Amazon Delivery

Thanks to Aunt Jana for the Amazon surprise that we received yesterday. Bronwen loves her books, but I'm not sure you realized what else we received--I couldn't find it listed on the packing slip.

February 23/24--Milestones

Lila can now give high fives and wave.
She also will give big, wet open-mouthed kisses.

Bronwen has completed her Statue of Liberty look, by using a small ottoman as her pedestal. She figured this out on her own. Costume is foam SOL crown, small milk bottle toy as the torch, and SOL book as the tablet.

I wanted to get a picture of her, but she ran off saying, "I don't want my picture taken!"
Oh well. The statue has spoken.

Valentine

Funny Randomness

Our cat Cassie loves hanging out in and around our bathtub. This is her preferred corner, and it freaks me out every time, especially if I am going to the bathroom, which is over to the right of the pic, and she turns her head to watch me. Creepy...
This morning I went in to get Bronwen--sweetest child still has not figured out she can leave her room in the morning. Well, either that or she is just happy playing alone. Hm. Reminds me of someone. Can't think of whom right now... Anyhow, I heard her talking in there and ventured in. She handed me a plastic envelope (her new panties came in it) full of torn up pieces of some play cards she has. I looked at her and said, "Why did you tear up your cards?" I asked in a quizzical way, not in a mad way, because quite frankly I was getting tired of these card everywhere anyhow. She looks at me and says, "I was trying to recycle them." My reply: "Well Bronwen, recycling is taking something old and making something new out of it, and you tore these cards to pieces." She looks at me expectantly and says, "Well, make something new Mama."


And finally, Lila has really been in to taking things and putting them in containers. In fact, I am impressed with her fine motor skills. She takes fairly small toys and puts them in small canisters, then dumps them out and does it again. I wasn't overly surprised when she started attacking my laundry, taking it out of the basket. When I tried to get it on video, however, she was no longer interested in the game.

10-Month Proofs

For those of you who don't have Facebook--Mel you know who you are ;-)--here is a link and preview:
Go Here
Click on "Proofs and Pricing" on the bottom
User Name: jenniferstromain@cox.net
Password: Stromain

Valentine's Day

I was feeling sick, so T.J. kindly took the girls outside, so I could rest. He also took some pictures. His summation of the pictures is that, as individual shots, they aren't spectacular. But as a series...well, you be the judge. Warning: There are a lot of pictures...

February 17

Still battling a monster headache today, but some good moments to share from tonight:

First of all, Bronwen went to nap with no diaper for the first time. She wore her underpants and kept them dry. Yay day 1. We'll see how tomorrow goes.

Lila was out of her bath playing in her room, and Bronwen came running in with some toys for her sister, saying, "See how sweet I am, Daddy?" (keep in mind she was bringing her toys because she had taken something from Lila in the first place.)

Right after we assured her that she was, indeed, sweet, she went to the front of the room and announced, "All right class!" I nudged T.J. to get his attention, and I said,
"What are we learning about today?"
Bronwen: "Amphibians."
T.J.: "What is an amphibian?"
Bronwen: "It is an animal that can live under the water and on the land."

Lesson learned.

Happy Mardi Gras!

We took the girls to New Orleans for the early parades today. Bronwen remained hesitant for most of the parade until I told her to scream as the floats passed. She really liked that part. We came home with plenty of throws, but not as many beads as I expected. We did leave right as the Parade Rex was coming through, and I bet we would have really gotten some good beads from that parade. Still, the girls were wiped out and slept the whole way home.

The highlight for me? Spotting the bald eagle flying over the lake and watching it swoop right toward us and fly across the road directly in front of our car. Amazing!

February 15/16

The girls finally gave me their nasty cold, and I awoke on the 15th with a raging ear infection. I begged T.J. to stay home in the morning so I could get some rest and go to the doctor. While I was in bed, Bronwen came in the room, and I told her I was sick. She promptly climbed in and told me, "I will give you a cuddle to feel better."

So under the covers she went, putting her little arms around my waist. She patted my belly and said, "There, there, Mama, I am making you all better now."

Then she asked me if we could watch my T.V. and I explained there was nothing one. Her reply: "We can watch the news." We later read several of her new books under the covers. Best. Medicine. Ever.

Yesterday we did the same thing after returning from the parades, only this time I turned on the TV to the Food Network. There was a lot on that we could discuss. Giada was making a pasta dish that had procuitto and fresh herbs, and Bronwen says, "Hey, those are Mardi Gras noodles." I asked her what she meant, and she said, "They are gold, green and purple."

