Early Father's Day!

Want me to read it to you daddy?

       Special Delivery

A special invite

Dressed and ready to go

      Too funny!  Lily Grace decided she needed to 

accessorize on the way out the door.  Sorry daddy!

Matt said this is what he turned around to

in the car. Too cute!

Out to dinner

Yes!  She made a statement when they entered

the restaurant.  She was still accessorized.  Daddy

walked her in with pride.  Your the best daddy!

Daddy and I are having soooo much fun!

Father's Day came early to our house this year.  We will be at the beach next Sunday on the actual day, but wanted Daddy to enjoy his special gift before we left, so we gave it to him this weekend.

I thought long and hard about this year's gift.  I tried to think of things that he didn't have and would enjoy.  Then it hit me!  As for a tangible gift, well I couldn't come up with one.  He had wanted a new briefcase a couple of months ago and had already gotten it.  Besides that, "things" are pretty insignificant these days.  It's amazing and a blessing the way having a child changes your priorities and thinking in life.  All for the better I must say.  

Then it hit me, the one thing that Matt desires most, but rarely has is more time with his little girl.  Matt is such a good daddy.  He's very hands on and involved in Lily Grace's life, every aspect of it.  It's not very often they get one on one time either as we cherish our family time. 

So this year Lily Grace and I surprised daddy with a very special invitation.  We created this invitation with her picture on the outside.  The inside held a special message inviting daddy to dinner alone with his little girl.  It was even requested that this be an ongoing thing between them.

And so it begins...daddy date night.  They bathed, dressed and with only the request of some pictures by mommy, they were on their way.  Lily Grace was giggly with excitement and her daddy beamed with pride.  They enjoyed a nice dinner and then ended their first daddy date with a trip to Barnes and Noble for a new book.  (And through it all, mommy managed to show some restraint and only called once asking for details.)

Upon returning home, Lily Grace was still all giggles and both were happy to share their evening. 

Matt says that this is one of the best and most special gifts he could have received.  According to him, he and Lily now have a special "thing" that he looks forward to enjoying for years to come. 

Always Thinking

Each morning as Lily Grace wakes, you can hear her laying in bed talking to herself.   Lately, she has really been into counting.  You are never quite certain how far she is going to go, as the clap and "yeah" will let you know she is finished.   This morning I overheard her counting several times and I thought I would try to capture it.  Did I mention that she is in the 'I don't like to perform" stage?  Thank goodness she is a happy riser. 

Not to push my luck, I asked her to share colors from one of her favorite books.  Of course each color is initially red because it's her favorite. ( Do you know how much red is in Target during a shopping trip???)  I am happy to say that pink is running a close second among the favorites but, it's hearing her say purple that really tickles Matt and I. 

It's little moments like this that remind you how much Lily Grace has grown.  It also tugs at your heart a little too.  You are also reminded of just how fast she is growing and evolving.  Her vocabulary is really starting to explode and to think that she heard only Chinese for the first  nine months of her little life make it even more the milestone.

With any luck, I will be back to post  her retelling one of her story books, with expression and all.  Too cute!

                   123....Numbers...456

                    C OLORS

The Girls

This morning I took some video of Lily Grace counting and naming colors to  put on the blog. While waiting for the video to upload, I caught this cute little moment. One of the videos from this morning is large so I will have to upload it later when the server isn't so busy.  Until then, here is a cute snip of the girls!