Lola's rendition of Baby Take Bow

Lola has dance class every Thursday and every Thursday I ask her how class was.
I hardly get a response.
When I ask her to show me some of her ballet or tap moves she REFUSES to show me anything. So I'm left to wonder if this kid is learning anything in dance class. Since I've already paid for a recital fee and a costume I know that something must be going on in that class. To get to the bottom of it I offered Lola 5 M&Ms to show me what she has learned in class:


The BEST 5 M&Ms I've ever spent! I cried.

Marcia Brady look-a-like, pre-school bound!

Our almost three year old starts pre-school on Monday! At one point she was so excited about this transition but now that it's getting close she tells us that she doesn't want to go to pre-school anymore, she wants to stay with her Miss Debbie. On the actual transition day Lola is likely to be fine and will come home with fun stories of her new classroom & friends. It's not always so easy for me. I normally cry because I get so attached to the previous teachers. These transitions end up harder on me than Lola!

As Lola rounds the corner to THREE I'm noticing a few positive changes.
1. I can reason with her.
2. She is very eager to dress herself and put her shoes on.
3. Her artistic ability is shining through each day and she LOVES keeping busy drawing on her easel. A nice quiet activity so we can nap on the couch. Just Kidding! (kinda)
4. She is almost totally self sufficient in the bathroom although I prefer to double check the cleanliness.

And my favorite...

5. She is FINALLY out growing that terrible two thing she's had going on since she was 18 months old (with the occasional slip up). Ah!

However with age I am also noticing some new emotions. For instance, twice now the commercial to save the animals with that song by Sarah McLachlan has been on. I normally change the channel immediately because it's impossible for me to make it through the first 0.05 seconds of that commercial with out having an MAJOR emotional meltdown. Anyway, twice I have been out of the room when that commercial comes on and both times it has brought Lola to tears once asking me "Why are the kitties in jail Mommy?" OMG! PLEASE send money to save those animals so that all animals can be safe, happy & healthy!!!! Plus I need those commercials off the air.
There have also been a few instances when watching the Disney movie The Rescuers when the cute little girl cries because she is all alone. This also brings Lola to tears. I'm not sure where she gets this sensitivity issue from. I mean we're all so strong in my family, especially me.

Anyway, Lola is a perfect joy! It's amazing how this tiny baby has grown into a big girl and so fast. Slow down time!

I LOVE this baby girl!!!!

Signs

Since seeing the M. Night Shyamalan movie Signs we regularly try to locate aliens by using the baby monitor.
Our findings have been quite interesting....

Lola meets Liam

Lola's friend Aila brought over her new baby brother on Saturday. Lola loves babies and was all about holding little Liam. She took a short break to play in her princess room but had to get back to that baby real quick!
Congratulations Marti, Dave & Aila! Liam is such a perfect little guy!

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

When it comes to these two the above statement has proven to be true. Today was Rowan's first day back to school after a holiday in Florida. It was pretty clear that he missed his friend Lola.

Back in the newborn days of Lola & Rowan she would cry if she was in the same room as him. Things have changed. As toddlers she is always trying to squeeze a hug, kiss, or some hand holding to which Rowan sweetly responds with "no Lola".

Today a miracle occurred.

I said "Rowan, you're back! Did you miss Lola?" He said "YES!" which was the go flag for Lola who quickly used this to her advantage and moved in for a hug. Rowan PUT DOWN a toy so that he could hug her back. A wave of "aaww" spread across the room amongst the adults. It was a sweet Lola & Rowan moment.

They held hands all the way to the car.

The Dude turns 10!

Here's Ian turning half way to 20 and that's CRAZY because it seems like a year ago he was 2 1/2 (which was when I first met him).
So far all I can figure out about little boys is that they are interested in 2 things: game boys & Guitar Hero. I guess I can round that off to one thing... video games. Big surprise!
However in the last almost 3 years Ian has excelled in being the best big brother ever. He loves his little sister and even though she occasionally gets on his nerves he is very good to her. This 10 year old is beyond his years in math & reading and plays a mean game of basketball and is awesome on his skateboard!
Here's wishing the next 10 years treat you just as well as the first 10 Ian!!!!
We love you dude!

after bath pampering

Lola's Daddy is good for a lot of things around here, things like:
* taking out the trash (when reminded)
* mowing the lawn
* cleaning the gutters
* shoveling the snow
* playing video games
* entertaining the children
* burying groundhogs
* getting tattoos

BUT I bet you didn't know that he is a master at giving Lola manicures & pedicures. He's actually thinking about changing his major.