Daphne is 2!!

We celebrated Daphne's birthday with a trip to the NE Aquarium to visit her beloved penguins.  The perfect gift would have been to let her take a swim with them, but 2 year olds aren't allowed in the habitat. She then got to celebrate her big day with her friends at a Penguin-themed birthday bash at The Little Gym.  Click here for some snapshots of the festivities.   

Fall 2014 School Photos

It's that time of year again, school picture time.  Other than the hideous brown background and the photographer zooming in too closely, these photos of the girls are adorbs. 

Evelina Fall 2010 (3M), Spring 2011 (10M), Fall 2011 (16M),
Spring 2012 (22M), Fall 2012 (28M), Spring 2013 (Almost 3Y),
Fall 2013 (3.5Y), Spring 2014 (Almost 4Y), Fall 2014 (4.5Y). 

Daphne Spring 2013 (6M), Fall 2013 (12M), Spring 2014 (18M) and Fall 2014 (24M).  I'm still amazed by her Fall 2013 photo....wow, just wow. 

They are going to love looking at these when they are older!! 

Daphne Monthly Photos | Year 2

Taking a photo in the same room, in the same spot, of the same person for two years teaches you a lot.  My main issue....white balance.  I need to work on it.  Either way, I love having these monthly photos.  Here is a retrospective of the last 2 years.

Year 2 

Just for fun, Evelina and Daphne at 24 Months

Daphne | 24 Months!!

This is it, Daphne final "official" monthly photo!!  Yes, yes, I am well aware that she turned 2 almost a month ago, BUT she has been quite a night owl lately which has prevented me from having much motivation for weeding through photos in the evenings.  Birthday photos, aquarium photos, fall photos, Halloween photos, etc.  Some day.

Happy Birthday, Daphne!!  You are a gem!!  xo

24 Month Stats:

Weight:  28.9lbs (86th %ile)

Length:  35" (78th %ile)

Head Size:  19.25" (89th %ile)

Daphne | 23 Months!!

Less than a month until this one turns 2.  Seriously?!?!

Ballet Take 2

Evelina continues to love dancing at home which includes putting on ballet performances for us, so I thought she could give ballet class another try this year.  Last year we withdrew her from her class after 4 sessions since we just couldn't get her to feel comfortable in the studio without us in the room with her.  She is a little more brave this year so we were hoping for the best.   We think she would be great at at and really enjoy it, but her first class this past weekend didn't go well.  Even with two of her friends in the class, she still didn't want to enter the studio.  Perhaps, its because it was the same studio and teacher (who she says she didn't like) as last year and she just has scary memories.  In hindsight, I should have chose a different ballet school. It is tough being 4.

Even so, she is so adorable in her ballet outfit.  Performing her pirouettes and plies.  She can still put on performances at home anytime she wants....her sister is happy to join her as well.

Last year and this year.  Even though she clearly grew, her leotard and skirt still fit!!  Seriously, how cute is she?!  Growing up too fast :-(  

1st Day of School 2014

Remember the 1st day of school 2013? 

Another school year has begun.  I seriously can't believe that Evelina will be a kindergartener next year and Daphne will be a pre-schooler!!!  But first, we need to get through Pre-K and another year of the toddler program at their current school.  

We always fear the beginning of a new school year for Evelina and this year was no different.  We try to hype it up as much as we can to prepare her for the transition in hopes that it will be tearfree.  She wasn't looking forward to school yesterday and was extremely clingy upon arrival.  She didn't shed any tears but she didn't want to let us go and was generally sad/anxious.  Of course, when I picked her up she was playing contently with some friends and her teacher said she had a fantastic day.  When I dropped her off today, she was smiling....big improvement!!  Let's hope it continues. Our hope is that she will become increasingly more brave as the months go on.  This week so far has already been an improvement over last year!! 

