Big Girl Bed

We've had Isla in the converted crib for a while now, but just recently she has moved over into her very own twin-sized "big girl bed". Thanks to Aunt Carmie & Dyren who did a beautiful job refinishing an antique wrought iron for us.

I thought the transition might take a while so, we set up the bed and decided to let Isla sleep in it when she was ready. Well, she was ready - as soon as the bed was. The only thing she wasn't too keen on was using the new blankets. The conversation went like this:

As I put the new comforter on the bed...

Isla: Um..I don't think that's a good idea
Mommy: What's that?
Isla: I think we should use my blankets, this one is dirty.
Mommy: Okay, we can use your blankets, we'll just fold this new one and put it at the bottom of the bed, okay?
Isla: Okay, be-cause the new one is dirty.

So she jumped into her big girl bed for a goodnight story and it's been smooth sailing since. No transition necessary.

Now the crib waits for baby girl number two. Isla has been super sweet about her new little sister, she gives my belly hugs and kisses and tells me all the things she's going to do with her sister when she gets here. Let's hope that eagerness remains :)

JOY

We took Isla trick or treating last night. It was her first time and she was blissfully happy. She was escorted in a red wagon by James to each home, all in the company of her little friends. She may have been the only child to recite "trick or treat, money or eats" - which I thought was hilarious. (She's watched It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown a few times and that's what they say.) Here are a few pics from the adventure.

 

Summer Wrap Up

Sorry I've been away so long. Things get busy and blogging gets put aside. We've had a good summer. We made a trip to the St. George Island with friends and a trip to Gloucester with family. Isla attended summer school and just started back to her regular school this past Monday. She is very happy to be back with her old friends and favorite teachers. She is going 5 days a week, 9:00-1:00 and so far she really looks forward to school each day. She is growing up so fast and becoming such a smart little girl. She is, as always, full of energy and imagination. We finally reached the potty training milestone this week! Thanks to persistence and M&Ms. 

Here is a montage of photos from the past couple of months.

shopping at the "flower store" aka Lowes

Oakhurst Park

Fernbank Science Museum - sound experiment area

Fernbank Science Museum - Dinorsours!

Watching Daddy play soccer

pool time

sweet sleepy pigtails

her "pirate" oufit

ice cream!

At Sandy Beach with her cousin, Helen

Breakfast in Portland, ME

Munjoy Hill Beach Area - Portland, ME

Downtown Portland, ME

The Zoo, her favorite Atlanta destination

Getting dressed by herself. Not too shabby.

 

Naptime Songs

Isla usually spends about the first 20-30 minutes of naptime playing with her stuffed animals and dolls. She reenacts conversations we have had and also makes up many of her own. It's great to listen to them via the baby monitor. One of her favorite songs to sing is "Happy Birthday". I recorded one of her midday birthday parties with her puppy. You can't see her, so just listen...

Laugh Out Loud

I was just looking through some old photos that my sister took of Isla and found this one. I think it is hil-lar-rious and just wanted to share. Apparently, Lucy snuck up on the Bean. I miss the days of squeezing that little chubby bunny. She's getting to be such a little lady. Though these days I do have the blessing of her squeezing me back, which is the best!

My Little Sunshine

I couldn't ask for a more adorable, fun, little girl. She is truly my little sunshine. This past week she has been so happy and bouncy and funny, talkative and full of questions. So far, I have most of the answers. I know there will come a time when I don't. But I think I'm prepared to say "I don't know". Some things she will have to discover for herself, right? Anywho. Here are some fun photos to hopefully brighten your day.

Sock Hands - the latest fad.

Visiting St. George Island for the first time.

Enjoying Gelato with Kirsty!

Cooling off at 4th Ward Splash Pad

Wind blown from the golf cart ride and very excited to get frozen yogurt.

 PTC with Nana & Grampy.

Playing and Imagining

War Paint

This is what happens when you don't pay attention while your little one is painting.

This and That

This week was Educator Appreciation Week at Isla's pre-school (and maybe everywhere?) We were asked to provide potted herbs for decorations for the Teacher's luncheon. Here we are on our way to pick out some pots to go with our herbs.

"Mingoes" landed in our yard. The flamingos are Isla's favorite zoo exhibit. She also loves to see the plastic ones in people's yards. Yes, these things seem to be popping up in yards everywhere - a new (old) fad? - and not tacky homes, but nice homes with beautiful landscaping aside from the random flamingo. So when I saw some in Target, I had to get two for my happy girl.

Just a fun playground pic.

Class Photos

I wondered on the day of class pictures how they were going to get 20 two year olds to sit still long enough to capture them in all of their cuteness. Well, it worked out just as I thought, they didn't, but it sure was fun to watch.

And here is our little bean's personal photo shoot.

Catching Up

Giraffe Experience

One of Isla's classmates invited us to join them on a "Giraffe Experience". The Atlanta Zoo built a new facility where you can walk out close to the giraffes and feed them lettuce. Our hopes were a little too high the day of our visit. Our only experience was being able to see the giraffes, zebras and ostriches a bit closer than you normally would, which was still pretty neat. The giraffes still aren't quite used to the new structure so they wouldn't come up, even with the tasty temptation of romaine lettuce being waved at them vigorously.

First Beach Trip of the Summer

We took a little vacation to Sarasota FL to visit family last week. The weather was perfect and the beach was beautiful. Isla is right at home in the sand and water. She loved it, as did I.

Pigtails and Ready to Go!

We brought Aunt Karri back with us for the week. Isla is loving every minute of it. Here she is ready to go to the bouncy house.

Fun Times

Just a picture post...