Even snack time is dramatic around here. 

"Hat bowl!"

The next two pictures are her saying, "Hey Dad! I eatin right now!" So cute! 

I have no idea what this sassy slump was about. 

Forgive the horrid lighting and blurry shots.  As is evidenced by the other pictures in this blog, I am no photographer! And it's clear I let Instagram do all of my editing for me. :)

Morning Hike

My husband had the day off yesterday.  Working in a lab that has to remain open 24/7 allows for a less traditional work schedule.  He works 1 or 2 weekends a month and in return has several week days off.  It's lovely!

Our destination for the morning was Maybury State Park.  It's a pleasant place to hike, but it can't compare to Michigan's Upper Peninsula   One of the things I miss so badly about living up there is the surrounding nature.  Yes, Marquette itself (where I lived) is a city, but it is completely surrounded by gorgeous natural elements.  I lived in a crummy apartment, yet I had views to die for.  Beautiful Lake Superior just outside my window (well, the summer foliage blocked it, but it was there!). 

So, while Maybury is nice for now, I still hope to move back to the U.P. someday.  

Well Balanced

Well, yesterday yielded some awesomeness and a small disaster.  At least it was balanced!

The disaster came in the form of me cutting my child's bangs.  She has super curly hair (although the top and front are more flat), and I have not taken her to get it cut yet because it's just sort of a cute little poof.  Her bangs are evil, though.  For serious.

I first cut the bangs when she was 15 months old.  Just a few little wisps.  It was all I could bear.

She detests having clips or headbands in and usually rips them out within minutes, so these evil bangs are always going every which way and mostly covering her eyes.

After breakfast I thought I could just do a quick trim.  Just to help her see a little better.  Well, I did a very poor job.  Even the promise of a treat couldn't get her to sit still for more than a few seconds.

This picture doesn't look as bad as it looks in real life.  Hey, at least hair grows back, right?

Now, the afternoon more than made up for the despair I felt at ruining my baby's cute 'do.  My husband came home from work at about 3pm and whisked our little bit off to Henry Ford Museum (http://www.thehenryford.org/) for a few hours of daddy-daughter time.  

While they were doing this: 

I was was doing this: 

Hope your day was just as grand! 

Creeping Jenny

I really don't know much about plants.  I'm not sure if I have a brown thumb, but it's at least taupe.

A few years ago I bought a small, teeny tiny container of Creeping Jenny to add to a few potted plants.  It just lazily dripped out the front.  It wasn't a super attractive arrangement, but I still liked my Jenny.

At the end of the season, my husband and I carelessly moved the flower boxes off the front porch and into the backyard.  Where they sat.  All winter.  Dead.  Covered in snow.  Poor things.

Come spring of that year, my husband replanted them.  I had nothing to do with it.  I remember him being surprised to see some Creeping Jenny peeking out, but I don't recall it being anything spectacular that year.

This year all has changed! The Creeping Jenny  - that impulse buy from years past! - has now grown to massive proportions! I think it wants to take over the world.

This is just one pot.  We have 10.  That Jenny sure is a creeper - and I love her.

Baby's First Fundraiser

We had another fantastic day yesterday. After watering the garden, Baby C and I headed out to the park.  We've been to the park many, many times, but this time was different.  This time we did not take the stroller. Baby walked the whole way.  It's only about 4 blocks away, but I normally bring a stroller just in case she doesn't feel like walking.  Recently I realized that I should be forcing her to walk more.  So we walked.

The walk there was fun as could be.  Slow, meandering, pleasant. The park was a blast. We went on swings, slides, and this strange bouncy thing that I still can't quite figure out.  Really, it sucks.  It should be removed.

The walk home was, well...not as pleasant as the walk to the park.  It wasn't a disaster, but there was a lot of stopping and a lot of requests from a certain little miss that a certain mother pick her up.  Requests denied. Onward soldier!

We made it home to find that Daddy had come home for lunch! Much fun and Baby C's good mood was restored.

