My best friend from high school got MARRIED!

Me, Lindsay, and Jenny showing off our sassy side.

My 2 best friends from high school.

Jeff, Jenny, and I

Jenny, my newly engaged friend, and I after the wedding.

Pictures of Bella from the rest from the rest of July...

Mastering the "big" slide at Elm Creek.

Getting her first official haircut... she was pretty nervous.

Happy the cutting of her hairs is over!

Looking at a tiny toad (in the crack of the cement) at Nana and Papa's.

Our favorite visitors from Kansas!

Bella and her cousin, Ellie, got matching dresses from Guess.

Not trying to name favorites, but I think it is pretty obvious who Bella's favorite cousin is!

Bella and I with my cousin, Heather, having brunch at 3 Squares.

A couple weeks ago our favorite family from Kansas (note that they are our only family from Kansas hehe) came up to visit. Bella and I got to spend lots of time with them!

Best Friend's Birthday

First time playing pin the tail on the donkey.

First time swinging at a piniata.

Upset that her new "boyfriend" won't take a picture with her.

The birthday girl, Avery, and Bella!

4th of July

Bouncing!!

My cousin, Angie, and I on the 4th of July.

Papa and Bella

Opps I have once again been slacking off at posting to my blog, so now it is catch up time...

For the 4th of July weekend Bella, my mom, and I went up to Duluth to stay with my Auntie Denise and her husband Rick. They recently moved back up to MN from Florida and we love having them back! My cousin/best friend Angie and her boyfriend Brady also came up and stayed with Denise (her mom) and Rick.

On the way up on Friday, we stopped in Moose Lake to grab dinner at this dinky (as in you could maybe for 30 people in the place) little cafe. I was kind of excited because a lot of times those places have the best food... yeah this place did not hold true to that. It took an hour to even get our food, and when we did it was not very good. But while there it was interesting to people watch. It's funny that in a small town, 2 hours north of the cities, they can be so behind the times (mainly clothes and hairstyles). I don't want to generalize, because I am sure there are a few people that do not fit these descriptions... they just were no where in site while we were there.

On Friday night just hungout around the house and caught up. Bella fell in love with the Harley slot machine that they have downstairs. She could sit in front of that thing and play for hours, I am actually considering investing in one as a "babysitter"... haha only kidding.

Saturday we went to Sturgeon Lake to celebrate the 4th with mom and Denise's side of the family at a resort that one of mom's cousins and her boyfriend own. It was great being there, we spent a lot of time there when we were younger and this is the first time I have been up there since Bella was born. Bella had a blast getting attention from all of her distant relatives she hardly ever gets to see. And she, for the first time, jumped in a big inflatable bouncer without crying!

Sunday, we left Duluth and met Papa in Garrison for a post 4th party/wedding shower for some friends of the family. Papa took Bella out on a boat ride, she thought that was pretty cool. Bella also fished off the end of the dock but was unsuccessful at sitting long enough to catch a fish. And before we left she took a few jumps on the water trampoline.

All in all, it was a long weekend but lots of fun!

Bella started preschool (insert sigh here)

My baby started preschool on Monday. She was so excited that she could barely sleep the night before. When she finally did she woke me up bright and early. I, like most parents, was nervous that she would be scared, she'd cry when I went to drop her off, she'd refuse to let me leave, etc. Well none of that happened... When we got there she nearly ran to her classroom, the doors were still closed so we stood in the hallway with her fellow classmates and their parents. A few kids were crying, one was clinging to his mom's leg, and most were just standing silently. Not Bella, she was telling me all the things she was going to do and asking why she couldn't go in yet.

The teachers opened the doors and Bella was the first to run up and introduce herself to Ms. Chris and Ms. Joani and then walk into the classroom without me. I followed behind her, tapped her on the shoulder and said "are you forgetting something", she took off her jacket and handed it to me. Not what I was looking for, but I managed to get a hug and kiss from her before she ran off to play. As I was leaving the room, passing the parents of crying children, I was relieved that Bella adapts so well... but it would have been nice for her to at least pretend like she was going to miss me. When I got in my car I almost shed a tear, but decided to save those for when she starts kindergarden (insert goosebumps here).

Two hours later I joined the rest of the parents in the hallway to wait for our new preschoolers. The door to the classroom was open and we could see all the kids sitting in a circle while the teachers sang them a good bye song, at the end they both sang "yee haa" to which Bella was the only child to echo "yee haa" and do a little dance :) As the teachers released her to me they told me she loves to paint, which I knew, and could see by looking at her pink shirt which was spattered with red and green. Once in the car Bella said she loved preschool and couldn't wait to go back, so off we went again this morning!

My baby is growing up so fast!

Lots to catch you up on

Alivia Madison and I a few minutes after she was born.

Bella feeding the giraffe

Bella being a fishy at the zoo.

I knew it wouldn't be long before I fell behind on blogging. We've done lots since my last post...

