Camrie's birthday bash

Last weekend we went to Southern Oregon for my sister's birthday, my niece Camrie's birthday, and just because we hadn't visited in a while. The visit was nice, but it felt super fast. Ainsleigh loved seeing everyone, getting lots of attention, and playing with cousins.

Reading a book together - Camrie, Erica & Ainsleigh. It is a counting book, and they would take turns counting what was on the page, then naming everything else. Ainsleigh got it right most of the time 5 things and under, and wrong most of the time over 5, but no one would correct her, she's too little. If Camrie got it wrong, Erica would tell her, "try again". About 10 minutes after these pictures Ainsleigh was sitting by herself with this book, she counted, then said, "try again" and counted over again - we were cracking up.

For Camrie's birthday she wanted a water slide - this one belongs to their daycare provider. They get to play on it once a week at daycare, and Camrie goes crazy on it. Cayden went pretty wild that night, he would stand at the top and jump down onto it. They both really liked not having to share it with the other kids at daycare for a special evening. Ainsleigh kept saying she wanted to go on it, but as soon as she touched the ice cold water she'd say no. Another little girl, Elly, went on it a few times with her dad's help, but she was pretty cold too.

Camrie

Camrie

Camrie

Cayden

Cayden

Elly

Elly

Singing Time

One morning week before last Ainsleigh was very willing to sing for me, so I took advantage of that and caught it on video - be prepared it's almost 2 minutes long, but very cute. It's interesting to compare it to the last one, she pronounces things much better, like her "l" s in "follow follow me". I, of course think it's like the cutest thing in the world, so you should too.

backyard fun

These were taken almost a month ago, but we were pretty excited to be able to play in the backyard, I was also trying to get some good pictures of her new hair do - now well over a month old. She likes the backyard a lot, but seems to prefer the front yard - probably because that ususally results in a trip to the park. In the video she's first watching an airplane go overhead, not just spacing out, and the yellow outfit is jammies for pajama day at daycare.

87 of 200

Here's what you do: copy the list, and then bold the things you have done
1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby’s diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said “I love you” and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run (only if whiffle ball counts)
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight (I think 75% should count for girls!!)
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don’t
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
67. Bounced a check
68. Read - and understood - your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all fours
106. Raked your carpet
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe
113. Buried a child
114. Gone to a Broadway (or equivalent to your country) play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in an historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one (if minature golf counts)
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Run a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something (if recipes count)
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hostel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a campfire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Responded to a NJP newsletter

Mommy tag

Well, i've been a pretty big slacker on blogging lately, so while i'm catching up - Erin tagged me (I think it was me - although she put Karee D. - my maiden name initial) well over a month ago for this, and I like to do them because I always love to read what other people put on them, so here goes... Well, it took me 3 days to finish this, but the answers are all still the same, I think,



1. What time does Ainsleigh wake up? usually 6:30 am (it's a killer sometimes if I worked the night before and didn't get to bed until after 12).

2. What time does Ainsleigh go to bed? Until last Saturday it was around 9-9:15pm, then Brody said lets try ealier, if she wakes up at 5 tomorrow i'll get up with her and we'll go back to 9. I had been trying to get her to sleep later because we could tell she wasn't getting enough sleep. The darkening shades only seemed to be getting her about 15 minutes more on average in the morning, so we tried the 8 o'clock thing. It's been a little later a few days, but so far it's working great and i've still got a little energy left after I put her down Yeah!!

3. How long have I been a mom? 2 years and almost 3 months - can't believe how fast time flies

4. How old was I when became a mom? 28 - never thought I would be that old, but love the fact that I am this old.

5. What's my favorite kid TV show? Probably Diego, I like to learn about the animals too, and the latin inspired tunes are pretty catchy. But anything Ainsleigh sings along with gets major bonus points.

6. What my least favorite kid TV show? That Ainsleigh watches - Barney we don't know where she learned to like him, there was a strict no Barney rule in our house, otherwise - Spongebob :(

7. Favorite chore? Is that honestly a question? I don't mind putting laundry in the washing machine, otherwise, it's just something I have to do.

8. Favorite meal to cook? I like to try new things, stuff with different spices and flavors

9. Meal cooked most often ? Grilled chicken with baked potato and a veggie

10. Ainsleigh's favorite meal? She likes a lot of things, pasta, pizza, any fruit, most veggies, bagels...

11. My favorite thing that Brody does with Ainsleigh? when she first started going to daycare they had a get home dance they did together - I rarely got to see it, but I loved that they shared that, I don't think they do that anymore, so it would probably be "playing cuddles" - especially when they're curled up together on the couch watching basketball.

12. My 5 things that make me a smile about being a mom...

a) bragging about my amazing two year old

b) hearing "thank you mommy ___________" for everything I do for her these days (change clothes, shoes, new diaper, juice, etc. it just melts your heart

c) watching Ainsleigh laugh while playing with other kids

d) picking her up from nursery and hearing "my mommy" about 18 times - nothing like your child runing straight for you with a bowl you over hug

e) seeing others get enjoyment out of love from Ainsleigh (Brody, grandparents, pseudo-grandparents and friends at church) she loves to love everyone

13. Where do I want to take Ainsleigh one day? ultimately, to the temple for her wedding there, until then - while she's young places that stretch the imagination, then when she's old enough to appreciate it - other cultures to see the world holds so many wonderful differences and appreciate what we have here.

14. When was the last time we went out without Ains? Last night to see Indiana Jones - it was good, but not as spectacular as expected.

