Princesses & Trick Or Treating

Preston (a cow), Malaina and Lilly ( kitties) at Huckleberry Railroad

Family shot at the entrance

Ms. Kelly and all her princesses

Lilly and Daddy at the princess show

Ms. Kelly and Lilly (we love her!)

We had a fantastic weekend filled with princesses, family pictures, Jordan's birthday party, and Huckleberry Railroad. The long days caught up with Lilly this morning, but she still pulled through for a visit to Huckleberry Village.
Friday, we took Lilly to see Princess on Ice with all her girlfriends from Ms. Kelly's house. She was filled with excitement all morning! It was really cute- she'd say "momma I'm so excited for princesses, it's going to be fun". It was a great show, it kept her interest the whole time. Lilly was in aw with all the princesses and of course Mickey and Minnie. She asked if we could go back!!
On Saturday, we met up with a friend at Central Park, in Milford to take family pictures. I am eager to see them. Lilly was pretty serious in most of the pictures. That afternoon, we met up with family at a park in Waterford for Jordan's 7th birthday. Lilly had a ball playing on the play structure and hanging out with Jordan and her friends. Jordan's always so good to her, she lets her tag along.
We ended our weekend with a trip to flint, to Huckleberry Railroad. If you have the opportunity to go, it's wonderful for families. It's similar to Greenfield Village, maybe a bit smaller. They transformed all the houses into something Halloween themed. All the kids dress up in their costumes and go trick or treating. They also have a train ride that takes you through the park and out through a bit of the city. Along the edge of the woods were characters from movies, TV shows and Halloween decorations. It was great! Preston, Malaina and Lilly had a blast!
It was a great family weekend. We can't wait for Halloween in our house!!
Love,
Kelli

Princess Lilly

Our little lady loves to read about princesses, watch movies with princesses in them, dress like a princess and dance like a princess. My mom found my old dance costumes and they have turned out to be perfect dress-up clothes for Lilly. She twirls around the house in them with her beautiful crown on. She'll say, "momma you look like a princess" or "look mommy, I a princess". Of course, I don't make this obsession any better, I buy princess lip gloss, slippers, pj's and more! I love it too!!
Lilly is a girlie girl who loves to play in her kitchen, play with her babies, play tea parties, put make up on and much more, however she loves to get dirty outside. She looks for toads, plays in the sand, plays baseball, and rolls all over the yard. She really can be happy doing anything.
Ryan and Lilly get to spend Fridays together, now that he has a 4 day work week. They both really look forward to the end of the week. On Thursdays, Ryan will ask Lilly what she wants to do. Her response is "lets go to the Tony's and to Old MacDonald's Farm" (the Coney and Kensingtons petting farm). They have a great day together. Of course, I wish I could be off on Fridays too!
Lilly Lately: Lilly loves to get her picture taken, if you say pose for a picture, she'll get down on her stomach with her hand under her chin! Lilly loves to go to Ms.Kelly's house (day care), she talks about her new friends Hannah and Elle. She goes on the potty, but not interested really~ usually we can get once a day, or once every couple of days. Hopefully soon. Lilly Enjoys making muffins with me. The other day Lilly showed me how to make a triangle with her fingers. I asked her where she learned this. Are you ready for this.... Goofy! Yes, from the TV.
I hope that you've been able to enjoy this beautiful Fall weather!
Love,
Kelli

Fall is Here!!

This is my favorite time of the year! I love that the weather is getting cooler, the leaves are changing and we get to wear jeans and fleece coats!
Today, we took our first family trip to the cider mill. Definately not one of my favorites, but still fun! We went to the one on 8 mile in Northville. Lilly was especially excited to pick a pumpkin, but to our surprise no pumpkin patch. They had a pile of pumpkins inside, so we settled for that. Our next cider mill excursion, we'll have to make sure there is a better selection! Thank goodness Lilly doesn't know the difference...yet! We had doughnuts, checked out the craft booths and watched the ducks.
So, the other day I was at work and I ran into a parent that works at Peanut Patch (a local pre-school). I found out the other day, that I need to get Lilly on the list in January. Can you believe it, our sweet little girl is going to school next year! I know, I know I have plenty of time, but when she said that I needed to get her on the list, it hit me, my baby is growing so fast. Everything I heard as a child "life goes by so fast, you're getting so big..." is true especially when you have kids our your own.
Speaking of school, things are going really well this year! I have my same kids from last year, plus a few extra. This is the first year I haven't come home complaining about how challenging my class is. They really are great! Of course, I am busy as ever~ I miss my days home with Lilly, but really I can't complain.
Lilly has adjusted well with me going back to school. Each morning, she'll say "momma going to school today, I go to Miss Kelly's". She gets it! She loves going to play with her new little friends. Just yesterday, she was asking to see her 2 friends Hannah and Elle. So cute:) It's been an smooth transition for her, and me.
Lilly Lately: She can't seemed to figure out if she likes witches or not. I shared with you in my last post that she loves her book with Sleeping Beauty and the witch. I told her witches are in books. I was wrong, Halloween brings out all the witches! And, Lilly notices them. She tells me "they are only pretend mommy". Lilly has a new clock on the way! I ordered a new clock for her bedroom. It will help her with when it's okay to wake up in the morning. She's been waking before 6. Way to early for my liking! It changes colors for sleeping and waking!
If your wondering, yes Lilly is abusing the "god dammit" line. We have been trying to teach her other words to use, however she finds it more fun to say it her way! Sorry if she's at your house and around your kids:) what do you do??
We are looking forward to Halloween! Lilly talks about it all the time~ I don't think she really knows what it means, but she'll soon find out!!
Happy Fall~
Love,
Kelli

