Rainy Day Reading

Fridays are usually our story time days. But upon seeing the rain at 10:00, I decided to ask the big boss man, Lucas, whether he wanted to stay home or go to story time. Luckily for me, he said he was fine staying home. *phew* I was not in the mood to load the kids in the pouring rain and walk in the pouring rain into the library. To compensate for our usual library time, we just hung out in Char's room (the new hot spot) and read books. The kids thought it'll be fun to read in Char's tent. As long as they're quiet, they can do whatever they please!

Some light saber fun before hitting the books

 Using the light sabers as their light source

 Reading the same book again

"Hi Charlotte. Good morning."

Migrated to Lucas' room to play cars

Char's Present(s)

I always have trouble buying a gift for the second child. What do you get the second child? Their older sibling already has everything! And honestly, the kid's not really going to care about gifts till they're 2.5 years old (at least that's the case for Lucas). For Char's birthday, we got TONS of board books. I guess that's what the second child gets... books! Of course this is totally fine with me. We've pretty much been shafting Char and giving her Lucas' old board books to read. So I was mighty happy to see that she finally gets new books. (And Lucas was happy too since he got to snag Char's new books... he tried to pull a couple fast ones and bring it to his room, but he wasn't as slick as he thought he was.) 

Anyway, a friend took pictures of Char's party at the Coop and here's a few family shots.

Why is Mommy the only one smiling (as always)?!

Doing what she does best... eat!

Blow blow blow

Lucas loves cake

Char and Lucas love reading the new books. However, it seems like the winning present is a princess tent! When Char first saw her tent, she said "wow"! When Lucas first saw the tent in Char's room, he said "WOW! I want it!" (oh Lu...).

Innocently reading books in the tent

 ... still innocent (and all smiles)

Poor tent...

Monday Photo Shoot

This Monday was a tad bit different from all our typical Monday play dates. We had a photo shoot with all our kiddie friends as a going away present for one of the kids' buddies. Us moms had no idea what to expect with our group, but the shoot turned out surprisingly well (I think!). The kids sat down for an ample amount of time, though I don't think many well smiling - but beggars can't be choosers.

How we got them to all sit like this is a miracle in itself

Balloons, but still no smiles

Moms trying to get the kiddos to smile

Lucas' quasi-smile

Proof that Lucas did have fun 

 Model son

Model daughter

Hopefully there will be a good group pics of the kiddies when the pictures come back... and hopefully a few good ones with my kiddies.

The Weekend

This weekend, like many other weekends, went by way too fast. Time definitely flies when you have kids! The Shinn kids continued to entertain themselves for a good amount of time at home (which is super cute and relaxing).

Building and "cooking"

 

Matching big and little 100 words book

Coloring while waiting for food at Orenchi

Cousin love

Little Miss Dictator

... and that was this weekend. Happy Monday!

You've Got A Friend In Me

I waited a whole year for this moment to come... my kids are now old enough to entertain each other (or play by themselves while I get some cooking and cleaning done). Sure, Charlotte still annoys her brother here and there, but overall, they've grown to be quite good friends/siblings.

 Following the leader

 Bumper cars

 Driving driving

Quietly reading

 Happy afternoon snackers

Playing with magnets while Mommy cooks

I can't believe I can actually cook and clean while these kids play! Unbelievable! (Oh, but to be brutally honest, these kids still drive me crazy!)

1 & 2

 Crazy! I now have a 1 year old and a 2 year old. If that's not living la vida loca, I don't know what is!

 

Look at little Miss Shorty

Charlotte's 1st birthday has come and gone, and now... she's a toddler (at least according to Babycenter). Unlike all the massive planning I did for Lucas's 1st birthday, Char's was much more low key. It was great that we did not have to worry  much about setting up or cleaning up (I'm pretty sure our party, with the massive amount of toddlers there, made a huge mess!).

Since toddlers have opinions, Char decides to have an opinion now about what to eat and is great with her pointer finger. She likes to use her pint sized fingers to dictate everything. And upon seeing this, Lucas sometimes likes to act like a baby too. AIIIII!

Celebrating at the Coop

 Looking like a homeless girl...

 His favorite part about birthdays - CAKE!

Happy President's Day everybody! Stay healthy...

Dear Charlotte

 Dear Charlotte,

     I never thought this day would come so fast! It felt like yesterday where we brought you home from the hospital, and realized how different you are from your brother (although you guys looked exactly the same as newborns!). I remember all those sleepless nights we had where you refused to go back to sleep after a feeding. I remember all those nasty explosions you had and how you always cried bloody murder every time we changed your diaper. I remember sleeping on the floor of your room from 3-4 am because you needed someone to stuff your paci back in your mouth or because your mobile would turn off after 30 minutes and you still wanted your music on. I remember sitting on the floor of your room from 3-4 pm because you would only nap in someone's arms. I remember ergo-ing you from 6-7 pm because that was your “bad hour” and being carried was the only way you’ll fall asleep. I remember the time from week 17 – week 50 where you had your crazy case of stranger/separation anxiety. You would not let anyone hold you, so I had to be with you 24/7. 

     But now look at you baby girl, you’re ONE! You are sleeping well, you’re eating well, and you are over your stranger/separation anxiety. You’ve transformed into a happy, smiley, petite little lady. Sure, you still have attitude and you are quite the sassy princess, but you are definitely a lot easier now than you were in the beginning. 

     Charlotte, raising you this past year was definitely not easy. You were a real piece of work! I devoted an entire year of my life to raising you into the little toddler girl you are today. But every time you smiled, every time you clapped your hands, every time you crawled in for a hug, all those little things made it all worth it.

     Happy first birthday, my baby Valentine. I love you sooooo much!

Love,

Mommy

 The final product (with many, many out takes)

 Would rather play than sit still

 Flashing her million dollar smile

 Out take #40

 Out take #32

 Peace out, homies! I'm done with monthly pics!

 Fell asleep while eating...

 Little pint size loves to eat!

Raise your hand if you're ONE today!