I don't know that I saw purple in them, but I hastily agreed and managed to use that angle to eat her pasta and pesto for dinner, declaring them "Mardi Gras Noodles."

February 14th

T.J. still isn't home from his business trip (return delayed by the Louisiana blizzard of 2010), and the girls and I are going a little crazy. Bronwen didn't want to do anything after we got home from church, until I suggested some Valentine's Day fun. I first tried out a sensory activity. I did try to get Lila to nap, but she sensed she was missing out on fun, so she refused. I didn't want to extend the bean activity for too long because I knew Lila would want to play with (eat) the beans.

I love how Bronwen is so careful not to spill...erm...the beans.





On to the art portion of our day. Looks like we weren't the only ones having some Valentine's fun!

Happy Valentine's Day

Since T.J. has been out of town this week, Bronwen and I endeavored to make some delicious Valentine's Day treats. It was a two-day long process, only because I was out of powdered sugar and had to go to the store to purchase more.

Here Bronwen shows you the heart-shaped masterpieces: (Apron courtesy of my friend Michele--Thank You!!)

Bronwen spreading on the royal icing with an offset spatula:
I told her to look at the camera and smile:
Tasting the sprinkles:
Ta-Da! (Lila wanted to get in on the action too) Please excuse my terrible voice--I am not over my cold yet.

February 13

This morning started a little late. a nice break for me. When I say "A little late" I mean that I didn't get the girls until 7:30, so we're not talking "world record sleep-in." I got everyone changed and dressed and realized I needed some lotion for my hands. Got to love winter. I went to my bathroom, Bronwen trailing behind me asking me a million questions:

B: "Where are you going Mama?"
Me: "I am going to the bathroom."
B: "But why are you going to the bathroom?"
Me: "Because I need to get some lotion for my hands."
B: "Why do you need that lotion?"
Me: "Because my hands are dry."
B: "You need moisturizer, then."
Me (a little shocked) : "Exactly."

February 12

Went to the Gymboree Valentine's Day party tonight. Bronwen is so much like me, it is scary. She was intimidated by all the people there; she hung back and didn't want to participate. I wanted so badly for her to just relax, but no such luck. Still, she loosened up once she got a cookie and juice.

After the snack she got a plastic ring and used it like a steering wheel. I sat beside her and asked her where we were driving. She said, "We're going to New Orleans. The Big Easy."

I managed to keep a straight face.

Snow Part 2

Snow Part 1

Photographer

Aunt Jana gave Bronwen a camera for Christmas, and Bronwen has been snapping pictures ith great enthusiasm. T.J. finally uploaded some of her work to the computer. I know--it seems like a long time, but you have to unscrew a tiny door to get to the USB port, so it isn't a simple plug-n-go.

(First pics are of the artist)

So without further ado, here you go: Bronwen's World: The Perspective of a 2-year Old







Poor, poor child...

Feb 5

Finishing up breakfast this morning, Bronwen comes up to me and peers into my mug. "Is that coffee?" she asks. "Yes," I replied, "That is my coffee."

She looks at me and says, "Do you have a coffee mustache?"

Rainy Days

Today is my kind of a day--gloomy with a steady rain. Since I can't sit and read all day like days of yore, I decided to bake some bread with Bronwen. Then we made Rice Krispie treats. After that she wanted to work on...well, see for yourselves. Lila is napping, also a fantastic rainy day activity.









And after the puzzle was finished...(Jana, see the bed head I was telling you about?)

Is it March Yet?

I promise I am not wishing time away, but I am excited about March because I enrolled Bronwen in a class called "Toddler Swamp Adventure." We will spend 2 hours every Wednesday in March learning about plants and animals through activities and hikes. Also in March is Sesame Street Live--tickets have already been purchased. I am gearing up for spring! I
should be looking ahead short term because the Super Bowl is Sunday, and Mardi Gras is shortly after that. So much to do, so little time. TJ already has big plans about heading into New Orleans for Mardi Gras this year, so I am starting to prepare myself. I know Bronwen will love it.

Last weekend we headed out to the LSU lakes in the morning to see if we could spy the bald eagle again. We did, but he was flying away (wrong direction, Mr. Eagle). We ended up walking around a bit, looking at some ducks. Nothing too exciting.

Bronwen by a stump:


After exploring around the lakes, we went over to the park to play for a little while:
This isn't the most flattering shot, but she was having so much fun, and I think you can see it on her little face: