Toy Box

While taking pics of the big girl bed... I realized that I have never spotlighted the Toy Box that Lulu got for her 1st Birthday from her godmother Bridget. Lulu's godmother Bridget is a long time family friend, Bridget and I were raised almost like cousin's.

Bridget is like a fairy godmother. The girls love her, she is one of their favorite's. She usually comes to visit several times a year. And who really chooses to come to visit Michigan? She comes along on our family beach vacation in the summer and is just a totally awesome person.

When Simon saw the toy box he started crying. It is amazing. Such an awesome gift. So thoughtful, and creative and something she will have forever!

**************Yes, Lulu's name is Lucy Martin Bisson. Simon chose the first name, I chose the middle. We switched, Ruthie I chose the first name he chose the middle... Ruth Catherine Bisson. Lucy, cuz he loved it.. Martin after my brother who I adore.

We never actually intended to call her LULU, not in a million years. Although, Ruthie started calling her Lulu and it totally stuck. When we tried to correct Ruthie and make her say Lucy.... It came out as HUSSY...... So clearly....Lulu is the lesser of 2 evils.....

Lulu it is.... For music class, for gymnastics. I even signed her up for Pre-school as Lulu. She refused to answer to Lucy. So Lulu it is....................

WELL LULU OR DUDE...... YOU DECIDE!!!!!

Big Girl Bed

Lulu fights EVERYTHING that has to do with her being a big girl. She is still wanting her Paci, won't pee on the potty and insists on a crib. I am not buying this "I am going to still be a baby". She is going to be 3 in a few weeks.

So, we went to the store together to get a mattress for her big girl bed. I left it in the garage and when Simon got home he decided tonight was the night. We put her bed together and I said that we might need to leave her bed up and then gradually move her into her big girl bed. Simon's response...... "Are you going to baby, the baby" Real rich coming from Simon......

Mr... "Daddy it is 2 in the afternoon and I want my paci, ok Lulu, anything you want Lulu." real rich coming from you.

She was totally into it! She loved it. We then put her to bed.... She was fine and then she started calling me and Simon. I went upstairs and she was hiding in the corner behind her rocking chair. Great, just great. She will be out of her Big Girl bed and driving the car around the neighborhood just because, tonight!

Simon went to check on her just now and he stopped on the walkway upstairs and yelled to me with the biggest smile.... She is sleeping under her covers like a real big girl.

All I can think..... FOR NOW!!!!!!!!

Box

Bought Lulu a new car seat the other day.......

Looks like I may not need to buy any birthday presents. This box was more fun!

A story to make Debi proud......Or any camp person proud!

This morning while talking to Ruthie about getting dressed for school.........

Ruthie: "Mommy, maybe I can go to bed at night with my school clothes on then I won't have to get changed in the morning!"

Man, I like the way that girl thinks...

I totally knew my "sleeping in my clothes" would take the world by storm one day. I couldn't be any more proud.


****For the "non" camp readers.... Back in the day, I was the QUEEN of sleeping in my clothes. I due to laziness, thoughtfulness, resourcefulnees, etc. (you fill in the blanks as to what I could have been up to...) I would sleep in my clothes, that way when the flagpole bell would ring....I would only need to roll out of bed, attend flagpole, go back to my cabin, take a shower and still make it to breakfast. That extra time that sleeping in my clothes alotted was PRICELESS!!!!!!! Seeing as I was at camp for 7 years, all that saved time has really made a huge contribution to my overall happiness.


****Another reminder for the "non" camp readers...... I worked at camp from the time I was 19 to the time I was 26. Clearly, beyond the time of sleeping in one's clothes. Again, I am so proud this way of thinking is taking the world by storm!

Bowling

Following a glorious day on Friday, this weekend was a monsoon. It never stopped raining and it rained hard. We had a fabulous weekend as a family. On Saturday we took the girls for their 3 and 4 year pics. (to be revealed soon) We went to lunch and did some exploring around Lansing.

Sunday I got to enjoy church by myself while Simon cleaned the house with the girls. Then, when I got home we took the girls bowling. Ruthie loves to go bowling but really only has the stamina for 1 game. She is totally awesome at bowling. Granted she had the bumpers but she got a 93! Seriously a 93 with NO help from us. She always amazes me with her physical ability.

