Yay Ballet!

Chloe had her first ballet class yesterday.  This photo is blurry, but I couldn't get that girl to stand still for one second, she was so excited.  She became a little more bashful once we arrived at the ballet studio. 

I love this photo of our little doll.  Don't you worry Miss Hazel you will be wearing dancing shoes before we know it!

Happy Birthday Hazel!

Chloe and Hazel doing the official frosting taste test. They approved. 

Poppa and Miss Hazel opening her gift.

She loves the Melissa and Doug animal magnets Chloe picked out for her.  She says "kitty, meow" and "duck, quack".

Chloe and Poppa getting ready to take off to Chloe's first soccer practice.  

I snapped this photo of myself with my phone.  I was up at the crack of dawn to run the Hendricks County Half Marathon.  I ran 13.1 miles in 2 hours and 10 minutes!  Training has paid off for sure.  As I was running I kept thinking about how this time last year I was giving birth to our baby Hazel. 

Happy Birthday Big Girl!  It has been an amazing year with you.  You have brightened our lives in so many ways.  Your sparkly, beautiful, brown eyes captivate us and your infectious, little giggle keeps us in the best of spirits.  You are our baby Hazel and we love you so, so much. 

Hazel Leah is almost 1 year old

Our Baby Hazel Leah will be 1 year old on Saturday! She is growing so fast and is quite the little character.  Let's just say, she has her opinion about everything and freely voices it.  She is starting to talk and says "kitty", "cheese and crackers", "Chloe", "nurse", "Lexi", "Momma", "Poppa", and "baby". Big sister Chloe is now in the "why phase" and tonight when Chloe wanted to why (I can't remember which why it was, she asks so much), Hazel piped right up and said "why" after Chloe!  She is all over the place and into everything ( I call it "taking inventory" when she is digging through the cabinets).  We love you Baby Hazel and enjoy watching you grow and change everyday, although it is going way, way too fast.  

Artsy Fartsy

Today we made this Rastafarian, glittered zebra.  Chloe named him Shaun since he resembled Shaun the Sheep. I cut out the shapes and Chloe did the rest.  She was super excited, because she got to use the scissors.

This masterpiece has been hanging around for a little while.  This was our first experience with GLITTER!!!!  Chloe loves it as much as I did when I was little (uh, yeah, I guess I am still in love with glitter).  Needless to say, we have glitter everywhere.  I opened a Tupperware of honeydew, yep, glitter all over it.  Glitter on Hazels eyelashes, glitter all over my face, glitter in my coffee, glitter stuck to the jelly on Chloe's face, etc.  I turned my back on missed Chloe for just a moment today and she had dumped a pile of glitter on the table that was about 1 1/2 inches tall.  When I noticed she had dumped all that out, she started laughing and blew the glitter all over the place.  Fun times, I wouldn't trade it for the world.  

Egg carton caterpillars we made last week................. and yes that are also "accessorized" with glitter.

Proud Momma

I was pleased as punch last night! Chloe was dancing around the house singing "C-H-L-O-E. That's how I make my name".  

Way to go Girl!  I am so proud of you!

Hey Poppa.............. I'm waiitng!

Miss Hazel takes her place at the front door around 5:00 every weekday waiting for Poppa  to come home from work. 

A few days ago, Chloe said in her oh so sad voice "Oh, my Poppa is at work again (frowns). He has to make money for us, so we can buy food.  Mom, Poppa is a bank robber (smiles).................. just kidding.  He works downtown and I'm cool with that". She then erupts in laughter and rolls on the floor.  That kid gets funnier everyday :)

Good Ol' Turkey Run State Park

We took and impromptu trip to Turkey Run this morning.  Chloe and Hazel have never been and we REALLY needed to get out of the house for a day.  So, we packed a little picnic and headed out.  We hiked for around four hours, Chloe ran most of the way, and Hazel was perfectly happy hitching a ride in the backpack.  It was a wonderful day for our little family enjoying the great outdoors. Today was a little hike down memory lane for Doug and I.  We have been going to Turkey Run together since we were just pups. Our moms weren't too happy about this, but we jumped off the bridge together when we were about 10 years old (sorry mom)!