Grace's First Flick

Grace went to the movies for the first time a couple weeks ago. Her first movie was The Good Dinosaur. We went with her best bud, Brynn and her mommy, Kelsey. The movie unfortunately wasn't the best. I don't think Grace minded, but it was actually very sad! I thought for sure it would be a typical kid movie that kept you laughing along the way. She watched the whole movie start to finish and ate popcorn. She didn't talk about it much after though. It's still Elsa and Anna world for Grace. Maybe we will wait to see a movie again until Frozen 2 comes out. We can pretend that is her first movie instead of the Good Dinosaur. Sorry - sadly don't recommend it. Oh well! Better luck next time!

We've got tickets and now we need food!

Captivated with popcorn

Brynn and Grace

Grace's 2nd Birthday Celebrations!

Birthday celebration collage!

It's nearly October and we still need to talk about Grace's birthday celebrations! It was nearly a week of fun for our little girl. We started with a weekday birthday party with friends at the splash pad in Winter Park. It was a great setup for an August birthday. Water must be included when your birthday is in August! The kids splashed around, had Chick-fil-a for lunch and cupcakes for dessert. Home in time for naps! 

The weekend arrived and we went to Downtown Disney and had a birthday lunch at the T-Rex Restaurant. A very girly restaurant, right?! Ha! William and Grace loved it. The dinosaurs move around the restaurant and there are "thunderstorms" every so often. It's quite entertaining.

Matt and William

Ahh! It's a dinosaur!

We opened presents on Sunday morning even though her birthday was Monday. Figured we could relax and enjoy the non-work day all together. Grace got a pair of pink Uggs from Mama and Daddy (that I think are SO adorable!) and a Minnie Mouse dress up kit and purse from Grandma Doreen! The Minnie Mouse "life-size" balloon was a huge hit too!

Happy birthday to Princess Grace!
See crown on her head? So funny!

Uggs and Minnie. What more does a 2 year old need?

Sunday evening we had dinner at home with the rest of the Orosz family. We served ice cream pie for dessert! My favorite! The cousins all played and Grace opened some presents from family. A baby doll and a tea set! Though Grace says she only serves chocolate milk from her tea set. So funny!

THEN at school on Tuesday, Grace's class celebrated her birthday. I brought in funfetti cookies for the kids and Grace got a candle in her cookie. Delicious snack for Grace and friends!

And that concludes the 2nd birthday celebrations! The day of her actual birthday (Monday) we went to the beach for the day, which is certainly a fun time for Grace. She loves the water. So a great birthday for our little lady. Cheers to turning 2! We love you, Grace!

Grace's 2 year wellness

Grace's 2 year wellness appointment was a few days after turning 2. Knock on wood, but Grace has been quite illness-free since birth. She's had a cold or two, but that has been the worst of it. I attribute it to the fact that she puts EVERYTHING in her mouth - still to this day. Building up that immune system! So, everything checked out great. Her tubes are still in her ears. They should fall out sometime in the next few months, so that will be interesting to see if her ears clog again. No shots this year and we left with a happy girl (because she got a lollipop and sticker)!

Checking the pulse? I believe.

Marker into mouth (see drawing on cheek) while
waiting for the doctor.

Waiting fun.

And her results are in! She grew 5" in the past year. Little beanstalk like her big brother. 

Weight: 29 lbs. / 78%

Height: 35.5" / 93%

I looked back at the time to see what William's 2 year appointment looked like and he beat Grace by just a smidge in both categories. But really, they're both pretty identical in stats.

The usual other questions popped up like sleeping, eating and development. She's a great eater, she's a great sleeper and we didn't even need to touch on development because Grace was talking in phrases to the doctor. The doctor said girls usually develop more quickly on the word front, while boys usually develop more quickly on the physical. The talking time she gets with William is definitely a plus though.

Stats for the wellness appointment

Great appointment! Hopefully we aren't back until next birthday. Actually, we go back next month for our flu shot :)

Lollipop for the patient

Tiny Dancer

Grace started her first activity. Ballet! Two's in tutus at a dance studio in Baldwin Park. We joined with another little girl from the neighborhood that is also in her class at school. The two of them look TOO cute in their tutu's! The first week went great for Grace. She was the one girl in the class that didn't cry. As you can see from below, she was coming to the window to show me her twirling wand. It was so funny! There wasn't much listening or following instruction... but week 2 was much better for the whole class with only one crying girl. The rest of them actually listened for part of the class! Jumping from hula hoop to hula hoop then spinning.

Ballet class!

Mommy, look!!

Brynn and Grace

Ready for dance

It's such a nice day and time for her dance class - mommy daughter date! We drop William off at school at 9 a.m. and class starts at 9:30 a.m. for Grace. After the first class we went shopping and had Chipotle for lunch because William also eats lunch at school that day. Such a fun day for us girls!

Yummy rice and beans for lunch.

Can I bring home this puppy?

Here are a few week 2 pictures.