Summer's End

Lilly and Preston at the Cottage Labor Day weekend

Daddy and Lilly on the 4 wheeler

Lilly digging into Prestons toys

Jordan and Lilly at Grandma's for Grandmas bday

Lilly eating a snack in her new hippo sleeping bag and pillow

Today officially marks that last day for summer for us. The calendar doesn't say so, but for school teachers it means back to school! Tomorrow, I go back to school~ it's bitter/sweet. I feel very lucky to get all this time, however going back isn't ever easy!
About 2 weeks ago, Ryan had a week off. We decided to go on a night trip to Lexington. Lilly loved this place! Outside our cottage door was swings, bars, slides and sand! It was also walking distance to the beach (lake Huron). We had a great trip, but have decided that while Lilly is still learning to stay in a big girl bed, we'll stay close to home. The week Ryan was off, we ventured to many parks, took bike rides, ate ice cream, and did lots of playing! Ryan and I also spent time together at night trying to keep our eyes open while watching DVR'd shows.
Lilly Lately: Lilly says many things that we do. She loves to put honey at the end of her sentences "thanks honey, or can I have a snack honey". She's also has been saying "damn it" correctly in sentences. Ryan blames me and of course I blame him! We don't acknowledge it because we know that Lilly will then say it all day long! She's in love with anything princess. I bought her a box of princess books (which she calls her office). She loves the Sleeping Beauty book. She likes to find the bitch (witch) and Sleeping Booty. We purposely ask her to get that book just to hear her say it. I know, we're bad! So, basically it sounds like Lilly has a potty mouth... I assure you, it's not that bad!
Lilly is at a great age! She continues to make us laugh all the time; she loves to joke and be silly. Ryan was just saying today, thank God Lilly is so cute and funny, because she can be such a stinker!
Here's to a great school year!
Love,
Kelli

Swinging

At the park

Swinging

I love this picture!

Our neighbors are moving to Germany in December, so they gave us their swing set. I've been wanting to get Lilly a swing set all summer. It couldn't have worked out better. Lilly loves to swing! We spend a lot of time out back playing on her new swings!
Today I took her to the park close to the house for a change of scenery. When we got there, Lilly ran right for the swings! We also played on the play structure until a dragonfly flew right into her head and scared her.

Lilly the Mother Hen

Lilly and Titi at music in the park

Lilly Marie 28 months

At the circus

We went to the circus with Papa and Lita

Play date with my best friends Laurel and Maddie

Lilly loves to take care of things... her babies, her cousins, friends and me. She's becoming a little helper/mother hen! The other day we were at my moms house. Preston and Lilly were putting together a puzzle, and Lilly coached Preston with putting a puzzle piece in the correct spot "it goes here Pres, turn it around", good job Pres". I was cracking up! She did the same thing to her friend Grant the other day when they were playing in the water table. She was showing him how to do something (I can't exactly remember). Then, just the other day, I was taking down our gate from the top of our stairs. Somehow, I pulled a muscle in my back and neck. Lilly heard me later that morning saying my neck hurt and my sweet little girl said "oh no mommy, you okay? I get you some ice". So, she found me her boo boo bunny and put an ice cube in it! So cute~ Lilly is also always talking to her babies like we talk to her. Bouncing the babies, feeding them, just all the things you would do with a baby.
I just had a big reality check yesterday at my school retreat. We have about 2 1/2 weeks left of summer. Yes, I know it's been long and I can't complain... but I can! I LOVE being home and spending time with Lilly just doing whatever we want. You all know that once I go back to work, my life is on the fast track. So, with that said, I am going to really enjoy these last few days.

