Mash Up

EV has really been getting into singing.  Her current favorites include, "Yes, Jesus Loves Me," "Happy Birthday to You," "Row Row Row Your Boat," "The Wheels on the Bus," "Baa Baa Black Sheep," and the "ABC Song."  The other day Jimmy mentioned that Baa Baa Black Sheep, ABC Song and Twinkle Twinkle all are based off of the same notes/melody.  The next thing we know EV is singing Baa Baa Black Sheep and finishing it off with the ABC Song (when she was supposed to be taking a nap).  She doesn't start really singing until about 15 seconds into the recording; it's actually really cute how she corrects herself, although she's still a little pitchy.  So, without further ado, here is EV's mash up of Baa Baa Black Sheep and ABC song.

EV's Mash Up of Baa Baa Black Sheep and ABC Song

Strawberry picking we go!

We went strawberry picking this past Saturday and had a good time.  It's funny because when we got home to wash off all the strawberries, we found many that were already bitten into.  Apparently, EV was taking a bite out of all the ones she picked--I guess she was doing a taste test to make sure they are okay. 

This has been a really fun age, as EV continues to grow exponentially in her speech and is now even making jokes and trying to be funny.  After she goofs off or makes a joke she'll say, "hahahaha.  EV's funny!"  Lately, she's also been asking, "Mommy, what's this?" or "What's inside this?" Her curious mind has to know how everything works.  On many occasions I have found myself stumbling on my explanation.  She asked me the other day, pointing to the cutting mat, "Mommy, what's this big paper?"  I said, "Oh, that's for cutting fabric so that mommy can make you dresses and clothes."  Although it wasn't that eloquent, it sounded more like, "Oh, yeah, um, mommy cuts on that. Well, mommy puts it on the floor and puts fabric, I mean clothes on top to cut it.  I mean it's a mat for cutting."  Halfway through, EV is bored and is onto the next thing.  It's even worse when she asks about something I don't want her to know about.  "Mommy what's inside this" (pointing to a brownie oatmeal bar from trader joe's).  I respond with, "Oh, um, it's nothing. yuck. you don't want to know. actually there's nothing inside." (as I quickly walk away to avoid telling her about the delicious sweet contents of the bag).  I need practice responding to these random questions more clearly and succintly. 

I can't believe it's already May.  Jimmy and I will be celebrating our 7 year anniversary in a couple weeks.  We have been so blessed in our marriage--we have definitely had our ups and our downs but it's all made our marriage stronger and better.  I hope that as we celebrate 7 years, we can be appreciate all that's happened in the past, be thankful for what we have in the present, and look forwards to new adventures in the future.

Funny things kids say

I am absolutely floored at how quickly EV's language abilities are growing each day.  Not only her vocabulary and pronunciation, but her ability to get intonation, sentence structure, and humor.  With this constant development of language, we are seeing more and more of EV's personality.  We are seeing how bossy she really is, "Mommy, come here and sit down, RIGHT NOW!"  She is constantly saying do this and do that.  We are also seeing her sense of humor and how much of a jokster she really is.  She will say, "Mommy, go away!! Noooo! I'm sorry"  Then I'll come to give her a hug and then she'll say, "No--go away!" And then laugh hysterically (I think her humor is mean like her momma's).  We also see her compassion.  Last week Jimmy hurt himself at the park and EV started crying saying, "Oh noooo!! Appa's hurt!  Kiss boo-boo."  Recently she told her auntie Gina to watch her do something and my sister and I just sat in awe by the complexity of her sentence.  She's also singing a lot of songs lately--it's as if she finally gained the confidence to say the words while carrying a tune.  I think hearing a little toddler sing is the sweetest thing I've every heard!

Evangeline, you make our hearts so glad and we are so thankful for you every day!  We are so blessed to have such a beautiful, funny, smart, loving daughter like you.  I look forward to seeing how God will grow you and use you as a young woman.

Let's Pray

EV sometimes says really random things and one of those things is "Let's Pray."  She'll be playing with her puzzle, then stop look at us and say, "Let's Pray" or she'll be eating her food and in the middle of a bite she'll look up and say "Let's Pray."  In those moments, we stop everything and we lift up a prayer.  When she was really little, we use to have family prayer time where we would gather in the living room and each take turns praying.  Unfortunately, we weren't very consistent and eventually family prayer time turned to occasional prayers to nonexistent.  Thankfully we have a very systematic child that likes consistency.  First, it was every time the three of us were in the living room, she would say, "Let's Pray" then it was just anytime the three of us would be gathered.  So, a lesson we have been trying to teach EV has become a lesson to us.  As we try to teach EV the importance of prayer, she's teaching us the importance of maintaining it.  I love this kid and I love how God teaches us so many lessons through her!

