Hallelujah!

We can hardly believe it, but the time has finally come! Belle is now fully potty-trained. We still have the occasional accident, but no more diapers! I'm so overcome with joy I could cry. In celebration of her going to the potty for two weeks, we finally took her to visit the big guy -- Chuck E. Cheese. Our cousin, Jenny, was in visiting us that weekend and so Jenny experienced the wonder (and craziness) that is Chuck E. Cheese.

We were glad to have Jenny visit us and watch the girls for us two days. Belle cried tonight and said, "I miss the guys, Mommy!" The "guys" are Aunt Barbara, Jenny and Mo. Barb and Mo came to pick up Jenny yesterday and we all had a nice visit to the mall. Belle is so found of them that she asked if they were coming for dinner tonight too!

Fun all around

We've been having such good times lately. We really enjoy going to Miss Stacey's house now. No more tears! (which thrills Mommy and Daddy)

Last week, we visited with Grandma and Grandpa and did all kinds of fun things. We swam, rode the roller coaster, played at the park and visited with friends and family.

We had a neat time at Miss Stacey's house today. Lilly enjoyed a ride with Blake in his fire rescue jeep and I played with a big bouncy ball.

We'll share some photos with you from Grandpa and Grandma's house soon.

Kids Day & Reunion

We had a full weekend of activies in Morgantown.

On Saturday, we went downtown to celebrate Kids Day. We enjoyed playing in sandboxes; eating snow cones and popcorn; painting on a wall and playing with Grandma in a huge sprinkler provided by the local fire truck. Later, we visited with family at Mamaw's house and ate pizza for dinner. What fun.

Today, we visited with more family at a picnic where there was a pool. We played with our cousin, Kadence, and got lots of toys in the reunion auction.

My favorite part of the weekend was the pool. It had waves. Lilly told us her favorite part of the weekend was Grandma.

We were tired after our exciting weekend, but are definitel looking forward to visiting Grandma and Grandpa later this week.

Summer is time for insects

I just love bugs.

I can't wait to use my Booming Bugs Observation Deck. I can't wait to hear the bugs inside and look at them closely through the magnifying glass.

I made this drawing of insect fingerprints at Miss Stacey's last week.

-Belle

Full weekend

Whew! We're exhausted after a weekend full of activities. We enjoyed visiting with friends of the Kanawha Valley Emmaus Community at the annual picnic Saturday and then Mommy and Daddy took us to the pool again. (Friday we visited the wave pool in Hurricane for a couple of hours.) I'm doing much better in the swimming pools this year; although I still have trouble keeping my mouth closed.

Today, after attending Sunday School and morning worship at Bancroft Church of God, we visited with Granny, Pawpaw and GG Bunny. We had a nice lunch before I had my first play date with my new friend, Charlotte. (Charlotte's grandma, Carol, works with Mommy.) We visited the Clay Center for the Summer Fun Day, but it was unbelievably crowded and noisy. And we all know how well I do with loud noises! So after a short time of playing there, we all traveled to Ellen's Ice Cream on Capitol Street for some homemade ice cream. Charlotte and I had a nice time enjoying our treat, reading a book and playing with a small play kitchen. I sure enjoyed playing with my new friend and look forward to seeing her again soon.

Dinosaurs & Dora

We've had an exciting day today. First, Daddy & Mommy took us to the museum downtown so we could see the new Dinosaurs Alive! movie playing in the IMAX theater. We didn't sit through the whole movie, though, because Belle was scared every time one of the dinosaurs was big and looked like it would eat us.

After the movie, we visited the exploration stations to investigate fossils for ourselves and act out scenes from the movie of dinosaurs eating one another.

Then we came home for lunch and naps. We had to get some rest so we could attend our friend Savannah's birthday party tonight. She had a special guest join her for her birthday -- Dora! Even Belle couldn't resist a nap so we could see Dora. (the party was this evening and meant we'd be home past our bedtime.) It was so exciting to see Dora. Belle couldn't get enough of her and kept trying to take Map out of Backpack. Mommy had to tell her to wait her turn. After all, she was there for the birthday girl, Savannah. Belle is having a bit of trouble these days understanding that everyone's birthday isn't her birthdy and she doesn't get presents at everyone's party. Still, she was pretty good and we enjoyed visiting with our friends from Bancroft.

Happy Fourth!

Today, I learned about the American flag while we stayed with our new childcare provider -- Stacey. We reviewed the colors of the flag and learned there are many stars on our flag. I started to learn something called the Pledge of Allegiance. Mommy thought that was so neat so we said it together this evening. In celebration of Fourth of July, I made an American flag with my hand.

