Diva? I think so

Most photos by Janaye Johnson Photography.  Scarves by DS Designs.

Bubbles

Bath time photo fun by Janaye Johnson Photography!

Catch Up: Minka's 3rd Birthday

Let's begin by saying Thank You Pinterest.  Without this handy app I would have never thought of this clever little birthday theme.

Minka loves Dora and Diego so we created a Dora and Diego birthday theme.

This was the closest thing to a Diego "rescue pack" I could find.  I am realizing 'using our imagination' is fun and allows for me to get close on an idea without being exact.

 We made a Dora 'Map' and packed it in her rescue pack.

 A couple toilet paper rolls and some construction paper and we had Diego binoculars in a snap.  These were also put into her rescue pack.

 In the morning she woke up to streamers at her door to remind her today was going to be special.

 Some cinnamon rolls awaited her with sprinkles and a candle.

 Enjoying her breakfast.

 Her over the top Diego and Dora cake.

 Dressed and ready for the party!
Check out how much she has grown since she turned 2.  She is wearing the same shirt here.

 A pinata filled with candy that lasted for months afterwards.

 She was presented her rescue pack with its contents and told to use her binoculars to follow the map to find her treasure.  Here she is on her last leg of the map and sees her treasure across the yard.

 She found her treasure!!

 Blowing out her cake after dinner and the pinata and opening gifts.

 Even Nora (5.5 months) enjoyed the festivities

 After we were done with all that we went to a nearby park that was playing a movie outside.  They had local organizations serving food, beverages, handing out books, and some blow up toys for the kids to play on.

 Nora is ready to stay up late and enjoyed watching the crowd.

 Playing the movie at dusk, Madagascar 3.

 Nora made it a breeze by sleeping soundly right on time without much fuss.

I consider this entire event a parenting success!

Quotes

I am constantly laughing.  I hope when I am old I have the wrinklest face from all the laughing I have done.

I can't wait to hear what Nora has to say.  Minka surprises me everyday with something new.

Here are a few things she has entertained me with recently.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After a day at work I was driving Minka and Nora home and I was asking her about her day.

Me:What did you eat?
Minka: Carrots! And chocolate milk!
Me: Did you get a nap?
Minka: I dunno.
Me: What was your favorite part of your day?
Minka: I'm not talking anymore
Me: What?! You aren't talking to me anymore?
Minka:  No.  I'm not talking no more.  You have too much words Mom!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ranomly while we are eating...

Minka: Do you pinky promise to always be my best friend??

I never pinky promised something so hard in my life.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sitting in the car one day she threw out this new little word.

Minka: In retrospect, I was a little bit silly.
Me: Did you just say retrospect?  Woah...it's not going to be long before you are smarter than me.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After trying to teach Minka about when it is appropriate to let others help her change clothes and give her baths.

Me: Who do you let change your clothes and help you take a bath?
Minka: The people that I love.
Me: What if a creepy neighbor comes over and says (in the creepiest voice I could muster) "Minka, I want to take a bath with you" What do you say?
Minka: NO WAY JOSE!  I'M GETTING MY MOMMY!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Nora speeds down the hallway to the rooms she isn't allowed into without supervision....

Minka: There goes the Destroyer!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After watching a Barney Christmas Minka repeats this:

Catch Up: Family photos

Check out Janaye Johnson Photography on Facebook!  In November she took these for us.

Catch Up: Meat Eater

Nora is a fantastic eater.  We have started to give her just about every kind of food except milk and she has LOVED the process.  She doesn't seem to dislike any food consistently and eats nearly as much as her sister.  This picture is her cleaning off a Buffalo Wild Wing bone.

Catch Up: Gymnastics

Instead of formal preschool, I wanted to spend Minka being three doing other activities to gain socialization with kids.  We enrolled her in gymnastics just to get her interacting with others, learn how to listen to a teacher/coach as well as get to jump on trampolines and hang on bars.  I did not know if she would so much enjoy the gymnastics as much as I wanted her to be comfortable trying new things.

It turns out she LOVED it.  We did a beginner class where the parents do the class with the 2-4 year olds.  After the 8 week session Minka progressed so well we are signing her up for another 8 week session and moving her up to the next class where the kids learn on their own and the parents just watch (which eases taking care of Nora as well!)

Catch Up: Open Gym

Have I mentioned how great Janaye is?  She found out about an open gym near our house and took the girls with Grandma to play for awhile.  Minka and Nora loved it!

 Making friends...

 Stealing his soccer ball

After playing at the gym, they went to McDonalds to play in the play area.  Minka even made friends.

Catch Up: Thanksgiving

Over the last year I have so, so many things to be thankful for.  Last year around thanksgiving we moved into our first house. Nora arrived this year and has been a blessing and joy to watch grow.  I am so thankful I have Grandma Lisa to help watch the girls.  I am thankful for Janaye to help keep things going around the house and do fun projects with the girls.  I am thankful my Grandpa had the option to choose to stop doing dialysis and passed away the way he wanted and in a peaceful way allowing us to all say our goodbyes.  I am thankful for Jareth and all he does for me, Minka, Nora and all the other important people in our lives.  I am thankful for our good health.  I am thankful for love, happiness, and the joy we share spending each day with each other.

Minka and I doing some projects

 Things Minka is thankful for.

Nora's new face.  This is what she thinks of this whole Thanksgiving ordeal.

We also were some of those crazy people waiting in line during Black Friday.  We waited to get Jareth his Christmas present early.  A PS4 at Gamestop - opened at midnight.  We waited for 4 hours but it was a fun night!

Catch Up: Halloween

We found a nearby pumpkin patch which was a fun day adventure.

 Lalaloopsy and Supergirl for Halloween!