Happy Birthday Shrek & Food Network Star!

As you all know, I have a really adorable little brother named George. Well he has started to want to do everything that I do, including wearing my dress up heals. Yes, this is a very proud moment for Daddy! If you want more of George in my shoes, check out the new video posted to the right. It is probably the funniest thing you have seen in a while! Daddy told George to tell him when he was ready to do his first plie!I really love my Daddy! He is still my number one but Mama is starting to make her way back in. Things are becoming more like 65/35 from my end which is good for everyone involved! By the way, I tried to go to the movies for the first time but after Mama finally got me in the theater, they tied up Buzz Lightyear and it pushed me over the edge. I made it about 15 minutes but I got treat treats and popcorn out of it!

Last weekend, when we got out of school, we headed over to Lagrange for Robert's birthday. On the way there, George saw Mama eating some chips so guess who took over the eating for her. He made a mess but it kept him happy. Well, that and 4 boxes of raisins. Guess who did not have any trouble pooping for the next couple of days! On a related note, George will tell you when it is time for a diaper change now!George and I do a great job of keeping each other occupied. We are best friends and I would not have it any other way! We really like to hold hands in the car. It is much easier in Dad's car though! By the way, I can tell you that Nana and Papa live in Tuscaloosa, that I live in Birmingham and that Rob lives in LaGrange.

When we got there, we played, ate and then had Birthday Cake! Rob said that it was Shrek's birthday so that is what the cake said. I really like birthday cake. George is not a big fan of the sweets. We all took turns blowing out the birthday candles. I wonder if those wishes count.

The next day, we decided to stay one more night so that we could have fun with our cousins! We went to the pool but the concrete was really hot so Mama has to bring out the hose. We took turns spraying each other. Papa even got in the pool with us! That morning we ate at IHOP! That night, everyone was wired so we wrestled, jumped and played until way past my bed time!

Rob let me wear his Spiderman outfit. It made me feel really special and big to be like Rob! This is one of Mama's new favorite pictures! It is really funny if you flip it upside down!

We ended the night making a palate on the floor and we all laid down to settle down. Well, except George! He played with the wire block thing for a bit and then he went down a little early. Rob got to lay in the middle the day before so I got to lay in the middle that night! It was a fun weekend and I am glad that Uncle Robert had a great day!

Last Thursday, I spent the night with Mimi and Grandpa for my traditional Thursday night stay so that Mama could study. When I got there after school, Mimi assisted me in making star cookies for our teachers at school. I am really getting good at baking...like My cousin Sarah! I could stir the batter all by myself!

Then we rolled it our and I used the cookie cutter to make lots and lots of stars. It takes technique but I have it down pat. I have practice when it comes to making my peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Mama can't believe how big I look in the pictures. I keep telling her that I am a big girl now!

Then it was time for the most important part, the decorations! We put vanilla frosting on the top and then added colored sprinkles. They were a huge hit at school and our teachers loved them. They do so much for us everyday, it is nice to give them back a little.

There are some baby birds that have hatched right outside their front door. I like to look at them but know not to touch them because if I do, the mama will not come back. We also have to be very quiet around them. I wonder if those are the same birds that sleep in my hair every night.

After dinner, I got in touch with my nature side and did a little nude gardening. I might as well take advantage of it while I still can. Mimi even gave me my bath outside, which was so much fun! It is fun to do things out of the ordinary every once in a while.

All of that playing made me thirsty so I took a quick refreshing drink from the hose. I love the water! I can't wait until next year when I get to take swim lessons! I think that I should have been a fish. When we came inside, I read some books, watched Diego, and sang with Mimi in the rocking chair, but it was still hard for me to go to sleep. I have been wanting to stay up later and later. I got that from my Mama. At least I get to take my books to bed with me!

Lake trip with Owen!

This weekend we were invited to go to the Lake Martin with the Carter's! It only took us a couple of hours drive to get there and I was so excited. This was my first lake experience and who better to share it with than Owen! I was a little apprehensive about getting in the lake at first so Owen shared his Mickey Mouse with me. One of the adults had to hold on tight though because it was like a sail! We also had really cool water guns from Miss Delphine!

Then I thought that I would take the boat for a spin...not really guys! Come on, do you think that they would really let a 2 year old drive the boat by herself! It was really fun the pretend though. I have only been on a boat one other time. It was down in Destin with Aunt Lee and Mark!

Then Owen bailed on and we played pirate ship on the boat. We kept saying Ahoy Matee! As you can see, we have our life preservers on. It is a rule that we have to wear it outside the gate. We did not complain.

Then it was George's turn to board. He loved the lake so it was hard to get him out. He actually bailed off the dock in his inner tube. He feels like such a big kid when he gets to hang out with me and my friends. He is a great tag along.

