"I want to go outside with my magnifying glass and look for bugs."

Word for word.
Is this not a usual sentence for a 27 month old to articulate? It is at our house.
I thought the waiter was going to pass out last night when I asked her if she wanted apple juice or pineapple. "Mmmm...pineapple," she said clearly, after contemplating for a moment. Dutiful waiter looked like he was humoring us as we let our baby pretend to place her own order. Nope. Not Ainsley. Not sure if I mentioned when we went to dinner back in March, she walked in and immediately told the hostess "I need a high chair."
She also wants to play with other kids, not just next to them. She tells them clearly what she wants. "Will you spin with me?" or "Would you like to run in the grass with me, Samuel?"
She's really very funny! She is a pleasure to hang out with and to talk to. She listens to everything and follows directions well. She is just a little mini person. It's almost sad that she's never really been a little baby! She has always seemed all knowing.

May 20, 2010
K:"It seems kind of late for the tiger lilies not to have bloomed yet."
A: "Yeah. I think so too."

Go Climb a Tree!

Up at Harry's soccer practice field there is a lovely tree. It is perfect for climbing with lots of ladder-like branches. Perfect for climbing ... UP that is. The branches are few and far between when you are trying to get back down! Oh, and said tree is located over a dry river bed full of rocks! Nice! The kids love to climb it. Yesterday was Ainsley's turn to ask "Can I climb the tree, Mah-my?" Uh- no! "I can do it!" Oh, I am sure you can...but I wasn't ready for that line to come back and bite me!
She did spinning instead. Unfortunately her spinning buddies Kira and Olivia were not available. Lucenna gave it a go but it was apparently not her thing. I bailed out gracefully. Great time to end practice!
This was Harry's last soccer practice of the season. Next year will change, since co-ed will cease. We're going to miss the team as a whole, and I know Ainsley will miss the friends she has made. Luckily we will still see them at the pool.
I have to say I have enjoyed my time with her at the park. I haven't seen Harry play much soccer, but I've seen Ainsley swing and slide and swing and play in sand and swing...and even play a little soccer.

Wise beyond her years...

Menike informed me the other day how grateful she is that we paint Ainsley's nails...apparently it consumes much of the discussion time. It's always a great fallback topic...and has been for months! Pink toenails is nothing new. Ainsley has even been known to paint my nails...and the fact is she did a great job! She is also the first to notice a new pedicure. It seems to me she knows it's happened before she even sees it. Pedicure radar.
She also notices things like, oh...expensive dress boutiques from a block away. In full southern accent: Dresses, Daaad-dy!
Ainsley loves books, she loves Dora, she loves discussing best/worst part of our day...she loves a good story, In fact, on a whim (and because none of our videos were re-wound) I popped a Baby Einstein video in the TV last week. "What's THIS? I need a story!"
This weekend we took a family trip to the Joint Forces Air Show at Andrews AFB. For someone who is so observant, she was not at all impressed with the large aircraft or stunt planes. That is, not until I pointed out the "diamond in the sky." BIG applause for that! "Yaaay! Clap Mommy! Clap!"
Yesterday, she had just arrived home as I was heading out the door with Harry. "You take Harry to karate Mooom-my? O-kaaay." Still with southern drawl, as she lay back on the sofa, feet on a pillow, arms folded behind her head, watching a show (Arthur...NOT Baby Einstein!).
She is just lovely :-)

Ainsley made up a new song this evening...I think.

Sitting on the porch.
Singing one more song.

Catchy, isn't it?

Awaiting Dairy Godmother

You are my sunshine...

This weekend was the first in a very long time, that we all got to spend some serious family time, out of doors, at home.

Finally gone are the snow drifts, the melting agents, the ice, the post-snow rain, and the puddles.

Finally arrived are the daffodils, the sun, the fresh air, and even some not-so-welcome wildlife in the yard!

We all had quite a weekend together doing various outdoor tasks. Harry helped with cleaning up the yard, the toys, the leaves, the toys, the furniture, the toys, the snow-damaged shrubbery... oh did I mention the toys? Ainsley did her best to get the playhouse in order, and to make sure the sand table was still usable.

Soccer also finally started back up for Harry, and Ainsley continues to be his number one fan. She even brought along her own shiny pink ball!

Sunday took us all on our first full-family bike ride... I think Ever. Even with a few minor (and one almost major) bouts of non-listening, a brief mechanical, and some insta-too-tiredness due to over-excitement, I'd say it was quite a success, and will certainly lead to more rides.

We also made back-to-back-to-back dinner engagements... again, first time I think ever.

Friday was typical pizza night, but since Generous George's is no longer, we shifted East and hit Bugsy's in Old TOwn. Harry even got to meet the man himself, and they both immediately agreed that Alex is the most fun to watch on the Capitals! A quick walk down to the water for dessert reminded us that Ben & Jerry's is no longer, so a quick detour to another spot for some custard, and we were good.

Saturday, we headed over for a great afternoon & dinner with the Sullivan's, and the kids got to hang out with Fiona and her cousins, bouncing on the trampoline, and climbing all over the swingset.

Since we had so much fun the night before, and Sunday was really Sully's birthday, we were invited back for a repeat appearance!

Everyone had so much fun, they were all fully asleep (and by all I mean EVERYone but me), by 8PM.

It's going to be quite the Summer. Ainsley's very much coming into her own, and Harry continues to stretch his body and his mind in more directions than any of us can handle at once. I continue to be astounded with how different the two of them are, but how well they seem to be getting along and enjoying each others company (even if they don't think so). She want's nothing more than to do everything that big brother is doing, and oddly enough, Harry wants nothing more than to play with all of her toys!

Okay maybe there are a FEW things he'd rather do more... but he won't tell you!