On our way home today, I (Belle) spotted several flags and pointed them out to Mommy & Daddy.

Exploring in our backyard

This evening we played and explored in the backyard with Daddy. Here are some of our finer moments caught on film.

Artistic weekend

In honor of FestivALL this weekend, we created our own work of art. After we enjoyed seeing pieces of artwork created by West Virginia State University students downtown on Saturday, we decided to paint some of our own on Sunday. We just loved all the activities of FestivALL this weekend. On Saturday, we visited the Smoke on the Water Chili Cookoff. Sunday we enjoyed the Ice Cream Social at Stonewall (in Mommy & Daddy's old stomping ground -- West Side) for a 1/2 hour before the rains came. So Mommy helped us top off our weekend of art by painting ceramic magnets and creating a suncatcher. There are many more activities this week in Charleston for FestivALL. To see a complete and fun schedule, visit http://media.cnpapers.com/festivall/ Mommy's friend, M.K., is one of the designers of this fun piece.

Belle's birthday highlights

Happy 3rd Birthday, Belle!

Belle celebrated her third birthday today, with family & friends and some unexpected guests. Typical Belle, not afraid, just picked up our unexpected guest (locust on her arm!) and wanted to share his visit with them all. Lilly & Mommy were happy to see him from a distance.

Lilly helped her celebrate her day with cake and fun in the water.

In small spaces

It's been a tough a few days in the Beckner house. Mommy is really busy with work this week ( an event on Thursday.) Daddy has been busy too. We've also had a lot of excitement with a visit from Granddaddy (who is in from Florida) and our extended family. We've had fun playing with Jesse, Ka-Ka, Aunt Dodie, Jonah, Aunt Grace and their dog, Hendrix. It's been so much excitement, though, it's been tough for us to settle down at night and go to sleep.

We've also been unusually rotten -- well, Lilly has. Tonight, while Mommy & Daddy changed out of their work clothes Lilly climbed into her bottom drawer and emptied it. She thought she was pretty funny. (as she says, "I funny.") During this adventure, I discovered the Easter card that Grandpa gave us and started dancing to the chicken dance. Mommy was glad that I quickly put it away though.

I'm pretty excited that my birthday is just three days away. I'll be three! Lilly keeps saying she's the same age as me. "I free," she says as she hold up all her fingers. Silly Lilly! She's such a baby! I'm such a big kid. Now, if I could just get that potty training down.

Accident-prone

It's official: Belle is accident-prone! I thought we'd escape the rest of her twos without another injury, but she snuck one in just a week before her birthday. She ran to get her shoes from the bench in our entryway, tripped on the rug and I believe caught her left ear on the corner of the bench. I didn't see the accident take place. I just saw her facedown on the floor, bawling. She didn't cry long. It bled a lot and I realized a trip to the ER was in our near future. I called Daddy to return from the store "Now!" And called Granny & Pawpaw for reinforcements as I didn't want to wake the crank monster known as Lilly from her afternoon beauty rest.

I thought for sure Belle needed stitches. But the wonderful staff at Women's & Children's ER (whom Belle entertained with her witty conversation) told us it was a clean cut and could easily be glued back together! Wish I would have known that -- I know I have superglue somewhere in this house!

So now the rule is running is forbidden in the Beckner household (outside okay; inside -- absolutely not!) Any offenses of this rule are punishable by spanking. Belle nearly suffered the same accident tonight because she was running. I think three more gray hairs popped out in my head this weekend.

Visiting the Mountains

It's becoming a tradition to visit the family cabin in Pocahontas County for Memorial Day Weekend. The girls were eager to visit the mountains or as Belle referred to it -- Capitol Market. She confused cabin with Capitol Market.

We had a wonderful weekeend with Grandma and Grandpa. Among our adventures we took a trip on "Thomas the Train" to Whittaker station at Cass. Belle enjoyed the trains except for when the whistle blowed. "It's to noisy," she said.

Grandpa took the girls for a short fishing trip to Seneca Lake. Belle was more interested in reeling in the line than waiting for a fish to take bite the bait. Lilly just wanted to get in the water.

Once again, we visited the playground at Green Bank Elementary. On one visit, Belle discovered a fuzzy caterpillar and picked it up. Lilly wouldn't hold it or touch the fishing worms. Belle is certainly more outdoorsy than Lilly, but both girls enjoyed playing outside at the cabin -- taking many trips down to the bridge to throw rocks into the creek (just like Aunt Sara and Mommy when they were little.)