After lunch and a quick bath, my tired girl easily went down for a nap.  During said nap, I decided to rest my eyes for just a quick second. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.  Yeah, I passed out.  For over 2 hours.  Sounds awesome, but I was supposed to be doing other stuff.  Ah well.

In the evening, the little girl and I made the hour long trek to my hometown to attend a fundraiser for my dad.  It was pleasant.  I had a margarita.  That usually makes anything pleasant.  My girl charmed others and me.  She did skip dinner though.  I simply cannot figure out how to encourage her to indulge her normally large appetite when we are away from home.  So she went hungry.  Only she said she wasn't hungry.  I was confused.

                                                                                               (Oh, look! She did eat a lemon)

My husband had to work early shift the next morning, so he didn't join us. BUT he did do a ton of awesome yard work while we were gone! From mowing the lawn, to trimming a shrub that has been needing to be trimmed for two years now, he really cleaned up.  Yay him! He rocks.

Feeding Ducks

Little C's nap ran later than usual yesterday, but we still managed to attend to our fun errands.  Our trip to the library was a success...if you count borrowing a Barney DVD as successful. And a Dora DVD and one called I Can Go Potty.  Yeah, no books for the baby this time round.  I tried to steer her away from the movies, but it was pointless.  Luckily, she has lots and lots of reading material at home.

I actually managed to hastily grab three books for myself, although I really didn't get to choose them in the most literal of sense.  They kinda chose me by jumping into my hand as I gathered up my toddler and her many movies.  Luckily, one was a book I have been dying to read! Darkly Dreaming Dexter. It is the book upon which the television show is based.  Well, the first in the series.  As a fan of the show (though not the last season so much...something I know most Dexter fans agree with me on), I have really been wanting to read this book.  Score!

We also made it to Grandma's house for a short visit, and then stopped at the park to feed ducks.  FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER. Seriously, my kid is going to be 2 in a few short months and I had never even taken her to throw bread at ducks.  Mommy fail.

So bread throwing we went! It took us a bit to actually find some ducks.  The foliage between the path and the river was dense, and we had to double back to even find an opening.  Lo and behold we came upon the perfect duck feeding spot (I'm guessing that is it's intended purpose), and made our way forth.

At first, the river was duck-less.  I threw out a crumb of bread and was immediately set upon by two feisty ducks.  Success.  Two turned in to countless.  A few brave ones hung out on the platform with us, even though I tried to shoo them away.  I'm not even sure why I bothered.  Something about duck germs and worry over them biting my baby was running through my head.  I wasn't actually worried about these things, but I was worried that I was just ignorant of the fact I should be worried.  So.  It was fine.

The ducks sure loved their mid-afternoon treat of dry hot dog buns!

We also played in the trees a little bit.  They were irresistible.

I am a Neglectful Blogger

Pssssh.  I sure have neglected this blog.  Probably because it's hidden.  Well, not hidden exactly.  But if no one knows about it, it's certainly could be considered to be in hiding.

See, the thing is, who would read it? I have no grand idea as to what I should put in this blog. There is no unique angle that I am coming from.  I am just me.  Typing at my computer.

At this moment, I am upstairs in my house, sitting at my desk.  My grand old (100 years + if I remember correctly) roll top desk.  It pretty much rocks.  Thanks, Dad.

My baby is napping.  Can I even call her a baby anymore? She's a BIG GIRL.  She will be two years old in a few months.  She is silly and sassy and smart.  She is my everything.

After nap, we will have a snack and then head to the library.  My little lady is kinda trying to push me into potty training and we need to pick up a fun instructional DVD from the library.  Mommy is not really ready.  Potty training brings all sorts of complications.  If your kid wears diapers and you are out shopping they can piss away.  Go for it, kid! I'll just change ya when we get home.

If, however, your kid wears underwear, you need to make a beeline to the bathroom.  Fast.  Toddlers are not known for patience...not when it comes to peeing, or anything really.

So, we are currently in the beginning stages of potty training.  Ugh.

After library, we will go pick up Grandma and head to the park to feed ducks.  I've got some stale bread.  Of course I do.

As a reward for reading this far, here are a few pictures of my sweet lady!