Who would have known...

A couple of things. Who would have known that I would still cry sometimes when I drop Grace off at daycare and she gets sad when I leave. She is a year old, I have been doing this for a while, and yet it is still hard.

Who would have known that Art, my mom, and Grace went to dinner last night. Grace covered my mom's dress with spaghetti sauce (it is probably ruined) and instead of being upset, she loved every minute of it. I guess that is what happens when you become a grandma instead of a mom.

Who would have known that I would ever pay someone to steal my cat, and then have it stolen again...Lilly went missing the other day. Our neighbor told us she saw a boy walking away with her. She told him it was ours. I posted signs hoping some parent would see them and make their son return her. The mother came with two girls and returned the cat. I paid them, only later to find out from them it was their brother that "found her" and thought she wasn't anyones-like I said, our neighbor told him it was ours-big liar. And he got paid. She is missing again. Mean Theifs. Grace misses her and talks about Lilly all the time.

This is what makes me smile today... Who would have thought a binkie could be so funny!

Baby Potluck

Grace and I ran down last night to Amber's "About to Pop Potluck" Dinner. She will kill me for putting some of these pictures on, but I am going to anyway. Miah was off climbing hills in her dress and sandals. (too fun!)

When we were leaving Grace kept trying to give Miles a kiss, and he would move away, so finally when he turned back around to give her a hug, she pushed him away. This picture is priceless. She is pushing him away and he is obviously not happy about it. (he did, however, want to go home with Grace and I) Love these two little cousins.

Boise State and Pretty Scenes

Gearing up for the big game on Saturday. She started cheering as they ran out of the tunnel. Her dad was so proud!She was watching the game very intently.And clapping when her dad did. Go Boise State! (This little girl loves her Daddy-who is so good to her too)The Shockleys came over to watch the game. Shaye was taking pictures.I don't know how this happened, but it looks kind of cool!Shaye pulling funny faces!Then I took a quick trip to wayne. Mimi reading to her kids. They fought over the puppy book, but had fun anyway!This is the scene that I grew up looking at off of the front porch. Isn't it beautiful!

Some Things Don't Change

Grace still loves reading a good book over almost any other toy. Here she is reading at my work, while I am talking with my co-worker trying to get some things done. We had such a hard time not laughing at her-and taking pictures with our phones. She is too much fun!Love this little lady!Somethings do change though, and although these aren't great pictures she is climbing things now. This is a picture of her up in our end table in our living room. She climbs up in and sits there, pulls all of her books in and out and in and out. She goes up and down all the time. I am working on the "bumb first" She kills me.

Embarrassment and Encouragement

Yesterday was Grace's check up appointment with her surgeon. I think she is looking great. So does he. But it was quite the appointment. We had to wait in the waiting room for over an hour during her normal nap time. So I kept her up, not knowing when we would get to go back. We finally got back there and I was feeding her cookies as we were waiting for him to come into the room. When he finally came in, he had a couple of people there with him and Grace started a major melt down. I tried to give her another cookie, so when we tipped her back, it fell into her throat where she could have choked. I had to pull her back up and get the cookie out. They were handing me napkins and she is crying and kicking around. I finally laid her back down just for him to look and she is still wailing. It was so embarrassing especially because he is my current/future business partner. I think she always picks the perfect time to have major meltdowns. I guess that is the curse for having such a good kid the rest of the time. She is usually so smiley and happy so that is out of the ordinary.

I have realized lately though that moms who are working and are in school are so amazing. I have started an evening Spanish class two nights a week and I am really struggling with leaving Grace those two nights. I know it isn't a huge deal, but it is really hard for me, to be able to make that sacrifice. I realize just how difficult it can be to juggle so many things. So for any mom's out there doing just that-I think you are amazing.

Treats

Grace loves her treats (and food too-I am lucky that way) Sometimes she is a little sassy and trys to demand things, but I try to make her ask politely.

She is a little sharer too (okay so it is more of a tease. She knows I probably won't take it from her) But sometimes she thinks it is fun to feed others too. Soooo Cute!

She snacks in many different ways.

And is always proud of herself. I hope I can help her to keep this confidence in life. I just love her!

Just had to share. These are the little things that make me smile every day.

Weekend with Grandparents

Grace and I flew up on Thursday to spend time with the Boxall Grandparents. We made a trip to Boise State (Grace's first time) Here she is in front of the Horse at the Stadium.

She had just woken up and was a little tired. It was a big Game on Saturday (which they won) So we dressed up in full gear to go around town.
Grace spent some time with her cousins. Art was scared of her and Jackson wasn't too interested until right as they were leaving and then he wanted to give her hugs. I think they will be very close someday soon. Aren't they just so cute!Art
Jackson (I don't know why it flips it)Art moved far away from Grace and she is gearing up to go and get him. Grace can be a real stinker. This is her not wanting me to take a picture of her cute Boise State shirt.
She would sit still with Grandma though. so cute!
I love this sweatsuit that they got her for her birthday.
Papa Boxall had just had surgery so he couldn't hold her all weekend. She really wanted him to. Right as we were leaving, he got down and let her hug him.
She hugged him for like five minutes and kept patting his arm. I love this picture it just says so much from both of them. What a good Grandpa to my little princess.
Then we came home and took a snooze in our new pj's from Grandma Walker.

Strawberry Leather

I made some homemade Strawberry Leather the other night (like fruit roll ups). I remember when I was little my great grandma would make apple leather. Whenever we would walk by her house on the way to the pool she would call us over for some. Or at family reunions. We loved it, so I found a recipe and tried it. Grace loves it so much. She ate two whole rolls today, and I am okay with it because it is good for her and not loaded with junk. Here is the recipe if you want to try it:

3 cups of strawberries (or other fruit) blended
1 Tbls Lemon Juice
1 Tbls Light Corn Syrup

Mix together and pour into a pan that is coated with microwavable plastic wrap (you may need to tape the corners). Make sure it is spread out and nice and thin. Then put it in the oven at 150 degrees for 7-8 hours (or until it is done-not shiny). Roll up while still warm and cut into logs. Yummy!

Grace is One!

We started the day, little beauty, with bright eyes (and a runny nose, because she is teething, poor little lady!) I don't know why it keeps turning the picture but she is still cute. And although her card didn't get picked to be read. They did sing Happy Birthday to Grace on the morning Sprout Show. (see her name on the bottom)I gave her one of my dolls from when I was little, with clothes she can change when she gets a little older.
She loved her.
It made me very happy.
Then keeping with the my stuff thing, I had her try on my old outfit that I wore when I was one. She looks so cute in it. (you can see down the side it says one)
Showing me that she is one.
And crawling all over (little mischievous thing!)
Then we went to McDonalds for Breakfast. Grace had never been inside, (and minus the taste of chicken nuggets the other day, had never tried the food) She thought it was so much fun.
She really liked the dinosaurs on the wall, she was saying ooh and ahh.
And pointing at them.
Then we went to the zoo. She loves animals so much, I thought she would enjoy it. She really did. We took the train ride.
Riding in the caboose
She would wave to and talk to all of the animals. I wish I would have recorded it. She was so cute!
She loved the monkeys the most because they moved a lot and came up to the glass.
The big gorilla (see her waving)
She is infant size I would say...
She really liked Zuri the elephant too. Zuri was very cute and would roll around in the mud.
We went on the carosel (see in the mirror) It is a little hard to get a picture of her that close)
She called this one Lilly (Maybe she thinks all kitty's are lilly-too cute)
Checking out the people and the giraffs
Us by the Giraffe (obviously we couldn't get the head in there)
Drinking our monkey juice (followed by loosing 30 dollars out of my pocket-won't let it ruin my day though-ugh) The zoo was so much fun. I really wanted her to see a real Bear because she loves them, but that part of the zoo was closed to construction. Maybe another zoo sometime (or this one another time) Love you Grace-thanks for letting me spend the day with you! (and for being such a good girl after having your shots-I know bad mom-and while getting teeth)
I showed Grace one time how to feed her baby and now she does it on her own. I could hear her "sucking" all the way home.
Grace got to try Chocolate for the first time today. She really liked it! She is her Daddy's girl that way.
She really liked it and gave Daddy a hug as thanks
Then Daddy took Grace on a bike ride. She loves going (well this time not so much, but usually she does)
The helmet doesn't quite fit right.
Daddy pulling silly faces and Grace laughing
We are both just so blessed to have her in our life. It has been the most amazing year! Love you Grace!!