Flower girl - San Diego 2009 - Day 1

In late September, we took a trip to San Diego for a close friend's wedding. My friend or more like family to me (known her since she was two years old) had asked if Scarlett would be her flower girl. We were very honored that she asked and were more than willing to oblige.

We arrived a day early and spent some time in La Jolla to take in the scenery. What followed were a few cute pictures of Scarlett mimicking her dad in body position.

First day of ballet

I apologize to all for being negligent in keeping Scarlett's blog up-to-date so I am now going to play catch up. Facebook as occupied my time and realize not everyone can see the photos I have posted on Facebook.

On September 17, 2009 was Scarlett's first day of ballet. I was hesitant about putting her in ballet, but had heard great things about this ballet group that is taught at our church called the Dancing Angels. The little songs and dance are geared toward God so I thought let's give it a try.

Dressed and ready to go

Having fun while waiting for class to start

She seems to be enjoying herself waiting in line to get into the classroom

But the excitement wore off and next thing you know one of the teachers is holding her while she cries. They brought her back out to me which was a mistake because after a 30 seconds of crying, Scarlett is usually fine. I walked her back in and told the teacher that she would cry for no more than 30 seconds and she'll be fine.

Does mommy know her daughter or what?

Our little fish

iPhone junkie

About a month ago, I upgraded my iPhone to the newest one and passed on my old to Scarlett to use for games. She has become addicted to it and I must say has been a lifesaver at restaurants or anywhere else she may have to wait such as a doctor's office.

Dora Show was a HIT

We bought tickets to the Dora show two months in advance. It seemed a long time before the show would be in Dallas, but our wait was finally over. We met our friends with their little boy, Tyler, since he, too, loved Dora just as much as Scarlett. We do joke that Tyler is Scarlett's bethrothed. He is such a cutie.

Ok, what was I saying. Oh yeah, Dora show. Of course, you can't put on a show without having the paraphenalia there for your kids to want. Surprisingly, Scarlett was not all over it. We asked what she wanted and she said she wanted Boots and Rescue Pack (which is Diego's backpack). And well, wouldn't you know it, little Tyler had just happened to pick the same thing.

Once the show started, Scarlett was completely mesmerized by it. It was funny to hear her later actually tell people that she went to the Dora show. It really made an impact on her and she loved every minute of the show. We were so glad we took her.

The pictures are not the best as I had to use my phone to take the pictures because we weren't allowed to use our cameras with flash.

This photo was right before the show started and she was already enthralled in it. She sat on my lap the whole show and never moved.

Neighborhood 4th of July parade

Our neighborhood area had a 4th of July parade so we packed our folding chairs and met some friends with their little boy, Tyler, to watch the parade. We were impressed with the parade. Though we sought shade, it didn't take long to get hot. The people in the parade threw out more candy than they give out on Halloween. You had to pay attention or you'd get smacked by one. Check out the HUGE Central Market shopping cart. Now that's some serious grocery shopping.

All about indoor play this summer

With the summer heat here in Dallas, we've been trying out indoor options to beat the heat and as of late, the mosquitos which are really bad here in Dallas.

Scarlett really liked it and as you can see so did Gerry.

You call this a pool

I am laughing as I type this particular piece as I know my sister is going to give me grief. While we were in Corpus, Scarlett wanted to swim. My sister said she had a blow up pool, well, this is not exactly what Scarlett had in mind. She lasted all of 5 minutes. Her face says it all. She was disappointed.

Indoor stroller derby

We had friends over for dinner last week and toward the end of the evening. Gerry started something. You see, one day Scarlett wanted to be pushed in her doll's stroller and so Gerry did it except he decided he would run while pushing her and the rest is history.

As it turned out Scarlett decided she wanted a push in the doll stroller and then that's when it all began - Alexa and Jenna had to have a turn. We admit it was pretty fun watching their faces of excitement as they rounded the corner. Ah, to be a kid.

Corpus trip

Scarlett and I took a road trip to Corpus to see my family. We stopped in Austin to pick up my sister and niece (she's three weeks younger than Scarlett). We spent the night in Austin and then headed out the next morning. All I have to say is thank goodness for DVD players. For the most part, both girls did great.

Scarlett with Grandma (my mom) and her cousin, Allison

Me, Scarlett, Grandma, Allison, my sister - Lucy and her daughter, Megan. It was hard getting the young ones to cooperate with pictures. My poor mom closed her eyes.

Evening and morning routines

Most nights when putting Scarlett to bed she doesn't fall asleep right away. She usually starts with a little fussing after we leave her room, but it only lasts all of 30 seconds before her tune changes and decides to sing which is so cute to hear on the monitor.

