Leia cracks me up so much; always has, always will. This week she woke up one morning and asked me, "Mom, did you fight any yetis last night?" "Yes I did, there were so many!" "And did you use my light saber to fight them, MY purple light saber?" "I sure did! Thank you so much for letting me borrow it, it worked so well." She was so pleased to know that her special purple light saber had been the key to successfully defending our house from Yetis! It was awesome. We took the kids to a Rehearsal Dinner for my friend Micah, which was held at the Squaw Valley Stables. Leia had a blast playing all the games, exploring the Tee Pee, and she even figured out how to go up to the bar and order her own drinks! We hit a major milestone this week: Leia learned how to ride her pedal bike! It only took two weeks from the first day that she got it. She went from being so nervous to even straddle a bike that didn't have training wheels and kept wanting to fall over on her, to very slowly riding it without pedals like a balance bike, to mastering the hand brake concept, to speeding down hills like a regular daredevil, to finally mastering the concept of getting a little momentum and starting via her pedals! So awesome Leia! Looking at how now, it's hard to believe she ever thought it was hard. When we finally put the pedals on, she didn't really want to listen to Dad about how to get herself started, so we had to watch her beloved instructional video again, and then she both had a better idea, and allowed us to help her a bit. It only took her a few attempts, and then she had it all figured out. She biked all the way home from Painted Rock, which is slightly uphill the whole way! We had a new babysitter come over for the night of Micah's wedding, and Leia was so excited. When I told her there would actually be two girls coming, Kiley and Savana, she instantly decided to "claim" Kiley (based solely on liking her name), insinuating that she would play with Kiley and Arwyn with Savana. I was pretty sure it wasn't going to work out like that, but it was pretty funny. In the end, both girls totally worked the babysitters, and ended up staying up until 9 pm! We've been having to deal with horrible road construction on Hwy 89 all month, and in the middle of the day it takes anywhere from 45 min to an hour to get from our house to Truckee because of the delays. One day this week it was the worst wait ever, 3 stops before getting through, and a total of 1 hour 15 minutes! This was unfortunately the same day that there was a special party at school that Leia really wanted to go to. Despite their excitement for the party, the wait was too much for a couple small children, and they both ended up screaming and freaking out for about an hour of the wait! Josh was unfortunately the one stuck in the car with them, and started screaming right along with them. He was also the recipient of spit in his face from Leia, who has decided that spitting is her new way to vent anger. Josh was not a happy Daddy the rest of the night! We took the girls horseback riding this week. We've been trying to go for a few weeks now, but other things have gotten in the way, and every time I suggest it, Leia whines that she doesn't want to go. Well this time we went anyway, and Leia said she would just watch Arwyn, who was really excited and really did want to ride. When we got there, Leia totally changed her tune, and decided she was so excited to ride the horse after all. And then Arwyn ended up getting scared and refused to get on the horse. Role reversal! In the end, Arwyn agreed to watch Leia ride the horse (and Leia had a blast, by the way), and that gave her the confidence she needed to then take her own turn. And then Arwyn had a blast too. Success!
Arwyn also had fun playing with Leia at Micah's Rehearsal Dinner, and she actually loved and ate the food (shrimp with guacamole)! She also willingly let us leave her with the babysitters when she woke up too early after nap and caught us red handed trying to leave. And the next morning she and Leia had a great session of imaginary play and climbing at a fountain in the village, which was so nice. But don't let all these good things fool you. In between she continues to be a total nightmare! Short naps and really fussy all week, again. More prolonged crying fits after naps, not knowing what she actually wants, and nothing we try will satisfy her or calm her down. So frustrating! According to Josh, she did do better at swim class this week. She also really liked getting her faee painted at the school party. But what she liked most was the little game she made up about trying to avoid letting me take her picture with her face paint. Normally she's a total ham in the photos, but she was laughing till the cows came home at how she's could hold still just long enough so that I almost got the cute pic I wanted, and then she'd duck out of the frame laughing at the last second. Aghh! Then she held still and gave nice big smiles to Lynsey and Jennifer when they asked her if they could take a picture. Mom's always get the shaft!
This mermaid has an extremely long tail!
Micah, the handsome groom!
And here's my handsome hunk of seven years!
Watch your step there, Miss Arwyn!
So brave!
Another day of face painting with Teacher Lynsey!
Arwyn also had fun playing with Leia at Micah's Rehearsal Dinner, and she actually loved and ate the food (shrimp with guacamole)! She also willingly let us leave her with the babysitters when she woke up too early after nap and caught us red handed trying to leave. And the next morning she and Leia had a great session of imaginary play and climbing at a fountain in the village, which was so nice. But don't let all these good things fool you. In between she continues to be a total nightmare! Short naps and really fussy all week, again. More prolonged crying fits after naps, not knowing what she actually wants, and nothing we try will satisfy her or calm her down. So frustrating! According to Josh, she did do better at swim class this week. She also really liked getting her faee painted at the school party. But what she liked most was the little game she made up about trying to avoid letting me take her picture with her face paint. Normally she's a total ham in the photos, but she was laughing till the cows came home at how she's could hold still just long enough so that I almost got the cute pic I wanted, and then she'd duck out of the frame laughing at the last second. Aghh! Then she held still and gave nice big smiles to Lynsey and Jennifer when they asked her if they could take a picture. Mom's always get the shaft!
