She's 4 years old

I can't believe I have a 4 year old now. She's growing and learning so much these days. We had a couple days of celebrating. Sunday was the party with all of the fam, and yesterday was the actual day, so we let her do whatever she wanted. She just wanted to play with her new toys and hang out most of the day. She also got to pick anything she wanted from the Ice cream man (schwan's).
We went out yesterday to take a few pictures. I do this every year on birthdays to see how much she's grown. I think mature is definitely describes her this year.


I tried to get one with both of the girls together but it didn't really work how I planned. But this picture totally cracked me up...Cassidy's trying to shush Lydia, and Lydia is just squirming and squealing:


I wanted to include this one from the party and cake that Grandma made!


This should be a really fun year for Cassidy. This is her last year before preschool. She has started Sunday School and seemed to enjoy it. And leaving her at daycare is getting easier. We're just slowly getting her used to the fact that mommy & daddy aren't always around, and she's probably okay with that after she gets over being anxious about us leaving her.
here are a few little fun things about her this year:

• She's a little "mother hen" to Lydia and I love that. So does Lydia.
• She could watch TV from the time she gets up until bedtime at night...in her pj's
• She enjoys playing disney games on the computer. And now Webkinz games too. (that was one of her gifts)
• She has to have a light & music on in her room at night. She usually sneaks out of her room a few times before she falls asleep.
  
• Loves shopping, especially at Target

Our DIY Weekend

Our Labor Day weekend was filled with "labor". Actually it was really really easy to install this floor. It is made out of vinyl but looks like wood, so I can have the beauty without worrying about the leaky floor. I also picked out this area rug that is made out of a material that resists mold/mildew too.
There's a lot of finishing stuff to do: painting trim, installing trim, painting door jambs & doors, installing railing and finish lighting. I am not promising it will be done for C's b-day on Sunday. That would stress me out too much.
Last week our friend came over to texture the walls & paint. What a luxury that was to have him paint! He did it in a fraction of the time with his sprayer.
Then yesterday as we were installing the floor I mentioned to Nate that I think I am trying to re-create my bathroom in our old house:
That was not planned. I guess I just like the look. I also really really miss my bathroom in our old house.

8 Months

She's already 8 months old, I can hardly believe it. I made this tutu, but I don't think she likes to wear it. She was quite squirmy when I took pictures, but that is also her age. She cannot sit still for nothing!
I'm always really amazed at how fast she grows and learns. Here's a few things:

• She doesn't have teeth yet, but she can eat like crazy!
• She's been pulling herself up onto things and taking a few steps while holding onto something.
• She is stubborn at times, but who in this house isn't?
• If something is in the way, just crawl over it. (as I type, she's crawling over my camera bag.)
• Her favorite thing to do while I'm on the computer is play with the rats nest of wires behind the computer.
• She is crazy about her big sister! She loves her to death.

I hope she gets her teeth pretty soon. I'm getting sick of the runny nose and drooling!

this makes me smile

Look at those eyes! And a little dimple on her right cheek. Remember a few months ago she stuck her tongue out every time she smiled? Well, I think that phase is over and now she's got a pretty smile and her eyes just light up!

We had a nice weekend. Friday my parents babysat and we had a little date night aka shopping without kids (yes, we call that a date. I'm thrilled to go shopping without the monsters!)
On Saturday we went to a parade in my hometown and enjoyed all the festivities. That night we hung out at home and built a fire. It was absolutely perfect weather and very relaxing.
Sunday we worked around the house (nate in the basement most of the day) and I mowed, watered flowers, filled swimming pool because it looks like a warm week this week, then dealt with a fussy baby.
I've got 1 more week before school starts for me. I'm a little nervous & excited at the same time. We're going to go visit the daycare this morning. Cassidy has been pretty excited to go.
Well, I better go for now...gotta get the kiddo's dressed for the day!

Lydia's First Ponytail

I know it's crazy, but I had to do it :)
I couldn't get Cassie's hair in a pony until she was 18 months and Lydia's only 7 1/2 months, so this is pretty exciting!
(she's looking so grown up, don't you think??)

National Night Out

Tuesday evening our church hosted National Night Out. This was our first time attending and it was so fun! They had free food, music, games, jumping house, face painting, balloon artist, fire truck, ambulance and police cars, and the Pine wood Derby!

Cassidy & Lauren with their cars

Here's Cassie getting her car on the track

Down the racetrack: She won 2nd place

a closeup of the girls' cars. They were so proud of them!

making progress

slowly but surely, this basement project has been coming along (thanks to nate). I am no big help right now. I'll do the painting and laying the floor, but as far as building walls and wiring: I don't have a clue and I'm thankful my husband can do it all.
So, what have we done so far?? Well as you can see from the first post about the basement we now have:

• one open room instead of 2 small rooms
• fixed the cracks, rotten post, and sealed the floor
• replaced moldy sheetrock
  
• a closet
• some new lights (it looks like they're not quite finished)

And soon we'll be working on the walls: mudding, texturing, painting. Then it's onto the floor. I think we'll be installing some type of vinyl and then will have area rugs on top of that.
I'm hoping to get most of this finished up before I start school on the 26th. How much do you want to bet that it won't be??