Mini Miss Minitello

Mailee likes brownie batter as much as Mommy!

2009-08-22T17:46:00.001-07:00

Our first house guests

2009-08-22T17:41:00.000-07:00

We had the MS family over for a BBQ dinner to celebrate Mom/Grandma's birthday. It was a lot of fun and a good opportunity to show the family our new digs!
It was cool for Jackson and Jake to shoot pellet guns in the back (I think a few spiders may have met their maker) and for the girls to tear apart Mailee's room (what comes around goes around, Mai) We all had a great time!

Then, Mailee started 3 year-old Preschool

2009-08-22T17:37:00.000-07:00

She loves her new teachers, Mrs. Parker and Ms. Brittany. I am thrilled that she likes school so much and is learning a ton! We have spent the week looking for different traffic signs and identifying them by color and shape! So Cool!

(BTW, the pacifier did stay at home! She is a "big girl," at least at school!)

OK, so now I am playing catch-up

2009-08-22T17:30:00.000-07:00

So much has happened in the past month and a half that I haven't had time to update the Blog!

We moved into our new home in Purvis, Mississippi on July 31st! We love the new house and the back deck overlooks a lake. Such a tremendous view, we really feel blessed! Between the view and the kitchen, I am going to get kinda spoiled here.

Happy 4th of July!

2009-07-04T19:53:00.000-07:00

"Cowboy Day" at school

2009-06-26T19:55:00.000-07:00

Today was Mailee's first ever dress-up day at school and anyone who knows Mommy would know that I had to have her dolled-up in theme. This week they were learning about Cowboys and so the culmination of the "unit" was "Cowboy Day."

Mailee was somewhat concerned that she did not have a rope. She learned that cowboys have a lasso and yell, "ya-hoo!" She does the motion and all! Too stinkin' cute!!!

Father's Day 2009

2009-06-21T19:08:00.000-07:00

Mailee got Daddy a hammock and stand for the backyard. He loved his gift and was happy to set it up right away! I think this is a gift we all will enjoy ;)~

Also, Mommy and Daddy took an overnight getaway to New Orleans and returned on Father's Day. Mailee enjoyed the monkey and banana Mardi Gras beads she got as a souvenir! What a HAM!

Nothing Like a Good Day at the Park

2009-06-21T19:06:00.000-07:00

June Water Fun!

2009-06-21T19:03:00.000-07:00

Silly Face!

2009-06-21T19:01:00.000-07:00

Royal Tea Party

2009-05-23T10:16:00.000-07:00

Mailee attended a backyard Royal Tea Party with our Meet and Play Group. It was absolutely ADORABLE to watch the little princesses and princes pour each other "tea" (juice) and eat tiny sandwiches. She had a blast and I loved just watching the kids interact. They didn't need us at all. Annabel was quite the bartender, making sure everyone's cups were always full.

I swear, 2-year-olds have the most fun!

Now THAT is some bed head!

2009-05-18T18:53:00.001-07:00

This was too good not to take pictures of!

You thought you had some crazy hair in the morning!?!

More Backyard fun with Erin

2009-05-18T18:51:00.001-07:00

OK, so it is a good thing I could hear her breathing!

2009-05-03T19:50:00.001-07:00

Just tonight, Mailee had long been in bed and had already gone through her "routine" of coming out of her room 5 or 6 times in an attempt to stall bedtime. She always has something that she needs. For example, she will take the pants off her doll and then bring them to me because Dolly can't sleep without her pants. Another one I love, is that she may have the "wrong Bo-Bo" (pacifier) or that she NEEDS a doggie or princess toy to hold. I tell her that she can have the toy, but if she comes out again, I will take it away so that it can get some sleep in the toy box. A few minutes later, sure enough, out comes Mailee with the toy in her outstretched arm to give to me as an offering, then she returns to her room whining for the toy!

Anyhow, back to this evening...I hadn't heard from her in over an hour when I realized that I was hearing her breathing and I had no idea how I possibly could be hearing that through her closed door all the way around the corner and down the hallway.
So.... I peeked around the corner and saw this! Apparently, she passed-out midway through another sneak out attempt! She had her "Bo-Bos" with her, so she even brought her sustinance along for the break-out!
Of course, I had to then take a couple of pictures of the hallway view and from inside her room before carrying her back to her bed.

Little Monkey!!!

Heritage Preschool End of the Year Performance

2009-05-03T11:46:00.000-07:00

So I got my first experience as a "stage Mom," and I have realized that in order to be any good at my new role, I will need a better camera. The few pics I got are terrible, but you get the gist. The 2 year-old class was up on "stage" and sang a few songs. In these pictures, you see Munchkin with her "hand over her heart" saying the Pledge of Allegiance (by the way, the flag was to her right--- Ooops!). Also, she is marching for "Ha Ha Hallelujah," and the last one is her class singing the "Good-bye Song," complete with a "yahoo!" at the end.

She did not release her whole inner-ham, but it did wet my palette for future dance recitals and performances!!! She did blow me kisses from the stage and I saw her telling the teacher, "Right there is my Mommy!" I am one proud Mama.

