A Dani 1st

This is for my memory, and no I didn't take a picture of it...
Dani pottied in the toilet for the first time today!

She thought it was fun and kept wanting to go and try again and again for the rest of the day. My whole potty-training method is to start early and give lots of praise. It worked for Lana (who was completely potty-trained on her 2 year birthday) and hopefully it will work for Dani. We're off to a good start.

Kid's Quote of the Day

"I love sleeping with my friend Dani!"--Lana

(Yes, Mommy will show this to Lana in years' time when Lana is have sibling rivalry issues)

Kid's Quote of the Day

"Grandpa Rags truck has a movie in it! Our truck only has a radio."--Lana

Dani learning her colors

Dani really enjoyed coloring while Lana was at school today. We are starting to teach Dani her colors. I wonder if she'll know them all like Lana did at 20 months old.

Three's Company

No one told Max that slides are for people! He's our virtual shadow.

Children are known to play Capture the Flag, well our three dogs, Gracie, Max, & Willie, prefer Capture the Frisbee.

What Their Rooms Use to Look Like

Art Studio: For our future Divinci's and Picasso's

Notice the plethora of dolls!

While Lana & Danica have been at G&G Rags, Daddy and Mommy decided to do some rearranging and cleaning. I titled this entry the way I did because that's exactly what I'll think when I see these pictures in about two days (after the girls will have been home for 24 hours).

Yes, there is no crib. Dani is quite the strong little girl, so the crib was taken down to prevent any accidental falls. Lana and Dani will learn to share the queen bed. Now there is a sleeping room and a play room. (crossing our fingers it works out)

Bright, Sun-Shiny Day!

After two days of rainy weather, Dani was banging on the backdoor to go outside. Lana now reminds Mommy to bring her camera when we go play.

Kid's Quote of the Day

"Mommy, do you know what Sleeping Beauty sounds like when she talks?"--Lana
"No, do you?"--Mommy
"Yes, she sounds like a princess! What do I sound like when I talk?"--Lana
"You sound like Lana"--Mommy
"When I get bigger, I want to talk like a princess!"--Lana


(Lana heard herself on video yesterday and said "I sound different!")


Dani is starting to learn more words.
All of the dogs are "Ax".
Whenever she gives me something she says "Ank u".
And when Max is barking, she'll say "Ax op!"

Such a nice Big Sister

Mommy promised Lana that we'd go see a movie today. Somehow we forced ourselves out of the house (we've been ill) and made it to the movies. Glad we did. We saw "Horton Hears a Who" which was very good. It had lots of comedy that the kids would never get that made it fun for Mommy to watch too. After, we came home and played in the backyard. Lana was more generous today and let Dani use "her" swing.

Gymnastics "Practice"

It's Spring Break this week, therefore Lana doesn't have dance, gymnastics, preschool, or swim lessons. Lana decided to have her own gymnastics practice at home.

Our Tax Treat

Too cold to eat ice cream outside today, so we braved an ice cream cone inside.

Reason for the Refund

Mommy and girls just picked up our tax returns from the accountant. On the way home we stopped at Dairy Queen to celebrate a refund. Because we paid big bucks last year and now we're receiving a refund, I have to give all the credit to Dani. She got a treat of her very own DQ ice cream.

Just before the Storm

We went to the park (again), but only for about 10 minutes. A thunderstorm was coming and we began to hear it as soon as we started playing. This picture was the last time they went down the slide before we left.

Another Beautiful Day!

Lana was very excited to find one of her friends from Discovery Days at the park today. She chased William around constantly and informed me, "William is not a yucky boy!"

A Health Murmur

Dani has had a runny nose since Friday, which has now developed into a swollen & matted right eye. We went and saw her doctor today. While doing his assessment, he noticed a loud heart murmur. He has referred us to the local Children's hospital to have an echo (ultrasound) of the heart. The nurse in me says it's probably just an innocent murmur that she'll grow out of, and the ICU nurse in me starts thinking of all the bad things it could be. Please say a little prayer for Dani that it is just an innocent murmur that can be left alone. (Because she can run and play without getting short of breath, I'm betting on the innocent type....see above pic.)

Oh, and she has both ear and eye infections.

An Exercise in Futility, WWSD

Tonight at dinner, Lana
announced that she will be sleeping in Dani's room tonight. Because Lana's room becomes an oven in the summer, I was hoping to eventually get them both sleeping in one room. I thought it was worth a try.

