Lil' Chefs Cooking School

Lil' Chefs. Oh it's as cute as it sounds. Imagine 12 toddlers all sitting around a kitchen counter listening to teacher Denise talk about kitchen rules and cooking up a storm. First day the little ones made english muffin pizzas and cut up their own fruit salads (with plastic knives). Dylan had a blast. We're taking the class with our good friends Miles, Gia, and Momma G (Dylan's nickname for Shannon). It was a hoot and Dylan was in her cooking glory.

To The Park With Dad

The other day mom got a day off - yup the entire day Dylan spent with her Dad and as you can tell from the photo's there was some fun to be had. Here's some shots from their bike ride to Lincoln Park.







Here's a video of D rocking on a motorcycle but distracted from other kids playing nearby. My favorite part is the little run at the end - she has the cutest little run.

Taco Bar

Uh believe me this kid has a home. Honestly she hasn't been living on the streets begging for change. This face is the result of taco bar night - a tradition I've carried on from my childhood. While growing up my dad and I shared a common bond over taco bar night - we loved it! All the toppings would be put in bowls on a lazy susan (okay we don't have the lazy susan but we do have taco stands) in the middle of the table and my dad and I would build taco after taco after taco. It was so much fun and sooooo good. My dad, like a jedi master, schooled me on how to build a taco correctly - we're talking hard shell tacos here. Since my dad isn't here to school the new crew I've taken on the jedi master role and have had to do some hard core taco building training ;)>. So now my family LOVES taco bar night as you can see from the picture above.

The Red Swan

A friend of ours gave D these wooden dress up dolls called Woodkins. It's a flat wooden doll and you dress it using fabric swatches. You then close the lid and it makes an outfit. Very simple and very cleaver. Dylan loves coming up with different outfits and she then comes running to show you each one. Hours of entertainment.

Calling All Aliens

Not Just A Sandwich Board

So the other day we're walking to the car after a lovely morning session at Little Gym when Dylan spots a sandwich board.

Next thing I know it becomes a fort - ha! So proud of herself.

Bath Time Musicals

Fort Time With Dad

Nothings better than fort time with Dad!

2 Year Check Up

Here's a great shot from our friend Kate Rielly.

Oh 2 ~ can you believe it? Honestly it blows my mind. Every day there is something new like the other morning she woke up and out of the blue started calling me 'mommy' - it's been momma up to this point. Cracked me up. Or after watching Elmo she now refers to herself in the third person, 'd help', 'd's turn', 'd cupcake please'. Or after hearing Maggie cough she runs up to her, pats her head and asks 'Maggie okay?' in the most caring way. The other day she says to me 'try it momma you'll like it'. Oh the list can go on. Her verbal skills get better and better every day, she's becoming quite the little parrot that's for sure. Dylan has turned into a little person and is so fun to be around - we love her madly!

For Dylan's 2 year check up she weighted in at 30 lbs - 85.55%, her height was 36" - 94.17% (very tall for her age), and her head is 19" - 76.63% (takes after her dad in that area). All was good with the doctor's visit and Dylan is on course if not ahead of it. Nice work D!

Nothing Cuter

Brunch With Baby Brooks

A few weeks back our good friends Jeremy & Damiana came over for brunch and brought over their cutest little guy, Brooks. Oh was Dylan in heaven (okay, I'll admit it I was too)!!!! It was true love between the two as you can see from the pictures below. Snuggles, kisses, and a head lock hug - sorry Brooks. It was great to hang out and catch up! Damiana has been and apparently still is (although I don't know how she finds the time) one of our biggest blog followers. So we're giving a shout out to her - nice work momma, baby Brooks is a gem!!!

The Little Blue Car

Our friends Jan & Ted were doing a little spring cleaning the other day and called to say that their son, Milo was done with his little blue car. Well little did they know that EVERY time we go to the little neighborhood park Dylan beam lines straight to the little cars they have there AND she gets really upset if there is another kid using it. SOOOO to find out that she could have her very own little blue car oh you should have seen the smiles. Every time we come home from somewhere and walk through the back gate it's 'Momma blue car, d play blue car'. She loves it! Thanks Milo!!!!!