How to eat ice cream

2009-05-01T20:27:00.000-07:00

2009-04-24T11:38:00.000-07:00

We have been so blessed with a friend, Emily and her daughter Erin. Just when I was freaking out about how I was going to work until 2:15, while Mailee gets out of preschool at 12:00, a friend I have met through Bible Study, Emily, offered to help out, picking Mai up two times a week, and letting her and Erin play until I can get there. Mailee has a BLAST at their house! The Keys have the best backyard in the world. A child's paradise! They have a trampoline, 2 Jeeps, a child pool, a play structure, a swingset, need I say more???
Emily has been snapping some pictures and sent them to me yesterday! Check out the fun Mailee gets to have while Mommy and Daddy work!

Easter Day 2009

2009-04-15T16:23:00.000-07:00

What a Blessed Day, Indeed! Mailee loved finding her Easter Basket at home before heading to Grandma and Grandpa's for an egg hunt and Easter dinner with her cousins!

Thank you Jesus, we are forgiven and free!

Meet and Play Easter Party!

2009-04-11T19:01:00.000-07:00

We had a fantastic time at the family Easter Egg Hunt and party! Mommy painted faces while Daddy and Mailee met the Easter Bunny. The Bunny gave Mailee a basket with sunglasses as one of the treats inside. Our little DIVA didn't take them off the whole party and even went to bed wearing them tonight! What a doll!!!!!
She had a BLAST playing with all the kids and we had a nice time getting to know other parents. What a beautiful and blessed day!

Watering, Love, and Kisses...

2009-04-04T18:42:00.000-07:00

Mailee waters the plants, and everything else too!

2009-04-04T18:34:00.000-07:00

Mailee's newest favorite toy is an Ariel watering can and shovel. She was absolutely adorable to watch as she watered the plants, and the table, and herself, and my feet... She was so joyful! What a picture of Spring!

Heritage Church Easter Egg Hunt

2009-04-04T18:16:00.000-07:00

Okay, just to let you know... when Mailee is INTO something, it is just about impossible to get her to look at the camera. She will see that you are pointing it at her and she will say the obligatory, "CHEESE" or even "CHEESE BURGERS" (thanks to Grandpa), but all the while she is not looking at the camera at all! So frustrating...
Last weekend was the Easter egg hunt at Heritage. Due to rainy weather, the eggs were "hidden" in the sanctuary. Mailee was very disappointed at first when we arrived to see all the eggs being collected in large tubs. She wanted to go grab some and put them in her basket. So you can see that she is very angry with me in one picture after telling her she had to wait. Later, once she saw the sanctuary, you can see that her demeanor changed completely!
Now every egg she sees, in person or TV, she calls "egg hunt." I can't wait until Easter Sunday when we have a large hunt with the cousins. Last year, she really didn't get the whole concept. This year, she sure does!

"Diamonds" are a Girl's Best Friend

2009-03-30T20:04:00.001-07:00

Mailee dumped out all of her "happy beads" and was swimming in them! We have a hat box full! They provide daily doses of entretainment!

Ice Cream on a Sunny Spring Day

2009-03-22T20:41:00.001-07:00

What Happens When Grandma Buys Mailee A Sticker Book

2009-03-22T20:39:00.000-07:00

Camp Shelby Tank Show

2009-03-22T20:29:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, we headed to the military base at Camp Shelby with our Mom's Group for a tank "dog and pony" show.
One of my friend's husbands was the driver and Ben went all out! He drove by us at full-speed (about 60 mph, they said), then he turned and zoomed back, but in front of where we were standing, he slammed on the brakes and stopped on a dime. At that point he turned the guns on us and showed the maneuvering capabilities of a tank before firing a blank. Mailee freaked out!!! I have to say that I was quite uneasy too, although I thought it was so cool!
When the kids got the opportunity to climb on the tank, the closest I could get little lady was on the golf cart that the guys ride to get supplies from areas around the base. But I did get some cool shots of some friends on and in the tank!

If you ask her, she still says, "Tank Scary!"

Peek- A- Boo

2009-03-22T20:24:00.000-07:00

Lil Miss Goof Ball!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

2009-03-03T10:53:00.000-08:00

Mailee and I hosted a Birthday Breakfast Party for Dr. Seuss' birthday yesterday. The Mamas made placemats and the kids played...and played... and played!
Then we all enjoyed Green Eggs and Ham for breakfast!

We had a blast! Mailee is quite the hostess and shares her toys pretty well! Wow!

The Mardi Gras Booty!

2009-02-22T06:06:00.000-08:00

Here is Mailee sportin' ALL the beads!

Mardi Gras 2009

2009-02-21T18:59:00.000-08:00

Happy Mardi Gras!!!

We had such a great time! We headed to the Coast with some friends who had friends with a house on the Parade Route. These pictures don't show half of the beads we stashed in a bag. We had to take the beads off Mailee a couple of times to let her re-stock! It was a blast and no nudity necessary!!!
The afternoon Mississippi Parades are "family friendly" so it was a really nice way to spend the day as a family with other families. Of course, Mailee did have to blow a kiss at an old man to "earn" a flower! :) and she learned to Whoop! and yell "Happy Mud Gra!" It was so fun to do this with her. She was in total awe of the "Happy Beads" that kept flying! When we got home, all her dolls and toys got to wear "Happy Beads" too.

