Camryn and Aubrey

Friday, February 26, 2010

A Brand New "First"

It's exceptionally quiet around here tonight. Like, really quiet. Brian's attending a fund raising event for his school, Aubrey is in bed, and Camryn is at her very first, official, big girl sleep over.

Don't get me wrong. She's spent a few nights away from us before. But they've always been with one of her sets of grandparents. Always with family; never with a friend. It's not that I had a problem with it, when she and her friend Gracie proposed the idea (which they had planned out, in great detail, thankyouverymuch). I guess I just didn't think it would happen so soon. I mean she JUST turned 5, for goodness sakes!

So Aubs and I enjoyed our pizza in peace tonight, shared lots of belly giggles, played with toys without fighting, and as we were ending dinner, she asked me for the third time, "Where sissa go?"

"She's with Gracie tonight," I responded.
She came back with, "I see bess fwen sissa Camen?"
"Your best friend? Your sister is your best friend?" I clarified.
"Mmm hmm. Sissa bess fwen."

Awww. Two special firsts tonight. Camryn's first sleep over, and Aubrey's realization that her big sister is her first best friend. Kind of makes all the usual screaming, shrieking, and hair pulling worth it. For now, anyway...

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Home Sweet Home #3

Concrete poured, sheet rock/drywall up, garage door in, and the heat is working. Countdown: 25 days!

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Happy 2nd Birthday, Aubrey!

Dear Aubrey,

Another year has passed, and you are now two years old! You are no longer a baby, but my independent little girl! You have changed so much this past year, and we have loved watching your personality develop. Some of the most amazing things we've noticed about you are...

You use your words to surprise people. We often field questions in public about your size (itty bitty) with relation to your vocabulary (humongous!) It's so funny to hear complete, intelligible sentences coming from such a tiny person, and it literally takes people by surprise every day.

You love shoes. I mean, you REALLY love shoes. I believe that if shoes were the only "toys" you had, you'd be perfectly content. You are happy to try on all of your shoes each and every day, giving each pair a turn to be displayed on your tiny feet. You don't mind if they don't fit, either. You are an equal opportunity shoe horse, who swipes my shoes, Camryn's, and even Daddy's on occasion. You have figured out too, that if a pair of shoes are only slightly too big, they stay on better if worn on opposite feet. An interesting observation...

You are a great sleeper. It has been a rare night in the past two years, that you haven't gone to bed happily and peacefully. You don't mind hanging out in your crib, even if you aren't tired yet. You are content to sleep away a full 11-12 hours per night, and still take a nap without problem. When you are a teenager, this trend may aggravate me, but for now, you have no idea how much I appreciate your propensity for sleep.

You have an amazing sense of humor. Though you are still so young, I swear that you have a firm grasp on what is funny, as well as impeccable comedic timing. You say things intentionally at just the right moment, and you get a huge kick out of making other people laugh. In this, you truly are your Daddy's girl!

You want so badly to be big. You watch your sister play Barbies, dance in Ballet class, and read books, and you want to do it all too. You look up to Camryn so much, and it is heartbreaking when we have to tell you "no" because you are too little. Be patient Baby Girl, because soon enough it will be your turn.

Happy Birthday, our tiny "big girl." We love you to pieces, and look forward to another year of laughter and shoe shopping with you.

Much love Baby Bean,
Mommy & Daddy

Hip, hip, hooray! It's a Gymboree birthday!

Today was the day to party like a toddler! Aubrey and a whole collection of her near, dear friends celebrated her 2nd birthday at our beloved Gymboree. Teacher Brandee led the festivities, much to the delight of Miss Aubs. The kids had so much fun running, climbing, jumping, and squealing. Happy Birthday, Aubrey!

Lots of good friends were able to join us...

Teacher Brandee captured everyone's attention immediately...

Jumping from the "candle" into the "cupcake" was a favorite...

And there were lots of BUBBLES!

Parachute time! Touch a color with your feet...

The parachute "house"

"Happy Birthday to you"

Just gimme the cupcake, you guys!

Finally! Yum!!!

Opening presents is very serious business!

Most of the party crowd. We couldn't seem to get everyone in the photo at once!

Monday, February 15, 2010

Happy 5th Birthday Camryn!

Dear Camryn,
Happy birthday, my big girl. I know I say this every year, but I can't believe that another year has gone by. You now need an entire hand to show someone how old you are. How can that be???

If I step back for a moment, and really watch you, I guess I can see it. You look older, somehow. Your babyish features are fading, and I think you've gained all of your height this past year in your legs. Suddenly, you seem long and lean. As you've grown, you've learned to love lots of new things too.

You love reading. You have recently learned to read, and I don't know how you've done it!? You have worked a lot with letters, and sounds, and even sight words at school, but you sound out words, and use other reading strategies all on your own. It amazes me, because we did not sit you down and "teach" you these things. You've just picked them up and absorbed them on your own, and you just can't seem to get enough. You are 100% intrinsically motivated to succeed at reading, and I love that.

You love ballet. You adore Miss LeaAnn and her positive influence on your life. You lecture me on the correct pronunciation of "arabesque," and then demonstrate other moves I won't even try to pronounce. You are now working at the barre, watching your form in the mirror, and loving every minute of it. :)

You love Taylor Swift. You sing her songs, you dance to her songs, you know all the words to her songs, and you are intrigued by her videos. Something about her has captured your attention, and I swear that the world stops turning for you when the song "Love Story," comes on.

You love playing with your baby sister. The two of you now really play together. Mostly pretend. Mostly pretend games where you are the one in charge (ie, Mommy, teacher, animal trainer, etc.) I am so proud. (Sniff.)

You've come a long way this year, baby girl, and we are so proud of you. Your Daddy and I are both thrilled and hesitant to send you off to Kindergarten this fall, but you my dear, are just plain thrilled. You approach everything with such excitement and passion, and we can't wait for you to "Wow" us again.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Pea. We love you.
Love,
Mommy & Daddy

Build-A-Bear Birthday

Today was Camryn's 5th birthday party. YES, 5th!!! She invited a group of her close girl friends to the mall for a trip to Build-A-Bear. For anyone who has never been, young or old, you must give it a try. It's very fun, even for the biggest kids! With the help from a "beary" special expert, the girls chose, named, stuffed, and dressed their bears. What a great time they had!