The birthday celebration that never ended...soft new mermaid tails from Aunt M and the Kolpeks!
This mermaid has an extremely long tail!
King Tritan and his little mermaids.
Leia totally surprised me this evening with her sensible choices combining fashion and function for this chilly outdoor party. Warm but nice looking pants with a cute sweater dress, topped off with a matching boa hair accessory and hair bow. Did I mention I had absolutely no contribution to this adorable outfit besides recommending it be warm? Leia, I think there's hope for you yet!
Oh and a spunky attitude to go along with a fabulous costume.
The juice sipping sisters. You'd think they'd never been given juice before in their lives...oh wait, they pretty much haven't.
This girl sucked up so many glasses of juice that her lips got stuck!
Trying to distract me in the other direction while she cheats at Ladderball!
Coolest and comfiest Tee-Pee ever!
Only 4 years old and already has her one handed cocktail game skills down pat...must take after her father!
Beautiful form!
Everyone liked the hanging out by the fire in the cozy Tee-Pee.
It really felt like an authentic tee-pee experience having the blazing fire inside!
Arwyn also dressed herself this evening, choosing her favorite sweater and new, too big, party shoes that kept falling off.
Enjoying a beautiful evening in the valley with my family and friends.
She loves her dad.
Getting love tackled by Arwyn!
A little close-up shot on Leia's hairpiece.
Little Arwyn, proud as punch to be in a big girl chair at the head of the table!
I always have to take so many pictures because they never all smile at the same time!
Heading back to the party via bike to hang with Micah and reminisce about the good old days. Wait, I don't do this kind of stuff any more, what's wrong with me!?
Amazing late night story telling session around the fire in the Tee-Pee!
The groom-to-be, but not in the lap of his bride.
Big morning on the bikes...Leia started off with no pedals, but we talked her into letting us put them on, and now she can officially ride a bike!
Password = Leia
Leia went from being pretty nervous to even straddle a bike without training wheels to fully balancing, hand braking, and pedaling in 2 weeks! Now we officially have a little bike rider!
Fun date night with hubby, and a beautiful lakeside wedding reception.
Micah, the handsome groom!
And Bonnie, the beautiful bride.
It was a really special ceremony, with a gorgeous backdrop.
Cheers to the new Mr. and Mrs. Shanser!
And here's my handsome hunk of seven years!
Loving the yummy blueberry muffins and window seats at the Wedding Brunch.
Not loving the extra picture posing with Mom.
I never thought this day would come, but Leia has actually been pulling out all sorts of cute clothes from her closet that have been sitting untouched for over a year.
Rocks and water, always a fun (but rather dangerous) combination.
These two were making up all sorts of fun games around this fountain, including a mini fountain shower!
Watch your step there, Miss Arwyn!
So sweet when Leia picks up her little sister and helps care for her.
Little Lady Bug...teachers were practicing with the face paint today in anticipation for the big party on Thursday.
Play time at school with her best buddy Julia and mother Jennifer.
Great smile...love getting pictures like this while I'm at work.
Daddy surprised us this morning with a special treat...Cloud Eggs.
So fluffy and delicious, and they looked just like clouds...big hit with the whole family!
Patiently waiting for our horses on this picturesque little bench.
Are these three the cutest or what?
Oh Arwyn, what tricky little thing did you just do to Leia?
Leia riding the horse named Little.
Hmm, she looks pretty happy for someone who claimed to have no interest in riding horses.
Daddy did a very good job of leading Little along the trail.
After a lap through the woods watching Leia, Arwyn decided she was ready to give riding Little a shot too.
Eyeing that cowboy to make sure he adjusted those stirrups properly.
A little nervous, but ready to take the challenge.
So brave!
And there's even a smile!
Password = Arwyn
Arwyn at age 2 was so brave and rode so will on this huge horse named "Little." It was only her second time riding, and this horse was about 3 times bigger than the little pony she rode the first time!
Another day of face painting with Teacher Lynsey!
Wish they always sat that still when I was putting on sunscreen! Maybe I should start using a paintbrush too!
She had intended on getting a unicorn, but ended up with a butterfly.
Again, so patient and still...so not fair!
My beautiful little butterfly!
Arwyn thinks it's such a funny game to look away when I try to take a picture!
Telling her friend Julia about her funny game. Still laughing and not holding still!
Now there's the cute shot I was looking for...thanks to my friend Jennifer for snapping the pic.
Same thing, Lynsey asks if she can take her picture, and she looks her straight in the eyes and smiles.
Goofy girls.
Love those big smiles.
Best friends and trouble makers!
Digging through rice for treasures...talk about a cool feeling on your hands!
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