One Tough Cookie

 This is her first on command smile.

 I have a new camera (in my new phone).

 We're still trying to figure it out...

 But we didn't have too much time to play before Josh and I had a weekend away 

for our 9th Wedding Anniversary

 Thank you Grammy and Grandpa!

See that finger in the ear? That would be more teething.

Another cut - two more to go before the two year molars.

May those come late.

 

Daddy got a hammock for the trees across the street

 Everything becomes a horse...

 Dress up is still in full swing - this is a "flapper" dress we inherited from 

Cece and Ginger - Thank you girls!

 But as much as she loves the dress...

 the real fun has been in putting things together from scarves and fabric

 She's into her sunglasses, they still don't stay on long - but she gets a kick out of them just the same

 Charlotte came over to play and to try another photo of the "ride"

 Piper was all about getting in Charlotte lap, hugging her, tickling her, getting in her face and basically acting like a little sister (I know, because I perfected those skills myself, just ask Auntie Amy).

 But Charlotte didn't mind

Well...if your faint of heart or stomach stop reading now...

Piper got stung in the hand by a bee.

Like, the stinger is in her hand and the bee is writhing in her palm as she stares at it in disbelief.

To take it back a moment,

 I try really hard not to make a big deal out of things when Piper hurts herself. 

I try to let her tell me what she can handle.

What has resulted from this tactic is a kid who can fall and keep going. 

And when she hurts herself I know, I can tell because more often than not 

she acts like nothing happened 

(unless she's in high teething pain, then all bets are off)

So - back to the garden.

the bee.

and...well, me freaking out.

I got the bee and the stinger out and then picked her up held on to her hand and called for Josh

"Baking Soda, right? I got it all out, right?

Are you okay, Are you okay?"

Once I took a breath she seemed more freaked out by my reaction then the sting.

Once I took that breath... she pushed out of my arms to go chase a grasshopper.

Nothin'

She was unfazed.

I kept an eye on her, her hand is all puffed out and red 

and she could care less.

When you ask her, Piper did you get stung by a bee? 

She points to the light cat scratch on her other hand. 

Dress Up

  The week ends with a whole heck of a lot of dress up.

 

And a dress up wardrobe just would not be complete without mason jar ring bracelets...

I mean, really! 

If she'd keep 'em on her face for more than a minute I'd be thrilled!!

Ah well, Momma lesson #48450935:

"There are just some things you can not force your child to wear. No matter how cute you think it is. 

A Few Messes Never Hurt Anyone

 Here ya go Grandma Les...Piper is SO into corn, she couldn't even wait for me to cook it.

 Piper and I are on our own again this week. 

Third week in a row really (Da-da is back on the weekends). 

I've had her helping me in the kitchen. She's getting older, and while its not really "help" per say, she learns a lot and we both love our time together.

Husking corn...now that was interesting. 

 This would be her "I'm so happy I'm going to burst" face.

Can you see it?

Its just the start of an all out full body shake.

It usually precedes the strangling of cats and destruction of fairy figurines. 

Luckily this time it was just an ear of corn.

 We got a most awesome box from GrandmaLes today. I say we because Piper got a doll and books and I got handmade hand me downs for Piper. Wait until you see these...oh my goodness. I'm in love!  

 May not look like it yet...but this mermaid is a favorite for sure...

 Washable Pens!

 Wait? These aren't edible?

So Piper helped me make our friend Bob a birthday cake, then later we started in on some brownies for Katie, for an event this weekend. 

 Please note the tip toes on the chair. 

Don't worry Grandparents...I'm close by and fully aware. 

And I captured it for proof to Josh that we need one of those raised, enclosed "toddler helpers" 

It is on wheels and it is tall and it is cool. And with how much this kid likes to cook? 

Necessary. And Soon!

 Yay! Mess!

Again, don't worry. Eggs not added yet. 

 Wait? Did you say keep the spoon in the bowl?

 Enter mermaid again.

This time Piper dug out the other little finger puppet mermaid Grandma Les gave her. 

seeing a trend here?

Well...her influence seems to be sticking.

The mermaids danced, they read the "Oceans WOW" book about 5 times.

Piper kept sticking the bigger dolls face into the book as if to say, look, whales! (a fav page), look, rays!

 She worked out the outfit - ya, it matches the mermaid's tail.

So tonight as I'm putting Piper into her sleep sack (how big to they make these things?) I ask her, "Piper, what is your mermaid's name? Do you know her name?"

She looks sheepishly away, averting her eyes and grinning as she mumbles something under her breath.

I asked again, again she does this and mumbles the same thing.

I haven't made it out yet, I'll keep working on it.

But in the mean time she is killing me with the cute.