our new cleaning lady

Yesterday Nikki vaccuumed the living room all by herself. There were hundreds of little pieces of paper all over from where Hannah had been playing with her scissors during quiet time, so it was easy to see if she had missed a spot. I was really impressed with the job she did. I didn't even have to go behind her and do it over. I couldn't help take a picture since the vaccuum was bigger than her. She was really proud of herself, and I thought the feeling was justified.

Happiness is ...

Nate and I left the girls with my brother and headed for the beach this weekend. What a nice getaway! It was a good chance to just sit back, enjoy the beautiful sound of the waves crashing, and realize what a good life we have. The sound of waves on the beach was so heavenly to me, and it got me thinking about different things that make me happy. Here are a few.

the beach (obviously)
empty laundry baskets
singing in the car
my purple petunias
taking a nap with Nikki
Hannah's presents (she loves to share anything that is given to her or that she makes)
going to church
cookies 'n cream ice cream
watching old family videos
beating Nate on our Playstation racing game
shoe shopping
playing the piano
a good book
a good hair day (at least I would be happy if one came along!)
sunrise
watching the painter with the afro on PBS who paints "happy trees" (it always makes me think of Dad painting)
going out to eat
getting mail (not bills or junk)
painting my toenails
a good tan
cooking with the girls
family night
a clean car
Nate doing dishes
bedtime

Ooey, ooey, ooey

Last night I set the table and called for everyone to come for supper. Nikki climbed in her chair and started sniffing what I had cooked for dinner. She wrinkled up her nose and said, "Ooey, ooey, ooey. That's stinky, stinky, stinky." Nate and I died laughing. It's a good thing I'm not easily offended or overly sensitive about my cooking abilities. Since it was so funny and she obviously had such a strong aversion to my blackbean quesadillas, I couldn't help but let her have cereal for supper instead.

Nikki's birthday

For Nikki's birthday she wanted to invite the cousins over for lunch and to go swimming. They had so much fun and were so tired when we were done. I can't believe she is already three years old. We are having a family party next week when Nate and the rest of the family will be together. She keeps changing her mind about what kind of cake she wants. It ranges from a bunny cake to a butterfly to a heart cake. I'm pushing for the heart (the easiest) but Hannah keeps trying to introduce new choices. Her latest idea was a fairy cake, but I had to silence that one really fast since I don't know how to make a fairy.

What a mess!

Here is Nikki with her birthday cupcake. Thank goodness we were outside when the kids tore into these!

Sweet Baby Jay

Here is the sweetest baby boy. If we have more kids we will have to have girls because there is no way we could ever have a boy as cute as Jay.

Going swimming

sweet kisses

Nikki is definitely the more independent and stubborn of our two children, but luckily she also has a really sweet streak in her. She thinks it's funny to kiss my nose. She will grab my face between her two hands and pucker up and I just can't help but laugh. Tonight she was really cute when Nate came home from work. She kissed his nose, and then she put her hand over her mouth and started to giggle. So cute.