The Aftermath

As I finish up the thank you notes from Isabel's birthday, I am absolutely floored by the thoughtfulness and generosity. She was generously blessed by so many people with happy wishes in texts, emails, phone calls, cards, prayers and gifts. Ben and I really tried not to go crazy. I bought her a slide (used from a garage sale), a book on prayers, a big girl spoon and sfork and a baby guitar. I would love to buy her the world, but really...what good is it going to do for her? Not to mention, I have enough clutter in my house. So instead, we put some money in her college fund. Hopefully she'll thank me for it someday. Btw, did I ever thank you Mom and Dad?! If not, thanks SO SO much!

This was our cue that it was time to start opening presents...

Isabel loved these animal crackers so much that it was difficult to get her to open the rest of the presents.

Yes folks, that is a VINTAGE, 1980 stove top. It's identical to the one I had a child. My mom thought it was important to hunt down the exact same model on ebay!

Meema bought Isabel her very first Bitty Baby for her birthday. Here she is skeptic about this pint size, life like thing in the box...check out the furrowed brow.

Still concerned

Kissable and lovable

Best friends forever

Grandma got Isabel this adorable chair which she and "Dolllllly" thoroughly enjoy.

As does Daddy

The aftermath...and a view of the disaster in my living room

Where Has Summer Gone?

I can't believe summer is over. I like the four seasons that we have in Illinois, but honestly winter is only pleasant for maybe...a month...NOT six. We had such a fun summer this past summer, I'm in denial that it's over. Towards the end of the summer Isabel and I found all the splash parks in Bloomington/Normal. We can thoroughly evaluate each of the parks...but by next summer, I'm afraid our opinions will change based on Miss Isabel's mobility.

Once we found the best one, we took Daddy to the splash park one weekend. He had no clue how much fun we had been having...and I was thrilled to be able to take my camera without fear of it getting "splashed"!

Isabel's preferred mode of transportation (before she started walking)...such a girly girl.

Look at that figure...so stinking cute.

"...giddy up...do it again Daddy!"

My little monkey

And this is why we call her a monkey