I'm a Big Girl Now!

We decided Parker was ready to potty train around Halloween... her teachers agreed, but with my schedule, it was best to wait until after Thanksgiving.  So Friday morning, after Thanksgiving we started "Potty Training Boot Camp".  Parker had a decent weekend, several accidents, but did well... I sent her to school on Monday with several changes of clothes and in her big girl panties (with pull-ups for nap).

She did awesome!  She has had ONE accident at school.  We've had a few at home, but I'm really proud of her!  We did have to switch from the small potty to a "princess potty seat" but she's done amazing!

I-Phone Dump Take 11

"my do it"

swimming in the tub

our little bathtub artist

give the girl paint, and she paints her hands....

yummy "nanas"

Thanksgiving 2012

Unfortunately, Drew had to work this Thanksgiving, but Parker and I were able to go to Birmingham to spend Thanksgiving with my mom's family.  We weren't sure if we were going to get to go, because little miss got sick on Tuesday night.  One trip to the after hours clinic (thankful for that!) and we were diagnosed with RSV and told to watch her.  Drew kept her home on Wednesday, and we told everyone we would have to play Thursday by ear.  By Thursday, her fever had come down (a lot) and she was acting like she felt okay, so we headed north for some family fun.  

Parker and Linley "shared" the phone.  Well, more like Parker told Linley, "no my games".

After we ate, we tried to get a family pictures (minus Drew and Jager) for my grandparents Christmas card.  We were three hours past nap time, with no nap at that point.  After pictures we packed up and headed back to Auburn so a little girl could get some much needed rest.  

(only sharing the "outtakes"... would hate to share Memom's Christmas Card picture early!)

Toomer's Corner

When Drew got off work Saturday, we took Parker downtown to Toomer's Corner for the first time.  She was a little overwhelmed by the toilet paper hanging from the trees (as you can see from the first picture).

We walked behind the trees and tried to find a roll lying around.  We found one and took Parker to some bushes and showed her what to do.  She loosened up and had a blast!  She was throwing the paper and playing in the paper and running around like a wild woman!

She threw the paper on herself.

She really had fun just playing around.

I hope we get to take her to Toomer's many more times over the years.  

Twenty-Three Months

So hard to believe that we are well into planning a second birthday... its only a month away!

They had a Thanksgiving feast at school on Thursday and asked us to dress the kids up as either pilgrims or indians... so Parker went as an indian.  (she had a headband with feathers but wanted nothing to do with it!)

We read, sing and count all the time.  She has a love of coloring and since painting her pumpkin, asks to paint almost daily.  I think we might ask Santa for some arts and crafts supplies!

We were honestly sick the WHOLE month of October.  She would get over something, but have a lingering cough, and then get something else right on top of it.  I'm really hoping we are over that hump.  

She is cutting her bottom canine teeth right now.  The top aren't far behind those.  And I'm sure her two year molars won't be too far behind either.  

Weekend naps have been hard lately.  Parker will be absolutely exhausted but try to fight them.  I've spent hours rocking her over the past month.  (Not that I mind that!).  We will rock, and she will point to the bed and say "night night" so I'll put her down.  Then 10-15 minutes later she will be standing up and calling "momma" or playing with her monitor, so we do it again. and usually again after that.

Auburn Fun

We have had some Auburn fun on Saturdays lately. A few weeks ago, we went in to tailgate for a few hours.   Parker had a great time.  She loved seeing all the sights.

We found a friend to play ball with Parker.  He was so sweet to share his football with her.

Last weekend, we went to the Football Fans and Feathers with the Auburn Raptor Center.  I had been interested in taking Parker to see the birds.  I've seen a mini-version of the presentation numerous times, but I'm really glad we took her.  She loved watching the "bird fly".  She also loved climbing on the seats.

 Spirit flew right over our heads. 

 We had a chance to see the birds up close at the end, but I didn't get any pictures because Drew had to leave early for work and I couldn't manage a little one and the camera in the crowd.

The next day, I took Parker to her first Auburn game.  Drew had to work unfortunately, but it was Homecoming, and I thought it would be fun for her.  I planned from the beginning on leaving at halftime for her nap.

She had a blast!  She loved pointing out the band, cheerleaders, ball and Aubie.

She watched other people and cheered when they cheered, and shook her shaker some.

I couldn't have done it by myself.  Thankfully Mal Mal and Josh were sitting with us. 

Parker sat with Mal Mal while I got her food.  She discovered popcorn and LOVED it.  We saw Mal Mal on the field at halftime and watched them crown Miss Homecoming, then we left.  Parker crashed in the car on the way home, but it was a fun day, and I am so glad I took her!

Happy Halloween

We had fun Halloween night with friends.  We met for dinner, then headed downtown to the downtown trick or treat.  We stopped for a few pictures on the way, then started the trick or treating.   There was a huge crowd, but we pretty much avoided most of it... which was good with all our little ones.

 We found Miss Auburn and Miss Auburn University.  Kate was excited to take a picture with a "real princess"... Parker not so much!

 We tried to get a picture of the "big" girls hugging...

 Sweet Mrs. Ashley danced with Parker.

 A happy little monkey didn't discover her tail until we were already home :).

I'm so glad that we got to have such a fun night with wonderful friends!

Pumpkin Painting

Drew and I decided against carving a pumpkin this year.  I knew when we went to the pumpkin patch, I wanted to get Parker a pumpkin to paint, and I was going to do something to the other one to make it "Halloween-ish".  

Parker picked her colors...purple, blue, pink and orange.

She had a blast painting.  At first, she was only using purple and blue, and we had to get her to add some pink and orange.

At one point, I turned the pumpkin so that she could paint the clean side, and she moved back to paint the part she was already working on.

Parker's finished product:

I also got the idea for a drip pumpkin from pinterest.  I had a lot of acrylic paint, so I didn't buy new paints, but I might should have.  My old paint was clumpy. And Parker went a little overboard squeezing.  (Sorry, no pictures of that because she was in my lap for the acrylic...)