one last conneaut post

This is my first full week of being "back to work."

While the start up to the school year is generally pretty gradual, it is still a bit of a shock ...  So, I find that my mind is constantly wandering back to the lake.

Much like Pearl did every day that we were there ...

Bathing suit: Osh Kosh B'gosh (thrifted for $1.50)

She and the small "beach" were inseparable.

I wish (my) summer didn't have to end so soon!

baby bear (gets bigger)

Last summer at the lake, I took a photo of Pearl in a white beach hoodie.

As luck would have it, she ended up with another white beach hoodie this year ...

My little cub is growing up! 

girl on a mission

Our vacation at Conneaut Lake was a bit busier this year ...   

(Having two active children to chase around is no joke!)

From the moment we climbed out of our van, Pearl wanted to do everything that her brother was doing.

She wanted to run down the lane.

To walk out onto the dock.

To throw rocks into the water.

To feed the fish and the ducks.

To explore every room of the cottage.

To roam the backyard.

To climb on anything that was on her level.

Shirt: Miniwear (thrifted for $0.50)

Shorts: Healthtex (gift)

She definitely got into a lot this year, but, as always, it is so fun to watch her grow into a little girl right in front of my eyes.

wishful thinking

We just got back and I'm already wishing that we were back at the lake ...

I can't wait for next year.

on writing and growing

I'm not sure why, but I just haven't been in a writing mood, lately ...  Even though there is plenty to talk about as our summer has already been filled with parades, fireworks, trips to the zoo, and the first of two family vacations.

Part of me is torn and wants to diligently keep up with the "obligation" I have set for myself with this blog, and the other part is completely content with just living life and ignoring the computer altogether.

Even so, as Thursday rolls around, I feel compelled to get a post up (and show off some Pearl cuteness from the zoo last week) ...

 Tee-shirt: Old Navy (thrifted for $0.50)

Shorts: Carter's (hand-me-down)

Shoes: Stride Rite (hand-me-down)

 
In all of the summer activities that we have busied ourselves with, both the husband and myself have noticed that Pearl doesn't act the slightest bit like a baby anymore.

Her attitude is all toddler ...  Wanting to explore and get into everything (and mimic her brother's every move).

Her legs seem longer and stronger, and she has become quite the expert climber ...  Scaling stairs, furniture, and even the toilet when we aren't paying close enough attention.

It's nearly impossible to believe that, last summer at this time, she was just starting to show a bit of spunkiness.

She's come such a long way (in such a short time) and I love being able to experience every moment!

dino-mite duds (for the fourth)

Whenever I can create an outfit for Pearl that is just girly enough without being obnoxiously so, I am a happy mom ...  And, as I've said many times before, she doesn't have to be pink and glitter encrusted in order to look cute.

So, I was especially excited when the little dinosaur shoes I purchased long ago (for her) finally started to fit!

Yes, they came out of the boy aisle, but what science teacher's daughter can't appreciate a good dinosaur?

Especially when they pull together a whole outfit ...

Ruffled tank top: Old Navy ($1.00)

Shorts: Circo ($0.75)

Shoes: Circo ($6.50)

She definitely has the spunk to pull it off!

bubbly

I may be biased, but there's nothing cuter than a spunky, (sort of) pig-tailed one-year-old in a bubble onesie ...

Bubble onesie: Carter's (thrifted for $0.50)

And, to think, I didn't want any daughters!

batgirl

Pearl is fifteen months old (as of this past Saturday) and is certainly coming into her own ...  

Even if she ends up wearing a combination of her own clothes, and those that used to belong to her brother on most days.

Long-sleeved tee-shirt: Old Navy (gift)

Pants: Carter's (thrifted for $0.50)

But who says girls can't look cute in superhero gear (and some rainbow pants to soften things up)?

bridging the gap

With school currently in wind-down mode, I feel like we are stuck in some weird limbo between spring and summer ...  And the cooler weather as of late isn't helping (although I'm loving it)!

Still, we are taking advantage of as many outdoor (and way from the computer) moments as possible.

 

Tee-shirt: Garanimals (thrifted for $0.50)

Long-sleeved onesie: Gerber ($8.00 for pack of three)

Sweat pants: Garanimals (thrifted for $0.50)

Summer, we are waiting for you!

baby's first wedding

The kids and I attended the wedding of a family friend over the long weekend ...  So, it was a nice excuse for us all to get dressed up!