As shown in the pictures, the attempt was successful. But it wasn't easy.

• 7:00 Both girls to bed after reading books. Demeanor: Happy!
  
• 7:20 Lana comes to tell me while I'm in the shower that she has to go potty. (Yes, it's after 7 p.m. & I'm showering for the 1st time today). Demeanor: unknown, I'm showering !
  
• 7:40 I catch Lana sneaking out of the bedroom. She says she has to go potty (again). She then comes back and says, "Mommy, I want to sleep in my own room now." I inform her she can't change her mind. Demeanor: Crying (both girls)
  
• 7:45 Glass of milk #2 (for both). Change bedtime CD to Carrie Underwood, All-American Girl (on repeat). Demeanor: Guzzling Milk
  
• 8:00 Do I dare check on them? Oh, no...I think I'll wait 30 more minutes. Demeanor: Quiet!
  
• 8:30 Dani still tossing & turning Demeanor: Quiet, except Dani saying "Aye, aye, aye"


• 8:45 Pictures taken. Mission Accomplished!

Kids Quote of the Day

"I love ice cream! It tickles when I eat it!"--Lana

After a fun day enjoying the great weather, Lana asked to go to Dairy Queen. She loves cherry dip cones a.k.a. "Red Ice cream".

Got Juice?

Got Juice?

Dani didn't want to be left out of our morning

breakfast picture. She kept pointing at the camera, going "Uh, Uh" and smiling.

Beautiful Day

We went and attempted to fly a kite at a large park near our home. Notice, no pictures of our kite flying attempts. Yes, the kite made it into the air, but there was no way I could take a photo. It was WINDY!

The playground was more appealing to the girls, especially because it was full of kids. This playground had a sign posted that said it was only appropriate for 5-12 year olds, which made all of us moms laugh. All the kids using it were under 5.

Max enjoyed the Day too!

Lana says, "It's cool playing with Max!"

"I like to play with the frisbee at the Kids Park and the Dog Park."

What's wrong with the picture?

Eventhough she's 3 1/2 years old, Lana prefers to use the baby swing.

Little Dani just has to wait.

(notice that the straps won't fit over her arms)

Kid's Quote of the Day

"Is there a swimming pool under the house?"--Lana
"No, why?"--Mommy
"Then how do we get all this water into the bathtub?"--Lana

Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles!

Kid's Quote of the Day

"Mommy, God made my owie better. Does he have a magic wand?"
Lana, referring to her fat lip (see pic on 3/5/08).

Mealtime...WWSD? (what would supernanny do?)

Mealtime has become a BIG issue. Lana fiddles, goofs off, whines, makes excuses, and simply refuses to eat anything that isn't pizza, chicken nuggets, fries, icecream, yogurt, or cheerios. We are now starting to use a timer, which seems to work.

Once Lana starts to fiddle, whine, etc. we start the timer.

Lana knows that whatever is left on her plate when the time is up goes in the trash. If she hasn't eaten enough, then no milk, treat, etc.

This has led to Lana shoveling food into her mouth during the last couple minutes. But, she's now eating. Notice, Dani is completely done in the pic above.

Dani's first taste of ketchup. I think she likes it!

Last Snow of this Winter (we hope)

Whenever Dani wants to go outside,

she grabs her coat and "puts it on" (see pic above),

then starts banging on the backdoor's window.

The girls really wanted to go outside today in the snow. Mommy is ready for Spring. I just did some research, and it seems that we've had 26.1 inches of snow this year.

First Accident Report from School

Today Mommy and Daddy had the rare occasion of both being able to pick Lana up from school. Miss Virginia and Miss Michelle were at the door waiting for us with a large sheet of white paper titled "Accident/Incident Report". Lana was so excited playing with her friends that she "tripped on the stairs going up to the slide. Lana bit her lip when she fell. Her top lip is swollen".

Of other news today, Lana announced her future plans. To quote her: "When I get big I will be Snow White. Mommy will be Cinderella. And Dani will be Sleeping Beauty." Ah, the plans of our darling princess.

No more for Dani!

Our little Danica loves a reaction, and she's discovered she receives one just with nodding "No!".

Those of the more civilized type would be shocked at our table manners! Yes, we play "peek-a-boo" during dinner. (Notice that we've given up on the High Chair.)