It's the little things...

Yesterday, Berit gave me a hug and grabbed my neck so tight.  And as she hung on she said to me 'happy!!'

Me too, Berit Bean!

Father's Day and a visit from Granny & Big A

This past weekend we celebrated Father's Day and a visit from Granny & Big A.  Friday, our visitors decided to stay the night at the Broadmoor in CO Springs, so we tagged along and went swimming.

Then the rest of the visit was spent playing, shopping and eating.  We went to Boulder for Father's Day, (same thing we did last year) so I think it will become a tradition.

 It was a great weekend-- summer is in full swing and we are loving it.

Oh good, a little bit of rain.

That's what I thought when it started raining a few nights ago.  But the rain never stopped and we got pummeled with not one but two back-to-back hail storms.  Our yard was so pretty.  We had worked so hard to get it ready for Berit's birthday party over Memorial Day weekend.  Now, this is what is left.

So, needless to say, we're pretty bummed.  We had some peas that we were growing from seed that were doing so well and we were so excited (since Berit just loves peas) to watch them climb the trellis that Steve had built.  Some of the flowers seem to be making a recovery, but the veggie garden is definitely done.  Berit hasn't enjoyed all the 'pokeys' (rocks, debris etc..) that have taken over her back porch.  She prefers a much cleaner space where she can enjoy her lunch and perfect her painting skills!

Vacation Bible School & Other Stuff...

Berit started Vacation Bible School last week.  It goes Tuesday-Thursday from 9-1 for 3 weeks, and she's having a great time.  There are lots of kids from her class last year that continued onto VBS.  On Wednesday's they have  'water day' and they get to wear their swimsuits and play in the water.

We also have been enjoying the nice weather.  We get great shade on the back porch in the morning, so we've been playing and having fun picnics with friends, and painting!

Painting!

Hangin' in the baby pool!

Lately she's obsessed with her new baby stroller-- which she transports everything from baby dolls to boxes of crackers, to bracelets and shoes.

KISSES!

2 years old

Today was Berit's second birthday.  Doesn't seem appropriate to keep track of her in 'months' anymore.  She's practically ready for kindergarten (so it seems).  This kid is a riot.  She's so funny and very opinionated and sassy.  Just when you think you've had enough sassiness for one day, she'll grab your leg and tell you she loves you.  Recently I picked her up at school and I told her I missed her and she says 'I missed you too.'  Lately we have started walking Daddy outside when he leaves for work and she will stand on the front porch and blow him kisses and yell 'I WUV U'.

cupcake! 

Here's what she's up to:

• 23 lbs. 8 oz. which is the 15th percentile.  33.5 inches tall which is the 45th percentile.  
• Loves to play with credit cards.  Seriously.  She asks for credit cards-- which are old expired gift cards, old credit cards, hotel cards etc...
• Repeating everything you say.  You say it.  So can she.  I can't keep up anymore.  She is even starting to put together some decent sentences.  'I do it.'  'I hear it.'  ' mommy read book.' 'hang on.' etc..
• Really getting good at her ABC's and counting to 10.  She doesn't get it right every time (or at all), but she's pretty dang close.  
• Really starting to care about what she wears.  I usually give her choices and let her pick out her clothes.  Also, just in the last week, she's tried to actually dress herself.  It takes awhile, but it's very entertaining.  She says 'I got it' if you ask her if she needs help.  
• She has learned to open the drawer in the living room where we keep the keys-- so just recently we couldn't find my car keys for almost a week.  We finally found them in the cabinet where we keep the dog food.  
• Speaking of dog food-- after we feed Maya, it is her job to give Maya a treat.  And she tells her to 'sit' while she feeds it to her.  
• Bossy, bossy, bossy.  
• Tells Daddy 'no drums Daddy'...meaning, you better not think of playing the drums because they are too loud.
• Calls herself 'Bet-it'...says 'Bet-it do it'  'Bet-it sit'
• Her obsession with gum and footie PJ's has gone to a new level.  Loves to unwrap gum and hold it.  When she gets caught licking it she assures me she is only going to 'hold it mom.'  I had to go out and buy her some summer PJ's that had footies on them b/c PJ's without footies just won't cut it anymore.  So we've had 80 degree days and she insists on napping in flannels  OK, whatever you want.  So now she has some light weight ones that may just do the trick.
• Has started climbing up on the chairs (and eventually onto the table and the island).  This is a big issue because you can't really leave her alone for a split second otherwise she will be up on the table.  Loves to 'cook' with mom.  
• Loves wagons rides after dinner and playing with the neighbors.  
• Loves to look at the computer.  Asks for 'pictures' (a slideshow of pictures of herself), or asks for Judy and Poopie (so we can skype).   
• A renewed obsession with the mailman.  When she sees a mail truck she yells 'man!' (same with Fedex and UPS)
• When she sees a bus she says 'round and round'

I've always loved every stage of her life (newborn, baby, toddler etc..) but this age is just so fun.  It's so great to see her becoming her own little person.  

We think she's the best. 

3 days old- home from hospital.  You can tell how happy I am.

Birthday Breakfast- chocolate chip pancakes!

Birthday trip to the Littleton Museum

After dinner cupcake!

One year down...

This past weekend we celebrated Mother's Day.  We had a great day-- we made chocolate chip pancakes, did some errands, and went swimming with some friends.  Then, Steve made fish tacos for dinner.

Ready to go swimming

She loved it

Much more comfortable in the water than last year

Then, today Berit had her last day of school!  I cannot believe the school year is already over and she will no longer be a little Bunny.  Next year she will be in the Kitten class.  Most of her class will be going into next year's Kitten class so she'll have lots of familiar faces.  She has blossomed so much since last August when she started.  I'm so happy I decided to put her in school one day a week because going forward she will have a better time adjusting being away from me.  Plus, she learned so much-- she went to music class, said her prayers, painted and did fun crafts, socialized with other kids, and learned to nap at school.  Plus, I LOVED her teachers.  They were so sweet and good with her and she loved them and today gave them hugs goodbye.  When we drive by her school she always points at it and says 'school' and it makes me so happy because I know she loves it.  

Picture of Berit on her first day of school August 2011

Berit on her last day of school May 2012 (same kid, just a bit more sassy).

Not wanting to have her picture taken

Sittin' in her chair

Cheese!

Cards she made for Ms. Meredith & Ms. Lesley

Goodbye Ms. Meredith & Ms. Lesley (she had just woken up)

What we're up to....

Berit had a music program and an art show at school

Best picture I could get

Showing off her catepillar

Handprint

She's still obsessed with Moo.

Sticking her hand in Moo's bowl even though she knows she's not supposed to.

More fun stuff...

Smelling the peonies

Visiting the dentist (didn't go so well).

Standing on the island like I'm not supposed to.

Playing in the pantry like I'm not supposed to. 

Practicing her glare for when she's a teenager.