Hopeful Responsibility Chart!

NOLA! NOLA! NOLA!

Since she turned 3, she has really been pushing our buttons. She wants to do what she wants to do when she wants to do it. So, I went to the Learning Express and got a responsibility chart.

The tasks we have up are get dressed, brush teeth, pick up mess, go to bed and stay in bed, potty, and no mean words.

This face doesn't show it but she has been sassing, saying "No!" a lot, and just not listening....you know a typical 3 year old!

Hopefully this will work...we have to set a goal. She really wants the Little Mermaid CD so I think when she gets 60 stars we will get it. At first, I thought about her having to get all the stars (36) for a whole week, but no kid is perfect. We'll see!

So far it is working!

SMILE!

Nola took this pic for me.
This is my 35 week shot!

First trip to the Eye Doctor!

Nola had her first eye checkup, thanks to her friend Matthew's parents who are both optometrists. She put up a good fight because she didn't want to go.

Nola got dressed kicking and screaming and we didn't even attempt to do hair. I let her bring Mikey and eat breakfast in the car.

Once we got there...it was a new Nola. She was very happy!
Go figure!

The doctor was great and cleared Nola of any eye problems. (We didn't really think they would find anything..just a check!) Instead of looking at letters she looked at pictures and told what she saw. She followed the monster on the doctor's finger while he looked in her eyes and she looked at a puppy dog barking on the far side of the room while he checked her out some more. The worst part was getting her eyes dilated. She freaked at the drops but did great when the dr. checked her after 20 minutes. The funniest part was on the ride home when she tried to read a book in the car, she kept grabbing at her eyes saying, "Mom, make the letters stop moving!"

Great job Nola!
We don't have to go back for 3 years!

Making Progress in the Pool!

Nola has been having swim lessons with Miss Stacy all summer. She has made a lot of progress with her skills and confidence. No more floaties! Nola can swim from the shallow end to the deep end and back with just her noodle. She kicks great, but we need to work on her arm strokes. Miss Stacy suggested to get a life vest so Nola can practice. She also goes under water if she holds someone's hand! We need to get her to try to go under by herself! Good work Nola! You'll get there!

Get Together with the Foxes & McGoeys

Little Eddie!

Little Miss Sara

Nola & Rose

"Nola just smile so they won't know we're up to something!"

Jay getting some practice in!

Thanks guys for having us over for dinner and some play time! Despite the crazy storms and almost having to hide in the basement from the tornado, we had a blast!
Let's do it again soon!

Bizzie Bowl 2010!

Getting Ready!

Elizabeth Stein (Bizzie), a 3 year old girl from the Mom's Club West side in Parsippany was just diagnosed on 5/21/10 with a pontine glioma which is a tumor on the brain stem. You can read Bizzie's journey on the this link http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bizziestein/mystory. The town all got together to support her cause by holding "Bizzie Bowl." A flag football tournament and games to play to raise money.

Jay brought Nola out to participate and I worked a few booths!

We paid for tickets so Nola could play some games!

She won some silly bands!

Next stop, basketball!

We'll keep practicing!

Sydney's turn!

Break Time!
It's hot out here!

There was also a booth for everyone to make cards for Bizzie!

We couldn't leave without doing the obstacle course!

Croquet!

Yay! We did it!

Final stop was the sand art booth!

Nola & Dad working hard!

Finished product!

Happy Girl!

Good Luck Bizzie!
We are praying for you and your family!

Nola's Birthday Party!

The day of Nola's party the weather called for 80% rain. Jay was freaking out! We put tents up everywhere...but whatever was going to happen was going to happen.

We definitely made the best of it!

Nola's favors!

Pinata & Favors

Jay hung all the pics and the Nola Girl sign.
Everything looked really cute!
Thanks Babe!

Nola & Jack

The beginning of the party started inside and all the kids played in the playroom.

Friends!

Kelly, Ashley Dana, & Nola

Addison, Kelly & Lily

After a little bit everyone came outside and the weather held out.
We were really lucky!

John

Grandma & Grandpas present was a big hit.

THANK YOU!

Nola & Kelly

After dinner it was time for the pinata.
Everyone had a great time going at it!

Jay will do anything for his daughter!

Unfortunately after what seemed like an hour, we gave up and pulled the strings.
Everyone gave it their best shot & had a blast!

Next was cake time!

Family shot!

Great cupcakes Aunt Heather!
THANK YOU!

YUMMY!

Only a few people were left when we opened presents.
Nola had so much fun with her friends helping!

"OOH, what's this?"

"WOW! 3-D chalk!"

"Thanks Aunt Heather & Uncle Keith! I LOVE my new crib and diaper bag!"

So many presents!

"Thanks Uncle Mikey & Aunt Brandi. I LOVE my new backpack!"

"THANKS Mom & Dad!"

"Thanks Uncle Matt & Aunt Kate!"

"THANKS to everyone for all of my cool new things!"

Nola has had so much fun playing with everything. We put a pile of toys to play later, but she still has a ton of new things!

Thank you to everyone for coming and making Nola's 3rd birthday so special!
Thank you to Grandma & Aunt Pep for all of your help setting up & cleaning.
We really appreciate it!

More Pics