Why kids need dads

Kids need dads for thousands of reasons. Not only are they essential for killing spiders, creating adventure, and looking the other way when mud is in hand, but it would have never occurred to me to tie a rope to Lucy's Tiny Toddler Car and fling her across the cement pad.

She loved it!

Bye bye Dada!

Every morning, Lucy and Dada spend some quality time together.

When it comes time for him to go to work, Lucy climbs on the chair and waves to him until he drives out of the driveway, all the while saying, "Bye Dada! Bye! Luh-oo! Luh-oo!" (Translation: Love you!)

The tu-tu is a new addition to our morning ritual.

Gaucho Pants!

I have become obsessed with various home/crafting blogs over the past few months, and one recently showed how to make "gaucho pants" for your toddler out of old t-shirts. I looked at myself in the mirror and said, "I can do that!"

I started with this t-shirt from Simon's collection of "too small/stained/holey" shirts.
And voila! Cute gaucho pants! Lucy's sporting them with pride!
I added some ribbon and buttons on the bottoms.
And even sewed a red button on the top. . . Lucy is especially fond of that one.

So go make your own gaucho pants!
Here's the link!

Lucy and Trigger

Lucy and her trusty steed.

Monrovia Street Fair

Lucy and I went to the Monrovia Family Fun Fair this evening to celebrate the end of summer school work and the beginning of official summer! We went at 5:00 to avoid the inevitable steady stream of directionless thugs that tend to wander in around 8:00 and hang out in front of Coldstone Creamery. Although it was still pretty hot, it proved to be the perfect time to go.

We had an absolute ball!
Lucy held a chick, then tossed it back into the box.
Then she rode a horse named Trigger and loved it!
She ate a slice of cheese pizza.
And then ended the night in style with a butterfly balloon.

American Idol, EAT YOUR HEART OUT!

Those of you who know me well know of my passion for performance in my childhood, and by childhood I mean until I was 27.

It appears that my jammie-clad daughter has also picked up the karaoke bug. She's right on the cusp of singing and her attempts generally end up sounding like strange Swedish beat boxing.
Accompanied by her generous arm flailing, watching Lucy sing has easily become my favorite past time.

I think Simon, and by Simon I mean Simon Cowell, would judge that performance as, "brilliant."

Wakey Wakey!

I know, I'm biased, but Lucy is so darn cute when she has just woken up from her nap. Each day, when I hear her calling, "Mommy!" I go into her crib and my heart just melts! I decided to take a week and take a picture of her each day right as I go into her room.

Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday: