Addilyn's Birthday weekend

Dan Nicholas park. Where have you been all our life??! Saturday May 3 we headed to Salisbury which was about 40 minutes from our house. It could not have been a more beautiful day. It was 70, no humidity, barely there breeze perfection. When we pulled up Levi was still snoozing his morning nap so we drove around the park. There are 70 campsites, a lake with paddle boats, tennis courts, a massive playground (and I mean massive!!) and so much more.

This gem of a place has a few amazing things. One included a train we could ride. It was a short 5 minute ride but it was the coolest thing for kids. And it was only...$1 each and Levi was free (because he is still under 12 months).

Ultimately our whole day cost $10. We brought our own lunch and ate it under the shade. It was the best $10 we have spent in a long time! The majority of the place you could enjoy with out spending a penny.

turtles

another shot of the playground

aquarium which included a few reptiles

diamond back

This guy came out and brought his personal snakes out. He's just there to answer questions but a girl was asking questions and he was so nice. Addilyn really wanted to touch it...ya no.

the aquarium is free

the petting barnyard (though they recommend to not...)

Addilyn LOVED the carousal. She was so excited to ride a horse. Levi enjoyed it too of course.

family selfie

Sunday May 4th was Addilyn's actual birthday. In the morning we opened presents...it was the only way to get her out of bed. We sort of bombarded her singing happy birthday and she was still sleepy. She opened all her presents by 7:45am.

new jammies

Addilyn knew exactly what to do. She was waiting for the moment when we could sing to her and she could blow out the candles. This girl is THREE. And oh how I love her so. Some things about her:

Favorites
foods: curry, fruit, noodles dressed in anything, pizza, sweets of course
songs: anything Disney, "E-I-O" aka Old MacDonald, nursery songs, monkeys jumping on the bed...
books: Frozen....and every book out there
tv shows: The Magic School Bus, Curious George, Barney
toys: doll house and all it's trinkets, dressing up in her "Cinderella" dress, cars
activity: dancing and singing in the front room to Disney Pandora station
animal: dogs
drink: milk
outdoor activity: geocaching & swimming

Some other favorites:
-loving on her brother
-tickle fights
-sing everywhere
-swing
-kiss Levi on the forehead when he's fallen asleep in the car and we are getting out
-she often demands to go to Costco or Target
-If I say no to the first demands ^^ she asks to go to a friends house
-If that's a no ^ it's to a park, and then repeats the cycle
-getting chased
-dogs, puppies, and dogs

My favorites about Addilyn:
-she takes "quiet time" in the afternoon AKA nap time for 2 hours
-she is STUNNING
-she's excellent at going to bed
-her vocab is getting more and more
-phrases like "shake your boot-ay" and "work it! work it!"
-she sings words to songs and when she doesn't know them she slurrs until it's back to what she knows
-phrases like "Addi awake!!!" and when she describes her poo to us

Her 3 yr Dr appointment is on Thursday along with Levi's 1 yr apt. Woo! So stats will come then for those who are just dying to know.

May Day

my life. heavenly (usually)

On May 1st, Levi took his first steps. I was SHOCKED. I say that because he just didn't seem like he was going to and didn't share thaaaat much interest. Usually babies like to hold onto your fingers and walk along with you- well not Levi. I would force him to do it once or twice. He had been standing on his own for quite some time now, like a month or so. What he would normally do was stand about 5 feet in front of me. I'd hold my hands out to try and encourage him to walk to my hands. Instead he would fall to the floor, crawl to me, and then stand up. Well, 4:50 pm on Thursday, May 1st, Levi did not fall right to the floor and crawl to me. Nope. He took 4 steps. Straight up. I about flipped. I was thinking maybe it was just a fluke and tried it again. He did it, again. I immediately text Scott something like, "LEVI JUST TOOK STEPS WHAAAAT" at the same time I'm telling Levi he did it a half hour too soon! Dad wasn't here yet!! Do you understand my shock?

FLIRT

As for other news.... I had my first experience with dealing with a major crime incident with Addi. It was morning. I was in the kitchen with Levi getting him situated to eat- you know strapped in with cheerios and cup of milk to occupy himself until I could assist feed him real food. I had told Addilyn to go use the bathroom before she came out to the kitchen. She was quiet for a while, which honestly, is not unusual. I also had told her to change out of her jammies and she's usually pretty quiet doing that. After a while I asked her what she was doing. She said she was cleaning. Ok...well, maybe when I told her earlier that we were going to clean her room she decided to get a head start??? I told her good job and left it at that. A few moments later I finally got in there and saw this...

Addilyn in the past has helped me spot clean the carpet. Unfortunately, she decided to spot clean the carpet with cream medicine (an expensive kind....). Her well intentions were there. Ugh. I just took a breath and went over to Addi with a baby wipe and wiped her down. I noticed some blue on her foot and didn't think much of it. Until later. I went into the bathroom and on the white floor was blue permanent marker. I have never never had a problem with Addilyn coloring on anything but paper. I think she's too scared to do it. Then I realized, Oh! That must be where the blue on her foot came from! Yup. There were a few more lovely incidents that happened during the day. I was so confused as to what happened to my perfect child...then I realized she didn't sleep well the night before.

perfection

 Levi has some of the most entertaining expressions. Here we are at the library. He's a go-getter-not-afraid-of-crowds kind of kid. He also appears to know when to shake his shakers during the songs.

These girls are twins, 2 months younger than Levi. Levi had fun with them...but them not so much with him. He was a little handsy.

LOVE this picture

I walk!

He still only does a few steps at a time and is getting better and better. I'll let you know when he's a full fledge walker.

Ok, I couldn't resist putting this photo in. Don't worry- he did NOT get kicked! I know, it totally looks like it. Right after I took the picture I had to double check with him that he was okay. But he didn't get wacked at all!

The title of this post "May Day" is for two purposes. One, he walked on that day. And two, I was practically crying mayday on the inside when I saw the mess on the floor from Addilyn.

Lily

Friends of ours went on a cruise this past week. They were going to take their dog to a kennel...Really??! Scott offered my services and our yard for her. She's a 3 year old miniature poodle. But, Levi got more use out of Cabo's dog house than Lily did. She is a crate dog at an apartment so I didn't torture her to sleep outside. We would bring her into our basement.

Levi helping dad out

Levi was not scared at all of Lily. In fact, he would squeal with excitement and attack her with love. She was sweet enough that she didn't fight back. Addilyn adored her and loved doing her tricks. She would sit and "Put 'em up!" (putting her paws up in the air). Too bad Lily doesn't understand 3 year old toddlers because I had to help Addilyn with doing the tricks.

"I'm working hard mom"

Lily was great helping us in the yard. We gardened in the evening and she stayed right by us. When Scott was out mowing and doing other things, she was his little companion.

Shh don't tell dad...

We went to the park near our house and Lily thought she'd try and get a free ride...Don't worry. It didn't last the second I started push the stroller.

We adopted another dog, his name is Levi. He plays fetch by himself and will crawl into a crate if you let him. He also drools like a large breed dog for such a small guy. He came with shots and loves to cuddle.

Contrary to his face, he was giggling

No, she did not ride like this

Playgroup was at Miller Park and Lily loved the attention. She hopped right up on Addie (below) and took a ride on her car. Very entertaining.

We lounged in the backyard a lot this week. Mostly because of the beautiful weather and Lily. She does cuddle! Her owner had told us she did, but I didn't believe it until it happened. Addilyn was so great at helping feed her. All I did was open the container of food. Addi brought it in and out of the basement and would feed her. I only took care of her water.

Lily hopped up onto my lap while I was on the swing with Levi. I recruited Addilyn to take a picture of this funny moment. Levi didn't mind at all sharing my lap with her! And BTW, that is a bark collar on her. She only wore it on the needed occasions...