Miss Violet Turns Two

Goofball!

Two years ago my sweet Violet was born on Valentine's Day (best.valentine.ever.). Wow, that was quick. Two years of our funny, kind, stubborn baby girl.

Violet has brought a lot of joy and laughter into our family. She is a sweet, kind, hilarious, thoughtful and caring little girl. Unless you make her mad and then she is stubborn and very vocal about it! She is into everything, which means that I can't leave her alone for a moment.  She is very clever about getting into things she knows she is not supposed to.  She is sneaky and smart...a dangerous combination.

Madeline and Zella adore Violet and the feeling is mutual. Zella and Vi have become buddies the last couple months and they play well together (finally!). Violet is always asking for "Lella" and Zella loves it. Madeline and Violet are always snuggling and reading books. It is so fun to watch them together and see their relationships grow.

Violet loves to dance, sing, look at books and cuddle. She is especially fond of babies, markers and stampers.  She is a great sleeper thank goodness.  She sleeps about 12 hours a night and naps for an hour or two each day.  I totally lucked out.  Eating, on the other hand, has been a challenge.  She used to be a great eater, but lost interest about 8 months ago.  I guess she would rather be playing.

We are SO THANKFUL she is part of our family.  We couldn't imagine life without our little "cupcake". 

Violet was very excited for her birthday.  She kept saying "I'm two!", and "CUPCAKE!" on the day of her party.  It is so fun experiencing life with her.

Pics of her big day:

Papa and Violet

Cheese!

So serious!  Blowing out candles.

Cupcake!

Loving her ice cream.

Opening presents.

Loving her new doll.

Zella Turns Four

Just three days after Christmas something shocking happened.  Miss Zella Lynne turned FOUR years old.  I'm not sure how that is possible! 

Zella has been a joy since the moment she was born.  She always has a smile on her face, is dancing, singing or humming at all times and brings a smile to everyone's face.

Zella finds happiness in the little things of life.  Her excitement for the little and big things she encounters is one of the things I love most about her.  Her excitement is contagious!


Wherever she goes people are drawn to her.  After you meet her you can't forget her....her big personality, her unusual name and her adorable glasses are a winning combination.

She LOVES books.  She spends hours each day looking at books and making up stories to go with the illustrations.  We spend a lot of time snuggling and reading books together.  She also loves playing Barbies, Smurfs, restaurant and dress up.

Zella makes a craft at least once a day.  She loves to color, draw and make necklaces.  My little firecracker also loves to dance and sing.  She is always ready to join in a dance party!

She is my early riser and always has been.  It is nice to have that special time with her before her sisters wake up. 

Zella started preschool this year, every Monday and Wednesday morning.  She is a very eager learner and absolutely adores school.  She talks a mile a minute when she gets home about all the fun things she gets to do.  Zel is so proud to be going to school like her big sister Madeline. 

She also started tumbling this year and loves it.  I can't wait to see her tumbling recital in the spring.  She is already asking me if it is recital time yet because she can't wait to be a on a stage.

I can't believe my little comedian is already four.  We are so thankful to have Zella in our family!!!

We celebrated her birthday twice.  Once in Britt with family who could come, and once in Milo.  She couldn't believe she got to have two parties.  Very exciting apparently.

Her party in Britt was a Smurf party.  She is so into the Smurfs right now and spends a lot of time playing with her Smurf house and figurines she got for her birthday. 

She picked her fav restaurant for lunch:  The Red Rooster

Aunt Karen brought a balloon to the restaurant.  It was a big hit!

Aunt KK, Cousins Lily and Grace at the birthday lunch.  Granny came too.

Excited about her Smurf mushroom house cake.

"Oh yeah, baby!"

Opening presents.

Sweet cousin Lily modeling a party hat.

Eating a tortilla chip in her NEW WAGON.
She told me in was a dream come true.  (The wagon, not the trip.)

The Smurf cake.  If you can't tell, it is supposed to be a Smurf
mushroom house.  She thought it was a Smurf house so I count it as a success.

Just in case  the house didn't turn out I had a backup.
The Smurfs are rings the kids got to take home.



Happy Birthday Zella!

Miss Zella

My baby is starting preschool tomorrow.  Okay, okay.  She is not a baby anymore.  She's 3 1/2.  I know she will love it but I will still miss her terribly.  I took her on a special date a couple weeks ago to get her school supplies.  I can't believe how fast she is growing up!

My Monkey

My little monkey is very sassy and has a mind of her own.  (i.e. STUBBORN)

Violet is such a monkey!  My 17 month old daughter climbed and then FELL  (crashed, really) out of her crib yesterday.  She just keeps trying to get out so we had to set up the toddler bed for her.  Already.

Did I mention that I am not ready for this? 

When Madeline was Violet's age she did the same thing.  Once we put her in the toddler bed she never took a nap again.  Well, she DID take a nap, but only five naps in one YEAR.  And those were when she was sick.

And we had a newborn.  And Madeline was only 19 months old.  AND SHE DIDN'T NAP.  EVER.

It is as fun as it sounds.

So I am feeling very apprehensive.  I know it doesn't mean that Violet will give up naps.  But what mom is ready for her 17 month old baby to not sleep in a crib?

Wish us luck.

Madeline Beatrice (5)