Independence Day

Kelly celebrated by continuing to show us just how independent she is! I was so excited to dress her in this cute sundress that cousins Patty & Nathan sent her for her birthday, along with the matching ribbon/barrette that I had from another outfit and the matching flip-flops from the Target $1 bin - Adorable!!

Well, within minutes the barrette was out and the flip-flops off. But she did love wearing her pretty sundress!

We had a last minute BBQ with mostly Gary's gaggle of family & friends - here is Kelly playing with her cousin Shawn and 2nd cousin Emma, both of whom Kelly adores!

Kelly had a costume change to her dance outfit and entertained the masses with her stories over dessert.

Looking quite proud of herself!

Daddy & Kelly enjoying the fireworks at Ponto beach.

The day after sleepies... there are definitely some traits about Kelly that I think, "like daddy, like daughter". Their enjoyment of nappies (and look of contentedness while doing it) is one of those!

Painless Doctor Appt....and...Bye Bye Binky!

On July 3rd, I took Kelly to the doctor's for her 3-year well care appt. I started telling (warning!) her about it the day before, but she seemed to be genuinely excited! (she has some great books and videos - best one is "Elmo goes to the Doctor" - that prepare kids her age for this experience, introducing them to the "stethoscope" and "tongue depresser", and teaching them that doctors are good people and help you stay healthy, etc etc. They also touch on "shots" and that they hurt a "little" but keep you healthy (and usually show a kid putting on a brave face, grimacing, then looking very proud of themselves!)

Well, I am happy to report that THESE TOOLS OF THE PARENTING TRADE WORKED for us! It was one of those "very proud mother" days for me indeed. Kelly was well-behaved, answered all the docs questions, was cooperative when the nurse did a vision test (Kelly will tell you that she "saw a movie") AND a hearing test (passed both), and did not shed even one tear when she got a shot! Wow! Ok, maybe we just lucked out and she was having a REALLY good day...Whatever, I was eternally impressed with my little girl!

Leading up to this appt, I had also decided that this might be a good opportunity to get her to give up the binky. I told her that she was going to give it to the doctor who would give it to another baby who needed it. She looked at me funny the several times I mentioned this leading up to the appt, so I was not sure this angle was going to work with her. But when I reminded her about it in front of the doctor, and of course when the doc got "so excited and appreciative" toward Kelly for giving her binky to another baby, Kelly took the binky out of my purse and handed it right to the doctor!!! Well, that was that. No looking back, no regrets, no problem!

....Until bedtime of course. She cried out for "binkybaby", and we could only give her "baby" (and blankey, and multitudes of other soothing stuffed animal friends). We keep reminding her that she is a big, grownup girl and doesn't need her binky anymore, and that we are so proud she gave it to a little baby who needs one, etc etc.....So, we are still going thru some rough patches, mostly at bedtime & nap time. But I am hoping each day will get easier for her!

Summer Fun

Summer really feels like it's in full swing now. The weather has been great and there have been lots of "summer-like" activities going on.

Kelly absolutely loves her pool - she's in it as often as we can keep it clean! I know we already have some photos not long ago of her in her pool, but this one is of her in her new Ariel princess bathing suit!

Great pose, huh? She has one more really cute bathing suit too, so I'm sure we'll throw in another pool shot before summer's end!

She got a Phonics Word Master "computer" from Grandad for her birthday. She spends quite a bit of time on it in between pool time (notice she has her matching Ariel princess cover up on here). She gets very focused & intense while using it!

The Del Mar...um, uh, I mean San Diego Fair (I'll NEVER get used to that!!!) opened a couple weeks ago. Gary & I and Kelly went, but met up with Kathy, Liz, their mom Annie, and Tommy & Nicole. Kelly was still a bit young for most of the rides, even in the Kiddie area, but loved this one that she went on with Nicole twice! It was these little canoes that just float around a water "track". Its great because the parent(s) can run around the outside of it in case they decide to exit the canoe halfway...no, Kelly didn't do that! But I was right there just in case!