A Day of Beauty

Sophia had her 1st hair cut last weekend.  Isabella went first to show Sophia not to be scared.  Isabella loved getting her hair cut in a car and pretended to drive it around.  Thankfully, the hairdresser was fast and Isabella popped out for Sophia's turn.  Sophia was excited to get in the car and sat very still like a big girl.  At the end we finally got a little smile out of Sophia.  When I asked Sophia if she liked getting her haircut she nodded yes and sayed "pop" (with a huge smile on her face).  Clearly, the favorite part of Sophia's hair cut was the lolly-pop she picked out at the end.  Fifi then told me her name was Schaefer!  Next, she said her name was Isabella and giggled.  My sweet Sophia has a great sense of humor!

During nap time Isabella & I went out for a Mommy- Daughter mani/pedi.   Isabella felt like such a big girl!  She giggled a lot when they rubbed her feet.  Her color of choice was not only pink, but HOT pink!  I enjoyed the time with Isabella and we are both loving our pretty painted nails.

Celebrate the little things

Just as its important to stop and smell the flowers, my children love to pause and enjoy life.  The excitement to the world around them is contagious.  I love to see life through my daughters eyes.  Sometimes in life its the little things that make the biggest impact.  Who knew how many smiles would come from a pile of leaves?  Clearly, Isabella & Sophia did!

 

As Thanksgiving approaches,  I am reminded by my children to be thankful for the ltitle things in life.  Sometime those are the things that take up the biggest part of our heart. 

13.1 Get it done!

Saturday I achieved a few personal records.  (1)  I ran a half marathon in 2:07 which was a 21 minute improvement over last year.  (2)  I ran 18 miles which is the most I have ever run in one day.  You must be wondering why I ran 18 when the race was only 13.1 miles.  Well, after my race I joined a few friends who were running the marathon thus the higher mileage.  It was an epic day despite the crazy morning.   Between Will's kidney stone/pain and me chipping a tooth I wondered how I could crank out a great race.  Somehow it happened and I am thrilled its over!  Now if Will could just pass the kidney stone that would be great!



Racing to the finish line!

Fifi is proud of Mommy's finishers medal

Isabella was happy I was home from running

Is it nap time yet?

Princess Playdate

Last week the girls enjoyed a fun play date at home.  Isabella loved playing dress up with her friend Madelyn and Sophia enjoyed having Clark style her hair.  The girls love to have their friends over to play.

Madelyn & Isabella in the cottage

Clark & Sophia

"Color Please?"

The girls love to color and Sophia request to color every time she sees a pen, pencil or crayon.  Sophia's makes lots of tight zigzag lines and Isabella likes to color within the lines.  I love to see art emerging from my children at a young age.  Its a neat process to observe.  Here are a few pics of the girls coloring the morning away...

Its True. Sophia is 2!

Sophia's birthday was a week long celebration. We had a small party a few days before her birthday, then we celebrated on her actual birthday and again with our playgroup.  Sophia loved blowing out the candles on her cupcakes.  For Sophia birthday party we had a Halloween theme.  The kids colored pumpkins and spiders, painted jack-o-lanterns and enjoyed a Dora pinata.  Since it was the day before Halloween the kids loved wearing their costumes early.  

Sophia is not my little bitty baby anymore.  The night before her birthday I was feeling sentimental that it was her last night as a one year old.  The next morning our big happy TWO year old was delighted to snuggle with us as we sang happy birthday.   No matter her age, Sophia will always be my baby.

Sophia & Madelyn coloring their pumpkins

FiFi enjoyed craft hour

Sophia and Olivia

Will & the birthday girl



Sophia pulls the pinata as the 3 witches watch with excitement

Spider Lady, CinderBella, The Garden Fairy and Daddy

Isabella & Sophia's finished jack-o-lanterns

Sophia's actual birthday was a beautiful fall day so Fifi and I had a photo shoot at home while Bella was in school.  We also went to the store and Sophia picked out her very own Elmo balloon.  The day ended with presents and cupcakes.  Sophia loved her Rody horse!  Bella does too!

Cheese!

I love my sweet Sophia and was thrilled to spend the day with her.

Fall is here!

Playing in the leaves is fun

Look who is TWO

2 sweet

2 silly

Bouncy, bouncy....

Make a wish!

Sophia ~ you are a the wind in my sail, the joy in my heart and the smile on my face. You are a gift to us and we love you so much!

Calling Dora

As you know Sophia loves Dora, thus both girls had to call Dora this morning before we headed out.   Dora is popular in our house these days!

Trick or Treat

Halloween was so much fun this year.  The girls really got into it. Sophia was a  Garden Fairy and Isabella was Cinderella.  Both girls loved wearing thier costumes and were excited to go outside at night for candy.  Sophia enjoyed passing out the candy and Isabella prefered go candy hunting.  Sophia went to one house to trick or treat but did not want to do anymore.  Some of the costumes were scary to Miss Sophia so she was happy at home with Daddy.  Isabella and I  went to about 14 houses and had a blast!

 Halloween would not be complete with pumpkins and Isabella drew a face on one that Will carved!!  Pretty neat!  Hope everyone had a happy halloween! 

Garden Fairy & CinderBELLA

The garden fairy enjoys handing out candy

A little rain can not stop Cinderella from fun

A scary monster caught Sophia's eye

Pumpkin deisgn by Bella.  Carving by Daddy.

Halloween on Parade

 Last week Isabella's school had a Halloween parade. Isabella loved walking through the sanctuary in costume.  To my surprise, the kids sang 5 fun & festive songs.  Sophia tried singing and dancing just like her big sister.  Sophia kept saying Hi Bella!  And at one point when it was quiet, Isabella perked up and said "Hi" back!  Isabella loves school and has learned so much.  They made Halloween masks, paper spiders and decorated cupcakes.  She had a blast! 



Halloween on Parade!



"Apples yuck yucky yucky yuck in my tummy"

Sophia following along with Bella

Happy Girls!

Isabella & her class mate Abby, both dressed as Cinderella

The Halloween parade & party at pre-school was just the start of our holiday celebration!  The following day we enjoyed a Halloween party with our playgroup.  We tried to get a group shot which was a challenge with so many little ones as you can see by my photos.   The girls enjoyed seeing their playgroup friends. 

Attempt 1

Attempt 2