In the morning, she also will end up singing as well. One morning she added something new which made us laugh because of the tone of her voice. (listen to video)

This one she is singing a song she learned in Mother's Day Out. "Pie, pie (this is her little lamb called Lammie Pie), jump up and down, jump up and down...now sit down. Ball, ball, jump up and down....

This is Scarlett singing in the morning after waking up at the top of her lungs. She's singing "Ring Around the Rosies" but changed the words a bit. "Ring around the nina (as in little baby girl in Spanish)...." then followed with "ring around the mommy, mommy...."

After her song she decided to call out for Mommy and Daddy.

Our little fish

Scarlett has been in swim lessons nonstop since she was six months old. A few weeks ago while swimming at our neighbors house she decided to wanted to swim underwater and from that point on, she wants to be in the pool ALL the time. I'm sharing photos of our little fish swimming and even a video from one of her swim lessons.

Sleeping in her "big girl" bed

Scarlett is officially sleeping in her "big girl" bed. We're going on a week and half straight and not once has she asked to sleep in her crib. She has done very well and sleeps all night like she usually did in her crib. The first week, she didn't get out of bed. She waited until we came to get her, but now she realized she can get out of bed and had a few episodes:

• turning off her humidifier which was on the floor, but taking a step forward by trying to pick it up and spilling the water all over the carpet
• being caught carrying off her fan (used for white noise) while it was still plugged in

I moved the items up on shelves, but that didn't stop her. She figured out she could use her step stool in her bathroom. I came in just as she was bringing it out of her bathroom. She wanted to turn off the humidifier. I explained to her that I would help her by picking her up so she can turn it off herself, but apparently that went in one ear and out the other. The next day she figured out to open the cabinet under the shelves to step up on and turn off the humidifier. She wants to do it herself.

She now comes out of her room in the morning, but because she is such a talker, we know beforehand when she is awake so it's no surprise to us when she walks in.

Rolly polly frenzy

A few weeks ago we discovered rolly pollies in our front yard. I don't know what I was thinking when I told Scarlett that they tickled when they walked on your hand because that was the start of the rolly polly craze. She became obsessed with picking them up every time we went outside and well, since she discovered rolly pollies, we were outside A LOT!

There was a Dora episode where she used a magnifying glass to look at the bugs and before long we had a magnifying glass for her to check out the rolly pollies and the ants and any other bug that we might have come across.

I have since had pest control come by and spray our yards for ants because we had tons of them and I know it was because of all the rolly pollies living in our yard. I guess I didn't realize that it would also kill off the rolly pollies. Scarlett now searches hard to find at least one rolly polly, but to no avail. One day as we were outside a bird was in the yard and she saw him eat something and I told her the bird ate the rolly polly. What was I thinking? She was immediately upset and started to cry because the bird ate the rolly polly (which I know it did). As any great mother would do, I tried to convince her that the bird did not eat the rolly polly and that it ate an ant just to calm her down.

I know, I know. Crazy. I have since discovered that we can go the park and play with the rolly pollies there and she's happy. Good grief!

Video at end - compliments of "Aunt Shell" aka Michelle. Not only was Scarlett excited about the rolly pollies, but the ants, too. Even I make a debut in the video.

Where do they learn this stuff?

Scarlett is starting to show signs that she is ready for potty training. We've made progress in that she will finally sit on the big potty, but it also consists of others having their turn such as Elmo and most recently a ball. When I explained to her that the ball can't go potty, she would not listen to me. She proceeded to grab the toilet paper and said the ball was done and needed to wipe. I tried to tell her that the ball does not have a "hiney", BUT lo and behold, she proceeds to turn the ball around and around until she found the little hole where you pump air in and she said "there it is" and wipes it with the toilet paper. It was so hilarious!! As I laughed and praised her for being so smart, I started wondering to myself "Where did she learn something like that?"

Sorry no pictures. It was just a story that needed to be told.

New room

We have been in the process of changing Scarlett's room preparing it for a "big girl" room. With Gerry's help, we painted her room pink. I am not a pink person, but the color came out great. Afterwards I had my friend Cami's best friend come out and paint the art work on her walls which also turned out fabulous. The pictures won't do it justice. It looks so much better in person.

I am currently in the process of repainting her bathroom. I had painted it a green color, but turned out horrible against the tile so I'm repainting it a neutral color - sandy white. The artist will be back in two weeks to do the art work in her bathroom.

Probably in another week, I will start the transition from crib to bed and I will start with her naps. It's going to be interesting for bedtime because Scarlett does not like to go to bed. Stay tuned for "Adventures in Transition".

Scarlett thought she'd get in the bed and try it out after she woke up from her nap in her crib. She looks a little comfortable.

It's funny how she's starting to look big in her crib, but so little in the twin bed.