YMCA

We recently signed EV up for gymnastics and swim lessons.  And now she cannot stop talking about it.  She gets super excited when we drive into the parking lot of the Y and she is constantly practicing all her "moves" at home.  What I love about it is that it's a great outlet for all her energy, it teaches her how to work with other kids, and it teaches her about following instructions.

Yes--that is the look of fear on her face but she loves her teacher and will do anything she tells her to do

Learning to blow bubbles when your mouth is in the water

This little girl trusts her teacher but not her momma--the moment she gets transferred to me, she starts freaking out

Practicing jumping into the water

By the end of the lesson, she was swimming with a float on her back, two noodles, and NO assistance from mom or the teacher

Way to go EV!!

Up the Mountain!

Last weekend, we went up to Dillard, Georgia for my dad's birthday.  EV loved looking at the mountain and although we didn't get to stop by Tallulah Gorge we still had a nice time driving up and having lunch at the Dillard House.  So ever since last week, EV has kept on asking, "Go up the mountain?  Halbi's birthday?  Go up the mountain and take pictures?"  So, we decided to take her to Stone Mountain.  Oh boy--Evangeline, you are one of the most strong-willed child I have ever met.  You insisted on walking all the way up even though half-way through your ankles were shaky and every step would make you fall on your behind.  You walked about 2/3's the way until we decided that enough was enough.  You just kept screaming, "No, EV do it, EV walk, put me down!"  So, after making it most of the way up, we decided it was time to go down and daddy had to force you into the ergo, just so that you can't wiggle yourself out of his hold.  I was worried your little legs would be so sore this morning, but you woke up without any complaints and was ready to conquer another day!

You always cover your ears when you hear a train coming--what an awesome treat, a mountain and train all in one day!

Here you are ready to conquer this mountain!

Taking a little break from the sun and stretching...

Here we go--it was like a mini-rock climbing session for her.  And she loved it!

It's all about the placement of your foot!

Yes--look at me, I am walking all the way up this mountain!!

Even though towards the end her ankles were shaky and her legs were wobbling, she still had a huge smile on her face.

Oh, and don't forget the pine straws and rocks she had to collect along the way.  One for each family member and friend.

Ahhhh--finally, just enjoying the view...

Family picture time!

This cracker is the best cracker ever--especially after an hour long hike up the mountain!

Two years old

As I was having dinner with EV today and having a conversation about her birthday, it made me want to slow down time even more.  EV has been talking about her party non-stop the last few weeks and even more now that it has passed.  She loves singing happy birthday to herself and talking about all of her friends and blowing out the candles on her cake.  I am just amazed that I can actually sit down and have a conversation with her.

So, if you read Jimmy's blog (http://jimmyhkim.wordpress.com/) he talks about how we stayed up late to work on all the details of EV's party.  It's amazing how a simple website like Pinterest can make such a huge difference with planning and it makes you wonder how you lived without it before.  So, here's a brief recap of all that was handmade and the link of the tutorial (if there is one) for EV's "dairy' themed party:

EV's dress (http://www.mesewcrazy.com/2011/01/spring-fever-dress.html)

Party banner (http://www.sassybabiesblog.com/2012/01/guest-post-banners.html)
Letter E (not a great view from this pic--http://andeverythingsweet.blogspot.com/2012/01/feather-her-nest.html)

Fabric covered water bottles (my own idea)

Props for photo booth (includes top hats, glasses, mustaches, etc--didn't get a picture of the bucket)

Cupcakes (http://keepingupwiththekunzs.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-to-do-what-to-do.html)

Cheesecake balls (http://www.bakerella.com/cheesecake-pops/)
Strawberry stuffed cheesecake (http://www.thesweetslife.com/2011/08/cheesecake-stuffed-strawberries.html)
Mac and Cheese balls (Jimmy's recipe)
Chicken salad croissants (Jimmy's recipe)
Cheese Fondue
Yogurt Bar

Milk (chocolate and 2%)

(Not pictured:  EV's photobook (made by Apple) and party favors (puzzles of a farm--mostly))

I think that's it--we had a lot of fun celebrating with EV's friends.  We are so blessed to have so many friends and family that love us and want to celebrate with us.  Evangeline, you have this amazing ability to brighten up our day and put a smile on our faces.  You make us laugh and you know you are funny.  You love being around people and you are already such a compassionate person.  You can't stand to see others crying or being sad.  You are stubborn and persistent, but at the same time loving and gentle.  We love you so so so so much!  I look forward to every new memory and new encounters.  I can't believe you are 2 years old!!