Lulu needed some help from Daddy but still did great with her first bowling experience. It wasn't until we were in the 8th frame that the guy asked if we wanted a ramp to help with their bowling. (Thanks, a little late, but thanks).

This is such a fun time as a family. The girls really like exploring new cities and trying new things, and we don't feel so tied down to naps and schedules. - We have been trying to phase out Lulu's nap lately. She usually can't function without a 2-3 hour nap every afternoon in her bed, but we are testing it out with no nap and while she has a grumpy period, we fight through it, then she collapses at about 7:30 for a solid 12 hour sleep.

Go Team!

Outdoor playing

Living in Michigan, where there is crazy weather we take EVERY opportunity when the weather is nice to go outside and enjoy it.

Lulu has completed her medicine regime for her Pnemonia. She seems to be about 85% better. I still feel like she needs to get a good deep breath, and I am really thinking I am going to call the doctor this morning just to check her lung function. But that is a different story.

We had a couple of days last week where we were able to get outside and enjoy ourselves. And I had EVERY window in the house open trying to air out all these bad germs. The girls were ecstatic to get outside and run around.

Sunbathing and taking in the glorious sun.

I was ecstatic for the start of Outdoor drinking weather! I cracked open a beer in the glorious 65* weather on Friday just because I needed to celebrate the start of a fabulous season!

Simon loves the American cheese!

Simon loves being an American (well, american for 13 years). He loves the picket fences, he loves to mow the lawn..... in cut off t-shirts that scare the neighbors, he loves babecues and lazy days, Team Bisson t-shirts, etc. So I was totally not surprised when he caught sight of one of these family bumper stickers and insisted he gets one. I blew it off for a while but he really started bugging me and even swore that he would get one himself (I was not going to leave that to him!) So I got one for him for Christmas, put it in his stocking. I really thought he would realize they were cheesy....... Well, he insisted it be put on the car. So there it is, on MY car. I want to duck behind another car in the preschool pick up line. I am no longer that incognito silver mini-van. What would my friends think? But I must admit, everytime I see it, I am not going to lie.... Embarrassed, I smile and shake my head. He is so cheesy, but I love him.

What have I done?

**** TO clarify for my mother..... No we didn't go to the nail salon today. (I know, I have sick kids) They are now playing "pretend" nail salon since they have been to the nail salon and like it. ALOT, almost too much. And the purse, is because they know what you do at the nail salon, talk on your phone, wear your sunglasses, and read magazine! Seriously, look at the way Ruthie is smiling and has her pants rolled up. Scary, she is only 3 going on 16.

Well, Lulu has pnemonia. (I can't even go into it, because I am just up to my eyeballs with sick kids!) I am seriously considering moving to Florida. Simon could commute right?

So needless to say, we have been stuck in the house. We are getting a little cagey. The girls have been so good about playing and not killing each other.... Well, I have stopped the fighting before it got to that point. Thankfully.

Today they were playing by themselves in our bedroom and I was in the kitchen. All of a sudden I heard our bath running. I go in to see them in this picture. Their response........

"We are at the nail salon getting a pedicure!!!"

Ruthie got herself dressed today, hence the layered shirt with her 2nd favorite "Little Miss " shirt. She is the official president of Little Miss Sunshine's fanclub.

I ran to get the camera (naturally) and noticed the purse on the floor. All the essentials are there.... sunglasses, phone, and a hand held game in case you get bored. I guess the US Weekly didn't fit in that small purse.

Santa Claus

We are working with Ruthie (as always) Bad Action =Bad Consequence.

In this case, it was dinner and she had bad table manners and would not listen. We gave her a warning and said she will not get the brownies that she and Daddy made earlier ( I know right, he does the laundry, cleans, and makes brownies, ah the life). Well, she didn't shape up and we told her the brownies were not an option her reply.......

I DON'T LOVE YOU!!!!!

Our reply: That is ok. But it hurts our feelings.

She quickly followed that with: (on the top of her lungs!)

AND I DON'T LIKE SANTA CLAUS!!!!!

Why did she have to bring him into it?

SERIOUSLY

I can't take it anymore. Strep throat, bronchitis, traveling husband, stuck in the house. I can handle giving up Target but honestly, this internet thing is not going to work.

Isn't living far away from family and friends and being stuck in the house forever, Lent enough?