Shoe Shiner

This is why our kids amaze us.  Bella gets dressed for church but laments that her boots are dirty.  Without comment, Skyler grabs the stool and a rag and proceeds to shine her boots like a pro.

Where do they come up with this stuff?  Skyler was proud to show off his buffing skills and Bella was stunned at what big brother could do.

Me?  I just stand back and shake my head.  Where do they come up with this stuff?   Here's to the dream that they always get along so well.

Dance is Her Thing

And yes, she can fold wash cloths also.

Pump It Up - Bella Style

Yet another reason I'm confident Bella will grow up to be a self sufficient girl.  She has yet again demonstrated her determination to handle her own fix-it's in life.

Never mind the air pump is hooked up to the pedal.  At this stage of life, it's the determination that counts. Knowledge is secondary.

Some Assembly Required

Three words I despise.  Good thing Deborah and the kids know how to make a game of it.  Their efforts assembled a wonderful cushion box for the deck.    Thanks fam.

Yard Gator

So this is how this thing is going down...

Deborah: "Terry, What have you done."

Me: "I didn't want to buy the yard gator but Bella insisted she had to have it."

Deborah: "Terry!"

Me: "Well, it might lead to her owning her own landscape company one day.  And we will look back on this as "the day it all started for Bella." We have to think of her.

Deborah: "TERRY!"

Me: "I warned you I couldn't tell her no. It's your fault for letting her go with me to Lowes."

Deborah: "TERRY CAIN!"

Oh, well.  I guess I better not take it home with me.  It was worth the thought.  And by-the-way, Bella did say she needed it.  Good thing I'm strong.

The Cain E.R.

For the second day in a row, Baby Bella has fallen and busted open a knee.  Yesterday the right.  Today the left one, and a much better job than the right one.

The Cain E.R. rushed into action and before long, tears were turned into smiles.  Who knew little girls were so prone to accidents - and who knew they were so tough?

Rehab

Bella took two face first falls in the space of a hour.  The second one left her precious knee with a bloody spot.  Daddy picked her up and started rehab on the island.

If your ever called into duty - rehab starts with a light up Princess glass. Pink straws with a funny shape seem to ease the pain.  Then lots of hugs and kisses.

Oh, yeah, you'll know rehab has been successful when you ask Bella if she needs you to cut her leg off and she rolls her eyes at you.  (The last picture)

Cuz (s)

Cousins Lani and Nathanial visit - let the fun begin.

Trying to hide from the camera.

Driving her pretend car.

We don't know how she fell. It's a mystery.

Alligator stew anyone?

Gator wrestling.

Snack Time! (injury timeout)

Girls Club!



Puzzled

Happiness in a box.  Daddy was thrilled to assist Bella in her very first 100 piece puzzle. Before it was all over, the whole family was involved.

For bragging rights, Daddy tilted the table for a picture and dumped the whole thing in the floor.  Skyler and I had to reconstruct the masterpiece.

Pole Dancer

Trimming the Crepe Myrtles, I hear Skyler say "Look Dad, Bella's a pole dancer."  I turn to see what you see in this adorable video. 

I'm not sure what troubles me more, the thought of Bella being a pole dancer or the knowledge that my ten year old son knows the term pole dancer.

Dear Lord.  I need to sit down.  The Crepe Myrtles can wait.

Bella, Ava & Emily

Just precious.  Precious.  Simply precious.

Emily Ruth Bolton

Baby Bella Blog nation welcomes the arrival of Emily Ruth Bolton.  With a magical Wednesday arrvial,  Ms. Emily Ruth made a big splash - 8lbs. 15 ounces worth.

Ms. Emily is the sister of Bella's BFF Ava Grace.

Bobby Pins

Wish I had invented them but that would be impossible since they came into being in the 1920's.  But Bella is rocking the bobby pins this morning.  Adoring her Mom, as we all do, Bella is getting really good at imitating her Mom's every move.

Like Mother, like Daughter.  I guess that's where she learned to steal my heart and make me act a fool - from her Mommy.   

Walk Proud

This I admire - amazed and proud how Bella walks into school everyday.  Shoulders square, head up,  smile on her face. This girl walks proud and sure. 

Makes me think. The real accomplishment is if we can raise our kids in such a way that they still walk proud and sure as adults.

Wow, a single photo of a distant Bella walking into school and I am now overwhelmed by this parenting thing.   Proud and sure.  That's the goal. No, that's the prayer.

Daddy Strikes Again

The only thing more fun than taking your Princess for ice cream is making her smash it on her face. It plays out like this:

Daddy: "Is your ice cream good, Bella?  Take a big bite for Daddy."

Bella takes a giant spoon full and puts it close to her mouth - Daddy slams on the brakes.

Priceless!

Note to Grandparents:  Not to worry.  No tears were shed.  My kids have come to expect this from Daddy.   I can't count the times Skyler has worn his drink on his shirt because I couldn't control the impulse to accelerate as he tilted the bottle.  (but I brag.)