Regan cut out the ear's herself. Her cutting skills have come a long way.

I am still trying to perfect getting Regan and Addison to smile at the camera at the same time.

We are officially groupies of Regan's music teacher. We went to an event today that she was performing at. There was no Easter Bunny, so it was much more fun for Addison. I used up all of my energy at the event, and that was with sitting a lot! But it was a lot of fun for the kids, so I'm glad I went. I even put on makeup. : ) I'm still not able to fix my hair. I'm hoping next week all of my restrictions will come to an end. We'll see.

Easter Part 2

Matt took the girls to some of our friend's club this morning to visit with the Easter Bunny. I think Regan had fun, but Addison stayed glued to Matt's hip. I stayed home to rest up for afternoon activities.

Swimmer's

My girl's new favorite thing is to wear swimsuits all of the time. They either have "ballet class" or they put on goggles and make a swimming pool out of blankets. The other night Addison wore her goggles all through dinner. I think she looks hilarious in them, so I was glad to snap a picture of her with them today. The downside of my new fancy camera is I can miss the shot taking so long to set up my camera. The upside is I am able to get more shots of Addison actually looking at the camera and smiling because I can hold the focus and snap it when she finally decides to look my way. It's nice having a camera that has very little delay.

Tea Party

Regan is a huge fan of parties. She is always planning them. Making invitations. More often than not it is a tea party. Today she had a list of invitees (human and dolls). Unfortunately, the humans couldn't make it. Fortunately, the dolls were happy to.

Painting

They eventually painted their hands and Regan made hand prints while Addison just wanted her's washed.

Easter Egg Hunt

Matt and Aunt Carla took the girls to an Easter Egg Hunt this weekend. The girls seemed to have had a good time. Every picture I have of Addison she is either eating candy or talking to a baby, which for her is a really good time. Although, now anytime the Easter Bunny is mentioned Addison starts crying. Regan was talking today about how the Easter Bunny was coming to our house and Addison started crying. She said that she doesn't want him to come to our house. Regan told her that she does want him to come to our house because he brings presents. Addison was not sold. Tonight I was talking to a friend on the phone and Addison wanted to talk and as I was handing her the phone Regan put on some easter bunny ears that we have had since she was a baby and said... the easter bunny is here. Addison started crying and was looking around nervously and wouldn't take the phone. It took me a second to put two and two together as I was talking to one of my friends that she really likes and I was confused as to why she would cry when I was giving her what she wanted. So now Regan tells her that the Easter Bunny is just coming for her. She even knows that it is next Sunday. You can't get anything by these kids today. That satisfies Addison a little. Hopefully, she won't cry when she wakes up and finds a basket left for her by the Easter Bunny. I don't think she will.

Zoo

I'm sorry I am just now posting these pictures; but as most (or all of you) know, I recently had surgery. We went to New Orleans last weekend to have a last little get away. Also, my cousin's wife was in a (very funny) play and my Aunt was in town for a conference. So, my aunt and I met up with my cousin to see his wife in the play that she was in. Did you get all of that? It was a very fun and much needed weekend. I was having a lot of anxiety the Thursday and Friday before we went, so it was nice to hang out with family and have a few laughs on Friday night. We went with the Phil Manning's to the zoo on Saturday. And it really was the perfect day for the zoo. The zoo can be hard, because if the weather is to hot or to cold it can be miserable (especially if it is to hot, which is normally the case). It was supposed to rain that day, but instead was a beautiful day with perfect weather. God was smiling down on us that day. It was a much needed family day. That night we went to dinner with Phil and Georgina at one of our favorite restaurants. Regan was supposed to play her last game of soccer on Sunday, but her allergies were acting up and she was starting to wheeze so we took a leisurly drive back home instead of rushing back for her game. She actually wanted to go to her game (surprisingly) because she somehow ended up with someone else's ball (which looks exactly like her's, but with someone else's name on it) and she wanted her ball back. All I can say is, it's just her personality. Somehow we convinced her that we would eventually get her ball back. And she was satisfied.

Pajama Party

Regan's school had a pajama party tonight and it was so cute! I am so mad at myself, because once again I forgot my camera. But luckily I had friends who took pictures for me.

The pictures make it look like there weren't a lot of kids, but actually it was pretty packed. They must of all been getting milk and cookies when these pictures were taken. The kid's and the teacher's all dressed up in pajamas. They gave out milk and cookies and the music teacher sang her songs. It was really adorable. The kids loved it. I didn't know how Addison would do, but she was in the mix dancing her heart out. There were even some bigger kids that were playing with her. And some kids from her class (who have older siblings at Regan's school) that she was dancing with. Of course, Regan LOVES a party. Especially a party with a theme, so you know she had fun. A good time was had by all! It's these kinds of things that make me really love Regan's school.