Johnny and I agree that we might like to try out a less tame Parade together next year, just to get the experience, but we shall see!
I have done some reading about the history of Mardi Gras and how it has evolved. Such cool history here.

Happy Mardi Gras!!!

All Grown Up... Well, then there is the Paci!

2009-02-19T20:48:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

I looked at Mailee all ready to go "bye-bye" and she looked so grown up! Well... then I realized what was right in the middle of her face! Her beloved "bo bo" reminds me that she is still my baby girl! Someday she'll listen to me and keep it in her bed, but at the same time I don't want to force her out of babyhood either!

Hope you had a great "Sweetheart's Day!"

Raking Leaves

2009-02-13T19:08:00.000-08:00

OK, so Mailee was trying to help rake the leaves,
but the job got to be too big for both of us!

It became much more fun to watch her play!

Mailee plays Dress-Up

2009-02-13T19:05:00.001-08:00

Don't you just want to eat her up!?! Such a little ham sometimes!

The "Big Girl" Bed

2009-01-31T18:30:00.001-08:00

Mailee loves her new bed and is sleeping in it very well (much to my surprise!) She is actually pretending to sleep in this picture. We "practiced" before the real deal! I wouldn't dare take a picture once she is down! Gotta love her, but I am not that nuts!

Mailee does her own Make-up

2009-01-31T18:28:00.000-08:00

Isn't she beautiful!?!

Now this is what happens...

2009-01-24T18:45:00.001-08:00

...when you keep Mailee in the house potty training all day!!!

(Anyone want to come over and help pick up?)

Making Butter

2009-01-24T18:36:00.000-08:00

Now THIS is something that we would probably never have done in California!

A wonderful friend that I have made since moving here, Sara, actually gets her milk raw and goes through the whole process of pasteurizing it herself. Along the way, she skims the cream off the top and makes butter. She invited a few ladies and our kids over one day to see the process if we were interested and I was game! It was really interesting and tastes "like butter" (Sara laughed at me when I said that! - DUH!)

For those that don't know... to make butter, you have to shake the jar for about 20 minutes. Mailee thought it was fun for about 2 and I did the rest! Tee Hee! All the moms were sitting around laughing as we shook and the kids tore apart Sara's toy room! Good times!

Happy to be Me!

2009-01-05T18:07:00.001-08:00

Mailee was so proud of herself. She found my glasses and put them on and had climbed herself up onto a chair at my computer! She was too cute, so I had to snap a pic or 2 before reminding her that the computer is "for grown-ups!" I know... go ahead and call CPS, I am a MEANIE!

Cruisin' Into the New Year

2009-01-01T20:20:00.000-08:00

New Year's Resolutions

1. Potty Training Mini Miss
2. Embracing the beauty of the South
3. Growing in Financial Security
4. Enjoying the best year we have ever had!

Cheers to 2009!

Mommy at Mailee's age!

2008-12-31T11:06:00.000-08:00

I just came across this gem! I was much more of a ham at her age!

Mailee's Favorite Toy

2008-12-31T08:47:00.000-08:00

Just a tip for Santa... No toys necessary!

Next year, just bring good little girls and boys their own stick!

Christmas Day!

2008-12-26T18:54:00.000-08:00

What fun is Christmas with a 2 year-old! Everything was a pure delight to her.

On Christmas Eve night she went to bed at her usual 8:00 and woke up at 8:20 telling me, "I'm Done!" That started a very long and excited night, not sleeping more than 20 minutes at a time until she finally passed out at 3:00 until 6:40. At that time, I told her it was still "Night Night time" and we all went back to sleep. At 7:40, she informed me "It Cissmass. Hanta come!" That was it. The visions of sugarplums kicked into action and she was adorable to watch and to live Christmas as a child vicariously through!

Meet and Play Group Christmas Party

2008-12-23T08:07:00.000-08:00

Santa brought Mailee a Mickey Mouse book that she LOVED! Although she wouldn't go anywhere near Santa, she enjoyed the gift she received and was happy to read it in the safety of Daddy's lap!

Cookie Day!

2008-12-22T10:03:00.002-08:00

Mailee and I spent a day with Grandma baking and baking and baking! We made 9 (I think) kinds of cookies and treats. It was so fun to have the 3 generations together, listening to carols, and making goodies for "Christmas" weekend.

We did discover that talking and baking at the same time can lead to fudge with no butter added! Oooops! However, chocolate bricks aren't all bad... Throw one in your hot coffee for a balanced breakfast!

Visions of the Future

2008-12-19T12:03:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple that were scary to me!

First, we have a vision of a school-age Mailee ready for school in a few short years!

Then, thanks to Mai's fashion saaviness we have a pair of tu-tu tights on our head. Does anyone else see a beautiful bride?

