quack, quack!

Riley received a special, surprise package in the mail today from my dear college friend, Andrea! 

It was a handmade, quilted "duck" blanket! 

We love it, Andrea!  You did a beautiful job on it!

Riley enjoyed opening her gift, playing with the box, card and blanket!

Riley is already dragging it around the house too...I think it's a hit!

The gift arrived just in time.  We've been teaching Riley animal sounds and just the other day she learned to quack like a duck! 

I wanted to get Riley on video "quacking" but she wasn't really in the mood.  It didn't turn out like I was hoping, since she "quacked" softly and you can barely hear it.  Regardless, I'm posting the video since it's fun to see Riley in action! 

(The video quality is terrible, sorry...it was just taken from my little digital camera.)

Thank you so much, Andrea, for the awesome blanket!!

cute

This post is especially for Mom F...

I put Riley in one of the dresses you sent her awhile back.  Its been warm enough for her to wear it, finally.  She looked so cute!  It fits her perfectly now so we'll get good use out of it this month (and hopefully all summer). 

I wanted to take some pictures of her in it, just in case she outgrows it before our July vaca!  She's so tall, so I never know if something will fit her or be too short on her already.

She's a cutie pie. 

Thanks again for the cute clothes!

fun with neighbors!

This month we've had a few play dates with our neighbors. 

Cailyn is about 6 months younger than Riley. 

Most of the time, Beth (Cailyn's mom) and I go on walks, pushing our girls in their strollers.  They don't get to play then, so we've tried to get them together here and there to actually play.  Not that they ever really "play" together.  They usually just play independently, but next to each other.  Or, Cailyn is wanting to pull on Riley's hair, shirt, stand up holding on to her, etc.  And Riley just stares at her like she's nuts (though, Riley did the same stuff at her age!)  They are funny to watch together. 

We are very sad though, because our neighbors are moving back to FL this summer.  I will definitely miss our walks and talks, Beth!  They will be back to visit though, as Beth's dad is our neighbor too.  They've been living with him temporarily.

Anyway, here are some pictures we've taken this month of the girls when together.

Cailyn and Riley

Cailyn pulling Riley's shirt

Cailyn, still pulling on Riley's shirt
(and having fun!)

Cailyn pulling Riley's hair

Riley, wearing her first green bracelet

Cailyn

the girls playing tug of war with a wipe

Mommy and Riley -
first pool time of the season!

Riley, sporting her "Pooh" swimsuit

Riley

Riley and Cailyn

Riley and Cailyn

Riley standing

Riley laughing
(I'm dripping water on her with that ball)

Yeah!

Love the comments, keep them coming. :)

Thank you!

May 18-19

Here are some pics that were taken during our visit to MD last week!

Riley in wagon

Riley & I

Granddad Paul and Riley, swinging!

Riley in wagon, showing us a stick she's holding

Riley and Grandma Pat

Riley and Grandma P walking down the street

Riley playing in grass

Riley petting Mister (my parents' cat)
She loves him!

5k pics

I promised more pics from last week, so I'm working on that for ya!

About the 5k race...we (my dad and I) finished in under 30 minutes.  My dad would've past me in the first two minutes of the race, but he was a good sport and ran with me!  It was a ton of help having him run next to me.  I don't think I'll be so nervous to run a future race alone now.  I understand all that is behind it.  All the unknowns are gone.  Thanks again Dad for running with me!  A once in a lifetime experience - the first race.

Dad and I, after the race.

I'm pointing to my dad's medal.
He won 2nd in his age group!

Aaron and Riley came to see us on race day too!

I'm not sure how many races are in my future, but I do know that I'm not scared of them anymore.  I like that they are a test of your fitness level, and running speed.  For as long as I can remember, I ran 10 or 11 minute miles (slow).  I'm still a slow runner, but during this race I picked up my pace and ran faster miles.  I feel good about that.  I'd love to get under 9 minute miles, and maybe with time I will.  And, maybe not.  I don't know.  I do know that I'm going to keep walking and jogging and we'll just see where that takes me.

Will running make my fat legs get smaller or more muscular?  Gosh, I hope so.

HA!

Comments...anyone?

How do you all feel about leaving comments on my blog?

Too hard, too public, too silly?

I would love to get comments from my readers...

You don't have to comment on everything, just once in awhile - on something that makes you laugh, smile or cry.  (Hopefully, I never make you cry!  Ha ha)

I know I have some family and friends reading, and would love to get some feedback or comments.

Sometimes I wonder who is reading, or if anyone really is reading!  It's hard to know.

I think if I get comments I will be more apt to keep posting, knowing that people are anticipating the next post!

I'd love to feel like I'm interacting more with you all through this site I maintain.

So, please help me by commenting!

Or at least think about it...  :-)



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