Beach day

We had a great day at the beach with V, T, K, and C. My feet are fried but it was worth it.

Nature girl

Saturday morning we went to meet a friend of mine from college who lives nearby. We went to a park with him, his wife, and their two kids who are 7 and 9. They are probably the sweetest most polite kids I've ever met. We're going to try to hang out with them more in the hopes that it'll rub off on Casey. Plus they are a lot of fun. We went to their house for lunch and Casey got to play with guinea pigs. I think at first she thought they were stuffed animals.

While we were at the playground, Casey had to go to the bathroom. I took her in, she took one look at it and said, "No way." My friend Allison had mentioned recently that her daughter (4) and her friends call it a nature pee when you have to pee outside, so I figured we'd try it. Better than a pants pee. It worked.

Then in the aftenoon, after Casey's non-nap she got her first haircut. Sue does my hair, and her salon doesn't allow kids, so she met us in a park. Casey sat very still and she earned her first and second thin mint girl scout cookie. Over a month ago we were having lunch near the salon so we stopped by to say hi to Sue but she was out sick with the flu. For a month, Casey has been asking me, "Sue Sue feel bayer (better)?" I can't believe she remembers that. She really remembers people. They gave her a cookie at the salon, so since then she's been telling me that Sue Sue is going to cut her haircut and give her a cookie!

Picpic time

Eric had a work dinner last night so Casey and I went to the park for a picnic with Katie and Marie. Casey asks for Katie (and Marie) ALL the time.

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1st picture: Casey and DogDog patiently waiting for a push from Katie.
Last picture: Hm, where did they go? All I see is a giggling bush with four pink shoes.

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Katie took her shoes and socks off and of course within seconds Casey's were off too. That didn't seem too comfortable on wood chips if you ask me, and I tried to dissuade her but she wanted them off. I tried to be zen about it and told myself that if her feet hurt she would have the sense (I hope) to put the shoes back on and learn for next time. They ran around barefoot on the woodchips, the metal ladders, and the boulders until it was time to leave. I often find myself asking myself, "Does it really matter?"

Another day with cake!

My birthday continued on to Sunday. We had a lazy morning, eating waffles and making smoothies. Eric wanted to help so Casey told him, "You hold me and jump." (Casey and I always jump and cheer after she turns on the blender.) We hung out for a while while Eric and Casey made smoothie moustaches and then picked up some sandwiches and went back to the hiking trails at Picchetti Winery. This time we smartened up and brought the backpack. Casey kept asking for the peacocks but they were in hiding. She got to see several salamanders though, and every time we'd see one she'd tell Eric to find more.

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When we told Casey we were going hiking she went into her room by herself and took off her shirt and put on her (giant) biking jersey. I'm pretty sure it's because she remembered that Kyle wore his biking jersey last time we hiked. Then she took off her underpants and put on a pullup. She picked out red pants and then added her pink Elmo vest and her new pink shoes. She doesn't usually pick out her own clothes. Occasionally she will veto a shirt and I'll give her a few other choices, but other than socks (she always wants the yellow ones if they are clean) she doesn't really seem to care. In the picture, she's holding up the books she wants to bring on the hike. She always wants to bring books wherever we go.

Then we went home and had a spectacular nap battle, which I lost. I was hoping she'd nap because we were planning to drop her off at Veronica and Ted's for the evening so we could see a hockey game. When we arrived, Casey was not too happy about the idea that we were going to leave without her but then Veronica told her that as soon as we left they were all going to the park and she said, "Bye bye, Mommy Daddy, I go park with Ronka." Nice. We stuck around for a while and but then when we left she was upset. We got a few blocks away before Ted called us to tell us she was ok. I think we were on the same block as when he called us when we went out for Eric's birthday.

They went to an indoor playground at a pizza place, and apparently Casey ate a whole slice of pizza with everything on it! Usually she just eats half, and that's the top half. We got back earlier than we expected, and the girls were in the bathtub and the chocolate cupcakes were in the oven. Kyle and Casey both said they wanted cupcakes and I tried to pretend I didn't hear because I think it was supposed to be a surprise.

