Snappin'

A first for Isabella Reagan!  Look who has learned to snap her fingers.  And you should see her snap along with a song and dance.

New Sheriff in Town

Or so it appears from Bella's art project.  I'm all too happy to allow her to be the new sheriff - hmmm, maybe I can retire.

Hotel Dog

Isabella was captured by the imagination and art of the hotel staff.  They used towels and wash clothes to make a dog which they left on our bed.

I love to see her smile.  Thank you, Hampton Inn.

Oops, We Did it Again

With Isabella nursing sore legs, we thought it might be a good day to be at the water park to keep her happy and preoccupied with something other than her discomfort.  Good choice.  It was truly a wonderful day with my girls.

Kindergarten Shots

It was Kindergarten shot day - otherwise known as Black Friday.

Isabella did really well and tried her best to be brave but it was a tough day.  She didn't mind the check up or the finger prick but she was none to happy about the shots.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?   One finger prick and four shots later this girl is Super Women.

She is healthy (which we already knew) and in the 70th percentile in height and weight. Her iron level is good, her hearing  and eyesight are good.

Giving thanks that she is healthy and that shots are over for a few years.  

Ben & Jerry's Before Bedtime?

No, of course not.  It was Edy's.  Who is running this Bed & Breakfast anyway?  Everybody knows you don't give kids ice cream right before bed time.

Right, Aunt DD?

Candy Cane in July

Isabella has only five days left at Discovery and she had decided to finish on bit of a dressy note. By my tally, this is her 7th straight day of wearing a dress to Discovery.

I teased her this morning about looking like a candy cane.  She smiled, rolled her eyes and said with a sigh: "oh, Daaaaaad."  Her way of letting me know that she knew I was secretly admiring her choice of dress for the day.

I cropped the photo but then almost undid my edit after I saw how much like a pre-teen she looks. Don't blink, Dad.  This July candy cane will be a July bride before you know it.

Hibiscus

Isabella and I were practicing our nature photography while in St. Louis.  She helped me spot this potted Hibiscus plant and it turned out to be a great photograph.  Very proud of this one.

Baby Paparazzi

Like Daddy, like Daughter.  Isabella wanted to take some pictures of Rainbow Sherbet before we went out Sunday night.  I do think she would have stuffed animal blog if she knew how.

Brunch n Sun

With so much to do in St. Louis, the family voted to take this day and do exactly what God did after creating earth - we rested.

Sleeping in was followed by Sunday Brunch which was followed by pool time.  Relaxation and more relaxation.  Most needed relaxation.  On the sabbath the Cain's rested.

Now, remind me why do don't do this more often?

St. Louis Nights

 

After relaxing pool side until 4:00PM,  the family cleaned up and headed out for dinner and more relaxation.  Seeing a theme?

We stopped long enough to capture some pictures on the terrace.

St. Louis Riverfront

It wouldn't be a Cain family trip without a historic tour via horse drawn carriage.  We enjoyed our tour of Laclede's Landing along the St. Louis Riverfront.

Bud, our work horse was a complete pleasure. Bud is such a Cardinals fan that he painted his hoofs glitter red.

Mornings Like This...

...never get old.  

The family started Day 2 of our St. Louis visit on the hotel's roof top pool.  Swimming, floating, sun bathing and practicing our letters in the shadow of the Gateway Arch. Mornings like this never get old.

Busch Stadium

One of the best baseball venues in the country.  The family enjoyed an afternoon at the ballpark with Fredbird and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Cards beat the Dodgers 4-2. Winning makes it even more enjoyable but I had already won by getting to spend time with the family.

Meet Rainbow Sherbet

And......we may have a tradition.  Last year Isabella made a bunny at the stadium Build A Bear store.  This year,  well,  this year she made a bear that she has aptly named Rainbow Sherbet.

No, she didn't need it.  Yes, she wanted it.  Yes, I said Yes.  No, I don't regret it.