Fireworks

We headed to the Fairlawn fireworks show last night. Dawson was watching intently and clapping nonstop. She just loved it! I knew she would since we just returned from Disney with the fireworks going off EVERY night over the castle. When the first few went off she said, "Rella's House fireworks. BOOM, BOOM, BOOM!" That made me laugh!

Summer Fun

A night doesn't go by without us playing on the swingset...one of my best investments ever! Tonight I just took a few pictures with a different lens. I was looking for a more blurred background effect. Just practicing! We are truly just LOVING summer!

Happy 2nd Birthday Dawson!

Birthday Part One ..... Today is Dawson's real birthday but, we will be celebrating with most of her cousins, aunts and uncles over the Fourth of July. Today, we woke up, went to the zoo, headed to swim lessons, then had a small cookout by the pool after swim lessons thanks to my brother and sister in law. She got lots of great presents including an American Girl Bitty Baby, some wooden vegetables, a Dora purse, a princess night light, the School of Rock CD, and many more things. What a lucky girl! There was too much going on for her to pay attention to anything too long but, we will revisit everything tomorrow. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL!

Looking at the Trumpet Swan at the zoo this morning. Notice the climbing? On Monday morning, I found Dawson sleeping on the couch downstairs. HMMMM..she got out of her crib, went down two flights of stairs and made herself comfy on the couch. The interesting thing is that we never heard her! Time for a toddler bed. More about that later..it's NOT working!

Waiting for my swim lesson.

Presents!

Her new American Girl doll.

Reading my Elmo birthday card!

Eating one of Aunt Beth's delicious cupcakes. Aunt Beth likes sweets just like Dawson!

Cutting my new wooden vegetables with my new wooden knife.

Serving Papa some freshly cut vegetables. Maybe being a waitress is in her future?

Where are my flowers going?

I have been wondering where my Gerber daisies have been going lately? First, I had a pot of pansies and a big, fat bunny ate them all. So, I replaced them with Gerber daisies. HMMMM, now I know who's been making them disappear. My poor flowers!

Swimming Lessons

We had our second swimming lesson tonight. Dawson got in for about 5 minutes and was calling out my name most of the time. She swam in the pool alone and with me in Florida and loves the tub but, is just not sure about her teacher. Notice how warm and happy she is in her towel! Maybe next time!

She's in deep thought about whether or not she should even get in the pool?

Thanks Amy for this cute suit....I just love it!

PIcnic!

Last night, Lynn and I had a few families over with their children to enjoy some Mexican food, margaritas and a beautiful summer night. There were six, two year olds and one four year old. With that in mind, no one played with each other, they all went their own way. The kids played on the swingset, in the water table, colored, ran, rode in the wagon, rode on toys and much, much more. Never a dull moment with two year olds! At first, Dawson wasn't too thrilled when she saw others using ALL her stuff. She would follow Grace around saying "my water, my bike, my wagon." Whatever Grace went near, Dawson would be right behind her keeping her eye on HER STUFF. Within a few minutes, she was over it and playing like no one was around! I can't say how amazed I am every time I am with other families with Guatemalan. Everyone is so kind and caring and the children are ALL so well behaved and beautiful! How lucky we are!

Good Friends!

My new Hula Hoop!

Dawson had never ridden her scooter until someone else tried it. Look at her now!

Peer pressure!

Swinging with Mayna on the tire swing. This is a hit with all kids!

Three good friends in the wagon!

Wordless Wednesday

Any ideas on what the caption might be for this picture?

The Birthday Quilt

The quilt has arrived!  I decided instead of keeping Dawson's favorite clothes in a box for the next 2o years, I would have them made into a quilt.  I saved, what I thought, were her most important clothes and had this beautiful quilt made for her birthday.  A few things I included were her coming home outfit, a hat, a swimsuit, her first birthday dress, Easter dress, Xmas dress, Halloween shirts, St. Patrick's day shirt, some P.J's, her readoption dress, and the blue striped outfit at the bottom of the quilt is the outfit she wore when I first met her!  It is absolutely adorable!  (The picture doesn't do it justice.)  The problem now is...should I let her use it or hang it in her bedroom.  My original plan was for her to use it but.....I don't know now!  

Strawberry Picking

What does early June bring?  STRAWBERRIES!   Papa, Dawson and Mommy went picking early this morning to a local picking farm in Copley.  Papa and I did all the picking while Dawson helped put them in the basket and ate them.  I didn't realize strawberries only last about 2 weeks and this is week two starting now!  They are so delicious.  I might get motivated and pick again later in the week to make some jam.  I'm officially off work for the summer so we should have some time around our gymnastics and swim lesson schedule! 

  

Some freshly picked berries!

The first bite....yummy!

My helper putting the berries in the basket.

Still helping...not picking...just organizing!

Disney Day 6

We are headed home tomorrow so here are a few last pictures.  All 12 of us had an amazing time and kept very busy.  There wasn't a day we didn't go to a park!  Today was 95 degrees and humid so we were all sweating to death....notice how hot Dawson looks in the pictures.  We will go to bed with sweet thoughts of Mickey, Minnie, Cinderella and Pooh.  As you know, we are in the "Happiest Place On Earth" 

Mickey and Minnie sitting in the stroller.

Sitting in the teacups from "Alice In Wonderland."

Licking a delicious lollipop.

Walking down the road with a few of our new friends.

Loving my new friends.

Playing video games with all the BOYS!

Disney Day 5

Last night was our second dinner with "Rella."  This time it was not so good.  The evil stepmom and her daughters were there screaming and yelling at each other to be funny.  They were even yelling mean things about Cinderella when she arrived with prince charming.  Dawson was not sure about the whole thing but, my niece Breea was loving it.  It must be an age thing!  Here are a few pics from last night and some from swimming this morning!  

I love you fake "Rella."

Swimming in the pool.

A birthday cupcake for Dawson!

See how mean the Step mom was.....not good for two year olds.  

Disney days 3 and 4

Yesterday and today we have hit the Magic Kingdom.  We ate the traditional Mickey Ice Cream, rode the monorail, went on Dumbo and finally took a picture with Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Those pictures were taken by the Disney photographers so you will have to wait until later to see them!  Dawson is doing great and hanging in there with the big kids.  One problem...she won't put down her wand!  She thinks she IS Cinderella and has been carrying it around all the time.  I know I call her my princess but, she's beginning to assume the roll!  We are off to dinner with Cinderella AGAIN tonight.  I originally scheduled this one only and then we got into the castle later on by accident so we decided to keep them both!  I'm sure Dawson will love to see "Rella" again!

Sitting in the front car of the monorail with the driver.

Getting ready to go on a train ride with Papa and her two cousins.

Enjoying her first Mickey Mouse ice cream bar.

Watching a show on stage at the castle...guess who's dancing?  RELLA!!!

Disney Days 1 and 2

Doesn't Disney know I like to keep up with my blog?  I have been trying to get internet for the last two days and obviously it is NOT a Disney priority.  They have been making it very difficult for me.  More about that on another day!  We have been very busy having breakfast with Mickey and lunch with Cinderella in her castle.  Dawson is in LOVE with Rella.  Whenever she sees her, she is mesmerized.  As for Mickey, she prefers to stay back and just give a little wave!  Here are a few quick pics to share...have to go to bed now and do it all again tomorrow!  We are having LOTS of FUN!  More pics to come tomorrow!