Learning Experience

So Kendall had a learning experience yesterday. She wanted to make a cake out of her Highlights Magazine. So I said okay and let's do it. All we needed to buy was a lemon as it was a Lemon Cake and we had all the other ingredients. She was so Excited!!!

So we got the little ones all laid down for a nap and went to work making her cake. She proudly dumped all the ingredients into the bowl and then stirred them together. We followed the directions slowly and carefully. (honestly there was only like 4 steps)

After the cake was baked we headed to Praise Team practice. Kendall was anxious for her dad to get home and to get to serve her cake after dinner. After we were all cleaned up from dinner we set the cake on the table and helped her cut and serve the cake. She was being a 3 year old and took the first piece cut forgetting about her hostess duties. (Guess that will be a lesson for a later date. LOL!!) She put a dab of whip cream on each piece. I was looking forward to it and being the proud mommy took the first bite. WOW!!!! If I ever wanted to eat play dough I don't think I would have gone to the trouble of baking it first. I did not want to hurt my little girls feelings and continued to eat my lemon flavored play dough. K.C. only made it one bite in. I anxiously awaited Kendall taking her first bite. She excitedly took a good size bite. I could just see how proud she was, but then her expression changed. It changed very quickly and out came the cake right back onto the plate. She said, "That don't taste very good". You could just see the disappointment on her little face.

This just goes to show even with mommy's help things don't turn out perfect. She will try a new recipe soon enough I am sure and hopefully we will get an A from Daddy and the biggest critic, Kendall herself.

Habits

So I guess this blogging thing is not one of my good habits. I know that it would be very useful since I live a million miles away from my family and friends. Maybe I need somebody to keep me accountable? Maybe I need to bookmark this page? Not really to sure what will get me in the habit of posting a blog every now and then.

So yea, we are all doing great in this cold state of Florida. It really is cold right now. K.C. is still going to work everyday, while I stay at home with the children. HAHA, that sounds so Cleaver like, and that is not our family.

I am home though with Kendall, Kopelan, and our foster son. Most weeks we go out and do something once or twice a week, such as play groups, or the park. The other days we just hang around the house. Kendall has started playing soccer on the weekends. She has her first game this coming saturday. We are excited to see her out there chasing the ball. Kopelan is my busy little boy. He rarely wants to take a nap these days and can be found climbing the couches, opening doors, and getting into cupboards. He keeps me on my toes.

Well, I think that was a good update. I am going to try harder to keep this blog going. To update with exciting facts about our lives. That is the first step in making a good habit right. Trying?

Little Girls

Somebody forgot to tell me that little girls are just miniature teenagers. I think that God should have little girls born with a warning tag attached to their toe. The warning could say many different things. It could say, " Miniature Teenager Beware", " Beware of Flailing Arms and Legs", " Body Size Does Not Determine Size of Attitude", or maybe " I Am Always Right, Thought I Would Warn You Ahead Of Time". Being the mother of a beautiful, smart, strong willed, stubborn 2 1/2 year old is teaching me new things in life. Like patience, unconditional love, and how to pick my battles. Battles like its okay to wear rain boots, Minnie Mouse slippers, or sometimes even princess dress shoes on a 95 degree day with shorts and a tee-shirt out to the grocery store and who knew that if your hair got in your face one to many times it was the end of the world! Or that she would have such an opinion on what she wears already.

A little story/example of my sweet, sweet little girl with the teenage attitude. As most of you know my daughter has an addiction problem. She is a pacifier addict. It was done the day she named it "Bebe". So yesterday Kopelan had a Bebe in hand when Kendall walked in the room. She quickly ran over and ripped it from his grasp. Me being the mommy and trying to teach my children to share with each other told her to give it back as she could go get a different one (yes, we have a million of them roaming and hiding around our house). She grudgingly gave it back, and with that she ran to her room, and before SLAMMING THE DOOR SHUT, yelled, " Its not Fair"! What the? Where did that come from? I didn't think that started until at least 10, and I was hoping for even later. I saw my sweet, innocent little girl in a different light after that. I had a flash forward of her 10 years down the road and a flash backwards of myself and the little turd I was. It was a scary, yet informative moment and yet I had to giggle a little to myself before going in and telling her that it is okay to be upset, but slamming the door is not.

This is just one example of things I have been seeing in the last few months that are making me think of 10-12 years down the road. Those dreaded teenage years that everybody talks about. The attitude, the back talk, the fight for independence. Who knew that for little girls that all starts from day one. I mean I will admit my mom did warn me, but I guess I didn't believe her. I suppose I should have since I am raising a clone of myself. A little mini me. Knowing this though just gives me inspiration to raise her right. She has all the characteristics and smarts of becoming a wonderful, loving, strong, determined woman. She will be a fighter, always striving to do her best and be at the top of whatever she chooses. I know the days ahead are not always going to be easy, but I am ready to face these new challenges head on. To shape and mold her right. To learn with her and watch her grow and discover all that the world has to offer her.

So for now she is just my 2 1/2 year old "miniature teenager". Full of love, energy, and wonderful surprises that I will look forward to each day. I love you Kendall Maryn.

A Long Time Awaited!

I know some of you are going to be like "its about time" or "finally she has caught up with the times". Yes, I finally did it! I started a blog. I guess I got the inspiration from my friend Shelly. She has two kids and seems to be keeping it up, so if she can do it so can I. HAHA. Well at least I can attempt to keep it up. Already 2 min in to the process I have a child standing next to me screaming and another in the bedroom yelling, "Mom". This is my reminder of why I have not yet started one of these blog sites.

I will first start off by giving an update of our busy, busy, yet entertaining lives. As most of you know we are now residing in the sunny state of Florida. We relocated down here in March 2007 after K.C.'s job transferred him. We bought a beautiful home and which we have been continuing to paint and make our own over the last year. We are almost done. I think we have like 2 rooms left. Yea Us!! We have kept busy by visiting all the Disney parks, the zoo, the many beaches, and just exploring our new surroundings. Our biggest news was that we added another child to our family.

Kendall Maryn became a big sister and what a great big sister she has turned out to be. Kendall now 2 1/2 years old is loving life in Florida. I don't think she is going to want to leave. She is a beach babe and loves her go, go life. She is involved in art, music and play classes at gymboree and is making a ton of friends. She would be outside everyday, all day if she could despite it being 91 degrees and soooooo humid. Kendall is growing and learning everyday. She adds humor and excitement to life when things get boring. Oh, and can't forget her most recent accomplishment potty training. That is all I am going to say about that as that is a whole other blog, but for now we are doing awesome!!

Now to introduce our newest member. Most of you already know, but Kopelan Myles Lee was born December 6, 2007. He was our little Florida surprise. I found out I was pregnant 2 days after we had got here and closed on our house. Born 9lbs and 21.5 in. He was a big boy from the start. Now at 7 1/2 months old and 20lbs he has kept his size up. LOL!! He is just a delight. Kopelan is a laid back, happy, happy baby. He goes with the flow and seems to have adapted to our go, go way of life. He is crawling all over my house and pulling up on everything that he can possible pull up on. I am a little freaked he could walk early, so only time will tell if I am really in trouble.

So that is a little glimpse into our lives. If I can keep this thing going all who read are in for a wild ride. I hope you all will get as much enjoyment out of reading it as I hopefully will get out of riding it. So off to get ready for the start of another day in the Lee Household. Chao