Learning to take it easy

After a 2 hour morning nap, Norah was doing much better. We had lunch and played quietly for a bit. Then, decided to go get Norah a new bike helmet; and since they were doing so well...we went to dance class too. Probably shouldn't have done that. I need to do a better job at learning to take it easy.
Luckily, I fixed dinner before we went out, so it was ready right after class...dinner, bath, stories, and in bed by 6:30. Whew. Hopefully, after a good night's rest, they will both be ready to roll tomorrow.

At Home

We've decided to take it easy today. Norah's still running a fever. In fact, she went back to bed to "rest her body" at 9:30 this morning. Definitely sick.
Lolo woke up with a sore throat, complaining about being stuffy, and was generally tired. I'm weak. I let her stay home today too.
Sometimes we just need a break.

Tough day

Last night Norah had a really tough night. She kept waking up crying. I couldn't figure out what was wrong. Of course, she woke up crabby (so did I) and went to summer camp.
When I picked her up this afternoon, she said "Mama, I'm having a tough week." She's skinned her knees (and palms) a few times this week...reopening some old scabbed over spots...had an accident this morning....got really, really cold swimming (and was still cold when I picked her up). Then we came home and while having her breathing treatment, I notice that she's extremely warm. Uh oh. Temperature of 102. Yes, my sweet girl is having a tough week.
For our book tonight, she picked out a Little Critters book about potty training. And mentions how if you wear panties at school, then you're a big kid....but if you wear diapers, other kids will call you a baby and push you down.
Those mean kids....I alternate between wanting to whup them for being so mean to my little girl and being thankful that they finally motivated her into potty training.

One for Norah too...

And since I can't leave out my babydoll...here's our Norah, who can't seem to graduate out of the first level. On the bright side....she does love the water. Look for the big grin on her face.

Gorgeous strokes

Check out Lolo's gorgeous backstroke! I figured she deserved a "glory" video after that bellyflop of a dive.

Another swim day

I'm feeling like I've got us a little over scheduled on tuesdays. Seemed so easy on paper. Summer camp from 9-noon. A short break for lunch. Then on to violin lessons. A short break to change and snack. Then on to swim school. Back in time for breathing treatment (and dinner prep). Dinner. Then bedtime. Of course, in real life...we try to sneak in other errands...ugh. Darn that overachiever gene.
On a happier note...here's my girl at the pool.

An omission...

We went canoeing on the Root River this past weekend. Saw lots of birds and a few river otters. One was so close that we thought it was going to jump into our boat (we accidently got between it and its babies). Norah said "Mama, I was so scared!" I said, "Me too!" Jim bravely told the girls he would "whoop" any otter that got into our canoe.
Unfortunately, no pictures. Brought the camera. Left it in the car. Darn.

Hunting for crickets

And the final post of the evening....Norah and I went hunting for crickets and toads one morning over at Dodge Nature Center.

My baking buddy

A museum day

A few pics from a morning at the museum. The girls and I ran into one of Lolo's friends from preschool (the little girl next to Lolo face painting)....so it turned into a really special treat.

Since we're at the soccer game...

Seems like I should post a soccer video too....since we're actually at the soccer game cheering on our girl. I know, it looks like Lolo isn't wearing anything under her shirt....she's actually got a skirt on under her soccer shirt....you know...because she simply can't bear the thought of playing soccer wearing shorts. By the way...she's on the blue team. I didn't capture her goals on video...but she did manage to score 2 goals on this day!

Catching up on posting

Yes, I've been delinquent in posting. Since Jim's in Florida this week at a conference and the girls and I are holding down the fort at home, I'll try to catch up on postings. Here's a video of our crazy girl...showing off her handstands while we're at the soccer field.

Dry through the night

Our baby girl is well on her way to completing this entire potty training business. Norah has started wearing pull ups at night. She's been waking up dry consistently. A big big step. We've been talking about donating her diapers and she's very excited. She's also trying to donate my diaper bag. Funny kid.
On a very exciting note....after over 5 1/2 years, I'm back to carrying a real purse instead of a diaper bag. Feeling very stylish ;-)

Buffalo Hair

Norah has been telling us about her friend at summer camp. Very sweet and matter of factly, she informs us that they call her "Buffalo Hair, but her real name is Gracie." Doesn't crack a smile. I don't believe she even thinks that's remotely funny. Of course, Jim and I have been busting up over that one all night.

Did I mention?

Did I mention that we FINALLY got rid of the diaper genie AND changing table last night?!!!
Hooray for Norah.

A few soccer sunday pics

Soccer Sunday

We're trying to get into the groove of soccer sundays. We bike over to the field. Norah snacks while Lolo plays.

This week, Lolo is actually getting interested in soccer. She actually went after the ball (some) and did try to kick it around a bit. I have, however, broken down and allowed her to wear dresses to soccer games. The first week, I made her change into shorts...saying no one plays soccer in a dress. Of course, once we arrived, we saw a little girl playing soccer in a dress. Since then, she's worn a dress under the jersey. I'm trying to pick my battles wisely.

Norah has become quite the cheerleader (once she finishes her snack). The video quality isn't great (using the phone's camera...so there's not any zoom) but you can get the idea.

Learning to dive

From swim school yesterday....Lolo is learning how to dive. I only caught the first one. Her second dive was much better (and presumeably less painful).

Canoeing on the St Croix River

Just now got around to uploading pictures from this weekend. We took the girls canoeing over the holiday weekend. Had an absolute blast. Lolo said "this was the most fun day ever!" Of course, I don't think that it hurt that our neighbors brought "boom boom booms" aka lollipops for the kids. Canoes, splashing in the river, and a sugar rush. What a day.

Peer Pressure - Part 2

Seems like we've had quite a few run-ins with peer pressure lately. Our Norah (who love, love, loves being a baby) had some kids at camp pushing her around and calling her a baby. Yes, our Norah who was so insistent about wearing diapers to summer camp...even when I ask every morning whether she would like to try a pull up.
In any event, this weekend, Norah decided she wants to wear panties AND pedal her tricycle. So last night, Norah's pedaling her trike around, wearing panties, and mumbling to herself the whole time...."no one is going to call me a baby now."
Ahhh. Peer pressure. Mean kids can be far more effective than mom and dad.

Still on San Diego Time

Yes, it's true...we're still on San Diego time. Not necessarily a bad thing because I've been sleeping in until 8am. However, we are getting to summer camp late every morning. This is the first night I've managed to get them down before 8pm....and on some nights, we've pushed it until 9pm. The girls finally collapsed this evening. I didn't hear a peep from them after about 7:15pm. We may be switched over by tomorrow.

Dancers

My girls are FINALLY in the same dance class. The age group is 3-5 and we just made it. The girls are tickled to be in the same class....Norah (especially) is excited to be in the big kids class.

Speaking of dance class...here's a mystery....each girl is missing one ballet slipper a piece. How does that happen?!

Zebra

I bet you've never seen a zebra like this before!

Peer Pressure

We had our first run in with peer pressure of a bad kind yesterday. Neighbor kids were over at our house. They were supposed to be outside. When I got busy with Norah for a moment, 3 of them (including Lolo) snuck inside and each grabbed a handful of m&ms (reserved for potty training bribes). So busted.
Lolo and I had a talk (while she sat on the naughty step) about how you don't do things that you know are wrong - even when other kids are doing it. The "but did it first" excuse doesn't fly in this house.
Our girl is growing up. We had a conversation about tatoos the other day too when the girls saw a picture of an 18 year old girl with stars tatooed all over her face.