My little Picasso

Sophia did some amazing artwork today at Corey's house. She made this beautiful spring flower using paint and construction paper. Corey was proud of her as she was the only "little one" who glued the petals on by themselves. Notice they aren't all facing the same way though.


Tonight after dinner Sophia was eager to paint some more so we took out the finger paints. She had a great time getting messy and painting some beautiful pictures. Here are a couple of pictures of her painting:




We have a busy rest of the week and I'm quite excited for the weekend. Sophia and I are going to attempt to have her picture taken with the Easter Bunny. We will see how it goes. I have been trying to prepare her as I know that Santa was impossible. When we went to the mall on Sunday, the bunny was there and she just loved him. Hopefully that will happen when we actually try to have the picture on his lap. Keep us in your thoughts!

Duplo Towers

Today has been a Sophia and mommy day as Hal is not feeling well. So this morning we did lots of playing. We played with her new playdough set (which is from two days of a dry pull-up all day long even through nap!), we colored pictures, watched her treat television show that she only gets to see on the weekends Mickey's Clubhouse, and then went to the Y so I could get another run in. She looked like she was having a blast when I picked her up because the girls had gotten the bubble machine out. It's Sophia's fav.

When we got home from the Y, we had a bit of lunch and then got the Duplos out. Sophia was on a mission today to build some pretty tall towers.

Here she is with one of her towers

Unlike her, I like to build little houses for Cleo the cat. Our set came with this little gray cat and we have named her Cleo. Here's Sophia counting the Duplos I used to build a Cleo house.


I'm not sure what the rest of the day will hold for us. Sophia said she wanted to go swimming. We will see how long she ends up sleeping for. I'm currently listening to her play with her stuffed animals in bed. She is telling them to "sit here".

Edinborough Park Playdate

Today Sophia had a play date with two of her friends Adi and Logan. We met them at Edinborough Park in Edina. It was so much fun, but I am sure glad that we went early! For those of you who have never been to this fun place before, it is a giant indoor play center with tunnels and slides. They also have a gym you can play in with a jumpy and tons of basketball.

To start out we went to the play park area. Sophia really loved climbing up and down the tunnels and going down the slides. She also loved the "little" jumpy just for kids ages 1-4. No big kids allowed!

Sophia hanging out in the tree


Adi and Sophia on the scooters

In the gym they also had these cool scooters which took me back to elementary gym days. These were a bit more special though as they had chairs on them. The girls just loved going on scooter rides. Jen and Andrea were laughing at me as I pushed the girls back and forth across the whole gym. I told them it was my workout for the day.

Sophia also found some cones and decided to copy Adi and put one on her head. It was quite funny!

After lots of play, we headed back home for lunch. Sophia and I played tons of toys and PlayDough. We also did puzzles, colored, and finished a load of laundry all before nap.

Tonight we went to Great Waters for dinner. I just love that place! Sophia adored her mini corn dogs and I loved a new sandwich I tried......Grilled Chicken Breast topped with Green Apple Slice and Brie. It was phenomenal!

Tomorrow I have another busy day ahead of cramming in last minute errands for my final day of break. No more vacation until the end of school.
Happy Friday!

My very first pair of running shoes

I couldn't figure out what my mommy did at the gym all this time. She kept telling me that she was running, but I truly didn't realize it until today. Today I wanted to be just like my mommy and I got my first pair of running shoes. These aren't any ordinary toddler shoes, they are actually running shoes for toddlers. Yes, my very first pair of Sauconys. Here are a couple of pictures of my new shoes:

Putting my new shoes on

My new shoes

Chalk, Bubbles, Park, and a Bonfire

Yesterday we had quite the busy day. We really took advantage of being outside. After my 7 mile run we dropped my car off for an oil change. Then we came home and played outside for a bit. Before lunch, we went to Best Buy and got a new digital picture frame. We hope this one doesn't break on us too. Then we came home for some lunch. Sophia could hardly wait to get outside.

On Friday night, she picked out chalk and bubbles as a treat for going poop on the potty. Yes, she is now most of the way "day" potty trained. She still doesn't get up during the night on a regular basis, but I know that will take quite a while. She was quite thrilled to take them outside and use them.

All of the neighbors were outside so Sophia got to play with Emmerson across the street. It was pretty cute to watch them follow each other around, blow bubbles, and attempt to color with chalk. I am thrilled that Sophia will have someone right across the street that is only a little over a year older then she is to play with.

Here's a cute picture of Sophia with Hal and her new spring toys:


After playing outside for several hours, we went inside so Sophia could have a nap. Hal and I took full advantage of nap time. We got the lounge chairs and the beer out and soaked in the sun. It was fantastic!