Monkeying Around

In today's fast-pace world -- full of learning your ABC's and new ditties -- it's more important than ever to just let your hair hang down and play. That's why Lilly and I just monkeyed around today -- literally! I shared my monkey costume with Lilly tonight while we played dress up. Sometimes, we pretend we're princesses. Other times we're pirates, or lions, cats or dogs! For the most part, we have a good time. Ocassionally, Mommy has to come in and break up a fight -- usually when I've had enough of my little sister.

Here's a study the AAP released about the importance of play: http://www.aap.org/pressroom/play-public.htm

This is my ticket to getting Mommy to let us just goof off more!

Transitioning to a Big Girl

We had an exciting day today. Mommy & Daddy took us to a "special place" as Mommy told Belle this morning. We went to a really neat museum right here in our own town, the Clay Center. It was fun. Belle and I especially liked the exhibit about Earthquakes that had lots of water displays. Mommy wasn't too happy that we were able to get messy. We also enjoyed the gizmo factory -- with lots of neat science projects like this cool mirror.

Later, Mommy decided she'd switch out my crib for a big girl bed, like Belle has. Notice my bed is exactly like Belle's -- even with a Dora sheet. I've been climbing into Belle's bed for weeks now. Mommy asked me if I wanted one and I said yes. So she gave me one today, but when it came time to sleep in it tonight, I wasn't very happy about it. In fact, I screamed and refused to sleep in it. So Mommy took me downstairs and let me sit with her until I fell asleep. She tried to carry me back to bed, but I was too smart for her and woke up. Bedtime began at 9 p.m. (after all the rearranging of furniture) and I finally went to sleep at 11:20. Mommy had to get tough with me and spank me (read: lightly swat) on the leg and put me back into the bed. I cried for about 10 minutes before I passed out -- with my legs hanging off the side of the bed! I got in the last word!

Rain, rain

It's raining. It's pouring. The old man is snoring....

Rain, rain, go away. Come again some other day. We want to play! And Mommy won't let us go outside if it's cold and raining! Mommy says I (Belle) have to be more careful when I go out because I had an allergic reaction to grass (or something outside) after I rolled down our hill Friday. I had a bad rash and my eye swelled real big on Saturday. I sneezed a lot and was just down right miserable.

Daddy bought some special lotion for me to stop the itching. He put it on my rash after I had a bath Sunday night. But my legs still itched. So I climed up on my changing table, opened the tube of cream and smeared it all over both of my legs. I couldn't figure out how to get back down from the changing table though, so I had to yell for Mommy to come and get me. Daddy was pretty angry with me for making a mess and climbing up there. He said I could have fallen and broken another bone. I think Mommy was snickering under her breath, but she told me not to do it again and to ask for help next time!

Circus & a birthday party

Grandpa turns 55 tomorrow. We're happy that we were able to celebrate his birthday with him this weekend with a trip to the circus. Belle enjoyed the elephants and the tigers. I especially liked the trapeze artists. And who could resist all the great food? Sno-cones and popcorn. Mmm. Mommy, Aunt Sara and Belle showed off their sno-cone tongues. The elephants were amazing at how they can stand on their noses. The small dogs that jump and do turns were pretty funny as well. At times, we were scared at the trapeze artists would fall. Belle kept saying he's going to fall, Mommy. I think she actually got scared a bit.

Later we celebrated Grandpa's birthday with a special dinner at Soho's and of course I had to ham it up a bit!

It was so much fun to see Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Sara. Aunt Sara was so much fun. She taught us how to roll down the hill. I then helped clean up by brushing the grass of her back. I'm helpful that way!

New Heights

Purpose in Play

Another fascinating lesson I (Rachelle) learned while visiting San Diego is the importance of play. I'll wait while you finish laughing. Yes, I know that you find it difficult for me -- the girl who was born an adult -- to truly appreciate play. I have to admit that I cringed when this wonderful speaker, Kevin Carroll, told us -- an audience of more than 500 fundraisers -- that we need to learn how to play! But play is essential to our creativity, energy and enthusiasm for life. Play taught Mr. Carroll to never give up on his dreams.

Mr. Carroll's love for play (and sports in particular) led to a successful career in the NBA, at Nike and now as an author and speaker who travels the world. During his presentation, Mr. Carroll presented to us various soccer balls he has collected from around the world. They were pathetic -- a ball of grocery bags held together with string or threads of rubber from an old tire. He traveled the world, promoting play and took with him new soccer balls to give to children in third world countries who were thrilled to play soccer with a bundle of grocery bags!

