birthday at the beach

my (sweet, spunky, adventurous, snuggly, glued-to-mommy, lover of chocolate, adored by her sisters) little gal just turned two.  

she got to celebrate at our favorite home away from home...charleston.

 caroline, you bless our family.   bless us.

 you are full of life.  you run everywhere you go.  there is a very literal spring in your step.

 i treasure my time with you.   you are a jewel.

 you are our entertainer.  when you realize we are laughing at something you do, you become downright theatrical.

 you cling to me.   you grip my arms when you lay against me.   if i have sleeves you wiggle your hands up my arms so our skin is touching.   i love that.

 time outs.  kisses and sorries.  definite parts of our days.

 you are growing up.  you are pretending.  you cook me food in your kitchen while wearing your chef hat.   big big milestone.

 your sisters think you are wonderful.  they think you are hilarious.  the three of us girls get tons of smiles and laughs because of you all day long.

 you watch them.  you talk to them in the car and hold hands, car seat to car seat.  

you can keep up.  you certainly try.  

pretty soon you will be a big kid like your sisters.   i can't wait for what those days will bring.   

it was an awesome weekend celebrating you, little girl.  (forever my baby girl)

last week.....

hallie insisted on doing the hula for her 1st day of preschool picture.  

 caroline did this puzzle one million times.  

she went to her sad spot when things didn't go her way.      

hallie rocked some pretty great bed head.   

they did sand art.  our stairs have never been more colorful.   

we found this guy in the woods behind our house.   we were captivated.   

the tortoise triggered nature journals and a trip to the library.   last week was a good week.  

not caught on camera

we are gearing up for a busy fall---just the way i like it.   an exciting change is that we decided to homeschool kinsley this year.  one week in and i wouldn't trade it for the world.

i don't have one specific milestone or event to share.   instead i want to list a handful of stories--things that i know i will forget if i don't make a point to bottle them up and store them away.

caroline loves to be naked.  loves it.  when we get home she usually completely undresses.   

hallie and her card games.  she never tires of crazy 8's.

kinsley is the most health conscious kid i know.  i once told her orange foods are unhealthy and she now refuses all goldfish/cheez-its.  always prefers something juicy.   

caroline the daredevil.   i have had numerous strangers tell me i need to sign her up for gymnastics.  

we had a putrid smell coming out our vents.  ben had to go under the house to get to the source.  he made a homemade hazmat suit.  it was hilarious but caroline was terrified.   lots of screaming and burying her head into me.   

when i hold hands with hallie she likes it when i squeeze tightly.  if i ever loosen my grip she take her opposite hand and tightens our two hands together.  

hallie and kinsley learned how to ride bikes with no training wheels.  hallie figured it out first.  her little heart was pounding.   kinsley was in shock which led to sheer determination.  a few minutes later she had it mastered.   

hallie fell out of bed at midnight and got 4 stitches.  "i have yarn in my head."   

soccer has started and ben is again coaching both their teams.  at kinsley's pratice, caroline participated in many of the drills.  she did amazing.  dribbling.  shooting on the goal.   she is not two years old yet.   

kinsley watched parent trap.  a graduation from princess movies of sorts.  she watched with her head slightly cocked and a smirk on her face.   she aged about 5 years before our eyes.