You Make Me Smile Like the Sun <3

So, I am sadly without my camera for the time being, I left it at my Granny & Grandiddy's house on Saturday when we were there for the family Dec/Jan birthday dinner. I guess I was just overwhelmed by the amazing food ;) My uncle should cook for his own birthday more often! I was expecting Granny's divine lasagna, which I was already super excited about, but when we got there, it smelled like steak. hmm. Well, my uncle works for a catering company and had scored some filet mignon at an amazing price. Oh yeah, filet mignon...with...crabcakes. Divine crabcakes at that. Aaand twice baked potatoes. Not to mention, my Granny's salad "bar" - she goes all out with toppings, I always look forward to salad at her place :)
Anyway, I say all of this not just to make you drool but because I wish you could've seen a picture of Cadence at the park today - - she rode on the big girl swing for the first time! Ah, I was misty eyed.
We had so much fun!!! I'm glad I "forced" her to go to the park...and I know she was too :D


We started the terrible twos about a week ago so her response to most anything is "no". Too bad it's the freakin cutest no you've ever heard/seen and I can't help but smile to myself every time she says it.


She was sleepy this afternoon but wouldn't nap so I kept asking her if she wanted to go play outside - "no". Do you wanna take a nap? - "no". Okaaay...would you rather go outside or take a nap? - "no". Hahahaha. well, do you wanna ride on the swing and go down the slide? She nods yes with twinkling eyes. Okay then, we have to put your pants back on so we can go outside. She's compliant. There's the little girl I know - I was truly shocked when she turned down an offer to go outdoors. I guess saying no is just that much fun! haha. Anyway, we had a total blast!
There are side-by-side slides we went down together so many times (wo, tu, phreeee!) and she even braved the big tunnel slide - head first on her tummy :D it was hilarious! she was crackin me up all afternoon, just so giddy! She is absolutely my little nature girl and would so much rather be outside, year round, so getting back to the playground, without a coat, sun on her face, must've been heaven for her!
The very first thing we did was hit the swings. I hoisted her up into one of the kiddie swings, per usual, and we were holding hands at first. When I let go of her hands she was cracking up at the rush but then about two minutes in it turned to tears. I'm not quite sure but I guess it startled her or she expected me to grab her hands again or maybe she got nausiated because she was sort of leaned forward watching the ground under her. Anyway, that's when we switched to the slides...until...two little boys showed up and C saw their Mommy pushing the older one on a big kid swing. I should've seen it coming. She wanted to swing on the big kid swing. Of course. It never crossed my mind to actually put her on it by herself. So, for a while, she was content to swing on my lap, giggling and giggling and I was loving every moment of it. Then the little boy jumped off of the swing and for some reason that inspired Cadence to want to sit in the swing herself. It was like she'd been doing it forever. At 19 1/2 months old this little girl just grabbed onto the covered chains and laughed with delight while Mommy pushed her :'-)
I am so blessed to have her and she is so happy and so darling <3 She makes my heart smile :D