"I love you, Emo!"

We went to Sesame Street Live at the Nokia. It was... an experience. I'm not sure that a 2 1/2 year old, or at least my 2 1/2 year old, and a big show are a good match. Here was my first clue. As we stood in line outside to scan our tickets, Stella told me her diaper was wet. Because I couldn't change it immediately, she freaked out. She pulled her dress up, ripped her diaper off and threw it into the air, and threw herself down on the cement to throw a fit, naked bottom and all. Once we got to the bathroom she decided she didn't want a new diaper on, so I had to straddle her on the nasty bathroom tile and pin her down for about ten minutes. This is an additional bonus when you have a belly going on. Luckily things improved once the show started. She yelled to Elmo ("Emo") and clapped along. The finale was that she dumped her box of popcorn on the floor, then began picking it up and eating it. I am no germophobe, but the whole experience just made me want to be scrubbed down by a haz mat team. But, at the end of the day, it makes a great story for her one day, so I am happy with that!

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outsmarting a 2 year old

So our struggle is that this child strips down and throws all of her clothing, including her diaper, out of the crib every night. We end up having to do a load of laundry a day just to clean up the inevitable accident after a long night's sleep. What to do? I made straightjackets! Cut the feet off of her jammies and put them on backwards. I am sure she'll Houdini herself out of these somehow and I will be back to square one... but for now we are good.

Elefun with Papa

This is a cute game that my dad played with Stella. The elephant blows little butterflies out of his trunk for you to catch. I love that they are making identical faces as they played. My favorite is the "drunk with happiness" in the nets picture below!

 

tiny dancer

Our first day of mommy & me dance class... it's safe to say that Stella loved dance and we will be regulars. There was a lot of screaming, jumping and just all-around being the most crazy in the class {like sitting in the center of the circle no matter the activity, and demanding to sit in the teacher's lap}. Really cute stuff. Dance, baby, dance!

hittin the gym

I signed Stella up for gymnastics because I knew she'd love it... but the real reason being that I wanted to go back too! I had a love affair with gymnastics. Still do. Love the smell of the chalk, the feel of the spring floor. It's home. Here is Stella at tumbling class. She doesn't really do the class activities, she runs off on her own to "jumpee jumpee!!" (as she says) on the trampoline.

In her heaven. Can you see her bloody toe on the left? Not a care in the world.

Not bruises, though I wouldn't be surprised. So mad that we had to leave that she confiscated the gymnastics stamp that is the treat at the end of class, and had a fight with it. Purple ink on her face all day. That's my girl.

analyze this

Every time she plays with the Mr. Potato Head people, Stella insists on putting their arms on their head. What does this mean??? Guesses, anybody? I do sorta like it.

hello? I'd like to order a pizza...

Oh wait, this IS a pizza that I am using as a phone.

Jazzi is three!

We had great fun at Chuck E. Cheese for Jasmine's 3rd birthday!

Love you, Jazzi!

farm class

We go to the Anaheim stables for farm class. This is quite the experience. Here is Stella as we waited to start. She got to pet a baby chick (it fell asleep in Jason's hands) and rode Mr. Chestnut the mini horse.

giving the chick kisses

CONTAMINATION

There was an incident at our community pool yesterday.

Stella is teething (2 year molars, UGH) and has had some GI distress

(to put it nicely).

Unfortunately it leaked out her swim diaper into the pool.
The lifeguard saw it and approached Jason

and told him Stella had to get out.

They then shut down the whole pool, complete with yellow police tape
and red signs, for 24 hours.

How embarrassing!

Sorry, fellow Irvine residents, for ruining your beautiful day at the pool.

I had to share this story with all of you, who know my daughter and will
still love her.... you just may never go swimming with her again!

had to include the classic Caddyshack moment.

art class

This reminds me of hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil... Stella thoroughly enjoys her art and does her best work when she really EXPERIENCES the medium.

dirrrty girrrl

This is what my naughty monkey looks like after getting into

the diaper cream and vaseline.

messy muddy II

Our monkey did not disappoint at class again. Grandma came to see the madness. Stella was the wild one and ate a shoveful of mud and licked shaving cream like it was ice cream. I also appreciate her painting "outside the lines". We got our money's worth from this class.

messy muddy

This is our newest toddler class. I think it's safe to say that Stella LOVED it. The teacher commented that she was "very sensory." I love that after sitting in all of the pools, she went back to the water pool and crashed the party, turning the water all chocolate-milky. What a funny girl!

on a Sunday afternoon

Thank you Costco for having this kiddie sink. This will save me this summer! Since Sunday was so gorgeous I put this baby together and Stella was all over it, who knew it was also a drinking fountain too. We hung out in our "yard" and had a little tailgate party. I see many more weekends like this in the future!

gymnastics graduation!

A Major Award!!!

Stella has graduated from Teeny Tumblers! Now I know, the whole "graduation" thing is crazy, and I know I am a little crazy too, you don't have to tell me... but what a treat to watch this little girl in gymnastics class.

They are the 'Little Butterflies' class so I made some butterfly cupcakes

for the gala, thank you Martha for the idea:

She and Grandma had a blast with the "popcorn" scarf game.

I have got to get some of these - hours of fun!

"The anticipation is killing me!" Best face ever.

Her gymnastics "tattoo"

A big Ta-Da with Teacher Dayle!

with my graduate