She works hard for her money...

It's true that Aly is only two and a half, but this is a tough economy we are living in. She needs to start earning her keep and let's face it, her daddy needs some cheap labor. So Aly spent about 15 minutes dusting Daddy's store, which she normally does when we go there, but this time she earned some money for her hard work.


So what would any all American toddler do with her first wages? Ice cream of course. "Pink with sparkles" to be exact. (Also known as strawberry with sprinkles.) It tastes even sweeter when you earn it yourself doesn't it, Baby?

Summer Time!!!

Caroline & Aly
Just look at these bathing beauties!!

We are enjoying our summer together just like we should! Aly and I spend our days playing outside, going for walks, going to the park, visiting the library, shopping, cooking, and laughing all along the way. Today we went to the Aquatic Center with some friends. Aly was so brave and really conquered her fear of swimming pools since last year! I was so proud of her. We had so much fun and can't wait to go back! Thanks for the invite, Caroline!!

Aly likes to move it, move it...

As promised, Layman family, this one's for you.

Our baby girl...an award winning gymnast

I have just experienced the proudest moment in my short time as a mother. My little girl had her first "performance" and won her first "award". We were there to watch as Aly stood proudly in front of a small crowd of people, gleamed with accomplishment, accepted her award, and smiled proudly for the parent paparazzi. It was show day at the Little Gym.

What a performer!

Bubble catching is always a highlight.

Aly's teacher, Miss Stephanie, gives personal attention to all of the kids during each class. She is great at her job. Whenever Aly is doing something new, she always says, "Miss Stesnee, look at me!"



How do you get ten toddlers out of a room where they are given free reign to go crazy? Offer to stamp their hands, feet, and tummies of course!



Mimi and Pops came to watch Aly and brought her flowers to congratulate her on her special day.

This little performance was just the first of many times when I will be a part of a crowd of emotional parents as my baby walks on a gymnastics mat, a stage, a basketball court, or a soccer field and shows us what kind of person she is turning out to be. Believe me, after years of watching my herd of younger siblings grow up too fast, along with past third graders who come back to visit and are a head taller than me, I fully understand how quickly time flies. What was once an ultrasound photo, is now a graduate of her gymnastics class and a pretty incredible little person. I'm not sad to see her grow up. These are truly the moments I've been ready for my whole life. I'm so happy to be a proud spectator on the sidelines, supporting her as she becomes whatever God has called her to be. I love you, Aly!

Babies, Babies!!

It's been an exciting Spring! We finally helped welcome baby Jett and baby Joshua during the month of May. I am so excited to finally meet these precious boys...and to finally be able to sleep without my cell phone on my night stand. Congratulations to my sweet friends, Becky and Hannah!

Aly's Favorite Things

I love posting pictures that remind me of how much Aly has grown. She has developed this incredible little personality all her own and I am reminded with each new milestone that she, along with every child, is truly a miracle.

These are a few of Aly's favorite things now that she's a big girl:

Art

Thankfully, I think Aly inherited Daddy's artistic talents. Her fine motor skills have always been far more advanced that her gross motor skills. She has held a crayon the right way since she was tiny. (She does hold it on the "wrong" finger, though, just like Mommy!) She loves to paint, color, draw on her chalkboard, and sculpt lots of snakes and snowmen with her Play-doh. A day never goes by when she doesn't "create" something!

The Ocean

Aly's fascination with the ocean truly began, believe it or not, the first time we went to Florida when she was only about seven months old. We took her to the Gulfarium and we had never seen her so interested in anything before.


After that she responded so much differently to anything she saw in books or on TV having to do with the ocean. I know all children love staring into a fish tank, but Aly's love for all creatures of the sea goes far beyond that. She knows the names of fish I didn't know until we discovered them together. She can point out and name a sea anemone, starfish, seahorse, octopus, squid, pufferfish, clownfish, dolphin, ray, sea cucumber, angelfish, several different kinds of sharks and so many more I can't remember. I would actually say she has an obsession with the ocean with an emphasis on sharks. She sleeps with (what I would consider) a pretty scary nonfiction shark book.

Here she is pointing out a leopard shark to Daddy just before bed.

The Little Gym

The Little Gym makes Aly happier than anything we have ever done for her. I can not put into words how much she loves going every Saturday to see "Miss Stesnee" (AKA Miss Stephanie, her teacher). They sing songs, play with all kinds of fun things like bells, sticks, hula hoops, a big parachute, a miniature rock climbing wall, balls, bubbles, and so much more. They have lots of time for free exploration on all of the gymnastics equipment that is just her size and learn basic skills on the bars, balance beam, and floor. She is also learning so much about following directions, listening, sharing and taking turns. Any time we ever ask her to guess where we are going or what we are going to do, her answer is ALWAYS "Little Gym!" We even play Little Gym at home because once a week is just not enough! If you are interested, you can try it for free and they do not put any pressure on you to sign up. It's worth every penny.

Singing

In the car, in bed, during meals, on the potty. This kid sings her way through life.

A Caring Spirit

I caught my second stomach virus of the year this week. Unfortunately, it comes with my job. Donny and Aly went to the store to buy me the usual Gatorade and saltines that are needed with this sort of illness. While they were in the car on the way there Aly said to her daddy, "Let's get Mommy a lemon for feel better." A lemon. I have no idea where she got the idea that lemons make you feel better when you are sick, but of course Donny went along with it. He said she held the lemon through the whole store and all the way home. When they got home, she came bursting through the door and proudly presented me with the lemon "for feel better". The funny thing is that just having something in my hand that I knew was straight from her little heart did make me feel better. Then she told me to smell it and you know what? It actually cured some of my nausea. She knew what she was talking about. For the next couple of days when she saw me lying on the couch or looking like I didn't feel good she would say, "Mommy, where's your lemon? I go get it for you. Be happy. Smile." She also picked some flowers for me outside, which are in the picture with the lemon.

Donny told her to pray for me so I would feel better. This was her prayer:
"Dear Jesus, thank you for the day. Thank you sooooo much for good sleep. Help Mommy feel better. Help Aly feel better. (She's had a cough.) Amen."

Wow!!! She's really starting to get it. I am so thankful that at such a young age she is already learning that when something is wrong, you ask Jesus for help and you believe that he will make it right. We all need to be reminded of this every now and then.