On the Saturday of Memorial weekend Bella and I went to Nana and Papa's for Papa's birthday. Renee, Kyle, Bella and I got Papa the gift of all gifts this year (a SkyCaddy), so now I am already trying to think of something even cooler to get him next year. That Sunday Bella and I went to the Minnesota Zoo, I thought since so many people went up north it would be less crowded than a usual Saturday... I was WRONG. It was crazy, but we trucked through it and managed to see pretty much every animal there. Bella got to touch a shark, feed a giraffe, and watch a bird show. That night Nana and Papa took Bella so I could go out to see a country show at a bar near my house, lots of fun. On Memorial day I went back to the parents to get Bella, we ended up hanging around and BBQing and playing volleyball with some of the neighbors.

The next weekend was pretty relaxed. I went to a bachelorette dinner on Saturday and then to a bonfire afterwards. I purposely stayed in the area because my best friend, Breanna, was due the next Monday, so I was waiting for the call. Monday came and Bre had some doctors appointments so we were going to meet for lunch in between 2 of them. Well she called me right as I was pulling up to the doctors office and said she was going to have to cancel our lunch date because her blood pressure was so high her doctor was sending her to the hospital. Alivia Madison was born Tuesday, June 2 at 12:34am. She is healthy, happy, lots of hair, and looks just like her big sister. So Tuesday and Wednesday were spent toting big sister Avery around to see the new little sister, making cupcakes, and decorating their house with welcome home signs we made.

Last Friday was Bella's last day at her daycare in Maple Grove, where she has been going since she was 10 months old. It was so sad to have to quit going there, her daycare lady was the best, but driving to and from Maple Grove 2 times a day was getting to be too much. Friday during the day my mom, who knows I am getting really bored at home, got off work early and offered to take me out to lunch. So we had lunch, ran to Sam's Club, and then went and picked Bella up. At that last minute on Friday night I decided to join Donny and some friend's up in Hinckley to watch a friend of us (win) his boxing match, so Bella got to spend the night with Nana. On Saturday Bella and I went to Avery's dance recital, Ave did so well while Bella got a little wiggly. Sunday, Bella and I went to a bridal shower and then Donny brought both of us on a date to see the movie "Up" in 3D. We were all so excited for the movie, but we really didn't think it was that great, plus the 3D glasses were way to big for Bella's head, Bella had to go to the potty twice, get up for popcorn, and Bella had to bounce up and down on her seat.

Bella's new schedule is Mondays and Wednesdays (starting next week) she will go to Preschool in the morning and then hangout with me the rest of the day. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays Bella gets to go to her new daycare. So this Monday and Wednesday we just hung around and made a mess of the house. Tuesday was her first day at her new daycare, I was a little nervous but should have known better because when we got there she gave me a hug and kiss and ran to play with the other kids. And yesterday when she woke up she was mad that she didn't get to go to daycare. This kind of made me feel bad, here I thought she would enjoy spending Mondays and Wednesdays with me but instead she gets mad that she can't go to daycare.

This weekend will be a busy one around here.... it's Albertville Friendly City Days! Tonight Bella and I are going to the carnival, Friday I am going with some friends to see a band down the road, Saturday I'm hosting a big party at the house, and Sunday some friends and I are bringing Bella to the parade (which is only 2 blocks away)!

Have a great weekend, I know we will!

Discover Aviation Days 2009

Bella and her Great Grandpa

Bella on the Tug

Bella and I bared the wind and cold today to enjoy the festivities of Discover Aviation Days at the Anoka County Airport in Blaine. We met Grandpa, Doug, and Derek at the hanger and went down and had a good pancake breakfast. We got to watch "Miss Mitchell", a plane I have always loved, fly in as we were eating. Bella of course wanted to go see it right away, but I made her sit in the warm hanger for a little longer. Grandpa proceeded to tell me a great story about how he was the first person to ever fly the "Miss Mitchell", which he and his co-piolet originally named something else. I love listening to my Grandpa's stories, I need to make it a point to see him more often.

After breakfast we got a quick peak at "Miss Mitchell" and then headed back to Grandpa's hanger. Bella had fun twirling around on the office chairs and I told her how my cousins and I used to have races on the wheely chairs, not sure if it was a good idea to put that thought in her head. Towards the afternoon it got a little warmer so, when a friend of mine stopped in, we went down and got a better look at the planes. Unfortunetly because it was so windy there was not many planes out for display.

After my friend left, Bella and I played around on the Tug (the big thing that pulls planes around) for quite a while. This brought back even more memories of my childhood. We loved playing on the tugs when we were little. Grandpa even lifted us to the ceiling of the hanger, which is extremely high even when you are not a little kid, on the forklift once. We used to spend so much time with my Grandpa at his hanger, it used to be in Crystal when I was young, and everytime I go back all the memories come storming back. Like I said before, I need to go back more often and make sure Bella gets to create her own great memories with Grandpa at the hanger.

