Kissin' Cousins

Last weekend my cousins made a pit stop in Shakopee, MN to visit us on their Midwest tour..  My cousin, Natalie, brought her daughter, Viviana, and my cousin Bridgit brought her fiance, Luke.  I grew up in California with Bridgit and Natalie, and then we visited them about every 2 years after we moved to Colorado.  I have so many memories from my childhood with them, and every time we get together it's like no time has passed.  The way family should be.

The last time we were in California Lyla was 5 months old and we were celebrating Natalie's baby shower.  She had Viviana a month later, and we've never had a chance to get the girls together.  Lyla was bursting at the seams to meet her little cousin, so we let her stay up late when they took the "scenic" route and showed up about 3 hours later than planned.  ;)  Those girls hit it off immediately, they were two little peas in a pod.

We went sledding with the girls in the backyard, went out for donuts, headed to the Mall of America for lunch at the newly refurbished Rainforest Cafe and sightseeing, which just turned into shopping at the Rainforest Cafe store and "linner".  It happened to be the grand opening of the new location, and you could say there was a wait.  But the girls were mesmerized by the place, so it was totally worth it.

After that we left bedtime to a babysitter and headed out on the town, just us adults.  We went to dinner at Chino Latino - our favorite spot to take out-of-towners, followed by dancing.  It was a blast -  I didn't even want to leave at our predetermined time of midnight.  And if you know me, you know I do not like staying up until midnight, let alone after when I know all that's waiting for me is a 6am wake up call from two energetic little girls.  :)

It was such a fun time!  Can't wait for our next rendezvous!!

- K

Just One of Those Days

Today we got a 5 am wake call from both girls.  Lyla was sick, and I ended up getting puked AND pooped on.  All that in addition to getting a cavity filled, which came along with a really pretty, fat lipped, lopsided smile. 

It was just one of those days, but I'll tell you what, all those sickie snuggles and a surprise package from a family friend made it a heck of a lot better. 

And to celebrate tomorrow being a fresh start, here's one of my favorite videos recently.  You can plan on seeing us on "So You Think You've Got Talent", or whatever that show's called, sometime soon.

- K

Dancin Dancin Dancin from Kassi Chapman on Vimeo.

Daddy Daughter Dance

Every year LifeTime holds a daddy daughter dance in February and I couldn't wait for the day Ryan and Lyla got to go.  When he emailed me the details I couldn't believe the time had already come, but I knew it would be a dream come true for L.  She recently got to ride for the first time in daddy's fancy car, and she's talked about it every day since with only word...fast.

She's also always been very into dancing.  The other weekend while getting ready for church I was in our bathroom listening to them as Ryan got her dressed, and about every 30 seconds she'd say "dance!"  I peeked  into her room to see them slow dancing, her in his big arms.  You better believe I teared up over that one.  I'll never forget that image as long as I live.

So, to combine daddy's "fast" car and dancing?  Like I said, dream come true.

The whole day we talked about the dance.  Before Ryan got home from work I gave her a bath and let her pick out a dress, did her hair, the whole nine yards.  Turns out it was kind of my dream come true too.  I was absolutely meant to have a little girl to do all that stuff with.

Once Ryan got home he whisked her off to the dance.  About an hour later they showed back up, Lyla with a little crown, princess wand and flower.  I asked what they did and she said "run!"  According to Ryan she did do plenty of that, along with starting a dance party on the DJ stage.  If you know me at all you know that my heart swelled with pride after hearing that.  I only wish there was a video for proof. 

It's hard to believe that next year he'll have two little girls to bring.  Lucky guy.  ;)

- K

Making Memories

To you this might look like just a generic 90's shower with a random stuffed cat and plastic coffee pot haphazardly abandoned in it.  But to me, this is a memory of the sweetest kind.  A memory of a chubby cheeked, curly haired little girl marching around with her kitty and toy coffee pot, hiding in the shower and peeking around the corner with little giggles and shrieks, and then pulling me and the pup in the shower too for an impromptu dance party.  Both hands up in the air, swinging that kitty and coffee pot around like we're on Soul Train.

Every night after Lyla's gone to bed I get this crazy little thrill from picking up her toys.  Walking around the corner and seeing the play guitar on the ground from a morning jam sesh, and putting the book away where she learned to say "yak" just that afternoon...it just brings a smile to my soul. 

Remembering the sounds of her and Joan shouting "YAK!" with a fit of laughter following every one while I laugh to myself and continue to respond to emails and take calls for work.  Those are the sweetest moments.  And picking up those messes...as overwhelming as they can feel at times, it's a trip through memory lane for me.  Even if it was just a few hours before. 

Those messes are her imprint on this house and on my heart.  And let me tell you, my heart must be BIG to handle an imprint the size of her messes.  ;)

- K

She's a Maniac!

Happy Friday Eve! Here's a little video of miss Lyla and her new dance moves. :) Sorry for the fuzzy sound, my phone's bit the dust a few too many times so the microphone doesn't really work...

She's A Maniac! from Kassi Chapman on Vimeo.