Riding, Riding, Riding

Last weekend, Carter wanted to spend some time riding his bicycle that Santa gave him for Christmas {I suppose my children are just now taking the time to discover their Christmas presents}. Since it was SO BEAUTIFUL outside we didn't have a hard time convincing this little diva to come out and play.

Carter had tried to ride before, but wasn't really getting it then. He would try and get frustrated. This time, however, he was loving every minute of it! He had a "track" that he ran...up our sidewalk, turn around at the top of the driveway, and then back the sidewalk towards the house. He was proficient enough to even make the turns by himself.

He was so proud that when we finally came inside (which was close to 6:00pm!) he said, "I can't wait to show my daddy how I can ride my bike!"

The Wedding

Callen got a dress-up trunk from Santa for Christmas.

fast-forward four months...

Last weekend, Nick was out of town, and I was downstairs while the children were upstairs playing in the playroom. Carter came to the top of the stairs and said, "Mom, we're ready to go to the wedding."

I'll say.

Not sure you can really see in the picture above, but those are heels he has on for "the wedding." Apparently Rex needed to go too...

I just love the creativity at this age...how they take things they have experienced and re-invent them in new ways. Always entertaining.

Slinky Dog

I have intentionally omitted discussion of pot.ty train.ing on the blog for a variety of reasons. I am breaking my own rule for just this post to share how excited my little man was when he got his new Slinky Dog as his big reward for being a big boy and using the potty!

Thanks to Connor for introducing Carter to this Slinky Dog toy when we visited. It was quite the motivation!

We're very proud of him {and so thankful that he FINALLY decided it was time!}, and happy that all the focus on the potty appears to be piquing the curiosity of his sister. Perhaps it won't take her until she's 3 and half!

Chili Cookoff 2011

Last Saturday, was the Exception.al Foundation's Chili Cook-off. You may remember that we went last year, too. This year, the weather wasn't quite as warm, so it was closer to "chili" weather, BUT it was a rainy weekend, so we were only able to play out there for about an hour and a half before the down-pour started.

Nevertheless, we had a great time. We spent a lot of time at the Iber.ia tent, which was decked out for Mardi Gras with masks, beads, and moon pies. My children were in heaven. They even liked the masks, which surprised me.

Showing off their masks {and eating a sucker that was a special treat for doing well at swim lessons!}

Trying to get a posed picture

Checking out Daddy's beads

{sorry for the space between the pictures, they were from someone else's camera and I can't figure out how to get them bigger}

18 Months

Well, I am a tad late in posting this, as Callen was 18 months on February 26, but life is like that sometimes. I can hardly believe that she is already 18 months old...seems like just yesterday she was this little peanut!

We had her 18 mo check up this past Wednesday. She got a great review from Dr. Smith on her growth and development. Callen weighed in at 25lb, 8oz and is 32.75in long. Growing like a weed!

We've also had a big milestone with our BIG girl this week! Thursday afternoon, I got a text from one of her teachers letting me know that after nap, not only did she ask to go potty, but that she actually tinkled when she was on the potty! And, this afternoon while I was at the grocery store, Nick said she went again on the potty. When did my little girl get so big??!!??