Caitlin's World

I love picking out a themed birthday cake, one that fits what Caitlin is into at that moment or throughout the previous year. Below are the cakes from her birthday parties through the year. I have to find the actual cake used for her 1st but the Pooh was a test one I did a month before to see if I was going to make her cake (obviously decided not to). Year of the Disney Princesses Tink is still a favorite a year later. Do we ever really outgrow Sesame Street? I remember laughing that I put the cars on wrong should be at the bottom of the cake so Elmo and Big Bird are looking towards you  : ) My attempt at a homeade cake

I can't believe Caitlin is turning 4 in just 4 days. She's such a great child and I am so happy to experience childhood again through her eyes. Tomorrow is her birthday party at Monkey Joe's and she is beyond excited. Check back for pictures.  Caitlin Riley minutes old 11/16/2006 1 Year Old 2 Years Old 3 Years Old  4 Years Old

Wow didn't realize it's been almost 7 months since I last wrote something. Summer is coming to an end, it's been a crazy year so far but hoping for smoother times to come soon. Caitlin is definitely going through her 3/4 stage - oh my! Very opinionated, stubborn and too smart for her little body. Last week we moved her from Chesterbrook Academy to Calvary Child Development center ( http://www.calvarycdc.com ) and it certainly has been a little different for me. Shawn was in Atlanta last week beginning a new job and the new school routine is just different. She seems to adore her new teachers and loves the activities they do each day. Calvary is just a much bigger school than Chesterbrook was and she had been there since 6 months old. Most of her friends we hang out with outside of the school so we weren't concerned with losing touch with them. Caitlin & Ms. Carol (3s teacher at Chesterbrook) Lexie & Caitlin (they have been in school together since they w...

Although it's been a tough start to 2010 Caitlin is amazing. Outside the normal (or at least I hope normal) whining of a 3 year old she is such a sweet child. Constantly telling us she loves us and we are her best (friend). She says please and thank you and at times ma'am. I will be 35 this year and will admit hearing ma'am makes me feel old but also proud that we are raising a polite child. Caitlin has been sick on and off for 2 weeks. Two weeks ago was a stomach bug that left her throwing up every 45 minutes for hours. I stayed home with her on that Monday and then the next week she had a fever at school so I ended up working from home again. Now she has something that is causing grumpiness (ok that may not be a true symptom), runny nose, coughing and a fever. Since the wee one has been such a trooper through the last month, I promised her new Tinkerbell sheets. She's still in her converted crib/toddler bed so there's not a great selection of sheets out there for...

Caitlin is so cute and innocent when it comes to Santa and I love it. Each morning she asks Shawn and I if she can have her piece of chocolate (from the advent calendar). We accidentally skipped a day so I indulged and yup the chocolate is just as nasty as I remember and certainly not Hersey's! As I was wrapping presents tonight some little 3 year old walks out of her room peering down at me. I think I was far enough out of view, this is the first year we have had to consider she will remember what she hears and sees. I quickly called to Shawn to help her back to her room. I forgot to add the Santa pictures from Saturday, the girl had a blast. Check out the video. She was so excited but scared at the same time that Santa was really there. We thank Libby for hosting another Santa Brunch, we had a great time and will cherish the memories! Me and my favorite girl - I love that not a day goes by where she asks me if I am her best friend.

When we signed Caitlin up for a tap/ballet combo class I thought she would enjoy it but wondered how much you can teach 2.5 - 3.5 yr olds. She has now been in class for four months and absolutely loves going. Class is each Saturday for 45 minutes and they begin with tap and finish with ballet. Today was parents observation day (first one), normally we can only see the girls through the small cracks in the blinds. They will even have a recital in June! The video below is a glimpse of what goes on each Saturday morning. As you will see Caitlin is the only girl without tap shoes on and that was mommy's fault. I totally forgot to grab her dance bag with her shoes in them when we left. Shawn didn't think twice and dropped us off to run home to get them.

Here is Caitlin and her preschool class singing "This Little Light of Mine" you can definitely hear her stand out a few times : ) There were 8 kids in class that day but I opted to zoom in on our little star. The class also sang "Oh Candy Cane" and the kids had such a good time. Not everyone sang but Caitlin really seemed to enjoy the singing and being on 'stage'.