Macie is TWO!!!

Yesterday was Macie's 2nd birthday. I managed to bake a cake Thursday night after our mall trip, though I didn't have the energy or desire to stay awake long enough to frost it, so that had to wait until Friday morning. And, as you can tell, I didn't take the time to wipe the excess icing off the edges of the pan. So it's a bit sloppy. Thankfully, Macie didn't care...


I also wanted to get some pictures of Macie before school on her birthday. This was her look when I said, "Hey, Macie!"...


And then I took her paci away. She couldn't believe I had done such a thing...


So she scolded me...


Finally, she realized I wasn't going to give up. So she gave in and smiled. Well, kind of....


You know, the sort of smile that says, "Happy now? Okay. Enough of the games. Give me back my paci."

Wordless THURSDAY (#29): Look What I Did Tonight!!!

(And I got over the surprise, shock, and pain relatively quickly, too, much to Mommy and Daddy's delight!)

Meet the Heels, 2010

Last Saturday, while I was at work, Dale took the girls to Meet the Heels. And he was even brave enough to take the camera. What a superstar dad! (Although he was quick to point out to me later that Michelle Brunner saved him. So thanks for your help, Michelle!)

Upon arrival, as Dale was fighting with the stroller, carrying Macie, and trying to keep an eye on Ivie as they descended the stairs into the stadium (I've got a pretty good visual of this, and, while I feel sorry for him, I must admit that it makes me want to laugh), Ivie took off in front of him and ran toward Rameses. So Dale frantically put down the stroller, pulled out the camera, and started snapping away, eager to get some pictures to show me.

Until, that is, he heard a man behind him say, "HEY! We've been here for 30 minutes WAITING OUR TURN." Whoops. Apparently there was a line...

So Dale quickly took a few more pictures, apologized, and scurried Ivie away. Well done, Daddy!

Here are a couple shots from their day, including a series of Macie throwing the football. I THINK SHE'S GOING TO BE MY LEFTY!!!!

Family Bowling Night

Last Friday night, we had a family bowling night with friends of ours from daycare, the Kidds and the McCullochs. It had been a while since we'd been to the bowling alley, mainly because our most convenient lanes, The Mardi Gras Bowling Center, decided not to continue the "Kids Bowl Free" program this summer. I know. The nerve...

The good news, though, is that, sometime in the last year, they got kids-sized shoes. Strutting around in them was definitely Macie's favorite part of the evening. The shoes and the soda, that is.



Ivie had a blast bowling with her friends, the two Carolines. They started off actually rolling the balls down the lanes themselves...




But it didn't take us long (only one scolding by the staff) to realize that the girls weren't strong enough to get the 6-pound balls all the way down the lane by themselves (not that I can say much, since I only use an 8-pounder)!


So they were delegated to ramp-use only. Thankfully, it didn't cut down on the excitement! Or, as you'll see, the encouragement of friends (and sisters).




Thanks for the fun evening, friends! We hope another Family Bowling Night is in our future soon!

Wordless I-Don't-Even-Know-What-Day-It-Is (#28): Prepared...

(My mom is in town helping me with the girls this week. This was my kitchen table at 12:04a this morning when I got home from work. No, friends, that time is not a typo.)

Wordless Wednesday (#27): Apparently the Bug Spray Wore Off...

Another Summer, Another T-Ball Season...

With this weekend, came Ivie's last t-ball game of the summer. I will tell you that she made significant strides over the last year! Her daddy has taught her how to "attack" ground balls, and, while she still didn't bang down the door on Saturday mornings to go to her games, she seemed to enjoy it when she arrived.

Dale was there to help with Macie, so I was able to bring along my camera (and I even remembered my zoom lens!) to get a few action shots of her last game.

The Walk to the Field

Still Her Favorite Part (Aside from the After-Game Snack)

Attacking and Catching (Well, Mostly!) Ground Balls





Talking to Her Coaches




Hitting (Eyes Shut, Eyes Open!)



Just Some Ball/Hat in the Air Shots I Like!




Wondering When Snack Time Would Arrive


And One of Macie, Looking Thrilled

This fall, we plan to give Gymnastics a go. So far, Ivie's mostly just excited to wear a leotard! More to come on that front, I'm sure...

Show-and-Tell, Round 56: The Bear with a Pillow

Yeah, this sweet bear doesn't have a name. In fact, I don't think Ivie even remembered it existed it until she asked to go searching through the stuffed animal bin in search of something to take for Show-and-Tell last week!

So, here you go. I've got nothing for you in terms of a story, since I can't remember where this came from, either!!!