Pucker Up

Happy Days With Daddy

Oh how wonderful it is when M is home. We had some nice weather this weekend so we decided to head up to Northwestern's campus in Evanston on Saturday. The air was a bit chilly, but it was nice to be by the water and breathe in some fresh air.

C and her daddy explored the campus foot paths and found all sorts of gems.

[Above she found a pine cone.]
[She spent some quality time on Daddy's shoulders. She loved the view from there.]
[This is the two of them standing in front of the Kellogg Business School building.]

Little C must have had the best time ever hanging with her Daddy. I say this because when we got home she found his suitcase, cleared out all of the clothes and climbed in. She's making the statement: "Daddy, all you need to take with you is me and this small Bible."

The Baby Who Says, "Knee"

Especially when she's riding in the car, she rolls up her pants to expose her knees and says, "knees" over and over again. It totally reminds me of a certain group of knights from Monty Python.

That is neither here nor there... It has absolutely nothing to do with what I want to blog about today. Today's topic is bargain buys at community resale events. Three weeks ago I went to a clothing resale for children's clothes and walked out with two bags full of spring/summer clothes for my daughter. I got 52 items and spent what only four of those items would cost brand new.

So it's needless to say that I was super excited about the resale that happened today for equipment and toys. I hardly spent anything at all and found some great toys that will grow with my little girl for several years to come. In addition to books and a puzzle, she got a little table with two chairs, a toy that makes noise (not sure how to describe it...but it's in the photo below), a baby stroller, a pink vanity table with a chair and a kitchen equipped with several plastic appliances.

So here is our little 17-month-old having fun with some of her new toys. (I haven't introduced her to the kitchen yet--maybe in a few days when Daddy is on the road and Mommy has run out of fun things to do inside in the chilly weather.)

[This first photo is of our little copycat trying to fold her arms like her daddy. This is just cute, but doesn't have anything to do with the resale.]

[Here she is pushing her baby stroller all over the house.]

[And finally, sitting at her new table playing very contently.]

Having fun in the sun

Our second day was much more laid back. We hung out in Rancho, played at a park and played some more at the house. Laurel and I even got the chance to do a little shopping here and there.

[Leah looking cute as can be with a sand covered shovel in her hand.]

[More sand table fun. I think C liked watching the sand fall to the ground the most.]
[Luke and C played so nicely together. Here they are opening and closing the doors and windows in the little play house. Such a blast.]

[What a little gentleman.]

First Full Day in California

Last week C and I flew out to California to see Laurel, Lars, Luke and Leah. It was a much needed break from all that goes into selling a house, including the constant concern over keeping things neat and tidy all the time in case someone wants to drop in at a moment's notice.

We were welcomed into the warmth and sunshine that is Southern California. Although many locals didn't think it was as warm as we did. For instance, at Disney Land on Wednesday, we saw a lady directing pedestrian traffic at the tram stop wearing a lined winter parka, gloves and a hat. We laughed because we felt warm in jeans and T-shirts. Weather is all relative I guess.

Basically Disneyland was the first thing we did once we got there. I loved it as always, but my poor little girl was terrified on some of the rides. It was so interesting to watch because cousin Leah, who is just barely one month younger than C, squealed in delight and simply couldn't get enough of each ride, the characters, and pretty much everything that has to do with Disney. The first ride we went on was Peter Pan. The dark night sky was too much for C...she turned around in her seat, grabbed on to me like a baby koala bear and hid her face on my shoulder until the sun came out and the ride brightened up a bit. But even then, she was a bit scared.

She proceeded to cry, shake and be timid for the remainder of the day--except for the jungle cruise. She loved that one. I guess because she is used to seeing those kinds of animals at the zoo all the time. Here are some fun shots from that first day at the park.

[Mickey's House. Now you see Leah...] [...Now you don't.][C liked Mickey's chair.]
[She didn't get too scared when she met Mickey for the first time either.]
[Our little explorer at the Jungle Book Tree House.]
[The It's A Small World ride was another favorite. The only scary part was how old some of the dolls were inside. We had the great good pleasure of Luke's company on most of the rides. I guess riding with Auntie was new and exciting for him.]
[Boy that was a rough day. I'm exhausted.]