Happy Birthday Soleil!!

My baby is 2. Wow, that happened really fast! We went to Chuck E. Cheese's and celebrated in style there. Both kids love going there, and since Scott and I can split up and each follow a kid, it's fun and easy for all of us. Then back home for cupcakes and presents.
We have now officially entered the princess phase. She is starting to love all things girly and pink, which is such a stark contrast to Caden and all things boy. She got so much pink stuff this birthday, it's almost the main color of the playroom! (thanks, grandparents!) Soleil still loves to play trains and throw balls, so I don't have to worry about her not being too well-rounded. Although to add to her girly-ness, she seems to have developed a love of makeup. She loves to watch me put it on and she loves to put it on herself (she doesn't know there isn't anything on Mommy's big blush brush). She loves to color - anything, this is why I have microfiber couches - and makeup is just another version of coloring, right?
Soleil LOVES animals. It seems like her favorite is an elephant. She knows most of the animals and their sounds, and will imitate them for you. She does a mean elephant, complete with hand gesture.
I love to watch my kids interact. They love to play with each other. I'm almost intrigued by their relationship, never having any close-in-age siblings myself. Soleil will walk around the house when Caden is at school yelling, "Caden, where are you?" Whenever Soleil gets in trouble, which is just starting to become more frequent, Caden will tell me to leave his sister alone. I dig the big brother vibe. I love that they watch out for each other and love each other so much.
Soleil is such a happy, easygoing kid. She has a smile and giggle for everyone. She also has a strong personality and is becoming more independent, which I am glad for and scared of all at the same time. I wonder what I'll think in 10 year's time?
I love my little girl!!

I know I'm biased, but how cute is she??

Lining up the shot...Caden is a natural air hockey player!

Mmm....pink frosting! Although she never did eat any of the chocolate part.

What's that about?

"I love cupcakes!"

I love this picture. It shows how "well-rounded" my baby is....trains and tutus. And princess shoes, cause every girl loves her shoes!

A big shout out and thanks to Aunt Judy for making that adorable tutu for Soleil. Since none of her 3 Grandmas do homemade crafty things like tutus, I bug my aunts to adorn my daughter in their creations. Thanks, Aunt Judy....she LOVES it!

Another thanks to Tom and Jen. I got some wonderful comments from my last post about applying for my couch warmer position (you are all hired, by the way!), but Tom and Jen actually brought over chocolate! Thanks, guys!!

Taking applications

Now that it's autumn and school has started, I thought our lives would slow down a little with the Bramwell Bed and Breakfast vacant. But if anything, things have gotten crazier! The last two weeks either Scott or I (or both, in some cases) have had something every nite. And with my swim class and Scott sign waving for Prop 8, every morning is filled now too. So I am taking applications for an evening stand-in couch warmer. (I get the Laz-E Boy chair to unwind at nite, and Scott gets the couch) Requirements: Sense of humor, a bag of chocolate, and no adverse body odor. Any takers?

Soleil's birthday is Thursday. I can not believe my baby is turning 2. Although the girl is all attitude already. She is going to give me a run for my money as a teenager. And my mother is laughing hysterically at that. Karma, right? 

Love you mom!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!

I AM SO EXCITED I JUST CAN'T STAND IT!!!

I have regressed back to being 11 years old. I didn't think it possible, but last nite, as I was standing in the 3rd row, watching the New Kids on the Block come onto the stage, I found myself screaming and jumping up and down, hysterical, practically in tears. Mock me if you will. I don't care! Cause that was the BEST CONCERT I HAVE EVER BEEN TOO! (the awesome seats didn't hurt, either!) I was able to gather my emotions enough to dance the nite away, still screaming all the while. Good times. And, to further convince myself that I have regressed 20 years, I am very proud to say that both Joey and Donnie looked at me and Jen twice. Joey did the head nod thing, and Donnie winked at us. And yes, I screamed like a little girl and almost had my knees go out. I'm glad Scott doesn't ever read this.

So Jen and I drove up to LA last nite for the concert - today is my birthday so this was my big birthday present. What a great husband to let me go and not mock me too much about this. (Thankfully my sis-in-law is going to a NKOTB concert next week, so at least the teasing will be spread throughout the family!) Jen and I had a great time, and got home at 2 in the morning. Can't remember the last time I was up that late that didn't involve nursing a baby! ;-> The 1 thing I am bummed about pictures. Online it said "no cameras allowed", so I obeyed and didn't bring my camera. Whatever! Everyone had their cameras! So we only got bad camera-phone pictures. Bummer. Oh well.

My throat still hurts from screaming. Good times!

Dark and grainy, but so fun!!

Whose Joey looking at? That's right, baby, ME!!

Jordan and Jon

The Boston Boys are back!! NKOTB For-eva!!

It's my birthday. Feel free to send flowers or chocolate.

First Day of School

I know it's October, but bear with me as a catch up. Caden started preschool a few weeks ago. He loves it! And I love him loving it! He started while I was in Aruba with our camera, so these are from Scott's phone. I think these are the first 2 days of school. How cute is he?

Soleil started yesterday in her Mother's Day Out program. It's 1 day a week for 3 hours. She absolutely loved it, and I loved having 3 hours to run errands by myself. I think Wednesdays are going to be my new favorite day!

She was so excited to go to "preschool!"

I'm posting 2 pix of her so you can see that she does have hair. When I did a ponytail in her hair, I didn't think how that would translate into bald-looking photos.