Tutus, Leotards and our trip to the Ozarks

When Maya was about 6 months old I saw a picture of a baby with a tutu on and instantly had to have one for Maya - one problem - she has been terrified of it ever since. She would scream, run, crawl, whatever she could do to get me to give up on the hopes of putting it on her. So Niki, Daddy and I were playing with Maya in her room last week and we asked (like always) if she wanted to put it on and to my total surprise she said YES. She loved it!!! She was jumping around like crazy on her bed and thought it was pretty cool. Here is a picture from my cell phone as I didn't want to run downstairs to get the camera for fear she would take it off.

Maya started taking gymnastics earlier this year and has continued through the summer. The class is a parent/child class that lasts 30 minutes. Daddy usually participates in the class with her as that is who she requests (we ask her "do you want mommy or daddy to do gymnastics with you" and her answer is always "daddy"). She does great for about 80% of the class, listens well, does the activities, etc - however for that other 20% she is either crying, sitting in time out or just totally not engaged at all. She seems to really enjoy it and asks all the time when she gets to go so hopefully her attention span extends in the near future. Again cell phone pictures as I had no idea where the camera was. :)

Cheezzy Maya

Last weekend we went to the Ozarks with the Schott family (Ashley, Andrew, Cole and Ella). We left Des Moines around 4pm on Friday and got to the house around 930 or so. A long time for Maya to sit in the car after a busy day at daycare and an even longer time for two 15month olds to sit (Cole & Ella). We arrived at the house and it was way past the kids bedtime, however, they were wide awake. We tried to put Maya to bed countless times, however, she has now learned how to open doors that have handles and how to climb out of her pack and play. Around 11 I finally gave up on the idea of relaxing with a drink on the patio, and went to bed with Maya.

Saturday we swam in the pool, Cole & Ella went on the seadoos with Andrew (they had a blast), we made some delicious dinner and just relaxed. The kids had a great time swimming in the pool!!! Ella loved to hold all the balls at once, while Cole enjoyed playing in the fountain and jumping into the pool. Maya swam with a life jacket by herself for the first time and thought that was pretty cool. She is such a big girl.

Sunday we woke up, went for a swim, and then headed home. We were home by 6 so that was nice. It was a short trip, but overall we had a great time and cant wait for the next time we get to enjoy the Ozarks.

(Pictures of the Ozarks trip to come shortly - as I forgot my camera - so we will have to "borrow" some of the ones Ashley took)