Our little dolphin

The weather here has been really hot. It has been in the upper 80's to lower 90's for about two weeks now. On Sunday we got a special invite to a cousin's house who had a pool. Maya had a blast! She had such a wonderful time playing with cousin Rileigh, daddy and Papa. Since I wasn't able to swim due to a stress fracture in my foot, my job was to take pictures.

Lately, shadows are very interesting to Maya. When she realized that she saw her shadow on the deck, she waved her hand and said, "funny shadow wave hand."

Maya kicking with daddy.

Our cousin's dog buddy, loved getting the pool. Maya had a great time watching buddy jump in and swim to the other side. When he jumped in, she said, "more doggy swim in pool." She also immediately wanted to be held! I didn't blame her, I wouldn't want a big dog swimming towards me either!

Papa, Maya and Rileigh watching the dog run around the perimeter of the pool.

Rileigh and Stewart goofing off in the deep end of the pool.

Stewart getting ready to throw Rileigh into the water.

Ready......set......go!

Papa and Maya having a heart to heart talk about swimming.

Maya swimming (floating) on her back with the help of Papa.

Maya swimming on her tummy.

"Let go Papa!"

Maya taking a break from working so hard in the pool. She loved riding in her cousin's little police car floatation.

"Beep, beep!"

It has been many months since Maya finished her swim lessons. We really weren't sure how she would react to the water. Even though she forgot some swimming techniques, we were happy that she wasn't afraid to go in. When it was time for her to get out, because her lips were blue, she threw a fit. We hope to get her back in the pool soon, because she had a fantastic time.

Thanks daddy and papa for all your help with Maya in the pool!

Camping

Just the other day an image of one of my favorite childhood activities popped into my head, CAMPING. I remember going many times each summer with my family. I loved it; helping set up the tent, preparing meals (one of my favorites was making omelets in foil, making banana boats, starting bon fires, roasting marsh mellows, sitting in lawn chairs singing songs late into the night, taking showers with my flip flops on, taking a raft out, and going water skiing on the lake. The list could go on and on.

Well....it just so happens that the other day, my friend Lindsay and I took the kids to the Children's Museum where they had an exhibit on camping. The three of them had a hay day playing with all the camping gear. After taking a bunch of pictures, it was very clear what would happen if she went camping with Henry and Elliot now. Take a look for yourself....

After the three of them set up camp, Maya would probably take a few minutes and have a snack. One of her favorite lines these days is "more snacks."

Then Henry would probably be thirsty, so why not make a whole pot of something hot to drink. Since Lindsay's kids always see her drinking coffee, it would probably be coffee.

Maya would probably be the first one to try it. I'm sure that her response would be "good." Her response to everything these days is good!

When it would be time to prepare a meal, Henry and Maya would plan it very carefully.

They play so well together, that I am sure that it would be a team effort. Whatever one is doing the other one is not far behind.

Speaking of working together and team effort...has anyone seen Elliot?

Oh here he is! Yep....that's right. RELAXING on a hammock!

Henry would then be cooking the food by the campfire. We would just need to give him a quick lesson that pots don't have to be IN the fire, just close by!

But the biggest decision would be who gets to sleep in the tent?? Everyone during the day can play in the tent, but at bedtime, girls sleep with girls and boys sleep with boys. So, I guess that if the three of them really did go camping that we would need another tent!

Maya and Henry resting in the tent.

Maya and Elliot playing in the tent.

Stewart and I can't wait until she is a little older and we can go camping as a family. It would be great to make it a summer family tradition.

Thanks Lindsay for a great play date. Looking forward in seeing and playing with you soon!

My grandparents came to visit

Dear Grandma Grace and Zadie,

I just wanted to tell you that I miss you guys so much. Last week at this time you were here and now you are back home. We were so busy and our time together went so fast! Where did the week go? I guess time flies when you are having fun? Talking on the phone is nice, and I love hearing your voices, but I just wanted to say that I miss you. I miss playing with you, having you read to me, going to parks with you, I miss our wonderful time at the beach, and getting spoiled by you. But, the two things that I miss the most are your hugs and kisses. Doing Skype and talking on the phone helps, but I miss seeing you in person.