 

Even though Daphne already knew her new teachers, the long weekend and a new classroom got the best of her a little bit yesterday morning.  She didn't want her Mama to leave her, but literally within a minute of closing the door she was playing happily with her friends.  She is full of drama that one.  The girls classrooms just happen to be across the hall from each other so they will get to see lots of each other every day!!  Lucky ladies. 

Monthly Photo Aftermath

Taking monthly photos is exhausting.

Daphne | 22 Months!!

Ogunquit 2014

We had a wonderful week in Ogunquit back in July.  The weather was fabulous, we loved the house we stayed in, we had a great time as a family, and of course, the girls LOVED the beach.  I wish we were still there.  For some photos, click  HERE.

Daphne | 21 Months!!

Only 3 more months until 2!!  Seriously?!?! 

Daphne | 20 Months!!

Evelina is 4!!

Evelina is one lucky 4 year old.  She had a wonderful birthday weekend filled with fun, family,  friends...and Frozen.  What more could you ask for?   On her actual birthday we kept up with the tradition of visiting the Southwick Zoo.  Saturday, we had a tasty and sweet girls lunch at the American Girl store.  Sunday was her Frozen birthday party.  Click HERE for some photos.  

Frozen Photo Booth

Evelina is "Frozen" obsessed.  The child loves all things "Frozen" and is constantly asking me when it's going to be Winter so she can build a snowman.  Is she really my child??  For her 4th birthday, we celebrated with a Frozen-themed birthday party.  When I saw these Anna and Elsa cut-outs, they just screamed photo booth. I debated for 5 minutes about having Anna come to the party, but she looked too fake in her costume.  I personally preferred the cut-outs and the kids loved posing with them too!!

Click HERE for more pictures from the photo booth. 

Evelina's 4 Year Interview

It is interview time again!! Remember Evelina's 3 year interview last year?  It is fun to see how she has grown and changed (just a little).

Some of my thoughts:

1. I apologize in advance for the poor video quality.  
2. What's up with all of the references to space aliens?  Clearly, one of her friends at school is obsessed.   
3. The child enjoys talking about poop as often as she can.  
4. Nose-picking is gross, why do they all do it?  
5. In the past (week), whenever I ask her what she wants to be when she grows up, she has said "a teacher", "a dentist", or most recently at school, she told her teachers she wanted to be "mommy" when she grows up.  
6. She is a goofball!!  

Daphne | 19 Months!!

Spring 2014 School Photos

Remember the Fall school pictures?  Wow!!  Lots of improvement this time around.  We had to bribe Evelina with an Anna (from Frozen) doll to get her to smile. 

And a couple of other cute ones that I didn't want to spend extra $$ on for digital files. 

I think this is the picture that should be displayed in Daphne's classroom next year.  Ha!!

We are getting closer to having 2 full smiles from these ladies!! When did Evelina actually turn into a brunette? 

Daphne | 18 Months!!

Late again, but it doesn't matter, she is the cutest every day of the week.

18 Month Stats:

Weight:  26.5lbs (90th %ile)

Length:  33" (85th %ile)

Head Size:  No change (18.75"/84th %ile)

Rendering Vs. Reality

I can't believe how realistic the rendering was. Whatever software was used is fabulous!! I like the real thing better though :-)

The {Empty} Basement Reveal!!

The basement renovation finished up on Friday!!  We love the results!!  It looks just beautiful and we can't wait to start using the space.  It will take a little while to furnish, but at least we have a couch on order and an entertainment credenza purchased.  I'm most excited about the mudroom area.  It makes so much more sense for us to take coats and shoes off downstairs after coming in from the garage instead of walking all the way upstairs and into our foyer.

Here are some before and afters:

Do You Want to Build a Snowman?

What 3+ year old girl doesn't love "Frozen"? Evelina has really enjoying the music, although she has become afraid of the movie...not surprising. Here is her goofy rendition of "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?".

Basement Paint Selection

Floors were laid down yesterday!!  We are really happy with our floor and tile choices. 

And, after much deliberation, we have chosen Shaker Beige by Benjamin Moore for the walls.

Shaker Beige in action

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