Rolling around

Tiny Dancer

Best part of class is the lollipop after

The class goes until May and they even have a recital at the end. I can't even imagine how amazing that will be. Grace might be in her prime element on stage with everyone looking at her. She's been putting on a show at class already and we're not even to week 3 yet. I'll keep updating on her ballet progress throughout HA!

Sweet as can be!

Ready, set, SWIM!

Ready to get swimming!

William started back up with Safe Start - the baby safety swim course. Last summer he did 6 weeks Monday thru Friday and this year he will do refreshers that last 2 to 3 weeks depending on how he's doing. He has a new instructor this year and today was the first day. As expected he was not happy. He wasn't very happy the first few days last year either, but this year he could further explain why he's unhappy. A lot of: "Mommy, no more!" "Mommy, that's it!" "Stop that!" All between tears. Last year his tears were more: "This isn't fun at all, get me out of the water." This year the tears are more: "Mama, how could you let this woman drown me? I trusted you and wish you'd save me!" Eesh. I feel bad this year... Poor baby... He will be okay in a couple days.

His instructor only tested the waters today, but he did close his mouth when he went under water and he did kick to the ledge a couple times. He screamed and then she'd set him up to go to the pool ledge and he'd stop crying to do the task.

After the lesson he told me he swan under the water. No he didn't. But if he wants to think that - ok! 

Looking forward to the next couple weeks! Let's get swimming! 

Last Day of School

First Day (Aug '13) and Last Day (May '14) of Young 2's for William

William had his last day of school on the 21st! His first "school" experience has come to an end. It's amazing how much the little guys change from August till May, and a round of applause to his teachers for being able to handle 10 little people with diapers, strong emotions, loveys, pacis, and all the other craziness toddlers bring along! Mrs. Doudney and Mrs. Voll were too sweet to all the little ones!

Class photo

Grace wasn't even born when William started and here we are now with William calling his classmates and teachers by name, talking up a storm in general and repeating everything we say, peeling bananas by himself, buckling himself into the stroller, pulling on his own clothes (shirts still need some help), and of course Grace is now here and she's ready to start walking!

Mrs. Doudney said she will be even more amazed when William comes back in August for 2 day 2's. That even a couple months in the summer makes a huge difference.

They had an end of the school year party (these parties last 10 minutes total because their attention span is that long and cupcakes hit them instantly, which is hysterical!) and gave their teachers an adorable Shutterfly photo album from the past year - a "yearbook" if you will!

Mama is here!

Craft with the class

Crafting

Other kids in his class

William loves his art

Last day party with William

William loves to play cars with Cole

Cupcake time is William's favorite time!

Mrs. Voll

Mrs. Doudney - he loves despite lack of smile for picture :)

William is now at "summer camp" at his nursery school for 9 days - 4 days then 5 days straight! He doesn't seem worn out at all. No difference. I thought he might be a little wiped going from 1 day a week to several days straight, but I guess he's use to running around at home during the week any way. Yesterday on the way to summer camp we were driving down the brick roads in Winter Park, and he said, "Whoa Mama! Bumpy road!" He wasn't making those statements back in August 2013 when he started :)

We are excited for next year and our new class!

Grace's 1st Disney Visit

We weren't planning on it this early, but Grace came to Disney with us on Saturday night! She was a champ! It was drizzling, pretty chilly, damp, and we stayed until 10 pm! She didn't make a peep and didn't rest her eyes once. Even at the end when we were watching the parade and Matt was trying to sway her to sleep, she was peering over his arm smiling and laughing at the crowd around her. Too funny! It was a last minute trip and we thought it would be fun for William to see Disney in the evening. He really enjoyed the electrical parade and if it wasn't starting to rain harder we would have waited for the fireworks. Fireworks happen around the time we were leaving at 10 pm.

Grace ready to party at Disney!

William asked for his raincoat before we left - good thing!

Grace is wearing one sock I found in the car that was William's

First time meeting Mickey

Alright, everyone get in the rain for a picture!

We met Mickey Mouse this time for the first time and William got shy. He said he wanted to hug him while we were waiting in line, but when given the chance he declined. Then we waited in line to see Pooh, who William also wanted to hug in line, but changed in his mind when put on the spot. He was much more comfortable giving high fives. Grace got to meet Pooh and she wanted to grab his face and eat him! Smiling ear to ear like usual. William and Matt went on the Winnie the Pooh ride. I tried to get William to go on the teacups and he wasn't having it. We went on the Buzz Lightyear ride, which in my opinion would be much more scary than teacups, but William was happy to ride in a spaceship. He had a cautious eye out for the aliens though. The best parts, of course, were the monorail and the ride back to the Villains parking lot. William kept yelling "Choo! Choo!" at the top of his lungs.

For a very unprepared trip - no one had raincoats except William. I had to buy Grace socks because I didn't pack anything for her feet or bring a blanket. There was only one diaper in my bag - whoever went #2 first was getting it. We had an awesome time! We love a good impromptu trip!

Look at me Pooh! I want to eat you up!

Magic Kingdom with William

Grace wants to eat me now.

Electrical parade

William yelling "bye bye" to Tinkerbell