Luckily we put Casey in her PJs before heading home because she fell asleep and slept well all night, but she was tucked into my arm the whole night. Also, before we left she informed me, "I poo poo your birthday!" (I had told her that I wanted her to poo poo on the potty for my birthday and she did.)

Today on the way home from daycare she had a total meltdown. She cried the whole way home and then for a while at home. Nothing would calm her down. Eventually she stopped and now she's perfectly happy, playing downstairs with Eric, occasionally yelling up to me that it's not my turn and I need to wait. I'm not sure what I'm waiting for but they are coloring and tracing hands and there are lots of sound effects. She's requesting pictures from Eric and drawing some too. From what I hear it sounds like she's making a big choo choo train.

Speaking of choo choo trains, I told her we'll have a little party for her when she gets potty trained. She thinks it's going to be a choo choo train party. Luckily I happen to have a train muffin tin. All aboard the potty train.

Happy birthday to me

I woke early to go running with the girls and saw a double batch of birthday muffins! Then a sleepy little girl and a sleepy tall guy came out of the bedroom to sing happy birthday and give me cards and presents! After the run the three of us went to Sky High Sports and jumped on the wall to wall trampolines. I'd been wanting to do that for a long time. We all had a blast. Then we went to Falafel Drive In for lunch (banana shakes!) and home for a nap.

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We had birthday dinner with all of our neighbors. Casey played with Maya and Arjan and then read the Spanish-English dictionary to Maya's baby. In the last photo you can see the kids are literally falling all over themselves with excitement over the chocolate cake that is waiting to be sliced.

Friday fun with friends

Friday we went to the children's playground at Golden Gate Park with Ashley, Ava, Ella and their moms. There is a giant slide that you sit on cardboard and slide down. After last time I knew I needed bigger cardboard than the little kids used so we brought our own boxes. Casey went down twice on my lap and then decided that she wanted me to stay at the bottom while she went by herself. I went up after her anyway because it's pretty steep on the way up. In the picture you can see her carrying her piece of cardboard, irritated that I'm still behind her. Then at the top I thought I must be crazy but I let her go. She immediately slid off the cardboard and practically flew down while I slid off my cardboard behind her and came to a halt and then ran down to make sure she was ok. A woman at the bottom was impressed at her speed. I must be insane. Of course she was fine. Then Ashley went.

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We went on the merry-go-round three times. As soon as we got in, she ran in and went straight for the only dog and I didn't even show her where it was. At least this time she had pants. And two extra pairs in the stroller.

Aha!

Aha! It was Nanna Micki. I figured it out this afternoon and she confessed. She said she tried the sleep thing once but it didn't work for her either. She said she was surprised Casey was paying attention!

Just about 13 years until she can drive

I asked around at daycare and no one was doing sleep visualization exercises there. In fact, they all looked at me like I was CRAZY.

I picked Casey up early yesterday so we could get her a new helmet at the bike store. This one seems to fit her better than the owie helmet. She picked a yellow one with chickens on it, since there was no orange one. We tried out a little bike with training wheels and a little scoot bike with no pedals. She wanted to be pushed around on the first one and wanted to walk the second one around the store. I think she prefers driving.

Sleep exercises

Either Casey is making up her own sleep exercises or they're doing this at daycare. Last night in bed she said to herself, "Casey go sleep. Body go sleep. Belly go sleep. Leg go sleep. Other leg go sleep. Tummy go sleep."

And no, it didn't work.

Happy Birthday Ashley!

That Achee sure knows how to throw a party! When we arrived there were bubbles all over the backyard and kids trying to catch them. Casey had to wake up from her post-nap stupor to play pin the princess on the castle. You can see Casey and Achee doing the post-game wrap up in the third picture. They colored with sidewalk chalk, tried to jump rope, and played with all of the new toys. The food was amazing and just when we thought we couldn't eat anymore we got giant slices of homemade chocolate cake and ice cream.