You may not be able to tell from the photos, but my kiddos (the one in the middle isn't mine) coordinated quite nicely.

Cotton dress: Cherokee ($6.00)

Sweater: Old Navy (thrifted for $1.00)

Shoes: Keds (thrifted for $1.50)

As I've mentioned in the past, it's a lot of fun shopping for Pearl ...

While it is a challenge just to find a decent selection of boys' clothes, finding something for my girl that is cute, but isn't too pink or prissy, is a whole different animal! 

Luckily, my second born is adorable in whatever she ends up wearing!

daddy's girl

It's hard to be annoyed that she only says "Dada" (and not "Mama") when I am witness to sweet moments like this ...

The title of "Daddy's Girl" certainly fits for this little sweetie!

bruiser

When I gave birth to a girl, my mind immediately jumped to all the stereotypical "girl" things I'd have to endure ...

Pink!

Princesses!

Prissiness!

And, yet, my girl (as sweet as she can be) doesn't currently fit that mold.

In comparison to her older brother, she is far more inquisitive (getting into and destroying everything) and spunky than he ever was at her age.

And she's got the battle scars to prove it ...

Lady love is currently sporting a black eye and a shiner (on her forehead).

Tank top: Carter's (thrifted for $0.50)

Shorts: The Children's Place (thrifted for $0.50)

But, at least her bruises coordinate with the lime green in her outfit ...

She may be headed down the "tomboy" path like her mother (I hope so!), but that doesn't mean she can't look cute, too!

ninety percent

Pearl took her first steps at the end of April and hasn't looked back.

Today (less than a month later), she is walking about 90% of the time ...  Yet, it is still strange to see her ambling down the hall, or across the room on two feet!  And, although she is showing plenty of signs to the contrary, it is hard to shake the image of her being my little baby.

It feels like I brought her home from the hospital just yesterday ...  And made the adjustment from "mom of one" to "mom of two."

But time is flying by.

My baby is quickly entering the "toddler" phase.

(Seriously?!)

It is mind-boggling the difference a year can make.

chemistry cutie

It's never too early to start learning about the periodic table ...

Especially when it is in the form of a cute onesie that  was passed down from your big brother!

My girl's got beauty and brains!

pearl's first year

She may be approaching the fourteen month mark, but it's never too late (as evidenced by Malcolm's second year video) to post a slideshow of some of her memorable moments ...



It's hard to remember the time before she was part of our family!

The amount of love I have for this little girl is indescribable ...

sunsets and baby swings

Since we're in a smaller home for the time being (with a smaller yard than what he is used to), we've been telling Malcolm that we're going to visit a lot of new parks and playgrounds this summer.

And while he's certainly eating it up and soaking in every moment, there is someone else who seems to like the idea, too ...

Shirt: Circo (thrifted for $1.00)

Black leggings: Old Navy (gift)

Shoes: Keds (thrifted for $1.50)

There is just something about a warm day, a baby swing, and the golden light of the setting sun that makes for good pictures ...

And promises that summer is really on its way!

pearl and the porch swing

As her shirt so plainly states, Pearl screams for ice-cream (but who doesn't?) ...

 

Tee-shirt: Child of Mine (thrifted for $0.50)

Onesie: Circo (pack of five for $12.00)

Pants: Jumping Beans (thrifted for $0.50)

And, as these photos so clearly show, she also screams for the porch swing.

(And this mom screams over the perfectly matched outfit that she was able to piece together from various thrift store finds!)

black and white beauty

Although it has its differences, this photo reminds me of another one I took of Pearl about five months ago ...

Can it really be that that much time has passed?

She's getting too big!

tagalong monkey

Pearl always wants to do whatever Malcolm is doing ... 

And she is quickly becoming an expert climber ...

So I was only partially surprised when I heard laughter coming from my bedroom and went in to see two little monkeys jumping on my bed.

Long-sleeved shirt: Osh Kosh B'Gosh (hand-me-down)

Onesie: Old Navy (thrifted for $0.50)

Fleece pants: Circo (thrifted for $0.50)
 

Long-sleeved shirt: Arizona Jean Co. (thrifted for $0.50)

(Ripped!) pajama pants: Okie Dokie (hand-me-down)

I'm definitely going to have my hands full as soon as Pearl decides to ditch the crawling for walking ...

Then these two siblings will be unstoppable!