Benjamin and Abby Hilty

I have attempted to load photos to this post twice now. The first time, the computer crashed. The second time, Abby hit delete right as it was finishing. So, better late than never, here is a big catch up post.

We are still loving our time at Kings Island, and hanging out at all our other favorite spots.

Benjamin just got a new bike (photos later) but here, Abby was testing out her wheels. These two also have been enjoying time at the pool, and in the back yard.

Recharge! has been so much fun. We had a birthday party in May, and in June we had a bug theme.

For Mother’s Day, Benjamin’s preschool hosted a “tea.” Benjamin made me some presents, and he prepared my food and plate for me.

I was expecting that Mother’s Day might be a tough day this year, because it was really difficult last year. Luckily, my friends anticipated this. I had so many nice notes and offers to hang out. Melissa and I went out for pedicures, which was a highlight of the day…next to hanging with my kiddos, of course.

A few weeks ago, we went to see the butterfly exhibit in Cincinnati. The kids LOVED catching butterflies on their cards.

We love fresh fruit, and we eat a lot of it. I decided to spice things up a bit by allowing the kids to dip their fruit in chocolate one night. They now request this treat quite often.

Abby received several birthday gifts in the mail, but none compared to the excitement of opening princess shoes and a Sophia dress from Great Aunt MB and Great Uncle David. (Well, the Frozen pajamas from Aunt Christy and Uncle Mike were pretty exciting too…)

The minute Abby hears music of any kind, she starts to dance. She especially likes to carry our phones or ipods around the house to stream the soundtrack from “Frozen.” Here she is singing,, “In Summer,” while dancing with Benjamin.

We love our ice cream, or as Abby calls it, “Ipeam.” The kids save their quarters to ride the rides at The Cone.

Abby and Benjamin choose what to wear each day. Typically, Benjamin is dressed with everything backward. And, you just never know what Abby will choose. I love their unique personalities. And, I love the conversations we have. The other day, Benjamin told me that he would one day be as tall as Daddy, because Daddy was once his size, but then he went on a cruise and ate a lot of food, and now he is taller. Benjamin also has a very sensitive heart. He has been fretting about Papa selling his house.He wants to be sure his toys, Papa’s bed, the TV and his hot cocoa all travel with Papa wherever he goes. If Papa’s house sells, and Papa can’t find a house, Benjamin plans to go shopping at Target, WalMart and Kroger to buy bricks for a new house.

Abby’s conversations usually involve, “why?” “Why not?” and “No way!” She repeats back just about everything we say, and she likes to claim everything… “Me! Me! Me too! Abby ipeam!” or “Abby’s window! Abby smoosh fruit fly! Fruit fly on window!” She is getting much better at expressing what she wants, and she never hesitates to tell us she needs medicine whenever she coughs, sneezes or gets an ouchie. Usually, a vitamin will suffice. Abby also says “bless you” to anyone who sneezes, or coughs, and sometimes adds, “Thank you. You’re welcome.”

Sweet Abby girl is now 2, going on 20. She has an independent streak a mile wide, and wants to do everything by herself now. Here are some things she is doing on her own:

Going potty: Abby was potty trained in just a few weeks of trying, and although it wasn’t a walk in the park, it went so well! She still has accidents, but she is getting much better. She has decided that she wants to sit on the big potty now, rather than her Minnie Mouse potty, because she especially likes her Lightning McQueen potty seat. Abby also insists that we come with her to go potty, but stand outside the door, so she can do everything herself and only get help when she needs/requests it. She then demands a treat immediately after, and we think it will be a long time before we will be able to transition away from this.
Napping: Abby decided that she didn’t want the railing on her crib anymore, so now that she can climb in and out of her bed, she often puts herself down for a nap. If she doesn’t want a nap, an epic battle ensues, and there is no reasoning with her. But, most days, she grabs her binky and blanket (the pink one), and heads to bed.
Choosing her clothing: Abby refuses to wear anything unless she picks it out. She is quite the fashionista, so if it is her idea to wear something, she will happily wear it with every accessory she owns. But, if I pick it, she doesn’t want to wear it at all, and will rip the clothes right off. Sometimes she tries on multiple outfits, and sometimes she wants to roam in nothing but her underwear. Her style ranges dramatically, depending on her mood. And, sometimes her styles clash into perfect adorable Abbiness. See below:

Playing outside: Unfortunately, Abby figured out how to unlock the sliding door and let herself outside. Luckily, we have a fenced in yard, so she can roam freely.For the most part, she loves to go outside and spend countless hours in her sand box, playing with her new water table…or dragging water from the table to her sandbox, and sand back to the water table.

Some things are just meant to be shared. Abby loves nothing more than to do these activities with others:

Play games/puzzles: Abby is getting quite good at playing “Zingo,” which is essentially a Bingo game. She is pretty focused and competitive when we play this particular game, though games like “Candyland” and “Chutes and Ladders” bore her.
Play with Benjamin: I love when these two play nicely together, because they entertain each other so well! Their favorite game is to just chase each other around the house or yard, while they each ride in or push a toy. They also love to squirt water at each other outside, and play on our climbing dome and slide. As usual, clothing is rare.

Socialize: Abby loves a party/get-together, which is good, since we hang out with friends A LOT! She has plenty of friends, but Tyler (4) and Emma (almost 2) get the most requests to play. Here she is trying to keep up with all of the boys.

Shop: Abby requests often that we go to Target. When I ask why, she says, “See toy aisle.” She has picked up on one of Benjamin’s favorite pastimes…roaming up and down the toy aisles, admiring everything on the shelves. While she loves to wear shoes, and even shop for them at most stores, she becomes hysterical the moment we walk into Stride Rite. I believe she is scarred for life, though I am not sure why. She thinks it is akin to going to the doctor when the try to measure her feet.

So, what else is Abby up to? Well, Abby is growing like crazy! She grew three inches since her 18-month well visit, and now weighs 24 pounds. This puts her at about the 20th percentile for weight and 25th for height. She screamed hysterically the entire visit, even though there were no shots. Abby loves Doc McStuffins, but despises the actual doctor.

Abby’s favorites:

Books: she loves everything on our shelves, but right now she especially likes “Goodnight Train, Goodnight,” “Farmyard Beat,” “Widget,” “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” “Mr. Brown Can Moo,” and any “Curious George” or “Clifford” books.

Shows: Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood (a remake of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood), Curious George, Dora, Bo On the Go, Dora, Leap Frog, Doc McStuffins, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, all the Tinkerbell movies and Disney’s Frozen.

Songs: Anything from the “Frozen” soundtrack, anything Benjamin learns in preschool and sings at home, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “Jesus Loves Me,” “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and the alphabet song. Abby sings whatever song is in her heart, so sometimes we aren’t quite sure what she is singing with such enthusiasm!

Food: grilled pork chops, broccoli with cheese, peas, smoothies/popsicles, spaghetti and meatballs, blueberries and most other fruit, ice cream and brownies.

Places: the zoo, Target, Entertrainment Junction, area parks, Jump N Jacks, Kings Island/Soak City and the neighborhood pool and church for Recharge…but not to be left in the toddler room.

Toys: a stroller, a shopping cart, the Cozy Coupe, blocks, trains, cars and Potato Head.

Crafts: Playdough, beads, markers and stickers

I will leave you with some of my favorite Abby photos, including those from her birthday party in Findlay.

Benjamin gave Abby a Lightning McQueen and Francesco, which he bought with his own money. He still claims they belong to him, and she is allowed to hold them now and then.