Ok, I am ready to cry! Don't grow up so fast, my Angel!

Lowe's Build and Grow

2008-12-13T18:11:00.000-08:00

This was a fun morning! We went to Lowe's for their Children's Program where the kids made a cute wooden Gingerbread House. Mailee's cousins, Jackson and Jake, were there too with Uncle Dan (my brother). Mailee actually did more of the project than I expected she would, placing nails and hammering them in. The final product is an adorable little pine house with stickers hand-placed by Mini Miss.
By the way, I highly recommend the Build and Grow activity. They gave all the kids an apron, patch, and Certificate of completion. They were all so proud of their accomplishment!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

2008-12-12T10:31:00.000-08:00

What a sight! This is what we woke up to yesterday!!! I was too much of a wuss to go outside, so this is the view out the back door!

Explanation:I watched the Weather Channel and was assured the snow would continue all day. So, I thought I could warm-up, enjoy a cup of coffee and then bundle us all up to play in the snow. WRONG!!! It turned to sleet and then rain :( Hopefully it won't be the only snow we see!

Mailee went to the window after her nap and asked me, "Where snow go?"

Mrs. Claus' Lil Helper

2008-12-06T14:54:00.001-08:00

Mailee picks her Christmas Tree

2008-12-06T11:38:00.000-08:00

Step aside Charlie Brown, Mailee has you beat for the "Best Christmas Tree!" She declared this one hers ("My-nee Tree") today and was all ready to bring it in the house.

Dress Up Days Have Begun

2008-12-06T11:34:00.000-08:00

Some days she is "Erella," but most days Snow White wins out! (All Princesses are "Erella" to her anyway!) So cute... when she wakes up, she is a "Princess" within minutes over her jammies! Then when we get her dressed, the "Erella" goes right on top!

Thank you to Madison Luster for the costumes!!! We miss you!

Fa-La-La-La-La-La-La-La-La

2008-12-05T05:42:00.001-08:00

Seriously, we were singing Deck the Halls!

I think this is her favorite Christmas Carol right now!

Away in a Manger is a close second- so the real Christmas message is there too!

First Meet-Up

2008-12-05T05:30:00.000-08:00

I am so excited! I found a local group called the Hattiesburg Meet and Play Group. It has about 65 members and is all stay and work at-home parents with children. Most of the kiddos are between 2-3 and they have group "meet-ups" many times a week. Some of the things are small like just meeting at McDonalds to let the kids play while moms get to chat over coffee, while others are big like field trips to Alabama for a Christmas show.
This week we attended our first "meet-up." It was a tour of the Sam's Club. The tour guide was so sweet. She was a happy grandma-type woman in a long burgandy velvet dress (yes, she was working in a long velvet Christmas-eve type dress) She took a group of 30 or so of us around the store, even getting the kids' picture taken for their "Cookie Club" membership cards. Now every time Mailee goes to Sam's, she can show her card for a free cookie. We also got to see how they decorate "puppy cakes" (that is what Mailee heard cupcakes). As you can see, Mailee thoroughly enjoyed her "Anta Puppy Cake."

We had fun and are really looking forward to next week's meet-ups. We have a Fairy Party to watch Abby Cadabby's movie with some group members, making Cinammon Ornaments, Delivering Cards to a Senior Home, and a Scrapbooking night (no kids at that one!) As we head toward Christmas, there are a lot of things to choose from. What a fun week we will have!

Autumn Cutie

2008-12-05T05:25:00.001-08:00

OK, an Even Better Example!

2008-12-05T05:19:00.000-08:00

Here She Comes... Miss America!

This was Mailee's AWESOME ensemble yesterday. Believe it or not, the outfit underneath all this is really cute (and does match)! Johnny seriously asked me when we can teach her about color coordination. Isn't he funny? In the meanwhile, we have quite the fashion plate here!

By the way, we had to go to WalMart and, picking my battles, all I could get her to change was the lavender jacket to a blue one that goes with the pants (under the skirt) Good thing most of the world thinks it is cute to be 2!

What happens when she dresses herself...

2008-11-23T16:24:00.000-08:00

Mailee is now to the age where she has an opinion about what she wears and she changes "outfits" many times a day. Luckily, she humors me and lets me match her clothes when we go somewhere, but this is what can happen when she is home! She actually did not do too badly this time!

Yes, her "hat" is a red, heart-shaped, plastic basket!

Like Daddy, Like Daughter

2008-11-22T06:49:00.000-08:00

OK, so Johnny's favorite past-time is playing NASCAR 09 on the X-Box. Mailee has become very familiar with the sight of Daddy with the headset and steering wheel playing "cars." Yesterday, on her own, she got her "wheel" out of her toybox and set herself up to play "cars" with Daddy. Just too dang cute!

First Football Practice

2008-11-22T06:48:00.001-08:00

Never too early to start!

Unpacking

2008-11-16T18:36:00.000-08:00

Yea!!!! Johnny got back for good on Friday which means our "stuff" is here too! I have to say, unpacking is WAY more fun than packing! Especially when you empty a box, go to put the things away, and when you come back, this cutie pops out of the "empty" box!

