BP's Produce Stand

Here is The Barefoot Princess with her produce stand at the end of our driveway. The inspiration came from a Barney movie and since BP had been talking about Barney's produce stand, we figured it would be a great idea and lesson for BP to set up a little stand and sell the abundance of veggies coming from our garden. She immediately was excited with the idea. As you can see in the first picture she drove her goods down the driveway in her John Deere, holding onto her sign as she drove. Then we helped her set it up, and at the end of the day she made $3.50. Tomorrow is a new business day!

We're Back!!!

After a brief blogging hiatus we are back. Our computer was slow and kept crashing so it had to go to The Computer Doctors (yes, the real name of the business that fixed it.) It took a while and I enjoyed the break because we have been very busy. So we have lots to share from the last few weeks. Yikes, when I logged into our blog I realized the last post was BB's 9 month post and in two days she will be 10 months!!!

9 Months

The Barefoot Baby's 9 month birthday came and went and I did not have a chance to get this post up. At 9 months she is 25 lbs and brings us all so much joy! She wakes up happy and remains happy all day. She is testing the waters of walking and not sure if it something she likes or not. She really digs pulling herself up on everything and cruising along the edge. She is sporting a ridiculously dark brown summer tan that is definitely from her Daddy's side of the family and makes us cringe when the doctor or anyone else comments on it. I swear she has worn WaterBabies SPF 50 all summer. Her hair gets lighter every day and it is actually growing. (After BP we are not used to babies with hair.) BP likes to wet BB's hair, comb it straight up and call her Spike. BB has two bottom teeth, but is desperately trying to coax the top two teeth through with anything she can get her hands on. I caught her chewing on our kitchen cabinet handles today! She picks up the play telephones, puts them to her ear and says, "Hi!" I am not a big phone person so I think she learned this from her sister. Oh, and how could I forget the big drooly kisses she gives us and her babies when we ask her for them. BB is a little piece of heaven! I look at her, hold her, play with her, and I want ten more just like her!

Happy Campers

These are some of my favorite pictures from our camping trip, which was so much fun! I would definitely do it again. It was great to be together without any interuptions. True family time and bonding with each other and with Mother Nature is priceless. You can see the happiness on BP and BB's little faces. So now I am thinking a Fall camping trip would be gorgeous.

The River

The river was a major plus of our camping trip. When I called to make the reservation at the campground the nice lady on the phone asked if I wanted a riverfront campsite and of course I said, "Yes!"

After setting up the campsite we walked down to the river so BP could play and BB could stick her toes in. Playing in the river was BP's favorite thing to do while camping. We were a little surprised since she does not go in the ocean. Apparently there is something very different between the ocean and the river because she did not think twice about playing in the river. I think it is the waves that freak her out at the beach. She threw about 1,000 stones, walked up the river with Daddy, and was happy to just sit on a big rock in the river. From now on a riverfront campsite is definitely a must!

Happy Birthday Uncle Mark

A day late, but not forgotten. We thought about you yesterday and hope you are having a great trip!

Cannot wait to see you when you return!

Love,

BP and BB

Setting up Camp

As BP help to erect the tent, BB carefully watches to make sure she is doing it properly.

3 Years Ago...

Three years ago to the day this picture was taken at my baby shower. I was 7 months pregnant with The Barefoot Princess and posing with my mom, grandmother, and mom-in-law. I love to look at this picture and think about how I had no clue what joy, love, and craziness was in store for me and these three ladies knew exactly what I would feel and experience becoming a mother. I have to make a note to get this picture enlarged and framed because it is one of my favorites.

The Tent

Just so they are comfortable with the tent, Daddy set it up for the girls in our backyard last night. Our neighbors asked BP if she was camping in her yard and she told them "No, I going camping Saturday." BB thought it was a nice surface to practice her crawling skills. BP dragged numerous toys out into it throughout the day. The playroom looks a little empty tonight. We are all looking forward to camping this weekend. Uncle Mack... you are so going to lose $20. (There are no hotels near the campground.)

My Flowers

Just a few pictures I took this morning in the garden of some of my favorite flowers. Seeing them this morning made me smile and made my day brighter!

Scooter

It is going to take a lot of practice, but eventually she will get used to this three-wheeled scooter. BP and her Daddy went off to Wal-Mart last night to pick up some last minute camping supplies for our trip this weekend and came home with a scooter. BUT, it wasn't this scooter in the above pictures. The one they purchased or BP insisted on, was way to big and with only two wheels, way too dangerous. So BP, BB, and I ventured back to Wal-Mart today, and I say ventured because I have not been to Wal-Mart since BP was two months old to make our 2005 Christmas card. So I realized today why we have not been there in three years...enough said. (Thank heavens for Target, I cannot put my finger on the difference, but there is one, I promise!) We returned the "big, dangerous" scooter and BP told everyone she could why it was being returned and found a safer version (pictured above). Returning it was easy compared to assembling it. Now, I know why I normally just put the stickers on the toys in the end. I was determined to put it together for BP and when she would say, "um, maybe Daddy do it later?" I told her numerous times that "girls can do anything boys can do, but boys cannot do everything girls can do," but I was beginning to wonder. Anyway, it is cute and she loves it and now as she practices her scooter riding around the circular nursery driveway, I can push BB on BP's old tricycle which has a seatbelt and extension for parental pushing. Fun for everyone!

BP's Words and Phrases...

Because I never want to forget the way she talks at 2 and 3/4. Her words that make us laugh and phrases that we are still trying to figure out.

"A Couple Whiles" - Not sure how to translate this one.

"All the Time of Day" - I think this means all day long or all the time, but once again not really sure.

"Baby Dollar" - A Baby Doll

"Dollar Store" - American Girl in NY where you buy "baby dollars" and their accessories.

"Carrie Underwear" and "Taylor Swiff" - Her two favorite country singers.

"Miss Donald's" - McDonald's of course.

"Chicken Uggets" - Her favorite meal at "Miss Donald's."

"Honey" - Her imaginary friend.

Children's Day

Here are some pictures from this past weekend...Children's Day 2008 a.k.a "Family Day" for all of us. It is really like a big family reunion. Children's Day is a tradition that is one hundred and thirty some years old in the town that I grew up in and a lot of my family lives in or near. It is cute old-fashioned fun with parades, ponies, house decorating, children's games and athletic events. This year was all about babies...lots of babies...everywhere! It seems we are a very fertile family. (Thanks Grandma W!) BP and BB had a great time playing with their cousins and seeing the entire family!

Fancy Nancy

The Barefoot Princess loves Fancy Nancy! There are days she thinks she is Fancy Nancy. These books, written by Jane O'Conner, were reccommended to us by BP's Aunt Nicole and our friends Allison and Grace and they have been a big hit. The stories are cute and as a bonus have great vocab building words. I love to hear BP's Daddy reading them...very funny.