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the latest, which includes horse riding!

Well, we have been going, going, going! Nora has been pretty busy this summer which is really fun. Along with her dance class, she is taking a sports class. This allows the little tykes some exposure to a bunch of different sports. I am not as thrilled with this class as the dance class. Quite frankly, I think I can teach it just as well. I am not tooting my own horn. It's just that, there is not a whole lot of structure to the class and they started the first class with GOLF. I mean, come on-GOLF? Wouldn't you start a sports class for 2 year olds with something like basketball, or soccer, or a sport that involves a ball larger than a child's fist? Anyway, Nora enjoyed parts of the class. She totally liked the beginning which was singing "Head, shoulders, knees, and toes". She was an ace at that. :) (oh, she is the one with the big puffy "mini mouse" ears)
She still loves her dance class. And, she participated much better the second class.
We had a little party for her 2nd birthday at the splash park near our house. SHE LOVES the splash park! We made little bags with all the kiddo's names on them and put their lunches in the bag. We included buckets too so they could use them in the water or sand. This worked out well because then the kids could just take a break when they needed it instead of all sitting down at the same time (which we know does not happen with 2 year olds) :)
Having fun with a couple of her friends...
Last weekend we went strawberry picking. I LOVED it. Nora enjoyed 2 buckets worth and then was ready for a break. It was really nice to be out in the fields and feel like you worked a bit for the food we enjoyed. I could definitely do that more often. We made one awesome strawberry pie. The rest of the berries are in our freezer. I need to do something with them.

Later that day, TJ wanted to wash the car and Nora decided she wanted to help. It started off quite well...But, turned into a really fun outside session of hair washing.
This weekend, we took Nora to visit horses...again.
However, unlike our many trips to the nearby equestrian center, Nora was able to have some special time with a perfect Nora-sized PONY! This is actually a friend of T.J's sons' pony. His friend has twin boys that are almost 3. They are much more interested in their John Deer Tractors then this precious pony so Nora got plenty of one on one time with the guy.
The pride Nora expressed on her face when she was able to feed, walk, and ride the fellow was wonderful to see. She had so much fun.

The pony's name is Ranger. He is such a tolerant guy.
Nora's very first "riding lesson", I guess! This can be an expensive interest.
She's a natural! :)

A video from Nora's first dance class.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXxCRsY9SkA

Here's the video from her dance class. There are only 4 classes, so we will see how things go by next Wednesday. In any event, she is having fun!

Summer fun begins!

Summer Fun has BEGUN!!! I have been loving every moment being home with this little nugget of ours. From the moment she wakes up in the morning,until we are snuggling with books before she goes to sleep, Nora keeps us entertained and we realize how much she learns every single day. I can't help but feel that I miss so much of that when I am at work. Good or bad, I miss it and I love that I have this time to "catch up".
So, we have been busy already this summer. Nora started her first class today. It is called "Tiny Toes" and it's a dance class for 2 -3 year olds. She absolutely LOVED it. However, she was not the most attentive child in class.
She began by just observing, then joined the class, then had a grand ol' time doing her OWN thing. YIKES! Here are some pics...
Observing.
Joining the class.
This sums it up...the remainder of the class, she was pretty much at one end of the room while everyone else was at the other. hmmmm?
She is in a sports class tomorrow called "Little Rookies". We shall see if she takes after her mommy and performs better at sports then dance. Although, I think dance class is so darn adorable.

This past weekend, we went to the zoo and we all had a great time. She loved the dolphins, seals, and camel with "two bumps mom", as seen below...
Then she helped me cook a banana cake. It was seriously the best cake I've made in a long time. I highly recommend using coconut oil instead of other oils or shortening when baking...delicious! And, I must say, Nora really did a nice job helping!
We also play a GREAT deal of hide and seek lately. She is becoming much more adventurous in her hiding spots...Do you see her???
She is counting much better lately. Although, there are times she still counts "2, 6. 8. 10 11. 8" But, a good portion of the time she counts to 12 correctly.
She cracked me up the other day when I put piggy tails in her hair. On her own she said "Minnie Mouse". So, I assume she thinks the piggy tails look like Minnie Mouse. I then said, "If you are Minnie Mouse, who is mommy". she replied.."Goofy!" Real nice.
She has also been saying "sorry" all the time. Appropriately too. Hmm, wonder where she gets that from? :)
And, she loves pointing out when things are upside down. She has to take naps with at least 3 books in her crib, and she shows a great deal of expression when going to the bathroom on the potty. (hysterical).

Big 2 year old!

Just have to post this for future reference...
Last night-Nora spelled her name totally on her own! Many nights I spell Nora's name on her tummy with the lotion we are trying to rub into her sensative skin. She typically says a few letters on her own. But last night, she did the WHOLE thing by herself! She is getting so big!

She talks ALL day long, sings more than any other 2 year old I know, then again, I don't spend entire days with any other 2 year old, and is beginning to push her limits. She is a girl that KNOWS what she wants lately. And, she talks with her hands like an old Italian lady.

Tonight, she walked away from the table and after shouting out the window to some kids playing outside, came back to give me a high five and said "awesome". Where did she pick that one up?

So, I have 2 more days of school, I mean work...YIPPEE! And then, big summer plans...
~clean out spare bedroom and make it a cute little toddlers room (finding space for all the stuff will be an issue)
~ Have a garage sale (per T.J.'s desperate request)
~ work with Nora on sleeping in her new room (eek)
~ potty training
~ venture of to some fun places
~go on many bike rides
~ get a double stroller (any suggestions out there?)
~ learn how to use my sewing/embroidery machine
~plan my sister's bachlorette party
~ enjoy every little moment being at home!