Eat Her Bubbles...

Everyone knows that I didn't grow up going to camp... We went to "The Swim Club" every day and that's where the summer magic happened. Life at UMSC was awesome-- early morning swim team practice, days in the pool with friends, a snack bar treat in the afternoon, and grilling dinner with the family. It. Was. Awesome.

It hadn't dawned on me that day camps existed... Even though there was one down the road that a few friends went to, all of my friends went to the swim club!

Now, my world is a little different... We live for camp. Correction, we live ON A camp. Doodle wakes up every morning and runs through her backyard to an amphitheater where she dances and starts her day off with 400+ campers!

This past school year, Doodle made some friends (she actually made A LOT) of friends at school and a few of her little Besties go to MCC and they all decided to do swim team together. 

She wasn't the fastest on the team, but D sure did make an effort... a bunch of new friends... and a lot of memories!

ICE!

Have you ever been to an "ICE!" show/exhibit/experience?! 

We had never been, so Doodle and I trekked down to the National Harbor with her cousin and friend for a morning of fa-reezing cold fun!

Before entering, they give you these enormo blue parkas... and as you're sitting in the wait area, sweating your tail off, you're thinking that there's no way that it's that cold. And then you walk in. And it's that cold!

While it was cool to see Shrek and friends, we're not really into Shrek around these parts... so definitely wishing this year was the Grinch or something like that (it changes every year... and is Dreamworks... so no Disney... which is cool... but let's face it, Shan Yu coming out of a block of ice would be pretty darn cool! Oh, you haven't watched Mulan 200+ times?! Just us? I get it.).

The artwork/ice carving is truly amazing, though, and the ice slides alone were worth the trip!

We ventured over to the Gaylord after ICE and could have spent all day there doing the gingerbread house decorating and such... live and learn... next year! ;)

Clearly we had a mild December! I love this photo because it shows her carrying a puppy... she always has a stuffed puppy in her arms!

On Skis at Three... #WordlessWednesday

I didn't get on skis until fifth grade and Doodle is hitting the slopes at three!

When did you learn how to ski?!

Doodle's 1st Ice Skating Lesson

Our Week in Photos...

Cookie Time #WordlessWednesday

It's that time of year... Can you smell the gingerbread baking?!

Grandma had a date with Master Chief this evening, so Hubby and I took advantage of a night alone with Doodle and made cookies! I figure we're good for one holiday craft/bake-fest a year and we definitely had fun with the new mixer!

What's your favorite type of cookie?!

First Day of School

Today is Doodle's very first day of school... ever!

I thought I'd be super emotional about the whole thing, but we were all just too excited (or exhausted from our fun weekend away at Great Wolf Lodge) to do anything but smile!

1st Day of Pre-K.... can you believe it?!

Neither of us really slept last night (she wanted to play, I was too hot from the AC in the house being broken!), so we were a bit groggy when we woke up. Doodle picked out her own outfit and bow (had to have the Ariel bow!), but we won out on her not wearing the purple polka dot baby legs to school.  She inspected and approved the lunch Daddy made her before grabbing her backpack, My Little Pony nap mat, and Violet (stuffed wolf from GWL) and heading to the car.

There's a whole little routine when you get to school that we're going to get down pat... Mom & Dad sign in... Doodle checks in by flipping over her name tag... hang up backpack... lunchbox in cubby... wash hands... play!

She quickly found the bin of My Little Ponies; therefore, I was quickly old news... I did manage to get a hug and kiss before leaving!  I love my independent little girl!

I don't know if there has been a kid more excited for school than this one!

Pre-K Orientation was Friday... I decided to let her fancy it up a bit since we were only there for an hour and I knew it wouldn't get too messed up (I'm only sending her to school in cotton/washable stuff... I'm totally not a stickler about getting stuff messy... rarely buy anything that can't be thrown in the washer and dryer!)...

And just in case you think she's too prissy or formal because she likes her girly dresses and will flash me a quick smile every once in a while... this is what she really does when I pull out the camera:

Such a sweet girl! ;)

What Summer looks like in our family...

Bathing Suit... Candy Necklace... Remnants of Ice Cream... Hair a Wild Mess... Random Accessories... and a Huge Smile!

(Clearly someone had a blast at Mason's Pirate Birthday Party today!)

She has no idea what she's in for... #WordlessWednesday

Doodle will become a Big Sister around December 4th!

Merry Merry!

We just arrived home from spending Christmas Eve with Joe's family, Christmas morning at our house and Christmas afternoon/night at my parents' house in PA! It was definitely a little whirlwind of a weekend, but I'm so grateful that we were able to spend time with our families!

I'm too tired to even begin editing the photos from the weekend... Although I did get a head start on Christmas morning while I was waiting for Doodle to wake up. I got too antsy and actually went in and woke her up at 9 am. Yes, I'm probably the only parent who had to wake their kid up on Christmas morning! I digress...

Were you good this year?
Did Santa visit your house?
What was your favorite gift?!

Rudolph with your nose so bright...

We even met Mrs C!

Doodle and her cousin, Cliff, visited with Santa on Friday night... His first time ever and her first time that she didn't completely freak out! I think the fact that Mrs C was there may have helped a little!

While the "elf" was taking photos, Doodle chatted it up and politely asked for a dress and a princess for Christmas. I sure hope Santa takes care of those because they weren't on her parents' list! ;). She's talking in the photo... Which annoyed me at first, but then I realized that it's a good "snapshot in time" as she certainly is a chatty little girl!

Have you visited Santa this year?!
What did you ask for?!

Back From Vacation... and a Little Halloween! ;)

This past week has been a photography whirlwind...

Joe and I had a wonderful little vacation in New Orleans! We walked around the French Quarter, explored antique shops, and ate a meal nearly every 4 hours (slight exaggeration, but we did eat three meals a day in fabulous restaurants)!  I tried my hand at taking photos of food, but quickly realized that I'm definitely sticking to portraits... food just doesn't speak to me in that way.  When I layed my eyes on those gorgeous beignets, taking a photo was the last thing I was thinking of (it was more like, "Get in my belly!"). 

My dear friend Vycki got married on Saturday in Biloxi!  I had my camera, but was slightly too busy (I was a 'maid!) and slightly too emotional over the whole thing to be able to take a step back and focus on the photos.  As Joe often reminds me to do, instead of photographing it, I was living in the moment.  I argue that I can do both, but still... it was a gorgeous day and I get all warm and fuzzy inside just thinking about it!

More on those two events in another post... I'm still digesting it all!

Last night was Halloween (duh!)!  Because we live in a community of townhouses, we have hosted Halloween/Trick-or-Treating the last few years.  Given that the "babies" are only two, we didn't make them run a trick-or-treat marathon-- just up and down our block.  It's not like they'll get to eat most of the candy, anyway! ;) Grandma Nancy and Pop pop came over to spend the evening with Doodle and Mason... We had a fun night in and stuffed ourselves with a big pasta dinner while D & M played with D's toys.  Again, I have tons of photos that I'm still trying to wrap my head around! ;)

For now, here is a little storyboard of Doodle's Halloween history...

2009 - 7 Weeks Old at the Caps Game Dressed Up as Slapshot's Sidekick, "Wristshot"
2010 - Nearly 14 Months Old as a Little Piggy
2011 - 2 Years Old (or nearly 26 months old) as "Seeping Booty"