Thank you God for bringing him back safe and now we ask that you bless our home and our family as we begin a new chapter!
Amen!

Future Oak Grove Cheerleaders???

2008-11-16T18:28:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I experienced "Southern Football." I never knew how real the movies like Friday Night Lights and Varsity Blues were. We went to Jackson's game and I found out that parents can be WAY into Pop Warner Football games. Football is Life!! (I think Johnny is going to like it here!) One woman's shirt said it all, "I BLEED BLACK AND GOLD!"

OK, so the girls were not as into the game as they were in hanging out together and eating candy, but boy were they adorable to watch. Here are Livi, Ella, and Mailee (ages 4, 2 1/2, and 2--- going on 14, 12 1/2, and 12)

Guess we didn't have rain in California!

2008-11-14T12:45:00.001-08:00

I have never seem Miss Mailee love weather so much! We had a rain spell and, since it was still pretty warm, we went out to jump in it! She had a ball! In California, when it rains (should that be IF it rains?) it is "cold" and we keep everyone inside. Another of MANY differences...

Smooth Sailing Ahead

2008-11-12T14:20:00.000-08:00

We hope to see "Daddy" tomorrow morning and we are all praying for some smooth waters ahead! We have been through some storms and await the dove and olive branch!

Missing Daddy

2008-11-11T07:43:00.000-08:00

LOOOOOONNNNNGGGGG story short...
Turns out the moving company that we contracted with got their California License Revoked 2 days before contracting with us. (So when I checked them out weeks ago, all was well!) Anyway, I finally got in contact with them a week after they picked up our stuff, only to get in contact with a representative who tried to engorge the estimated "guaranteed" price by another $1000.oo. Our arguments fell on deaf ears and we were given the only option to come and get our stuff. Oh yeah, by the way, it had been put in a shady storage facility somewhere in South Central LA, not shipped to Mississippi, as promised. After making this suggestion, the Rep. sarcastically said, "Oh, but you are in Mississippi already, aren't you?" (Hmmmmm.... can you smell a scam cooking here?) Well, with no other choice, and practically being dared to do so, Johnny headed back to California on Friday morning to face the beast head-on. En-route, I checked the BBB and the CPUC websites and that is when I learned of the "Cease and Desist Operations" order that they had been issued for operating with a Revoked license. Aaargh! We were working with criminals, a truth that became even more apparent as this adventure wears on! So, Johnny arrives to a friend's house in Ventura on Saturday night, spends Sunday securing a moving vehicle, and meets with the owner of the company on Monday morning at the crack of dawn. He has spared me a lot of details. All I know is that he did not see our stuff until almost 6:00pm, after paying a large "ransom." It was only after Johnny threatened to call the cops on this crook, that he was even given the option to pay through the nose to take our own stuff. So I got a call at around 7:00 that he was driving a truck-full back to his friend's house, going to get a "good" night's sleep, and he will be heading back Eastward in the morning! So, his girls miss him a lot and his quote says it all... "I have grown-up here for 32 years, and yet I feel so far from home!" (Johnny from Los Angeles to Mandy in Mississippi)

EVERYONE BEWARE OF ANYTHING ANYWHERE MOVING AND STORAGE also operating as MOVEAST

I have already filed complaints with the BBB and the FMCSA

Pics along the way and our new backyard!

2008-11-05T08:08:00.001-08:00

Halloween with Curious Georg"ette"!

2008-11-05T05:43:00.001-08:00

Last week

2008-11-04T19:23:00.000-08:00

What to do when you are 2 and Mommy is busy with the movers???

Peanut Butter Make-Up!!!!!

We Made It!

2008-11-04T15:59:00.000-08:00

A few thoughts on traveling cross-country...

1. The scenery does not change from Pasadena through New Mexico.
2. You can pack a million DVDs, doesn't matter! A 2-year-old will only want to watch 2 of them over and over (and over!)
3. If it ever is a trivia question to quote the Curious George movie, I would win. I have never actually SEEN it, but I have now heard it from the back seat about 25 times!
4. Texas is HUGE! I thought we had to be close to through it after driving FOREVER...Then I saw a sign that said, "Welcome to West Texas!" Aaargh!!! You have GOT to be kidding!
5. I always thought it would be cool to eat at Sonic. Not really! They have good drinks and the rest is nothing special!
6. Gas is only $1.97 starting in Texas and east. We thought that was a mis-print at first.
7. Mailee's idea of sharing the bed with Mommy is to sleep horizontally in the middle and graciously allow me to use the 4 corners.
8. People in Louisiana do not speak English, I think.
9. No matter what happens tonight, McCain wins according to a lot of people in the McDonalds somewhere in Texas.
and 10. I have a new favorite quote that I came up with myself..." Red Neck is a state of mind, NOT a state of state!"

We made it safe and sound to our new home. I will upload pictures soon!

Love,
The Mississippi Minitellos

Mailee's First Pedicure

2008-10-03T14:37:00.000-07:00

Today was a lazy day... What to do???

