Trotting

Caitlin can trot now.

Someone's ready for the game this weekend . . .

Caitlin has been wanting her own LSU shirt for a while.  Mommy and daddy have plenty of them and she has long since outgrown the ones we had for her as a baby.

So we just ordered everyone in the family something new that is purple and gold. 

I think a family fan picture is in store soon.

Can anyone tell what this is?

It looks like a bird exploded!!

Yesterday, when Caitlin got home from school, she saw a hawk right here in this spot EATING ANOTHER BIRD.  This is the remains.  YUCK!!

Potty Training

We are slowly starting to potty train.  I'm definitely not rushing it!

I also have a picture of her crawling up the stairs naked but I thought better about putting that one on the blog.  No, it will be saved for when boys come to pick her up for a date.



First Haircut

BEFORE

She had such good pigtails but if they weren't up, it just looked like a fabulous mullet!

AFTER

It looked much better after a bath and her curls came back.  It looks pretty much the same style, just no mullet!

Heaven = the Beach

Driving

I was nervous about the drive.  Alaina is NOT the best in the car.  After about 30 minutes, she's done!

I did my research.  I had the ipad loaded with Elmo, Barney and Dora.  I bought a few new toys to pull out in times of desperation.  And I packed all her favorite toys and snacks.

It worked for a few hours. 

Finally, I had to move to the back seat.  With me back there, though, she was entertained.  I could hand her whatever she wanted.  We sang songs, read books, ate snacks.  It went much better than expected!

The Condo

Here was our view of the beach from the condo balcony.  Anyone that knows me, knows that this is all I need to relax and be in heaven!!

Alaina LOVED the condo.  She ran around happy and hyper the whole time.  I guess having a new place for her to explore was what she needed to relax.

Caitlin LOVED having the bunk beds to relax in.

Alaina found a new friend on the trip.  She fell in love with Caitlin's Zhu Zhu Roxie.  She calls her Rocky and couldn't go anywhere without her.

We all enjoyed the balcony.  Alaina played.

Caitlin relaxed and posed. 

Alaina was catching up on her work.

Me, I just enjoyed nature.

Two days in a row, we also saw pods of dolphins.  Amazing!

The Beach

The first day at the beach didn't go so well.

Alaina didn't really like the sand, except to lick it.

But Caitlin made friends.

And found at least 5 jellyfish!

Alaina just explored.

I LOVE this picture of my little family!!

The second day went much better.  Alaina played in the sand with her bucket and shovel. 

She did not want anything to do with the ocean though.

Caitlin played in the sand . . .

And learned to boogie board in the ocean.  Too bad the ocean was very calm for most of the trip.  Good for the nervous mommy.  Bad for the courageous daughter!

By the last day, Alaina actually enjoyed the beach.  She covered herself in sand and would RUN into the ocean waves.

She loved walking up and down the beach.  She made many new "friends".

Finally on the last day, the ocean had some waves.  She rode them all by herself since daddy was playing golf and I was chasing Alaina all over the beach.

Pool Time

We also enjoyed time at the pool.  The water was cold to me but Caitlin did NOT care!

This was our first real vacation, just us four together.  We had a really good time.  I loved being with them and making some great family memories.