your favorite visitors

Mimi and Papa were here for a week at the end of August.  When you know they're coming you start counting down, but it's usually three weeks, then two weeks, then weeks, then three days, then they're here.  And you often tell me plans you have with Mimi.  Play my toys in the playroom... Go wiff Mimi to the beach...  Sleep with Mimi in her bed...  Eat ice cream...  Etc.  On their last night here, you slept in the guest room with Mimi, and apparently at 3AM you fell out of the bed.  And you didn't like it one bit.  So maybe that plan will change in the future.

It was so hot the whole week and you loved when we were somewhere with some fort of water feature.  And most places we found at least one.

We went to a Minnie Mouse first birthday party for our little friend.

 And we went to a celebration of mom and dad's British friend who became a US citizen.

We had lunch at the train station.

 You met a friend who did not want you to leave and you got in a playful argument.  He begging you to stay, and you insisting that you had to go home for a nap.  You were cracking everyone up.

We went to the beach.

 We went to Knott's Berry Farm.  You were more brave this time.  Tried more rides, and went on kiddie ones by yourself.

 It was hot and you had this wet bandana on your head most of the time.

 We went to 'Planes' and you loved every bit of it.

 We went to the Parnell Park Zoo.

We ate lots of ice cream and snow cones and tried to stay cool.  And you were sad when it was time for them to leave.  But happy that we'll see them again soon!

Bapa's birthday and Baby Will.

We had a surprise party to celebrate Bapa's birthday on August 16th.  We had to be careful not to talk about it much in front of you, because even though we never told you directly about the surprise, you clearly picked up on little conversations about it.  And a couple times you said things like, "Bapa's birthday...tip toe, tip toe, roar! Happy Birthday!"  I got a little concerned that you may be the one who ruined the big surprise.  But it went off without a hitch.  And even Baby Will showed up and surprised us all!

 We had a fun weekend with Baby Will.  You loved playing with toys with him and giving him hugs and kisses.  You were a little sad that he doesn't hug back yet, but you talk about how he's getting bigger and will hug you next time.

Your Utah friend, and potty training.

A couple of weeks ago, we had some friends visit from Utah.  It's been about a year since you've seen each other, but you kind of seemed to remember and you had tons of fun.

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Two weeks ago we started potty training.  Mostly because you were out of diapers in your room.  But it must have been the right time because once we got over the first three days, (day one, one accident, day two, two accidents, day three, three accidents) you've been doing awesome.  Only two accidents since then.  You didn't need many reminders, incentives, or rewards.  You just do it.  You like praise, so letting you know how proud I am of how well you're doing seems to be enough for you.  And I really am proud of you!  Let's just hope a week long visit from Mimi and Papa and then a week long vacation two weeks after that doesn't shake us up too much!