Columbus Day with Dad

The advantage to working with the Federal Government are these random holidays. So James got Columbus Day off work. And we enjoyed having him home! 

Lydia I am sure talking her Dad into something amazing! 

We discovered a super cool natural play space. Lydia LOVED the water features (in the cold rain!). There were tons of other activities but really in our world the water was amazing! And yes, I am HOT all the time and did not realize until later that Lydia was not dressed for the season at all. And James, well he is from Minnesota and 50's and rain equal short weather in his brain! 

Pumpkin Carving

Lydia has a great dislike for the guts of the pumpkin. And maybe her parents did chase her around the porch with pumpkin guts ;) 

Doesn't that just scream "chase me with pumpkin guts"????

Glorious Special Day!

Some days you just don't get out of your PJ's! (Yes, we did brush her teeth and comb her hair!!!!). Lydia was needing a special day with her "Daddy". SO she got a special day with her Daddy. Donuts for breakfast. Maxed out her screen time by 9AM. Long bike ride. A trip to the library. Picnic on the porch. 

Did I mention this was a perfect Lydia day??? 

She wears her helmet all day lately! 

One brown shoe and one purple shoe ofcourse on the wrong feet! Socks pulled up really high. 

Playing with her Fun noodles in the back yard. 

The smile says it all! 

Close up of the shoes! 

Dad!

Lydia's New Favorite Game - Fun Noodle WARS! 

Oh, the things that Dad lets his little girl do that Mom would never dream of doing ! 

Apparently playing with the Kindle is WAY more fun under a blanket. If only I had taken a video so you could have heard A. the little girl bossing her Dad around B. Dad obeying C.the giggles from both Dad and Daughter! 

Saturday Morning with Dad

Cuddles with Dad are the BEST! Isn't it great how obedient James is and lovingly holds baby doll Faith ;)

Daddy Daughter Date

 Lydia ADORES her Dad. And loves Chick-fil-A. (Sometimes I wonder if she just puts up with Mom and Dad so she can get to Chick-fil-A!). So a Daddy Daughter Date at Chick-fil-A was a much anticipated event at our house.

 Lydia planned her outfit atleast a week before hand. The outfit changed multiple times but let's say that the anticipation of this event was as great as the actual event.

Twirly Puppy Dog Dress, Beads, and a Sun Hat! Seriously could there be a better outfit than that!!!!

We had some shoe decisions... Which shoes should I wear???

Quick Picture while holding her invitation

"Please can we go now???"

Both Lydia and James seemed to have fun. Lydia's favorite part of the evening was apparently the Sundae bar. The princess Cow has been discussed allot. The picture frame with picture of Lydia and her dad has been prominently displayed in her room and is gazed at often!

Sweet Times with Dad

I LOVE DADDY!

So after Lydia spent the afternoon crying because her outside toys were wet, upset that I wasn't playing with her RIGHT, refusing to eat dinner (chick-fil-A was apparently on her menu for the evening), a meltdown, she sweetly goes to her room and puts on her "I Love My Daddy" shirt and gives me a smug look!

I was already a bit envious of James who got to sit in a chair today, go out to lunch, and need I mention the 20 minute drive home in silence BUT now the child is plastered with a shirt that says "I LOVE DADDY"???

Gender Neutral Toys

James has been wanting Lydia to have "boy toys". He is having a hard time playing babies and kitchen for hours and hours and hours.

I found Lydia a tool box. It was a good price and a boy toy so I bought it.

"Ok Dad. I think we can handle this tool thing". 

"Really, Dad. Isn't there an easier way? I might mess up my curls."

"Be right back Dad. The baby dolls need to be fed."

Really at heart James is still a little boy. And Lydia is a very girly girl. James is back to teaching Lydia how to play boy toys and spending the majority of his play time dressing baby dolls!

Last Burst of Energy Before Bed

Some things never change. And Lydia's energy level before bed is through the roof! Not sure if she is getting tired and must be active in order to stay awake or the delight at getting to play with Dad. But something occurs and we have a very happy, giggly, full of energy little girl (and DAD!) running through the house. 

Ball, couch, Dad, and a desire to climb the ball. Recipe for disaster or allot of fun ;) 

Who will get the ball first???

Catching their breath

Flips! 

The great part about this game - after a before bed ball session with Dad we do not hear a single peep out of this little girl all night! 

Pictures from the Week...

Life is busy right now, so the overview!

Movie Night with Dad (moral of the story - movie night with a 20 minute movie and popcorn is PERFECT!)

Yes, Lydia you need to keep your dress down!

Probably up to no good in the pantry with dad... 

Look at all those teeth!!!!!!

My play dough experiment that made TONS of play dough!

Another 70 degree day in December...

I Think We Have Our Hands Full...

This weekend I got Lydia out some play clothes. Cute but play clothes. Clothes a child could go to story time in, roll on the floor, jump in, crawl through the room, and basically be a comfy and cozy one year old in. Well, Lydia came to her bedroom, took a look at this outfit, and shook her little head. Well, being that it was Saturday morning and we were in no rush at all (the child takes FOREVER to pick out her own clothes!) I let her pick out her own clothes.

After she had selected the cute dress, appropriate tights, and a beautiful bow down she runs to present herself to dad. The little princess then spins for her dad, claps her little hands, and waits for the applause. (Life is good as a one year old!).

I think we have our hands full with this little one!

Presenting Our self to Dad

Off to Story time (notice baby in hand!)

"Hurry up! I will miss the fun."

The sad part of this is Lydia was dressed up and James and I were wearing sweat shirts and jeans. I am sure people wondered why I made our child get so dressed up when we were sooooooo casual!