Best event of the week...

We went to my friend's daughter's baseball game last night and I have to say that watching 5 year olds play baseball is extremely comical! Avery is the only girl on the team, and her coaches tell her she is the best girl on the team... she takes this very literally. The kids all get to bat once per inning and they swing until they hit the ball. There are no strikes, outs, umps, or set amount of innings. Avery's team was the first to bat and almost every child forgot to run after they finally hit the ball. They were so excited that they had finally connected with the ball that they just stood there watching the ball soar through the air, well for most kids it was more like watching the ball roll on the ground. The coach would remind them to run and when they did their little bodies wanted to run faster then their legs and most almost tripped over their own feet.

Next Ave's team went out into the field and she was placed as one of 2 short stops in between first and second base. She manages to lose focus before the first player even hits the ball. She does a few twirls and then starts up a full dance routine. But that is okay the rest of the team is also goofing off... building sand mounds, picking at the grass in outfield, conversing near second base, etc. Finally a kid hits the ball and all the kids look at each other to see who is going to run and get it, finally the coach says go get the ball and immediately 3 of them all run to get it. Once one of them picks it up they are unsure of what to do next. The coach says throw it to first and the child makes a nice attempt but the first baseman is not paying attention anyway so the runner makes it to first safely and in plenty of time. The rest of the innings continue like this.

While Ave is out on the field Bella has made 2 new friends. I get nervous, at first, that she is going to wonder away or do something naughty but I eventually ease up. Bella and her friends play in various dirt piles in front of us. I notice both of the other girls throw dirt and was just waiting for Bella to do the same, but instead she tells one of them not to throw dirt... I smile to myself. Then I notice her chewing on something. I say her name, she looks up and I am about to say somthing when I remember she has gum in her mouth. I think by 3 she'd know better then to put somthing random into her mouth, but you never know. When the game is over Bella tells her friends bye and for once does not throw a fit that we have to go home. She was the dirtiest she has ever been in her life, but over the last 3 years I have learned that a little dirt never killed anyone. I think we will be going to many more of Avery's games this summer, it is a great way to put a smile on your face :)

A few pics...

Bella with Santa, Christmas '08

Bella being cute!

Bella and I at my best friend's wedding in Sept. 2009

Attempt Number 2

Okay I set up a blog maybe 6 months ago and then did nothing with it, so I decided to try it again. I think I can make it work this time, I do have way more time now that I am laid off. So here we go...

A little about me, for those of you that may not know me... although I do not know if strangers read other peoples blogs? My name is Cindy and I am a 23 year old single mother of a wonderfully brilliant 3.5 year old, Bella. I was recently laid of, in February, from my position as an event planner after 2 and a half years. I kind of saw it coming when we got word from corporate that they were going to be opening a sales call center at World Headquarters to "help" with the calls. And then a few weeks later I get the news that my position will be eliminated in 2 weeks, so I had to work for the company for 2 more weeks... fun fun! I was not devastated, it was actually good timing. We were just moving into our new house a few weeks later so I was able to pack and move and unpack without having to also work 40 hours a week. I have decided to take advantage of this time in my life and take it easy this summer. Never, since I have had Bella, have I had much time to just enjoy being a mom, even when I was not working I was thinking about work or doing homework or doing housework etc.

I will just through in a short bit about the other person that helped me create Bella, her "dad", and then not mention it anymore. He has never been a big part of her life, and the little bit of time he has been around was a mess. Basically I spent a bunch of money in court trying to protect Bella and he still won some rights, with fine print, to see her. Well after all of that he never really showed any interest in seeing her and has not seen her for close to 2 years. I am overjoyed that he backed off the way he did, now I know my baby is safe and happy. Anyway that is enough words spent on that subject...

Now let's talk about the most important person in my life... BELLA! Bella is, as most children are to their parents, the love of my life. I was 20 when I had her and she has changed me and formed me into the person and mommy I was always meant to be. She is so smart, I know I am biased, but I really think she has always been slightly advanced for her age. With her brilliance comes trouble, I often call her "sassy" to which she yells back at me :) Bella is also extremely high-strung, people assure me that she is not a.d.h.d. she is just 3... I hope their right because I don't know if I can deal with this hyperness for much longer. Hmmm what else can I tell you about Bella Jo...

• she can be found dancing about 75% of the time that she is awak.
• her favorite color is red (did not know this until I just asked her).
• she is best friends with my best friend's daughter, Avery.
• she loves saying things in Spanish to me because I don't understand most of the words.
• her favorite people are Nana and Papa (my parents).
• she can make a mess out of a clean house in 60 seconds flat.
• she is a social butterfly, the girl gets upset when she says hi to someone in the store and they do not say hi back.
• she is not afraid of timeouts anymore, yep I know fun for me ;)
• she is not a fan of storms

Speaking of storms, it is just starting to storm so I better go snuggle Bella and watch some Idol.