Then one of our neighbors came over to invite us for a bonfire later that night. So we got Sophia up, went on our walk, and came home to eat dinner. Hal made home made fettuccini. It was delicious and Sophia liked it too! After dinner it was up to the park to play.

We went down the slides and ran around with the other kids for a bit. It started getting chilly and it was time to head over to the bonfire so we walked back home.

Sophia loved the bonfire. She got to run around with the kids and watch them eat smores. The adults hung around and had cocktails/beer. It was so much fun. Sophia also met another friend named Lauren who will be two in July. She lives behind us. Hal and I had a great time hanging with the adults and Sophia loved being with the kids.

All in all, yesterday was a perfect day!

Pump It Up

Tonight I took Sophia to this place called Pump It Up. It is a place with big inflatable jumpers and slides. Sophia had a blast going to all of the different jumpers and slides. I was quite exhausted when we got home. We played quite hard! Here are some pictures from our adventures tonight:

My bunny hat

Today Sophia made an adorable bunny hat at Corey's today. I tried several times to get her to put it on her head, but she would just put it on and run away from me. Then it would fall off. So, needless to say this isn't my best photo:

First day at the park

Yesterday it was absolutely beautiful outside and we decided it was time to head to the park. Before we headed out, Sophia wanted to be like me and get her sunglasses and her new coat.


Then we packed up the stroller snacks and all and went up to the park that is only a couple of blocks from our house. There were lots of kids already up there playing. Sophia loved this park last summer, but now we can actually quick walk back home instead of getting in the car to drive back home to our house in Maplewood. Here are a couple of pictures from the slide and her other adventures:

Coming off of the twisty tube slide


Going over the bridge at the other park by the community center

When we got back to the house, we played outside on the driveway a bit with our frisbee we won at the silent auction at my school. We could barely get Sophia to go inside for dinner and a bath.

This morning Sophia woke up at 4:30 preventing me from going on a run. She had to go potty and then we sat for a bit and read books. After rocking with her for a bit, I thought that she went back to sleep. Oh heavens no! She popped her little head up and looked me straight in the eye and said, "Park Mommy Please." Looks like we will be heading back to the park tonight.

Hal and I are going to take the jogging stroller so we can run before we go to the park. I'm excited to have him running with me!

Happy Spring!

Watch out spring here I come!

Today we took advantage of the beautiful weather and got some grocery shopping done early this morning. Before going to the store, Sophia had two different forts built for her. Here is she squishing her fort in the sun room.
When we got home, Sophia helped me make banana chocolate chip muffins and Girl Scout Cookie Pizza. After a whole bunch of cooking and lunch, we went outside.

Sophia was thrilled to wear her sunglasses and talk a walk. Three quarters of the way through the walk, she fell asleep. She is getting some teeth in again and woke up bright and early about 4:30 today.

After the walk, Sophia went up to nap and I got tons of things done in the house. Some cooking, laundry, cleaning, and getting the dinner ready for tonight.

Hal is going to grill tonight and we're having my parents and his dad over for dinner. Should be fun.

Today I got this cute picture of her in her new sunglasses. Yes.....I'm pretty sure she has like 4 pairs of sunglasses.

Build-A-Bear and a Happy Meal

Today Sophia had two big firsts: we went to Build-A-Bear and she had her first Happy Meal. We had such a wonderful day at the Mall of America together. We both got some new spring clothes and had some quality mommy-daughter time together. We started our trip at Build-A-Bear so it wasn't too crazy.

After looking at lots of the animals, Sophia picked out a puppy dog. She loved watching the dog get it's stuffing put in. She even got to put a little heart in it to show how much she loved it. Then it was over to the fluffing station. She fluffed her dog and gave it a bath.

The last step was to give the dog a name and fill out a birth certificate for it. She named the dog Max. It was so cute to watch her through the whole process.

Then we did some more shopping and it was off to lunch. Today I decided it was be a treat to let Sophia have her first Happy Meal. She was thrilled with the chicken nuggets and fries. She even got a toy, but was happier to look at Max in his box throughout lunch and didn't so much care about the toy.
Here are a couple of pictures to commemorate her first Happy Meal:

Loving the Happy Meal

Eating her chicken and fries

We finished up lunch and did a bit more shopping and looking. Then it was time to head home. Now Sophia is up taking her big girl nap and we are getting geared up for our next adventure.....having dinner with my friend Janna.

I'm not sure if tomorrow will top today, but we're hoping to get outside tomorrow.

Who doesn't love a hoodie!

Sophia has taken quite a liking to wearing hoodies and putting the hood up while wearing them. She thinks it is quite funny! Her new favorite thing is to also put my hood up on any hoodie item that I wear. If I do not follow her directions, she isn't very pleased and definitely shows it. Here's a cute picture of her and the infamous hoodie.

