All American Girl

Grandma Cathie took us to the American Girl Store in Los Angeles today. Hailey packed up two of her four dolls in the double stroller. Unfortunately, she ran into a few people when we were walking...oh well!

Hailey loved the book section of the store. She can not wait until she is able to read books at this level. With the way her reading has been progressing, it should not be too long.

Hailey decided to get her doll's ears pierced at the Doll Hair Salon. We were very proud of "Sarah" for not crying!

Grandma made lunch reservations at the American Girl Cafe. This is the most adorable place I have ever seen.

The dining room is done completely in pink, black and white flowers. Soooooo cute!

This is our table. The napkin rings are hair bows that we got to keep...adorable.

This is the hostess that sat us and got "Sarah" and "Kailey" set-up in their highchairs.

I can not get over how precious this is!

We were able to pick our four-course meal and pink lemonade from a cute pink menu.

There was a box with "conversation starters" on the table. When I asked Hailey how she cheers herself up when she is sad she said, "I eat ice cream." Wow, is that a learned behavior or genetic?

After our wonderful lunch they sang "Happy Birthday" to Hailey. We were served a chocolate mousse, heart cake, and star cookie.

We also sang "Happy Birthday" to the doll. Hailey brought the birthday cake with her.

Most little girls either come to the store with a doll or buy one there. Where are you supposed to put your ($100) doll when you go to the bathroom?

You put her on the doll holder, of course. Precious!

Hailey got one more picture at the cafe before we left.

All of the "Just Like Me" dolls.

Besides the wonderful lunch, Hailey's present from Grandma and Grandpa was this adorable bed for her doll. It matches Hailey's room perfectly.

This was an amazing experience for the three of us. I can not get over how much detail goes into this store. Since I have one of the original dolls, I love this place too. I wish we could buy everything in the store, but that would be ridiculous. Where would we put all of it? I can't wait to go back next year!

Future Cheerleader

Hailey went to a cheer clinic to support a local high school. She was very excited since two of her friends went. Hailey also thought it was fun that so many of the cheerleaders were former students of mine. She had a great time learning basketball cheers and a half-time routine. They are going to perform this week during the varsity basketball game!

Priceless

All parents have them...
the pictures we will keep safe until our children bring home a date or have a slide show at their wedding. Well, here are some I am adding to my collection of embarrassing pictures.

"Look Mom, I put my underwear on all by myself!"

Of course, we saved him some embarrassment by cropping the picture at his chest.

Hailey did not take a nap and then proceeded to fall asleep in the car. Great look!

Dog Sitting

We "dog-sat" my sister's baby last weekend. Charlie is a chiwienie, which is half chihuahua and half wiener dog. Like any small child, Charlie can't be left alone for long periods of time.

Haiden was a big help with Charlie. He sat in the bathroom to play with him most of the day.

Of course, the dog was locked in the bathroom after he "marked his territory" on my carpet!

The bathroom was a good place for the two of them. It kept the mess confined!

Official Daisy Pizza Maker

We went to John's Incredible Pizza for Hailey's Pizza Tour today. She was able to make her own pizza and take a tour with her Daisy Girl Scout troop. We were able to go as a family and have a great time together.

Step 1: Start with good dough.

Step 2: Spread on the sauce.

Step 3: Sprinkle on some cheese.

Step 4: Skip everything else because Hailey only likes cheese pizza.

The pizzas turned out great!

After pizza it was time for some ice cream.

Hailey thought the bumper cars were so much fun.

Everyone had a great time! The patch the girls earned is adorable. I am so glad that Hailey has a group of sweet friends to do things with!

Look Mom...No Training Wheels

Sean took the training wheels off of Hailey's bike last weekend. We took her to the park where there was plenty of room for her to ride. Hailey liked that the path was surrounded by grass. Too bad all she did was ride ON the grass. She did not want to fall on the cement...the grass didn't hurt as bad.

Look at her go! She needs a new bike, but that one is only a year old.

Haiden had his tricycle, but liked watching Hailey instead. A couple of time he stood in the way because he WANTED Hailey to run him over. Crazy kid!

Haiden tried to ride Hailey's bike, but that lasted about 2 seconds. He will stick to three wheels for a while.

Smarty Pants

(updated due to serious spelling and grammar issues)

Hailey is a very smart girl. Here she is completing a week's worth of homework in one night, all by herself.

However, she still has her moments that remind us that she is only 5 (going on 6)!

Tonight she was trying to get herself a later bedtime by quizzing her daddy. If he was wrong, she got an extra 30 minutes. Here was her question...

"Daddy, did I have 'choosing time' at school yesterday? Yes or no? You get three guesses."

What she meant to ask was, "What did I do at choosing time yesterday," but she messed up the question. We got a REALLY good laugh out of it!

Happy New Year!

We went up to my parent's cabin today to celebrate the New Year. Hailey and Haiden love to walk in the creek behind the house/cabin. You know, it really isn't a "rustic cabin." It is more like their second home in the mountains.

Hailey and Haiden sitting on a creek rock.

This is the back of the house.

Haiden insisted on touching the water. He wanted to play in it, but we are apparently mean parents that don't let their kids play in practically frozen water. Imagine that!

This picture does not do the view justice. The sky was red and the lights below the mountains were beautiful.