The lesson to take away from Kevin Carroll's speech (and his book The Rules of the Red Rubber Ball -- hence the photo) is this: Each day find time to play. Play to you may mean planting some flowers, or riding a bike, or going for a run. And so whether your play is taking your first turn down a slide (Lilly) or swinging upside down (Belle), take time to play each day.

To learn more about Mr. Carroll (also known as littlefastkid) and/or receive more of his insights visit: http://www.katalystatlarge.com/

A lesson in motherhood from Jane Goodall

Until I decide to create my own blog, I'm going to share with Belle & Lilly.

It's funny how life lessons are presented to you in the strangest places. Many of you know that I recently attended a fundraising conference in San Diego, California. Dr. Jane Goodall (yes, the one who studied chimpanzees) was a plenary session speaker. While the conference's focus was on fundraising, Ms. Goodall shared her life story with us. And rather than picking up new ideas for how to ask for money from Jane, I learned a lesson in motherhood.

See, Jane shared stories about where her childhood and how her mother is the reason why she is where she is today. As a young girl, poor and living in the country in England, Jane loved to play outside. One evening, she brought four earthworms with her to bed. Did her mother go balistic when she discovered Slimey and his friends were camping out with Jane for the night? No! She didn't strip the bed, throw the sheets in the wash and all the while fuming about the mess. Jane's mother simply explained to her that if she kept the earthworms with her in bed they would die because they needed the soil to live. So Jane toddled back downstairs, outside to deposit her friends back into the garden.

Jump ahead a couple of decades, Jane's mother encouraged her to save her money to make her first trip to Africa to study the chimpanzees and when the British government said they wouldn't let Jane sit out in the jungle to study chimps without an escort her mother gladly volunteered to join her for four months in the African jungle.

Now I'm not jumping at the chance to sit in the woods and study deer poopies (as Belle likes to refer to them) but I realized one important lesson that day. Rather than squashing my daughter's natural curiosities, I could encourage them. I could not jump off the deep end when she wants to jump into a mud puddle or collect caterpillars in her jacket pocket. I could, instead, jump in that puddle with her and help her identify which type of caterpillar she has found. Who knows? Maybe one day, she will become a Jane Goodall.

(to learn more about Dr. Goodall's work today, visit http://www.rootsandshoots.org/)

Celebrating Easter

We had a wonderful time celebrating Easter with our family. I can't even count how many times we hunted for Easter eggs. This is my new favorite pasttime. I love to search for plastic eggs and see what's inside them. Sometimes there's candy; sometimes there's money! We enjoyed church on Sunday. I proved yet again I was a big kid by attending Kid's Kingdom all on my own. Lilly cried and had to go back with Mommy. I heard later that she helped Pastor Kevin with his sermon by saying "sorry" after he told the church to say you're sorry a couple of times. Everyone around Lilly laughed. I just love holidays. I can't wait for the next one -- which I hope is my birthday!

I'm a Big Girl now

I'm on my way to becoming a big girl. Today, for the first time, I pee-peed in the potty! I sat down to watch my Letter Factory video and while Mommy stepped away to get Lilly lunch I peed in the potty! Daddy & Mommy were so proud of me they took me later to Chuck E. Cheese to celebrate. Unfortunately, on the way home I peed in my big girl pants. Oops! Well, it's a start anyway. Watch the video that Mommy put together of some funny moments from our trip today.

Lilly's first experience with school

Not the best pictures but these are the last moments in the house before Lilly headed off to her first day of "school." Ms. Kim, the director at Belle's pre-school, said Lilly could start attending on Fridays for Kid's Play with Belle. Lilly was so excited when I told her on Thursday that she threw her arms in the air and yelled, "yeah!"

On the way to school, I started getting nervous about whether Lilly would cry when I left. She was so excited to attend on Thursday but when we arrived at the church this morning I had to practically push her through the classroom door. She stood back and watched as Belle ran off immediately to play with toys and say hello to friends. Lilly cried a little, but Ms. Kim took her under her wing and started playing with her and she was fine. When Granny picked them up from school this afternoon, the girls were eating lunch. Miss Lisa, Belle's teacher, said to Granny boy she likes to eat doesn't she -- meaning Lilly. We had a good laugh over that. We'll see how interested Lilly is in school next week.

Spring is in the air

We all got outside today to enjoy the sunshine and warm air. How refreshing to be outside... to run and explore, slide and laugh. It was a welcomed break from the duldrums of winter! Here are some highlights from us frollicking in the sun today.