So, I decided to try out toenail polish on Mini Miss. She LOVED watching her "toe toes" get painted pink. She even sat still and read a magazine (ok catalog) like a big girl while she waited for them to dry!

She is growing up to fast... but this one was my fault!

Lil' Helper

2008-09-20T08:52:00.000-07:00

Me- "Mailee, can you please help me put your pajamas away? They just got finished in the dryer."

Mailee- "Sure, Mom. But instead of putting them away, I'll just put them ALL ON at the same time!"

Taking "Erella" for a Tour of the Toy Room

2008-09-18T09:27:00.000-07:00

Mailee had to make her new "Erella" feel at home by taking her for a ride and showing her around.

Mailee's 2 year Stats.

2008-09-16T13:09:00.001-07:00

Well, we went to the doctor for Mailee's 2 year check-up yesterday and she is

happy and healthy and thriving (but we knew that!)

Height- 36 inches (I can't believe that little peanut is now 3 feet tall!)

Weight- 28.5 lbs

She is 95th %ile for height and 74th %ile for weight! WOW!

Mailee's Curious George Birthday Party!!!

2008-09-15T21:42:00.000-07:00

Getting Ready for a Big Party!

2008-09-12T10:05:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is Mailee's big Birthday Party and we CAN'T WAIT! As you can see, she is helping with decorations and with the big question that I had of, "Hmmmm, what are we going to do with that big box from Oriental Trading Company?"

Also, she showed me a new use for the pitcher!
...And I thought it was only good for Sangria!!!

Oh, to be 2!!!

By the way, -Public Service Announcement- Don't call the Britney Police just yet, she was VERY supervised and those are plastic scrapbooking scissors!!! :)

The Birthday Girl!

2008-09-11T20:48:00.000-07:00

Mailee was celebrated at Toys R Us, receiving a balloon and a crown, before heading to Chuck E Cheese for dinner. She had an absolute blast! What a blessed day!

What a Birthday Angel! She is so Awesome!

Birthday Photo Shoot

2008-09-11T20:39:00.000-07:00

It is nice having a Grandpa who is a photographer and a Grandma who can make a special birthday dress of fabric of Mailee's favorite character, Curious George!

Thank you Grandpa and Grandma!

Moon Pie for Breakfast?

2008-09-11T20:36:00.000-07:00

Mom, are you sure this is Okay???

The Birthday Bird Pays Mailee a Visit

2008-09-11T20:18:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has read "Happy Birthday To You!" by Dr. Seuss, is familiar with the Birthday Bird from Katroo. Well, he paid Mailee a visit last night and decorated her room while she slept. She woke up to balloons all over her bedroom floor and going up her door. On the door was a note that said,
"Happy Birthday, Mailee! Hooray, you are 2! With Love, From the Birthday Bird of Katroo

She had a ball playing in her room for hours.

We did take a break for a few minutes to eat the special breakfast the B.B. left her on her high chair. A Moon Pie with a 2 candle! What a treat! She kept saying, "It's a Cake! It's a Cake!"

It was the best morning I have ever had! She is such a blessing, I thank God everyday for the answered prayers that she is.

Lil Chef Helper

2008-08-28T10:05:00.001-07:00

OK, so I have created a monster! I don't have a stool yet for Mailee to stand on where she can see what I am doing on the counter and she is getting too old to want to stay in her highchair (the place lovingly referred to as "food jail")So, I put her sitting on the counter to help me make chocolate chip cookies. She loved the place of honor (of course!) and now we argue a couple times a day because she thinks that is where she belongs.

Oh well, she looked cute and was a pretty good helper, pouring things etc. It also gave me a reason to get the cleansers and clutter off the kitchen counter. (Yes, I did realize after snapping pics that my darling was posing in front of bleach and carpet cleanser- Now in the Laundry Room!)

Now I just have to get that stool for my Lil Chef!!!

The Teacher in me...

2008-08-24T13:34:00.000-07:00

OK, so the teacher in me really thought that Mailee was ready for magnetic letters. I didn't expect her to be making words or anything, I am not THAT off-base, but I thought she's like to move them around...

HOWEVER... The Mom in me did not enjoy playing 26+ letter pick-up a few times. Fun game! But these letters will be making another refrigerator debut in a few months!!!

Christmas in July!

2008-08-08T15:30:00.000-07:00

Our church celebrated Christmas in July, complete with a "snow storm" in the parking lot. Nothing like a snowball fight in the summer! And, yes, that is a Christmas Cookie in Mini Miss' hand. That was her favorite part. It was a huge gingerbread man. She was working on it for about 45 minutes and it never left her hand, even when Cousins Laney and DB were having a snowball fight around her! (I love the shot of Laney getting tagged in the back with a snowball!)
Seriously though, it was a nice opportunity to reflect on the birth of Jesus without the hectic mess of the "Christmas Season."

Merry Christmas!!!

Hermosa Beach Family Vacation!

2008-08-08T15:16:00.000-07:00

Hermosa 2008- Family Vacation

We had so much fun!!!

Mailee's First Bike! Thank you Abbey!