Sophia's Phone Call

I had the most interesting and exciting phone call at work today....it was from Sophia! She called me at work to tell me her very exciting news, that she went poop on the potty at Corey's house. Corey was thrilled and felt that it was major news. I totally agreed. I was so excited I had tears well in my eyes. Corey has been trying for months to get her to go poop at her house. She has gone at ours, but Corey says that she always misses her by like a minute. It was so cute to hear this tiny little voice say, "Mommy, I poop in the potty!" Then she cheered for herself. I know where that comes from. We always cheer at home and Corey cheers at her house too. What a huge success. My little girl is really growing up.

My first scarf

My mom has re-taught herself how to knit. She recently made me the coolest scarf (thanks mommy!) out of this beautiful material. While my parents were in Florida, she made me another scarf. Not only did she make one for me, but she made a matching one for Sophia. It's her first scarf ever and she just loves it! Here's a cute picture we took of the girls in their matching scarves:

Carnival and Silent Auction

Yesterday we took Sophia to the carnival and silent auction at my school. She had a great time playing games, eating popcorn, getting a blue puppy balloon and going in the jumper. Her new favorite thing in life is that jumper. I can hardly get her out of it! She has such a great time jumping around and getting bounced around by the bigger kids. She also loved two of my girls from last year who are now in 5th grade Taylor and Kayle. Of course they absolutely adored her and wanted nothing more then to follow her around and hang out with her all day. We bid on a couple of things at the silent auction, but we aren't sure if we won anything. We will find out on Monday.

We watched the wild animal show for a bit, but Sophia began to get restless as it was her nap time so we headed home. She had a quick nap and then it was off to Papa and Nana's house so we could go on a date.

Today we have had a busy day too. We ran a couple of errands this morning and then went to pick up Sophia. Then we went to buy pain for her room. I can't wait to get started on it. Stay tuned for picture updates as we start to paint. We also got her on the potty a couple of times too which is great. Knock on wood, but I think we have her!!

Tomorrow we're meeting Becca for our weekly girls dinner. Should be a really good time!

My first Play Dough experience

Tonight it was too foggy/goopy outside to go on a walk like we had originally planned, so we changed our plan. Since Hal was gone Sophia and I had Chinese for dinner. It was very good! I was proud of Sophia for trying the chicken and she ate some rice and broccoli too.

After eating our dinner, Sophia and I played Play Dough for the first time ever! She had a great time playing with it and making things with the presses. Her favorite stamp/press was the pretzel. Here are a couple of cute pictures from our experience-

Stamping with play dough


Squishing the play dough


Making an apple

In other big firsts, Sophia went to the potty a record of 5 times today. I was so incredibly proud of her. I think we may have hit the jackpot!

Happy almost Friday!

Dr. Seuss's Birthday

In celebration of Dr. Seuss's birthday on Monday, Sophia read some books with my parents yesterday. She also thought that she should have her very own hat in honor of the celebration. Here is a funny picture my mom captured of her with the arm chair cover on her head. She was wearing it like a hat!


She had a wonderful time playing with Papa and Nana yesterday. When she woke up from her nap my mom said she was just as cute as can be and again captured it on film.


Last night we all had dinner together and then my parents gave us some presents from their trip. Sophia was thrilled to get her very own Minnie Mouse ears and glittery pink Minnie Mouse shoes. Hal got a really cool polo shirt and I got some animal print flip-flops which I can't wait to wear.

We're hoping for another potty success today. She went 3 times yesterday. Way to go Sophia!

All good things come in threes, but what about four?

Yesterday Sophia and I were at home together as she is under the weather right now. Even though she isn't at her best, we still had a fantastic day together. The best part of the day was.......I got her to go potty for me 4 times yesterday!!!!!!! This a huge record for her. I was completely ecstatic when I went to be last night thinking about this major success. Keep sending your wishes her way. I think we finally got her!

Playdate with Peyton

Today Sophia had a play date with her friend Peyton. We took the girls to Lookout Ridge in Woodbury. Rana and I had a great time chatting and chasing after the girls. Sophia played quite hard. I'm always amazed at her no fear in the jumper. She didn't want to go down very many slides today, but we did climb to the very top of the tree house. Here's a recap of the day:

The girls hanging in the boat


Taking a break in the tunnel


Jumping around in the jumper


Sophia lying down in the jumper

This week will prove to be busy like always. Sophia and I have our standing dinner date with Becca. I have to work at the Y and Hal will be traveling for work. We are getting excited for next weekend for the carnival and silent auction at my school. I'm sure Sophia will love the games, jumper, and the wild animal show.

We're thrilled that Papa and Nana come home tomorrow too!