Brynn} but they do still entertain each other!  And crack each other up!


Next month...Evan's birthday!  It's coming together.

Hello Summer!

Today was the first official day of summer and what better way to celebrate than breaking in the little inflatable pool {or the baby pool as Brynn calls it} outside!  I waited until late afternoon so we didn't have direct sunlight for our pasty beautiful white skin. 

The water was a little cold when she poured it on herself.

 Happy guy enjoying the water!

 Being a little devious by pouring water on little brother.

She thought it was hilarious!

 Playing

 Looking at a plane flying by

 Unprompted kisses for torturing him.

 And then, she was back at it!  Poor little guy!

 Much happier outside the pool away from his sister's reach!

 She licked the flower and then said "Ucky, Mommy!"

They both had a great time splashing around and playing in the water and when they got out their little toes and fingers were all wrinkly.  I think this little pool will get a lot of use this summer as a way to beat the heat!

Happy Daddy's Day!

Scott started the day with golf, cards from the kids, a gift, and ended the day with BBQ and lots of love!  Happy Father's day to the best Daddy we know!

Not the best picture, but I loved Evan's little face! 

Happy Father's Day to my Dad, my Step-dad, my father in law and all the other dads out there!  We hope you had a fun and relaxing day!

Evan claps

If you can't see the video, click here.

And then, why not a picture of Evan eating spaghetti?  Such a mess, but he likes it and afterward we just make a beeline for the bathtub!

Name that tune

If you can't see the video above, click here.

Take your best guess!  Drum roll please!

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Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star!  Did ya get it??

Painting the sidewalk and friends

I made some sidewalk chalk paint last week and let Brynn go to town out front!  She had a blast painting the ground all the different colors and Evan even got in on the action a little.

 Gettin' started

 Hard at work

 Painting Evan's feet...he wasn't so sure

 The finished product

Walking around showing me her masterpiece

"No Mommy, I didn't put the paintbrush in my mouth!" :)

And Evan finally figured out the whole 

crawling thing about 2 weeks ago.

He moves at lightning speed now! 

Our friends, Rob and Heather, were in from Texas last week.  Their son, RJ, is exactly a week older than Evan.  They came over so the kids could play {and we could visit} and it was funny watching Evan with someone his own size!  Almost like he wasn't quite sure what to do...he tried crawling over him, grabbing his face, and taking his toys.  They figured it out eventually and seemed to enjoy the same sized company!  And Brynnee adored playing with Charlotte- who helped her make soup, spaghetti, vegetables, picnic lunches and breakfast in her kitchen.  Good times with good people- it's a pity they live so far away!!!

The boys helping in the kitchen

Wedding crashers

This past weekend was a busy one!  We loaded up the car and headed down to Newport Beach for my cousin's {Stacia} wedding!  Brynn, Scott and I were all in the wedding so we figured it might be a great time to take a picture of us all. We got Evan the cutest little suit and can I just say, he cleans up pretty nice!  {How come teeny, tiny suits are SOOOOO adorable?}

As you might have guessed, Brynn was a flower girl.  We weren't sure how she was going to do, so we practiced before hand.  She loved her "pretty white dress" and "pretty white shoes" and we even had her throw leaves out of her basket.  We prepared her as much as we could, now it was time to see how she would do.  And what do you think happened??  If you guessed that she stopped at the top of the aisle like a deer in headlights, you would be right!  We tried to coax her down, but she wasn't having any of it.  Finally, my Aunt rescued her and carried her down.  Oh well, we tried!

But she didn't let that break her spirit...she tore up the dance floor!  It didn't matter who looked at her or took her picture, Brynn was a dancing maniac and couldn't be stopped!!  She actually fell asleep on my shoulder on the dance floor, poor little thing just didn't want the fun to end!

The four of us all dressed up!

{I'm amazed that 3 out of the 4 of us are looking at the camera.  

And the one that isn't has a great big smile, so I'll forgive him!}

"Hmmm...I don't think I want to do this!"

Kisses for Maw Maw

Nana and Evan

 The little dancing queen...boogieing down all night!

 Kisses for my little man!

Thinking about her next dance move !

Happy dude

 And just for fun, some pictures from the photo booth:

When all was said and done we all we had a great wedding weekend and wish Stace and Ryan a lifetime of happiness!!!!  Congrats Lorenzens and thanks for letting us be a part of your special day!

*{I don't have many pictures because we were in the wedding and last I checked a big bulky camera wasn't the new wedding accessory.  I did steal some from others though, so thanks!}