Race for the Cure

Matt and I ran the race for the cure yesterday. Our friend's Mike and Katy were kind enough to babysit for us. We were very nervous about how Addison would do. She has not been liking strangers or men lately. We had them over for dinner on Wednesday and Addison cried the whole time. Thursday and Friday I talked with her a lot about being nice to them and not crying. Thankfully, it seemed to have payed off. We came home and Katy was inside with Regan while Addison was outside playing with Mike. Needless to say, we were very relieved!

Thanks again Mike and Katy!!!

New York, New York!

Regan and I recently took a quick trip to to NYC. I have been wanting to take Regan to see The Little Mermaid on Broadway since it came to Broadway. I found really cheap airline tickets and Regan had a day off from school and away we went. When we were on the plane the flight attendant gave her some wings. He was talking to her about how he was giving them to her because she was such a good flyer. When he walked away she said "Mommy, does he KNOW me?" When I reiterated to her that he was giving her wings because she was a good flyer she said "Well, I was a good flyer before he gave them to me." She was very excited about the wings, but mostly because they were shiny. It was a nice trip, but I think a little overwhelming for Regan. She kept commenting about how all of the buildings were tall. And seeing as she hasn't been on a trip with just me since she was 18 months old and she is very much a home body... she really missed her dad. I think she also missed Addison, but she would NEVER admit to it. Neither one of my children are like me. You mention the word go and I was sitting next to the door with my bag packed. We went to FAO Schwartz, the Central Park Zoo, The Children's Museum of Manhattan, Little Mermaid, and The American Girl Place. Her favorite was The American Girl Place. Before she went all she talked about was going to the Central Park Zoo and seeing Alex the Lion (Madagascar). Of course, Alex the Lion wasn't there... but she didn't seem TO disappointed.

At The American Girl Place we had her doll, Kaylee's, hair done. Then I let her pick out a new outfit for Kaylee and then it was on to lunch. The lunch was so cute! They have a chair that hooks onto the table and they give the doll a mini cup and saucer. The food was good. Even Regan ate it. There was a little girl sitting next to us who was visiting her aunt. She was having a birthday party with her aunt and her aunt's mother and gave a party favor to Regan.

The Little Mermaid Musical was her second favorite. It was a little long (2 hours) and they changed some parts, but she liked it. When it was over she said "I guess they didn't know how it goes."

Meredith was able to join us for Saturday and part of Sunday and we were very happy to see her. : )

Released!

Addison has been released from Speech Therapy! We are very excited.

Backyard Picnic

Weekend Guest

We will have our guest for another night. They can't get her little sister's oxygen levels up to an acceptable level. Other than Regan not sleeping very well last night, it has gone pretty well. All of the girls have played really well together. I'm starting to think I should have a weekend guest every weekend. There has been little to no fighting and the kids have entertained themselves. Matt took the pictures above.... they were having a "dance party." Regan's new favorite party to have.

Zoo

We took the girl's to the zoo and met up with some friends this morning. One of our friend's little girls (who is about 6 months older than Addison) was hospitalized yesterday for low oxygen levels. They think that she has pnemonia. So, my friend dropped her older one off to one of our other friend's this morning and we all went to the zoo. I brought the little girl home from the zoo (she's very good friends with Regan) and she is going to spend the night with us as it looks like her little sister is going to be in the hospital another night.

Bach Lunch

Addison and I went to Bach Lunch today. I used to take Regan when she was this age. It's held downtown in a little park every Friday in the Spring. They have different bands come perform and local restaurants sell lunch for $6. Unfortunately I forgot my camera, but fortunately my friend brought hers.

I just have to say that...I have come so far... or gone backwards... however you want to look at it. Because I never would have let Regan play in the fountain in her clothes and I certainly wouldn't have let her run around in just a diaper in public. My friend who had two before I did always used to tell me that you let a lot go when you have two. I never believed her, but I certainly do now. Afterwards, her friend Emory was kind enough to let her borrow a t-shirt. The shirt says "baseball player." I told her that she would make her father very happy with that shirt.

Conversations that actually happened...

Scene: Me fixing Regan's hair in the morning.
Regan: (singing jesus loves me... finishes singing)
Me: You are a good singer
Regan: (very serious) That's because I'm getting prettier


Scene: Manning family eating dinner at the dinner table
Addison: (putting bites in her mouth with a fork) I put a bite in my mouth
Me: Good Job
Addison: (continuing to eat) Take a picture of me putting a bite in my mouth.
Me: (having no intention of moving from my food) Okay
After a few minutes... Addison: Where's your camera?

It starts so young....

They can't be comfortable (they were originally Regan's) and they are definitely hard to walk in (they have hard soles), but Addison loves these shoes. She has insisted on wearing them all weekend.

We have been playing a lot of hullabaloo this weekend. Addison has done pretty well, considering she is only 2. She is very confident in her abilities and every time Regan won and exclaimed that she won... Addison would say.. I win! Regan, of course, let her know that she didn't really win... but Addison was undeterred. And even when she stopped playing and was sitting on the couch... when the machine would proclaim the winner... Addison would say happily... I'm the winner!