Kayla Fuller

Kindermusik

For Kayla's birthday she got Kindermusik classes from Grandma and Grandpa Coburn. Right up her alley as this kid loves to dance. We had her first class this morning and she was a natural. She had a huge smile on her face for the entire class. While other kids might start crying or try to run off, Kayla did just as she was asked. Very cute to watch. By far her favorite activity of the week. Thanks, Granny and Papa!

My First Day of School

Kayla has officially made it to the big times. As in today Kayla had her first day of school. She is enrolled in Moms Day Out two days per week. She got to go to Target and pick out her very own backpack. Dora of course.

Her sisters started school the week earlier which she definitely didn't like. Not because her sisters were gone. But because she couldn't go too. Every morning Kayla would grab her Dora snack bag as the big girls headed out the door. Mommy would tell her no and take the pack away. And the tears started immediately. But not anymore. Today the pack is in hand and away we go with one super excited baby.

Once at school we dropped the big girls before heading inside to MDO. I was carrying her backpack while Kayla carried the smaller Dora snack bag. As she saw other kids wearing their backpacks she started freaking out. She has to be just like everyone else. Backpack on and ready.

I made sure to sneak a peek in at Kayla on her first day. Just to make sure there were no water works. Happy to say she was happy and never looked back as Mommy said goodbye. She's a big girl now.

Water Baby in the Making

Having a pool in the backyard has always been a lifesaver for me during the summer. If its hot, the girls swim. If their bored, the girls swim. If I want a break from kids, the girls swim. However, this year was a little nerve racking given that kid number 3 is mobile this summer. I was super nervous about Kayla accidentally falling into the pool. So we made strict pool rules. Things like: The ladder is to never be left in the pool when you are not swimming....etc. Punishment for leaving the ladder in was huge.

Anyway, if you didn't already know this...Kayla is a major water baby. If she's sad throw her in the tub or shower and she's as happy as can be. Another reason why the pool in the backyard would be a major baby temptation. So this just meant that Mommy had to get in the pool with Kayla a lot. Very soon though Kayla was screaming if I held her in the pool. She wanted to navigate the waters on her own. In the beginning this meant a lot of hanging onto the ladder like this.

Then, she was able to go lower on down the ladder and try to tippey toe while still holding on to the ladder.

Very soon the ladder was not enough. She wanted to walk to Mommy. The one side of the pool is slightly lower then the other so she could barely reach. But, she was ok if she walked slow on her tippey toes. The far side of the pool was deeper.

Of course, this was soon not enough either. The kid wanted to walk around the entire pool completely unassisted. If her face went under the water due to depth. Who cared. A little water in the face never bothered this kid.

Needless to say I think we are in trouble. This kid has absolutely no fear of the water. This is probably a good thing. A swimmer has been made. But, can we possibly go one day without screaming for the pool.

The Two's Begin!

I can't believe we are actually having this day today. My baby can't be two hears old already. Just doesn't seem fair. At least this is how I as the Mommy feel. But, the just turned two year old has trouble believing that she is only two. She has never acted her age. So why start now. Anyway, I wasn't planning on having any kind of birthday party this year for Kayla. Then as the big day approached I felt guilty. Of course I would. Skipping birthday parties is just not my style. So I called in a couple neighbors and friends at the last minute. And they were more then happy to help Kayla celebrate her big day.

We had Kayla's neighbor and partner in crime, Zoe represent the almost two year olds.

And of course we had to have Kayla's absolutely favorite person in the world show up. Julia never passes up a chance to hang out with her bud either.

I think we had a great little showing of kiddos. And Kayla absolutely adored the special attention of having a day be all about her. Which can be hard when your kid number three with two very active and demanding big sisters. And I loved that she was able to be special too. Can't believe I almost skipped the party.

Time for cake! Kayla LOVES Dora right now so of course we went with the Dora cake. I think she was a little overwhelmed by the time the cake came. Everyone was surrounding her and yelling as they tried to teach her how to blow out the candles. But, she eventually figured it out all on her own.

And look, she actually ate the cake too. This is definitely a first with my kids. It is so weird having girls who hate any kind of cake or baked good. Very unnatural. Nice to finally have a normal kid for once.

Time for presents. Kayla loves unwrapping presents now. Christmas this year will be fun. She even opened a few early as she would sneak off and grab a present behind our backs. Oh well, your only two once. Why not enjoy it.

One of the "early" presents opened was her Dora apron. Quite fitting I think. As she wore it as her decoration for the whole party. She must have known there was a Dora theme and wanted to look the part.

She also got her very own baby Night-Night, since Reagan is not ready to share hers with Kayla just yet.

FINALLY, Kayla got a baby stroller. She would grab any strollers she could find in stores and try to walk off with them. I can't believe we never had one before. By far her favorite present this year.

Last but not least, Kayla got her very own potty. She is very interested in the big potty. But too small yet to stop herself from actually falling in. So we figured this would help. She actually went potty in it right away as well. At least we know she knows what its for.

Thanks to everyone who was able to drop everything and come celebrate Miss Kayla on her special day. She had a blast.

Happy Birthday Big Girl! Mommy and Daddy Love You Lots!

Visit with Grandma Hakes

Grandma Hakes flew in this week for a long overdue visit with her girls. We had the pleasure of having her stall an entire week with us which the girls were super excited about. Grandma was super excited to see Leadville and our cabin so we made our way up to Leadville first. And Grandma was in luck because she made it just in time for our summer festival, Boom Days, which celebrates the mining history of the town. There were lots of street vendors selling all sorts of goodies. It was like a kid in a candy jar for Grandma and her grand girls. Apparently, the shopping gene has skipped a generation with Mommy. Kayla was excited to see the mini petting zoo set up. This would be her first real encounter with fair animals. She was definitely cautious but enjoyed them all the same.

One animal I thought to be out place was this huge bull with its maybe 4 foot long horns. I kept an eye on this guy and didn't get too close. Later in the day a little girl, excited to pet the cow, ran straight towards the bull. He grabbed her by the jacket with his horns and slammed her down on her head, hard. Could have seen that one coming. Scary.

There was also a barrel train for the kiddos. They took the kids up and down Main Street on a nice loop. You should be able to see the girls in the middle of the train, here.

We also took Grandma around to some of our favorite Leadville areas, including Turquoise Lake. The lake is always a great photo op so Grandma and the girls posed for several shots along the way.

The water was finally high enough to allow for some adventuring around to the various little islands. So Grandma took a seat on the shore and watched the girls do their thing. This time Kayla demanded to be part of the action. And since she didn't want her feet wet this meant Mom and Dad took turns taking her back and forth.

This kid is a true water baby.

On the way home we stopped for one more photo by the river. There was a lot of water flow today so it was really pretty.

As always we spent a lot of time just playing around the yard. Our new swing makes hosting guests much easier.

Grandma had nothing but great things to say about our new getaway and our beloved town of Leadville. We had a great time showing off our little piece of heaven to someone who fully appreciated it.

AFter a few days we headed back to Longmont. Grandma had dreamed of taking the girls on a shopping trip to their favorite clothing store Justice. She got to see why I love taking them there so much. As you are guaranteed a fashion show. Kayla on the other hand was worn out and crashed out on this comfy chair. Much more enjoyable to be in a store when the baby is asleep.

Cabin Summer Fun