2008-07-22T14:10:00.001-07:00

Our good friends Christi and Abbey Wyrrick are heading off for a year in China. They leave tomorrow and as we wish them love and blessings on their journey, they left us with presents too. Abbey was kind enough to give Mailee a bike, a potty seat (we're not quite ready yet, but it is coming!) and some clothes and stuff.

As you can see, Mailee LOVES her bike!!!

Thank you Abbey and Christi! We will miss you and pray for you. Enjoy your adventures back in China!!! Have a great time! - Love, MMM X 2 (and Johnny)

Clean Queen!

2008-07-20T13:33:00.000-07:00

Simi Water Park

2008-07-16T11:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went to the Simi Valley Water Park with Kate, Maddie, and Preston. We had a lot of fun and it was the first time Mailee mixed herself in with the millions of other kids running through the hoses and sprinklers. It was so fun to watch her! She even nudged herself by an older girl to get close to a sprinkler to fill up her cup. That's Daddy's Girl!

In these pictures you can see what a ham Kate's 4 year-old, Maddie, is and what a good "big sister" she can be! She took good care of Mailee, playing in the water. Love her!

1st Push-Up experience... "Treat!"

2008-07-12T15:58:00.000-07:00

Mailee thoroughly enjoyed her first Push-Up! I purposely bought these because I thought of them as better for her than ice cream and might stain less than popsicles! Notice, we still enjoyed the "treat" in the backyard!

YUMMY!

George, George, George! I like George!

2008-07-11T09:13:00.000-07:00

She is a kook for Curious George and here's the proof. Watching George, holding George, and even carrying the case for the George DVD.

Guess what the theme for her birthday in a couple months will be...

June in Review!

2008-07-04T11:46:00.000-07:00

New Computer- Up and Running Again!

2008-07-04T11:24:00.000-07:00

Again, sorry for the delay! Turns out the old computer was on the way to Crashville. Got a new one (thanks to my work) and we're back!!!

Mailee has been very busy! She runs everywhere and talks a lot more and more each day. Curious George is the new man in her life and she seems to be OBSESSED!!! Grandma and Grandpa bought her a Tumbling George doll and he is never far. She helps out around the house by throwing away trash and emptying the Recycling (don't you know that empty milk cartons and soda bottles belong in her kitchen???) Gotta love her!

We hope you all have a fun and safe 4th of July!

Happy Father's Day!

2008-06-16T09:25:00.000-07:00

Mailee, Daddy, and I had a great time yesterday. We went to my parent's house (who are finally home from vacation) for a nice family BBQ!

Mailee's favorite thing to do at Grandma and Grandpa's house is to put on her Army helmet and ride the rocking horse that my Daddy made a million years ago for his own children! I know Grandpa Angel would love this picture of Mailee enjoying a ride so many years later!

Happy Father's Day Johnny, Jeff, and Grandpa Angel Bruce!

Quiet Time

2008-06-15T13:51:00.000-07:00

The other day, I had a phone conference call, so I was in the other room, but listening to Mailee play. Soon, I realized she was babbling every word she knew. Looking into her room, I found her "reading" to herself, turning the pages and saying her words. "Mommy Daddy George Bubble Cracker" ... etc. All without losing the pacifier she apparently found on the bookshelf. She would put down one book and go to her bookshelf, carefully pick another, and return to her big chair. She entertained herself this way for about 30-45 minutes! Other than a dozen books on the floor, what a dream!!!

By the way, for those of us old enough to remember... Doesn't she look like the Incredibly Shrinking Woman in this chair??? Tee Hee!

Peek A Boo!

2008-06-13T09:49:00.000-07:00

Peek-A-Boo! I see you!!!

Grandpa Bill turns 90!!!

2008-06-02T09:01:00.000-07:00

Another amazing milestone we celebrated recently.

One of my Grandpa's best friends through high school and his fire department days turned 90 last week. He is one of the "founding fathers" of the Beach Gang (a large group of family and "family" that has been going to Hermosa Beach every summer for over 50 years!) There was a very nice celebration held at Brighton Gardens in Camarillo where Bill lives. He was so busy visiting and reminiscing with old friends that I missed getting a picture with the Birthday Boy, but these are a few of the next and next (and next:) ) generations!

Happy Birthday Grandpa Bill!!!

Relay for Life - "Rally for Hope"

2008-06-01T12:16:00.001-07:00

Walking for Grandpa Angel

2008-06-01T11:45:00.001-07:00

Wow! I am overwhelmed with emotion as I write this, thinking about yesterday. Mailee and I walked in the Relay for Life for the American Cancer Soceity. Thank you to all of you who donated to the ACS and who prayed for all those involved in this event.

