Morgan Moo

Today's post is all about this little cutie:




I've learned in my (almost) seven years as a parent that children go through lots of phases.    My favorite are what I call the 'cute phases', and Morgan is going through one right now.  I'm mean, look at her!


I took her to the park with Grace and Taylor last week.  She loved it!


For some reason, she's lost her confidence on the slide and ends up going down like this.




I think part of what's making her so adorable right now is her deep desire to be a big kid, like her sister. (Notice the pony tail holders on her wrist?)




In her eyes, Taylor is amazingly talented.  (I'd have to agree with that!)


Morgan relishes any time she gets to interact with the big girls.


On Friday, I let her help out in the kitchen for the first time.


My favorite was when she grabbed an egg and threw it in the bowl!


She absolutely loved this.  I'm not sure why I haven't let her help before.  I remember a time when Taylor assisted me in every. single. meal.  It always took more time and more clean up, but I encouraged it and will again with Morgan.


This is what she was helping to make.


Yep, we finally held Morgan's two-year birthday party.  Taylor was in charge of games and created a pin-the-wing-on the butterfly game.  Here she is checking to see if Charlie can see through his blindfold. (There's another finger raised, you just can't see it!)




Then it was Morgan's turn.


Look how excited Taylor gets for her.  I love it!



It took awhile before Morgan understood that she was the guest of honor.  I think it began to sink in when I placed the cake in front of her.


However, she was little surprised when everyone started singing to her.  Good thing big sister was there to reassure her.


I adore this photo.  The look in her eye is so priceless.


We take a family photo at every child's birthday party (much to Mark's dismay).  I'm actually quite fond of this one even if they aren't all smiling like angels.


"Are you two morgan?"




Morgan did a great job opening her presents.  What's more, she hugged and thanked every person after opening their present to her.




Aunt Jan and Cousin Alison gave her this adorable little chef's hat and apron.  As you can see from the previous photo, she needed one (she was wearing Charlie's that he decorated when he was two.  It's always reminded me of a butcher's apron!)  Here she is smiling for Alison's camera.  A new skill she's acquired.


She also got a phone and car keys so she can be just like mom.


Before Grandpa left, we got all the grandkids to pose for a quick shot.


If you follow my 365 project you already know the story behind the next photo.  Our newest nightly ritual involves putting Morgan in bed with Taylor while we sing a lullaby.  Sometimes just I sing, sometimes me and Taylor, and other times all three of our voices intertwine in the sweetest sound you've ever heard.  Then we say our prayers, and finish off with a Morgan sandwich.  Life is good :)


Morgan is now a permanent fixture at our table and I'm getting ready to say goodbye to the old high chair.  (sniff, sniff)


Well there you have it. Without a doubt, Morgan is smack dab in the middle of a very cute phase.  In case you need further proof, here she is enjoying an ice cream cone with Daddy.  I mean, come on...

Good Times

What a fun weekend.  We had a St. Michael's reunion weekend.  That's right.  A grade school reunion.  Not just a reunion, but a two day event.  Mark and I were in the same class with the same 35 children for eight years.  It was a very special experience to grow up together with the same group of kids.  This summer marked 20 years since we parted ways and embarked on the world of high school.  We gathered together last Saturday night for an adult-only gathering to catch up and celebrate.


This was followed by a family picnic at Gower Park (the park where we used to hold school events).




This reunion was my brain child.  My favorite part was the three legged race.  Mark and Charlie won, but only because he dragged him across the finish line!



As exciting as the weekend was, Monday actually topped it for me.  All summer Taylor has been taking swim lessons.  Although she's making a lot of progress, there are still some tasks that freeze her in her tracks.  One of those is jumping into the pool.  So I decided to teach her a mantra.  I asked her to do me a favor.  Whenever her teacher asked her to do something that made her scared or nervous I asked her to say to herself "I can do this".  She was skeptical, telling me she'd do it 'but if it doesn't work, I'm not doing it next week.  Well, guess what folks.


It worked!  At least that was her report after jumping in the pool multiple times.  I was a very proud mama.


I wasn't the only proud one.


Tuesdays were somewhat of a sacred day this summer.  We never scheduled anything on Tuesdays and enjoyed the lazy feeling of not needing to rush anywhere.  This past Tuesday was no different.  In fact, the kids did not want to leave the house at all.  That is until their Aunt Jessica called with an invitation to a picnic dinner at the park.




Morgan loves the swings!


Speaking of Morgan, she started something cute.  She now likes to slurp her yogurt (or applesauce) off the spoon.  It's actually much less messy that way.


We are also trying to teach her how to wink.  She usually ends up looking like a pirate.




Today marked one week until Taylor goes back to school.  We are still working at checking off more of our summer wishlist.  This included a sleepover with Grace.  Check.


It also included a tea party.  Taylor has a Fancy Nancy book about tea parties.  It's complete with recipes, theme ideas and decorations.  She and Grace schemed for 20 minutes on the phone yesterday about their Tea of Two.  It was to have a nature theme.  They made lady bug cookies, watermelon shaped like flowers and animals, ants on a log and pink lemonade.


They also made their own tent in Taylor's room where it was to take place.


I was very impressed with their creativity and the way they followed through on every one of their ideas with very little help needed from me.


Tea Party. Check.