15. 1 thing you said you'd never do as a mom? like Erin, allow her to fall from me not paying enough attention, bribing with treats, i'm sure there's more

16. Favorite past time with Ainsleigh? Anything outside - I think because it forces me to be just in the moment with her, not worrying about what I need to get done around the house, I also love that there's always new things for her to discover outside and I love to see that.

17. Favorite quality my mom has? That she would do just about anything for her children/grandchildren (or anyone she cares about) to make them happy or make their lives easier, and that she can shrug off the little stuff and just not worry about it.

18. Advice for new moms? Enjoy each stage of your childs growing up, you are the mom, you will know how to raise your child(ren), no one else needs to tell you how without asking, and especially a child learns plenty just while playing, so don't worry about whether or not every single toy etc is specially made for learning.

19. What was a scary or heartbreaking moment you had? When Ainsleigh fell down one of the ladders at teh playground a few weeks ago - I was standing right there, but she slipped and in an instant was on teh ground, she hit the ladder on teh way down then thudded on her head, did that silent thing for what seemed liek forever before letting out the biggest whail i've heard from her not during a fit. She ended up fine, just a little cut on her tongue, but I really thought she could've been knocked out she hit so hard. She hasn't even tried going up or down a ladder since then.

20. When was the last time Ainsleigh said "I love you"? Sometime this morning - I am now in the wonderful phase of hearing that and thank you a ton - which I love!!

Ice Cream Fit

Tonight, at Rachel & Brady's house Ainsleigh didn't want to eat dinner. She had been a little off all day today. She was totally wired during sacrament meeting - you would have thought she had a pound and a half of candy for breakfast. She isn't the most reverent child, but is pretty good, especially with her quiet book. Today she didn't sit still for 1/2 a second - wiggling and moving constantly, she wouldn't even sit still enough to look at her quiet book - and she usually plays with that the entire meeting. Then she wouldn't take a nap this afternoon, and only kinda seemed tired. So by the time we got to Rachel & Brady's she was getting tired. She's usually a good eater, but wouldn't touch it. The discussion of cookies & ice cream came up to get Tayson & Camden to finish their dinners. She immediately wanted that, but didn't seem to even comprehend our rationale that she had to eat dinner to have dessert. So, we set her plate aside and went off to playing. When cookies and ice cream time came she was so excited. We told her she had to eat her dinner - howling crying ensued, so she went to the room. When she came out we asked if she wanted her dinner, she excitedly said yes, apparetnly thinking her dinner had now magically become ice cream & cookies since everyone else was eating that. Dinner plate in front - pushed away - request for ic & c - denied - howling crying - to the room. Back out when she's done crying. request - denied - crying - room - etc a few more times. She started happily going back to the room, staying there quietly for a minute or so, and coming back out with a request/question for ic & c. Then denied, no crying, just try the same manuever again - tais happened three times. Then she decided she wanted her corn - if she got to sit on the floor in the living room to eat it. We let her, she got 2 kernels and a chip in, then abandoned that and requested again - denied - etc. Something happened and she wanted me to pick her up, so I set my bowl down and did, we walked into the living room, while she's staring at me and looking around, finally she asks, "mommy, where you I ceam?" At this point we all just busted out laughing - she is so dang smart, she tried everything. We never did give in, she cried a few more times, and eventually just said she wanted to go home - although she cried for Tayson and Camden as soon as we put the car in reverse. We get to see more and more everyday of what an awesomely strong personality we have. It gets hard sometimes, but mostly we just know we got a little us. She'll be an amazing, independent, super intelligent young woman entirely too soon, so I just try to remember this is one of the stepping stones for getting there. I've also included a fit throwing photo i got Saturday, although this is becuase I wanted to take a picture before I showed it to her - go figure!! ps - hopefully the story is somewhat followable, it really was hilarious to watch - sometimes it was like you could see the wheels turning in her head.

Salem Riverfront Park & Carousel

This picture totally cracks Brody and I up - it is Ainsleigh to a T, totally showing off her unique, fun, and very goofy personality.  Notice the gloves, she found them at home just before we left and refused to take them off until she fell down one time and they got dirty.  What a funny girl.

Riding on the carousel

Camden & Ains

Tayson & Ains - I think he has just Fuki slammed her

Ainsleigh running after Tayson trying to fuki slam him back

Tayson

Saturday we went to Salem Riverfront Park & Carousel. We met Brady, Rachel, Tayson and Camden there, played at the park, had a picnic lunch, then rode on the horsies on the carousel. We had a lot of fun. Ainsleigh always loves playing with her cousins. They played on the playground, chased each other around in the grass, and Aunt Rachel took them to see a big boat go by in the river. They all really enjoyed riding on the carousel, a big change from last year for Ainsleigh when she freaked about 3 seconds into it and made me take her off the horse and hold her. In fact, she went into a screaming fit about having to get off. She was getting pretty tired by then, but she's testing the waters big time to she what she can get out of screaming fits. Most of the time I hold my ground well and can often occupy her with other things, but it is trying at times to listen to the screams, or just how dang cute she is trying to work it other times.

azalea pictures

To make a cool mother's day picture, and becuae the azaleas in our front yard were blooming such a beautiful color, oh, and because I had finally figured out how to do the black and white and color photo thing on the computer, I took (and played with) these pictures the week before mom's day. Ainsleigh looks way old in them, especially with here hair that way, but I think i'm going to cut it into a bob again this week. I love it long when she lets me do it - which is maybe 25% of the time, and that only stays in an average of 2 hours, so she looks like a mop head the rest of the time - therefore, a bob it is.