"I Do It"

We have heard these words more and more and more since someone in our house turned 2. From buckling the carseat, climbing up and down stairs, getting a snack, putting on a sweater and tonight - wanting to go to bed on her own. Emma is now Miss Independent and thinks she is capable of anything. "I do it, I do it!" She doesn't say it ugly, she just simply states it, like a reminder to us that she is fully in control now. It amazes me and I don't know how she heard those words or what made her suddently start saying them. But, they are frequently used words now and a constant reminder how much she really has grown.

We Can't Live Without These!

These DVD's have been the best DVD's in our house. I thought I would share!

This one is absolutely adorable and what actually got my kids liking Elmo and Abby. It has the basic children's songs like Itsy Bity Spider, Wheels on the Bus, Mary Had a Little Lamb, etc. This is the video that really got Emma into singing. There is also a volume one, but it is not as good as this one.

Word World is a show on PBS that I have written about before. This show is precious and actually got Emma into learning her letters. They are also really funny and it is neat to how kids catch on to humor. We love Word World and our van has about five of these DVD's in it. Hannah likes it, but it has a little too much dialog to keep her attention. But, she does know the theme song and enjoys the music.

This video is Hannah's favorite. I was never a real fan of Barney but this DVD is adorable and has the cutest songs. It can hold Hannah's attention the entire time and Emma loves it too and just sings and dances with the whole video. I also think the bright colors captures attention of younger kiddies . It really is a cute, cute video.

I bought this DVD on sale after Christmas last year. We just opened it about two weeks ago. Emma got it as a prize for going potty! It is now a favorite and I figured they may as well learn Christmas songs now so they can sing them at Christmas time. It has about twenty Christmas songs with all kinds of Disney character Christmas show segments with them. It is absolutely adorable. Hannah loves it as well and Emma knows all the words to Jingle Bells, Here Comes Santa Claus and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. I highly recommend this one to learn Christmas music!

Emma and Lilly

Emma loves Lilly so much and Lilly does her best to be so patient with her! Emma recently even wants to give Lilly a kiss night night. Lilly actually does not sleep in our bed very much anymore - we often find her in Emma's bed. Tonight Emma wanted to take pictures with Lilly so here they are.

She's Off!

Hannah walked across the entire living room last night, October 4th. She has done even more today and this evening. She has even stood up in the middle of the floor on her own and walked around. I cannot believe how much she has progressed in just a few days. We are so proud of her!

Hannah's First Birthday

I seriously cannot believe that Hannah turned one today. It just does not seem probable that she has been here for a whole year! Hannah was such a surprise to us, but our family is so complete with her. Her sweet smile and precious temperment make every single day with her a blessing.

The morning started out with singing Happy Birthday. Emma wanted to keep singing and did a great job singing to her little sister. She knew all of the words and would even tell us that Hannah was one and she was two!

Hannah is so happy every day that it was just another typical day for Hannah. To us, we could not believe that she was one. We had a simple family party for her at our house. The cake matched the invitation with a cupcake, pink and green circles and one candle. She wore the same Strasburg birthday dress that Emma loved, because I really could not find anything more sweeter than that dress. Hannah played all morning, Bo's parents came into town and then we had a party at 2:00 with some simple food, cake and ice cream. Hannah's big present from us was the Sweetheart Playhouse for our deck. It is so cute, but she could not play in it because it did rain today. I think her and Emma will enjoy it this fall.

My mom and dad gave her a new rocking chair to match her bedroom and a little riding toy car. My sister and brother in law gave her a pearl bracelet. Bo's parents gave her the Little People Nativity Scene to play with at Christmas time, an Elmo movie, cute outfit/bib and some money. She got some cute clothes, lots of DVD's, a ball popping little toy and her favorite thing of all was the singing Barney. Hannah LOVES Barney! So, she would not put the Barney down for the rest of the party.

Hannah was wonderful the whole party even though she was fighting a little cold. She was still as happy as ever. We all helped her blow out her candles and she loved eating her cake. It was a perfect family party with just the right people to celebrate with us. I was so glad to have the day off with her and to celebrate on her real birthday. We love you so much Hannah - more than you will ever imagine. Happy First Birthday sweetie pie!

Hurricane Emma and Tropical Storm Hannah

Bo sent me this picture while I was out this evening......the house was a disaster.

Busy, Busy

Hannah is into everything.....