I didn't know what to expect as I signed up for the Relay. I have never been to one before, but I wanted to be a part of anything that involves Cancer research and it's elimination. I thought it would be a few people from our church and elsewhere walking for their alotted time and then "passing the baton" and going home. What I found was a sort of Hope Rally (my term) and a gathering of hundreds if not thousands of people with one common theme- HOPE! I bet they all feel like me today. All I could say as I talked to my mom after the event was that it felt so good to be doing SOMETHING. Cancer touches all of us and it is bitter and scary. We all have felt helpless against it, whether we are the patient, loved one, or friend. I know that the "C word" scares me worse than anything. Yet, yesterday, I did SOMETHING! My daughter and I, along with all those other people, walked and talked together, laughing and loving together in a united front of HOPE. Coincidentally, I had made a shirt for Mailee to wear during the event with the word "HOPE" across her chest. She is the light in my life and a symbol of Hope to me. I felt that as I walked with the hundreds of others, we were Hope, stronger than the enemy!

My sister and my nephew were there also and we plan to make this an annual event for our family. It was an experience I will never forget and Mailee will grow to appreciate year after year!

A couple of other events were part of the Relay gathering. I signed up to be a part of a study of 500,000 people nationwide to research Cancer prevention. As they were drawing my blood, I was praying that each drop might help bring us closer to a cure.

Also, my mom bought a luminaria in memory of my dad, Bruce Lent-Koop. The luminarias lined the track route (actually a few times) and were lit at dusk in a special ceremony. Our luminaria has the words to the song I used as my "Father/Daughter Dance" for my wedding on one side and Mailee's footprints on the other with our reason for walking... Walking for Grandpa Angel!

"We all live, and We all Die,

But the End is not Good-Bye.

An Eternal Burning Flame,

HOPE lives on and Love Remains"

Bruce Lent-Koop

1947-1987

Pool Time!

2008-05-30T13:15:00.001-07:00

OK, so this is kinda funny!

I bought this pool for our backyard and Mailee loved playing in it ONCE... Then, we had the big storm the next week. After the crazy winds and rain subsided, we were back in the yard playing again and it occured to me that I didn't see the pool. Turns out, I guess it blew away with the wind! I looked around the neighborhood--- NO POOL! I even looked on trash day--NO POOL!

I hope someone else is having fun in it! We'll have to get a replacement. This time, an inflatable one and I'll put something heavy in it when it is empty!!!

All Packed and Ready to Go!

2008-05-29T08:18:00.000-07:00

She is so funny!

Mailee made sure she had everything she needed for her trip to ___________??? I imagine she was going to the beach. She put on her shady hat, loaded 2 sippy cups on board (milk and water), and even checked for traffic behind her as she backed up!!! 20 months and she is already a better driver than Mommy!

Computers- The Worst thing you Can't Live Without!!!

2008-05-28T09:02:00.001-07:00

I am sorry it had been a while, for the next few days, I will play catch-up! I have been taking pictures, but my computer router has a mind of it's own (apparently it is almost 2 also- LOL!) and it didn't want to stay connected long enough for me to create new Posts! Darn those Terrible Twos!!! My Darling Mother (aka June Cleaver) has told me that I am not allowed to refere to Mailee as a "ButtHead" when she is acting strong-willed, but I think it is safe to say that my computer was a "ButtHead!!!" I showed it. I had Johnny install a Hard Wire- HA!!!

SO we start our May Rewind with some pictures from a couple of different days at Mailee's school. She is not being a ham for the camera- she is too busy!!! I am loving this class and she is learning a lot about playing with others and how to do "schooly things."

Mother's Day

2008-05-14T10:08:00.000-07:00

The weather was beautiful and perfect for swimming!

We spent Mother's Day poolside with Grandma and Grandpa, Auntie Amy, Uncle Keith, cousins DB and Delaney, and Uncle Gabe. We had a great time and Mailee remembered that she REALLY LOVES the water!!!

We are ready to start Mommy and Me swimming lessons in June!!!

Happy Mother's Day to all mommies out there! wouldn't trade this job for the world!!!

Day With Daddy!

2008-05-14T09:57:00.001-07:00

On Saturday, I attanded a Mother's Day luncheon at church I had a very nice time and even won a Raffle prize (a Longaberger basket- Yeah!)

Mailee was home with Daddy. Johnny asked me if he could use my camera for the day. No Problem!

When I got home (mind you I was only gone for 4 hours and Mailee had taken an hour and a half nap during that time) Johnny had taken over 125 pictures!!!

This is definitally Daddy's Little Girl!!! And... looks like they had a wonderful time!

Daddy's Little Helper

2008-05-02T17:31:00.001-07:00

Just Chillin'

2008-04-23T10:50:00.000-07:00

OK, LONG story short... On Sunday Mailee and I came home from church to a message that Daddy was broken down about 4 miles from home. We went to rescue him, and ended up hanging out in the car for HOURS!!! Look closely, you can see Daddy's car with the hood up behind Munchkin.

8 new spark plugs, 5 gallons of Premium Gas (does anyone really buy that stuff these days?), a visit from AAA, some new computer sensor thingy, a socket wrench extension, AND 1 brand-new fuel pump later... the car is good as new!

Mailee was SOOO good. I have to ask myself, "Whose kid is she???" I had NO IDEA it would be so long! She was strapped into her seat almost the whole time. She read a magazine, ate french fries, and sang songs with Mommy! What a trooper!