Lilly Lately: Lilly loves to cook for us in her kitchen. She also loves to watch her pet fish Goldie. (it use to be Orangie, but she changed it). She's still our monkey, just this morning she was sitting on her dresser playing with her sound machine. I'm sure she would have figured out a way to get down. The other day she was standing on top of the desk in the kitchen helping her self to markers and play dough. Apparently, I wasn't fast enough for her!
Lilly say's complete sentences -the other day I was going upstairs and Lilly wanted to come to "mommy wait for me, I'm coming to". What, I'm coming too! I feel like I'm having in depth conversations with her these days!
I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer!
Love,
Kelli

Summer

This past weekend, Lilly had fun helping Ryan wash the white car. It's going up on Craigs list this week. If you didn't know, the white car was stolen about 4 years ago from Detroit. Obviously, they found it! When that happened, I said that I wanted a new car, but my sweet husband said, I'll drive it and you drive my car. Here we are today... finally got a new car and the white one is going! I got my new car this past Friday... a army green jeep! It's lots of fun. It makes me feel young! ha
So, Lilly and Ryan washed the white car to get it ready. She also washed her jeep, tricycle, and lawn mower.
Lilly was all smiles the other day when I finally let her get a fish. EVERYTIME we go to Meijer, she asks to see the fish. So, I let her get a fish. His name is "Orangie"(he's and orange guppy). She loves to look at him, feed him and try to stick her hand in his bowl. We will see how long this lasts!
On Saturday, Farmington was having their Founder's Festival. Lilly and I went to the parade with the Jeungs. Laurel and Lilly loved it, especially all the candy. It was a great parade, but very hot!!
Lilly Lately: Lilly is in her big girl bed, some nights are better than others! Lilly loves to collect coins for her piggy bank! She loves being a mommy to her babies. She'll change their diaper, rock them, feed them and lay them down for naps. It's so cute! Her vocabulary continues to grow and grow! Lilly is pretty funny, she's a little jokster. If you ask her a color, she'll purposely tell you the wrong one and laugh! If she says something and I don't understand her she'll say " Ma-Ma" and tilt her head back and make this face like lady don't you understand me!
We are having a great summer! Lilly has played with lots of her cousins and friends. I feel like we are always on the go, Lilly tells me when she wants to stay home!

Have a great week,
Kelli

Big Girl Bed

Lilly feel asleep on the chair this afternoon.

Lilly has been sleeping in a big girl bed for a week now. She is doing really well, except for last night, she was up for about 1 1/2 hours trying to fall back to sleep. This is her bed. It's her crib, minus the front rail. She loves it! She got to pick out a big girl pillowcase and all!!

Hot Weather

As you all know, it's been pretty hot. Ryan and I took Lilly to Kensington on Monday to the beach and spray park. Lilly loved the beach, but didn't like the water park. She doesn't enjoy the water being sprayed up in her face! She's such a diva!! That afternoon Ryan played golf, so Lilly and I went to my sisters and spent the afternoon on the boat. Lilly loved playing with Uncle Saylor. She was so brave out in the water! She also loved driving the boat!

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th everyone! We spent our weekend at the cottage with my family. We went up Thursday evening and stayed until Sunday. We had a great time.

Summer Fun

I watched Preston and Malaina one day. The kids had a blast together! They play so well together!
Lilly also loves to play outside with her daddy! He is home on Fridays with us now. We love it! He's down to 4 day work weeks.

Play Dates

Summer is definitely here! The weather has been perfect. Lilly and I have had many play dates. We met up with my friends from school and all their kiddies. It was nice to hang out outside of work. Here are a few pictures from that morning.

Happy Father's Day!

Building sand castles with daddy

Getting use to the water

Lilly loves to smile for the camera!

She would eat ice cream everyday if we let her.

playing in her pool

Well, I am officially done for the summer! It has only been a couple of days, but boy is it great! We've been busy playing outside! We go out in the morning, come in for lunch and a nap and then go back out. Lilly is exhausted before 7.

Today for father's day, we spent the morning with my dad (and mom, and grandma) while Ryan went golfing. In the afternoon, we all went to my sisters for tacos, rice, dips and more! It was delicious. We had planned to play in the water, but the weather changed on us and got cloudy, so a boat ride and a short dip was all we got. I promised Lilly all day that we would go swimming, so in the water we went. She wasn't into it much! I wasn't either:).

Lilly Lately: She's starting to go on the potty (a little). I am hoping to do more training this summer! Lilly talks non stop. The other morning she found Ryan's ear plugs and tried to put them in my ears (like I need them hee hee). She turned my head and said "hold on momma, almost done, got it!". I was cracking up! She gets up in the morning and looks outside and says "not raining, not wet". She's into calling everything big... or baby... For example, she calls string cheese "baby cheese" and shredded cheese "big cheese or Dada cheese".There are so many words that she says and Ryan and I think, how did she know that. She has pretty much mastered most of her colors. She knows what a circle, triangle and star are. Her new favorite song is Little Bunny Fufu.

Whitaker lately: He continues to snore really loud! We also think he is deaf. So, for those that have been to our house, the sign in our yard is staying! It fits our family well:) Poor Whitaker is going to the vet this week. He needs a major teeth clean and his ears need to be checked too.

Happy Father's Day to all the father's I know! Especially, happy father's day to my dad and Ryan! Two of the greatest dads ever!! I love you both:)

Love,

Kelli