Mr. Pickle

We have a Mr. Pickle sandwich shop down the street from us and there is a very very enthusiastic pickle who stands on the street corner rain or shine and waves to all the cars. My parents recently took Lily to dine there and she told them no pickle, no pickle. Scary, scary. Then a few days later they drove by the corner and Papa pointed the pickle out to her and she hid her eyes all the way home and repeatedly talked about the scary pickle for the next half hour. Now truth be told I am kind of with her the smiling waving pickle with those crazy eyes and the wide open mouth smile is a bit scary. So now we have to drive out of our way to avoid the scary pickle intersection.

Grapes anyone

This is one of those moments where words are not needed. Enjoy.

Christmas 2007

This christmas vacation Lily has decided that I am no longer Mama but my name is now Mommy. I love the new name she sounds just so grown up. Our family spent a week in the Tahoe Keys and had a great time in the snow. Although Lily is not much of a cold weather girl, She prefers the tropics as do her mommy and daddy. It was very fun to be in a winter wonderland for christmas. Few places are as beautiful as Tahoe.

Papa setting up the christmas tree.
Adding the appropriate trimmings.
Cousin Ava and Lily snuggling.
My snow princess.
I see you in there.
Brrr. Mommy this is very very cold. Family in the snow.Nothing like a hot tub with a view.Snowy lake.

Santa Stuey came for a visit.

Wow look at that loot.

Mommy Santa didn't eat all of his cookies I really must have one.

I must stop for a rest and have some juice.

Papa what ya readin?

Look at me. No one is carrying me can you believe it.

Mommy I told you I was done with the snow get me out of here!

Merry Christmas

We are headed up the mountains to enjoy a white christmas with family. Merry Christmas I will post pictures of our adventures next week.

camera shy

Shoe-la-palooza. I was sick one day and Lily occupied herself solely with shoes.
I desperately wanted to get a picture of Lily in her christmas dress to put on our christmas card. Lily however had other ideas. Above is our background all ready to go.
This is one of several shots of Lily the escape artist.
And finally she had enough. She is rolling around on the floor saying eyes! eyes!
Lily got some new bath toys as an early christmas gift. She is a master pourer and a wonderful drummer. The blue and yellow container is a bath drum. It comes with drumsticks and everything. Lily plays a tune and then sets down the drumsticks and claps for herself before playing another song. Very funny.

Surviving

So far I have loved two. I love Miss Lily and all her opinions and I love the freedom to throw oneself into a complete tizzy in a moments notice. I love all of the wonder and awe that comes with learning many new things. But I must say that two has gotten the better of me this current week. I think it is because I work with 22 very excited, hard to control, cute as a button little beings and then I am coming home to a very adorable very loved disagreeable little one. Lily has wonderful days. She is sweet and agreeable and fun and then night comes and the horns come out. She is currently testing mommy and daddy. The making and eating of dinner is a very dramatic time for our family. Lily starts her whining crying emotional rampage when we start cooking dinner and does not stop until we have eaten. Which she wants nothing to do with. I know it is partially due to the fact that she has not seen us all day and she wants our full and undivided attention. We have tried time outs, ignoring, appeasing and nothing at the moment seems to make dinner a more pleasant experience. She is also testing her boundaries. She knows she is not supposed to walk on the couch so she quite often crawls up on the couch and stands up and smiles at us. I have one more week of work. One more week of 6 and 7 year olds in the christmas frenzy and then I can spend much needed quality time with my little one. Please let me just survive one more week! And has anyone read a parenting book with effective discipline because I think it is time for some help.