We went to the marina and to this deserted island and then it was time to head back. Mr Tony let us help him drive! Owen was a great sharer and let me sit with them. In return, I shared my silly bands with everyone!

After nap, we were ready to go again! Owen and George chased each other around the patio, which George thought was so cool! Owen is really sweet to George. He is going to be a great big brother when Sophie arrives! She will be here soon!

Mr Tony's brother and some of his friends got there that afternoon. We sat on the back of their boat for a rest. It was fun to climb on and off!

That night, George tried to get help himself to a cold adult beverage but when he could not provide ID, he was turned down. I told him to get used to it because he still has 20 years until he is of age. He still had fun taking the cans out and dropping them on the floor. I am sure that it made for some interesting can openings later on!

To end the night, I learned how to play hide and go seek and Owen had the coolest hiding place! We could both fit in at the same time! It was really dark in there so I would only keep the door shut for a second. I am so glad that Owen is my best friend!

The next morning, we got up, ate breakfast, packed, cleaned and hit the road. We were really sad to leave so Mr Tony gave us ring pops. That made the departure much easier. This was George's first ring pop and he loved it...made a mess...but loved it! Thank you Carter's for so much fun! We always have a great time with you!

That week was a little bit of a rough transition getting back into the swing of things. It usually is after a really fun weekend. Monday, after school I was watching Diego on the couch and Mama could not resist taking a picture of me. I am growing into such a beautiful little girl everyday!

The next day, George got sick with a fever and so Nana came up to help us out. Mama and Daddy have already been out so much and she is off for the summer so she was happy to help. They had a grand old time and he felt better from all of her TLC.

He ended up staying home for the rest of the week so she stayed for a few days to be with her Georgie. We were very appreciative of all of the help. George loves reading books so they probably read about 1000 pages! Thank you for your help Nana!

He also loves the remote control even though he knows that he is not supposed to play with it. Can't you tell by the look on his face! He knows he is doing something wrong! It is hard not to laugh at his cute little face when he makes that face!

Mama was on call thhis past weekend so I went to spend the night with Nana and George had a boys day with Dad. First, they went to Mimi and Grandpa's to play and then decided that it was time for George to get a trim. He went to a barber shop for the first time where he recieved the royal treatment. He got a capri sun while being pampered! They thought that they might try the shears but George had a different plan. They scared him to death so they were quickly put away. Can you blame him though?

After that whole ordeal, they decided to go for the ordinary scissors and did a great job. George's hair is curly too so it can be quite the challange to make it look perfect! Mimi was there too and we can thank he for the documentation!

We Will Miss you Heidi!

So one of George and my favorite things to do it wrestle each other and wrestle the monkey. We have now figured out a way to do both which makes it double the fun! Mama and Daddy always keep a close eye on us when we get too worked up though because that is how accidents happen!

As you can tell by the look on George's face, the night was just full of fun. George is getting all of his eye teeth right now so it was just nice to see him having a good time instead of fussing all the time! If you can't tell, he LOVES his lovey!
I was a little camera shy but Mama still managed to get some cute pictures. As you can see, I love my loveys too!

The next day, we went to a birthday party at the zoo for one of my school friends, Drew. They let us pet a guinea pig, turtle and iguana. I know all of those animals from Diego! George even got in on the action! We had to watch him though because he wanted to grab them.

We got a VIP ride on the train. I rode with Lucy and Daddy! It was so much fun and I felt so big riding with my friend! After the train, Drew's Daddy saved us, after we ran off from the crowd. I don't know what the big deal is...we just wanted to see the tigers!

Then we got a VIP ride on the carousel. I got to ride with Daddy and again, I chose Baby Jaguar. Everything on the carousel is Baby Jaguar. George and Mama watched and waved because at this point, George was exhausted! It was a really fun birthday party!

The next weekend, we packed up the car and loaded everyone up to head to Tuscaloosa to celebrate July 4th. It was really a fun weekend but sad at the same time. You see, Heidi, our 18.5 year old Dachshund went to Doggie Heaven. It happened very quick and we were glad that she did not suffer long. Mama read me the book about Doggie Heaven and it sound like a wonderful place! We know that she is much happier now but we are still going to miss her. I guess she is up there hanging out with Uncle Frank. Papa is especially taking it really hard so Gretchen stepped up to the plate to make him feel better. I did too with my magic hugs. We love you Skinner's Princess von Heidi...HeedleWeeds...Hootsie...Weedles...so many names!You remember that I mentioned my magic hugs earlier. Well, I don't know what it is about them but they always make Papa feel better no matter the ailment. George tried to give some magic hugs of his own but as far as I am concerned, mine are better. Don't tell George that I said that. It may hurt his feelings but I am just stating the facts as I see them. Papa was just glad that George was giving him the time of day for a change!

When we arrived, Nana and Papa had so many fun new toys for us to play with and Bubbles! I did great with my bubbles. George on the other hand is a different story. He is too little to really understand the concept. He had fun popping the ones that I blew!

Then the Skinner's arrived and I was just thrilled! We all set up our chairs in a circle and had Popsicles in the backyard! We all got to choose our patriotic color. There was a surprise gumball in the too! We each have a different chair and I chose the ladybug. I wonder why the boys didn't want it!
The next morning, after a good breakfast. we all started to get dressed so that we could go to CHOM. Before we left, I thought that Rob and I needed a little snuggle time. I also pointed out that Rob is my cousin like Diego is Dora's cousin. I am so smart!
At CHOM, Mama and Nana had their hands full to say the least. It is completely different when you are outnumbered. Especially when one little red head does not want to cooperated with the group. I won't name any names! Nana had fun being a jungle gym.George was not in the best of moods. If we had it to over again, we would have let him take a morning nap so that he could be refreshed. Instead, he was really tired and cranky. Thank goodness for his lovey and for cheese-its!

Matthew took me for a spin the the old car. He was a pretty good driver. We all did a really good job that day taking turns and sharing. You can tell that we are daycare kids.

CHOM is a amazing because there is so much to do there! Rob went fishing for a little while and caught us a few bass. Of course, we obey the catch and release motto. I wonder if he got his hunting and fishing license renewed before he went. We did not see a game warden.

On the way out we went to the Indian cave and made shell necklaces but rubbing one end on a rock to create an opening. We all wore them home. Nana joined CHOM for the summer and I am really glad because I can't wait to go back! It is the perfect place when it it blazing outside. That afternoon, Weldon and Mama took Rob and me to Indian Hills for a swim. Rob jumped off the diving board and I jumped off the side. It was so much fun and I brought Miss Shannon and Weldon silly bands for letting me be their guest!
The next day, Papa and Robert started smoking the food out in the front yard so that all of us kiddos would not be in the way. They set up camp and just watched the temperature. Sounds kind of boring to me but for some reason they love to do it. They are two peas in a pod!

We had water fun land set up in the back yard and George decided that it was not necessary to wear swim trucks or a swim diaper. I think that he learned his lesson. He could barely walk because it was so full! It was really funny to see his comb-over and fanny crack though!
Then Sha Sha and Weldon came over to join in on the festivities. Matthew and George were obsessed with the cooler so Sha Sha thought that she would try to get the interested in something other that ice. It worked! George loves Capri Suns now!The Mimi, Grandpa and Betsy arrived. They picked Betsy up from the Birmingham Airport on her way back from Zoomba training. This was turning out to be a great day! I love it when we are all together.

Water Fun Land was definitely a hit! We had two slides, two pools and the Dora water spray pad. I showed everyone the ropes since I had already tested everything out. We have no fear!

George liked the smalled pool better that the deeper pool. I think it is because he could climb in and out easily. Nana brought out a lot of kitchen toys for us to play with so it was like we were making baby soup! Matthew and George kept drinking the water so I think that they really thought it was soup!

I thought it was funny to pour water on everyone's head! For some reason they did not like it but I guess you can see why I found it hard to understand! I think it is hysterical! Who knew water could be so much fun!George showed off his surfing skills with us but we really had to watch him on the big slide because he is not afraid of anything. That slide is really fast and he is just a baby. He is learning to climb up on it but can't quite do it himself so we at least have some warning.
While we were all changing out of out bathing suits, Betsy took some time to show us all what Zoomba is. It looks like a lot of fun and when Mama has some spare time, she is going to try to find a class to go to. It will not be until December though!

Betsy had the incredible shirts made for all of us that had out names on them. We all looked so cute and festive in our matching shirts! We made some really cute pictures for everyone. George was not really into the whole hand holding thing at first. I think it is really cute how Matthew and George really match!

Then we took off running and jumping! We are some really cute babies if I do say so myself! We have so much fun together and I am glad that we are all so close in age!
While they were getting our dinner ready, Grandpa occupied George with a little This is the way. It had been a big day and we had all worked up a huge appetite!

George tried corn on the cob for the first time and loved it! He could not quite get the concept down at first but once he figured it out, it was devoured! Mama had never thought to give us corn on the cob but now knows that we love it!

Like me when I was his age, George is not really sure about Uncle Robert. He freezes like a deer in headlights when he is around him. We had a break though this weekend though. George let Robert hold him. He still had a deer in headlights look but at least he didn't cry. One day, he will grow to love him...look at me!

During dinner, we all at at the kids table in the living room next to the adult table. Sha Sha brought over the really cute plates that were different animal faces and ears that were a huge hit. We all ate really well and had a blast doing it. This was the best weekend and I was sad when it was over but it gives me something to look forward to when we can all get together again! Until next time...