Playing With the Big Kids

Simone had a super fun day playing with Kailee and Peyton. They stayed downstairs in the playroom nearly all day and late into the evening last Friday.

Here she is learning to color. It was her very first drawing, which I framed in her playroom for you to see when you get home.


















And you've GOT to watch these. I have never saw Simone laugh and scream so hard. She couldn't get enough. And she is fearless.

Birthday Party Pictures-Part II

So, daddy, incase you were wondering what we gave our daughter for her first birthday--here it is. A miniature piano, a zebra for her animal train, a personalized piggy bank (so she can learn to save), alphabet wall cards, and a shape sorter.









Lots of playing went on at the birthday party too. Clemyjontri Park has a killer playground with a cushioned ground to soften the falls.







More cake shots... she was a mess.






















And of course, what better fun than a ride on the carousel. She loved it!!

And then just as we were packing up to leave, the ice cream truck arrived. A perfect ending!

SIMONE'S FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!

I know it's taken a while, but FINALLY here are some photos of Simone's first birthday party. We intentionally kept the party very small and low key because we didn't want her daddy (or the rest of her relatives and friends) to miss a big birthday bash. Next year, Simone will have the biggest, bestest, second birthday ever!

Grammy and Pop were visiting for the weekend, so on Sunday afternoon we headed to Clemyjontri Park to have pizza and cake to mark the occasion. We managed to secure the critical elements -- some balloons and a BEAUTIFUL cake from mommy & daddy's favorite bakery (it was all vanilla buttercream with strawberry filling-- daddy's favorite).


We took TONS of pictures, this is just the first installment. The rest are in no particular order.



Simone's cousins Peyton and Ella made her this sign.

This is her birthday crown. She would only keep in on for a second.

And... no party would be complete without a kids' table. I have a bunch more, I'll post later. Stay tuned...

1 Year Old Portraits

Well, even though I swore off portrait studios after the last experience, I decided I might be a bad mom if I didn't take Simone for one year old pictures. Once again, it was an ordeal, but I'll get into that later. Here are some of the better shots, although not the best ones nor the ones I ordered. I'll keep those as a surprise.

A New Chair

Hi daddy,
As we've told you, we've been busy putting together a fun playroom for Simone. And now she's got a favorite addition--her new chair--Simone-size. She mostly loves it because it's small enough for her to be able to climb up and down all on her own.















And the fun doesn't stop there. She has a new friend too--Mr. Lion. She really loves him. Although each day she forgets what he is and when I bring her downstairs to play she gets a little afraid until I go over with her to play with him. Then they're best friend again, ahahahah!

Fun At The Park

On Saturday we went to a little park by Christel & Wendy's house. As you would imagine, Simone had a blast. She particularly likes swings, but she is pretty fond of sliding boards too. The mulch on the ground made her a little nervous cuz it was sort of squishy.





















But look at this daddy. Simone's glasses fall down to the tip of her nose -- just like yours. Only she can't help it, she doesn't have a bridge on her nose yet to hold them up! Come on, how can you say

she doesn't look exactly like you!?!?