Here are a few pictures that mom and dad took of us together.

On the big girl swing.

Zadie pushing me. When I wanted Zadie to push me more, I would say, "more push please."

Of course, I had to do some hanging from the bars.

"More push Maya, Zadie!"

"Grandma Grace right there." "Mommy, push Grandma Grace please."

Playing peek a boo with Grandma Grace and Zadie.

Swinging on the bench swing at home.

Zadie reading me a Dr. Seuss book.

Watching the fire works.

I hope that it won't be long until you come back to visit.

It is really late now and mommy and daddy would be upset if they knew I was still up. I'm off to bed, so goodnight and g-d bless.

Maya

What is it?

Lately, there is just something so different about Maya. Some people have said it is the new hair style (piggy tails), other people say it is her height, others tell me it is her wonderful vocabulary, others say it is the way I dress her. Whatever it might be, let me tell you that our little girl is growing up and growing up FAST. The truth is, our little Maya isn't a baby anymore, but an amazing toddler!

The other day, we went to a really fun school playground and she and I had the best time together.We always have a great time together, but for some reason, this time was different...

It was so fun to see her get on and off this bus. When she went in and sat down, she said, "bye bye mommy." OMG, i was thinking to myself, it really won't be long until she gets on a "real" school bus for school!

Of course, you can't forget that she loves bark chips! A good day at a playground wouldn't be complete without putting bark chips in or on something.

When she was all done hanging out in the bus, she said, "all done bus." Even though she looks so serious, it is a great picture of her piggy tails.

This is her newest trick....she loves hanging from bars. Daddy helps her hang from really tall bars, and I always find "ones that will work, you know, ones that are not too tall!" I think this is a really cute picture of her; the diaper showing, her belly button, and having her head back.

Her strength is amazing! After she got down, she said, "more bars" and pulled herself up again.

She is definitely NOT afraid of heights! She had never seen or been on this and when she saw it, she said, "up here?" As she took two steps up, she said, "momma up?" Of course, I was right behind her.

She was so proud of herself!

After she climbed up, she went down the "big girl slide." She climbed up and went down the slide at least eight times. I was exhausted just watching her!

Maya thought it was funny that these go around in circles. She saw some big kids stand on these, but when I told her that she was too small, she looked at me, and said, "Maya's turn." I watched what she was going to do. Sure enough, she sat on one of the seats and fell off. She got up and then started doing this.

She was very interested that the other one was moving too.

Then Maya started to push faster. After a few minutes, she walked away and said, "Maya done." I bet her arms were tired!

This was one of my favorite pictures..we went down a slide together and I took this picture as I followed her down.

We love this face...

Now Maya can get on these little rocking animals all by herself. When she wants to get up, she says, "Maya up" and when she wants to get off, she will say, "Maya down."

If you look closely, you can see Maya's legs behind the rock wall. I was watching her to see where she was running to and she ended up here. I said, "where is Maya?" and she replied back, "here momma." I said, "where, I don't see you?"

Maya peeked around the corner and said, "here momma!"

It was now time for the "big kids toys!" I was so nervous in letting her climb all the way up to the top of the structure by herself (at the top it is open, which I am always afraid that she might not watch where she is going and accidently fall off). But for some reason today, I just felt like she could do it without me being right behind her.

As she was climbing, I heard her saying, "Maya up, be careful."

Getting ready to come down. As soon as she sat down, I heard her say, "ok, ready, set, go."

On her way down. I was so relieved at this point!

Check out her adorable face!

When she got off the slide, she said, "ta da, Maya good job."

As she came running over to the bench she said, "more snacks." She was one tired, and hungry girl.

When it was time to leave, I said, "let's go." She turned around and said, "Maya walk on balance beam." The whole way back to the car, Maya walked along the curb (aka-balance beam). It took a little longer, but Maya was happy. I have learned that if Maya is happy, then I am too!

After watching Maya today, I have come to some conclusions of my own....What I have learned is that Maya IS growing up and is a very happy, curious and adventuresome individual who loves to play hard, explore and experiment. She loves to watch and then imitate other children and is certainly NOT afraid of trying something new!