I picked up my niece yesterday so she could stay the night with us and help us prepare for Rory's birthday party today. Little did she know, she'd be cleaning windows with her cousins.

Just for the record, they were thrilled and thought it was so fun they were mad when the window was clean. And by clean, I mean completely full of streaks. Totally worth it!

A couple weeks ago I purchased Mamarazzi: Every Mom's Guide to Photographing Kids because I've been getting more and more interested in photography. I'm 2 chapters in and already so excited about the little bits I've learned. For those of you that are artistic, unlike me, you're probably well aware of the Rule of Thirds. But I wasn't, and it's already got me excited to try, so the kids and I headed to the park and I practiced getting my kids into those thirds, with the help of my camera's preset lines that I never used before! (The lighting, focus, everything else is not at the degree I'd like, hence needing to read more!)

I'm already excited about this new knowledge and how obvious it was yet I didn't know it. Last night I sat in bed disappointed because I'd really like to take a class where there is a teacher that looks at your work and shows you how to improve it. I figured I'd look into it some more when I got a moment and lo-and-behold this morning Groupon was offering a 2 hour photography class specifically for moms!

You guys? It was my sign! So I'm going to take a 2 hour class and see where that gets me. Maybe I can find a photography class at nights? Maybe I can start saving to buy a DSLR camera so I have even crisper pictures? I am so dang excited I just had to share!

P.S. If you're interested in the class, sign up! What a steal! I can't promise we can all go to the same class but we can sure try to get it to work out. My goal for now? Get the class and the book read before the holidays so I can have some AMAZING photos!

Remember how I talked about how great my kids were, that they rarely fought and usually just moved on when one of them was bothering the other one? Yeah, that stage has passed. The fighting, hitting, screaming and crying stage that, I understand, will continue for many years to come? It's here. So I went online to find some crafting ideas since it's getting too cold to send the kids outside when they drive me crazy.

So out came the paints and Mom's cutting skills.

We even got a scraper involved as I saw this on one of the craft idea sights.

And voila, a pretty banner for the birthday party this weekend!

Now, to decorate some cupcakes.

I've got some stories to share again today. You know, those small stories that are sure to make you laugh or just beam with pride at how big these two kiddos are getting. Well, at least that is what they do for me.

To start, we had Rory's 3 year check up today. She is doing awesome and was very excited to show off her big girl undies to our pediatrician! She weighed 28 lbs, putting her in the 74th percentile for her age. She was 2' 11.5" putting my tall girl in the 90th percentile, and we already knew she was really smart with all her talking but her head was in the 98th percentile at 19.75"! What a big girl we have, and we couldn't be more proud.

Rory has also developed a small sarcastic attitude. I mean, she's 2, not 14. The other night, Max wouldn't give her a kiss goodnight. So Rory stomped off to her bedroom, turned around just outside her door and yells out "I love you Buddy." And it was the most direct, sarcastic voice I've ever heard her use. I started laughing and I hear Max yell back, "I love you Rory." As if she was not trying to be mean. Typical male. (Sarcasm applied.)

Max has continued on his streak of sneaking things into his bed after we have gone downstairs. We usually find an apple or apple core lying in his bed in the morning if he does it. But we've also been surprised by the salt shaker (what a mess) and wrappers from fruit snacks. I wonder what we'll find next?

Another Rory story, because she's been so dang funny lately, has to do with potty training. Whenever she announces she has to go to the potty, she'll stand up right where she is and drops her pants. So anybody that is in the room? Gets to watch Rory's little naked butt shaking from side to side as she waddles to the bathroom. And I assure you, it is hilarious.

My last story, actually makes fun of me, because I can be a funny girl too you know. Dusty and I are always arguing about the fact that I take hot showers. And by hot, I mean steam is usually rolling out of the shower and the warm water tends to disappear after I've been in there. So imagine my surprise this weekend when I turn around to see the meat thermometer poked into my shower and aimed at the shower head! I could have killed that man for his little scare had he not triumphantly declared, 108 degrees shortly after I found him. Seriously people, 108 degrees at the top of the shower, it cools down by at least 8 degrees by the time it hits my body. Don't mind the scalding red marks on my chest and back.

You guys? Take a moment to let it sink and and laugh a little with me.

Yup, that is Rory, showing off that she is two years old today. The baby girl that only a year ago was just learning how to show us the sign for "more" is talking and walking and jumping and running full speed ahead!

At the playroom at the gym today she got a special sticker to let everyone know it is her birthday and after we picked up Max from preschool we stopped at the cafe next door to order a nice lunch to celebrate. It's funny, while I know she is just turning two and it's a big milestone, I also am shocked that she is only turning two because she has just seemed so much older then that for such a long time now. I mean, she has grown by leaps and bounds this year you guys. She was signing a year ago! If you've ever met Rory you would have a hard time believing that with how much the girl talks now.

I can't wait to celebrate her birthday this weekend with the family! Cupcakes, cousins, and lots of people that love her. What more can a girl ask for?!

We love you baby girl. You make us prouder and prouder every day!

P.S. She is definitely Cochran, did you not see the shocker picture in the pictures above? I love that silly girl!

This weekend we went out and bought Rory some big girl underwear. Since our weekend was so hectic this required everyone going to the store so there were lots of opinions as to which character Rory should get. We finally settled on the Hello Kitty undies and left the store. Twenty minutes later, Rory had her first accident in 3 days. Of course, we were at another store buying stuff for our yard and she really hasn't done a lot of errand shopping while potty training, but I still found it a little ironic.

Fast forward to later that day, we get home and I realize I bought the wrong sized underwear! Where I thought Rory would fit into a 4T I have no idea. I blame it on the rush to get in and out and on our way. So guess who had to go back to the store to get the right size? Yup. And this time I left them all in the car while I ran in. (You do realize I mean Daddy and the kids, right?) Of course the kitty cat underwear were not in Rory's size, but I was able to find some Mickey Mouses and she didn't seem to mind when I showed them to her.

So as of last night, Rory is now in big girl undies. Well, unless we are going somewhere. I'm a bit lazy this time around and have no desire to carry around an extra change of pants. At least not yet. I think we'll give her a week and see how she does in the new undies at home and for short errands first before converting full time. And maybe, just maybe, I'm trying to keep my little baby the baby she is just a little bit longer. I plead the fifth.

Today Max and Rory had a special treat. First off, their Daddy is home from work today and secondly, Uncle Randy dropped off Maya this morning to play with us. Since it was still pretty chilly this morning I was able to convince Dusty not to work on the garage this morning and instead to take us to a new place to try out some fishing.(And also some photos.) Say hello to the Apple River!

We didn't catch a single fish but it was still fun to be there and the kids got to throw rocks in the water while Maya ran up and down the shoreline.

Dusty got a little excited casting and got his lure stuck in a tree on the other side. Look at that mountain man, scaling sharp rocks in pursuit of a three dollar lure.

I love that he just waded in, clothes and all, the kids and I got to laugh at his feeble attempt to use a stick to find shallow water!

And lastly, Maya was hilarious. There was a downed tree and she just kept attacking it thinking she'd be able to walk off with this tree as her new stick. What a silly puppy!

It was a nice morning together, and we were even able to take some family photos that will probably be used for our holiday card this year. (Thanks for the tripod Mom!) A perfect relaxing morning after all the craziness of yesterday. Tonight? Dusty and I are going out to celebrate our wedding anniversary. A day early but I'm just happy we were able to find a night to ourselves to celebrate the best decision Dusty ever made!