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In the last picture, Casey and Brynn are enjoying the chocolate cake. Casey pointed at her nose while looking at Brynn and we thought she was being a good friend and saying, "Hey buddy, you got a little chocolate on your nose." We were laughing and wondering where she learned that. But then we laughed even harder when we realized she was just putting icing on her nose so she could be like Brynn.

Thanks Nanna and Papa!

Once again, it was like Mary Poppins was here. Somehow they managed to stock the fridge, organize Casey's kitchen, buy and change a light fixture, replace the garage door (the one for people not the one for cars), wash the windows inside and out, and entertain Casey with picpics (picnics), trips to the park, and cardboard box slides down the stairs. I couldn't even wrap a birthday present without someone finishing it for me. I am sure there was more but I get exhausted just thinking about it. I don't know how they do it.

Nanna always feels bad when we are sick and she's not there to help out, so Casey and I both got sick at the beginning of the week. We managed to get better by the end of the week but Nanna had to fly home after she caught our cold. Sorry Nanna. But you did get the full experience.

Happy family singalong

When we came home last night Casey wasn't dancing, she was singing Puff the Magic Dragon. Nanna Micki and Papa Ron would point to her when it was time to say "Honalee" and she'd point back at them. Lots of pointing. We were cracking up. She really belted it out.

Cowgirls in the house

Here's Casey galloping around the house in her new pink cowgirl boots with Nanna Micki. I have a feeling Casey will be showing off some country western line dances tonight.

Conversation overheard between Casey and Papa Ron...
Ron: "Casey what are we going to do today?"
Casey: "Go blkbjk" (something unclear).
Ron: Pause. "Oh, OK. What time?"
Casey: "Eight clock."

IKEA

We went to IKEA today. Casey found some more dogs and had a nice Swedish lunch with her buddy Cole. She almost fell asleep while we were walking around but then rallied when it was time for frozen yogurt.

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She didn't wear a diaper today or yesterday and went to the potty twice at IKEA! Without a little potty seat. We also went to brunch diaper-free, which was a little stressful but she did great. She tells us when she has to go and does not like when we try to get her to go when she doesn't have to go. And pullups don't work because she just goes right in them.

It's your birthday!

As we were lighting the candle, Casey explained to DogDog, "It's your birthday, yeah!". Cami brought her DogDog and we had a little party. DogDog almost caught fire trying to blow out his candle but luckily Daddy blew it out quickly. We had burritos, smoothies, and strawberry shortcake, all DogDog's favorites.

Picchetti Winery

We went for a hike yesterday at Picchetti Winery. Thanks to the rain it was so green and there were streams flowing and little waterfalls. It's a perfect place for a mini-hike. We went out to a little pond and saw the ducks. Surprisingly, Casey wanted to be carried during a lot of the hike, but then when we got to the wine tasting room she wanted to run around. When we got back we saw a peacock. DogDog and Baby Two came along with us. DogDog doesn't get out as much as he used to.

Fun dinner

Casey's getting much better about going out to restaurants. We went out for Japanese food with Davina and Tyler last week when Eric had to work late. When I picked Casey up from daycare her clothes were covered with red lasagne stains from lunch. Usually she's a little bit messy (a little dirt and glitter - I don't mind the dirt but don't get me started on glitter) but red sauce just looks kinda gross. It's a good thing I didn't change her before dinner though because we needed the backup outfit after a minor miso soup mishap. She loves the little bowls and the giant spoons, and of course the sushi boats sailing around the sushi bar.

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Casey also loves hanging out with Davina and Tyler. If you ask her about them, Casey will explain to you that Weena makes the lilla cookies and Tyler makes the big cookies.

Little drummer girl

Sunday Casey and Eric came to watch my Taiko drum recital. Of course Casey fell asleep in the car on the way there and was sleepy when they arrived. I'm not sure if Casey enjoyed the performance or not but she liked drumming with the two other kids who were there, and even better was running around once all the drums were put away. The little boy looked a lot like Bobo and there was no convincing her that it wasn't him. She still thinks she saw him both days this weekend. It's a good thing he was nice to her!