She's ♥2♥

Our Little Sweet Pea is two today! As I look back on the past year with her, there have been so many developmental changes, a lot of language growth, some challenges (for sure!), amazement, wonder, and awe, and most especially lots of moments of laughter with our child.

The day started off with breakfast at a local favorite of ours Frankie & Lola's. Then we took a little stroll down by the pier before Daddy headed off to work. (By the way, as she and I were driving toward the Embarcadero, she points ahead and says "Morro Rock". My jaw dropped! When we were on the pier many weeks ago, I had pointed to the Rock and mentioned it to her. She has quite the memory!). We went home to open her presents.

Afterwards, P and I took off for the beach, and boy was it a gorgeous day! We took off our shoes, which she was unsure of at first, and just plopped in the sand and enjoyed the warm sun and silky feeling of the sand (which you will see below).

Lunch was next on the agenda, followed with some warm milk and a much needed nap. If that doesn't sound like the perfect day, I don't know what does!

After naptime, I whisked her off to pick up Daddy and meet her friends Bode and Lilyana at a pizza place, Klondike Pizza in Arroyo Grande. Incidentally, the owners of the joint are the ones who bought Robb's VW Single Cab!

We had lots of fun hanging out with friends and looking at our children and how much they've changed! Alas, it was time to go as our kids were getting tired.

Wait, we're sitll not finished! One more stop. We popped in to Susan and Clarence's to have some cake. Finally, we went home. Poor P was so tired that she was fast asleep before her head the pillow.

Happy Birthday P! Don't grow up too fast...

A Girl & Her Dog

Ahhh...the time has come that Jannu and Miss P are friends. While they are not BFFs, they sure can get along peacefully for long stretches at a time. Not to say that it's perfect. Because when left alone too long, we'll hear Jannu's warning bark. Usually P just sits there stunned, like she can't believe what just happened and then proceed to tell us that "Jannu bite my hand." More than likely, P deserved it and went a little too far antagonizing the poor dog. Still I know it's up to us to be mindful of when they are  together and try to anticipate when Jannu has had enough.

P loves her dog. My ace in the hole, to get P to leave daycare on those days that she just doesn't want to go, I tell her that Jannu is waiting for us at home. That usually does it, and P is ready to get home to her dog.

Now that P knows that Jannu likes food, she is more than happy to share. Jannu is likewise to oblige! It's a perfect relationship. In all seriousness, Jannu has learned that P is part of our pack. She sleeps by her door and is the first one in her room if she hears her cry. Jannu also greets P each morning. So, even though Jannu may bark and growl, she has room in her heart for one more human!

If I wait patiently, maybe I'll get something.

Just wait for it...

Score!

And if I look extra cute, maybe I'll get some more!

It worked! What luck!

Bonus! Crumbs!

Sapporo Noodles

With my family, one staple for comfort food is a brand of instant ramen noodles called Sapporo Noodles. We have been eating these noodles since my sisters and I were little kids. It really has no nutritional value, and I haven't eaten it in a very long time. I happened to find it in a local grocery store today, grabbed a couple, and made some for P and me. She LOVED it. I had to take photos since there were photos of my sisters and I eating this stuff as well as my niece and nephew, keeping up with tradition and all!

The one thing I forgot to do is break up the noodles so they would be more manageable for P. Poor thing started choking because they were so long! I think she had a good time posing for these pics anyhow.

High Noon

I'm trying to teach P how to pour tea. She doesn't quite have the hang of it, but she's getting there. The tea party was going great but didn't last long, as in typical toddler style, she gets distracted easily.

Play Dough

Daycare Donna sent P home with some homemade play dough. Well, we didn't really have anything to go with the play dough, so it was fun picking a set for P. I (because she didn't really have any say in the matter) chose the Cookie Monster alphabet set since it seemed the most appropriate. All of the packages said the recommended age was for 3+. Oh well. I hardly pay attention to those recommendations unless a choking hazard is involved.

We were so excited. We got home and took everything out and played and played until Daddy came home. We made him cookies and everything in between. P was so mystified when we shoved the cookies down his mouth. She had no idea where the cookies were going (even though they were falling out right behind him!). I don't know who had more fun--me or her!

Also, on a side note, as I started making these flowers I thought to myself, "This is what working with fondant must be like." Maybe some day if/when I get ambitious, I'll try making something with it. File that away for now.

You've Got a Friend In Me

We watched one of P's crib buddies one Saturday evening. My sister and her family were also over for the weekend, so I'm not sure what I was thinking as with three toddlers, it got a little chaotic, but for the most part it was very easy. P and Bode entertained each other and us, too! They had a great time together. Getting them settled down for bedtime, though, was not easy. Bode's parents came back from their little date night. They were so cute. As they left, I realized that they seemed so giddy (or maybe tipsy!)...hmmm...maybe we need to take advantage of more date nights!

Water Play

At daycare when they have water play, P likes to get wet! Oftentimes, she has to change her clothes because she is so drenched and Donna says that if you are standing by her, watch out! We got a water table and even though it was cold outside, it didn't stop our water baby at all.