4th of July Fun

We went up to see my parents for 4th of July.  It was HOT, but fun.  We spent the day just hanging out and playing in the water outside.  Then we had some BBQd burgers and corn on the cob and just relaxed. 

Below are some pictures of the day.

In other news, we are getting a few more words out of our girl.  "Oh no" and just plain "NO" are big favorites.  She also started saying "boo" (blue) and Da-Dee (daddy)...instead of just DaDa.  Super cute!  I also heard her say "beewee" (berry) a few times.  So, progress.  Still way behind where all the books and doctors say she should be, but I'm happy with the progress.  

I would be a lot more worried if it wasn't for how smart she continues to be.  She uses the ipad like a pro now.  I've downloaded some free apps for toddlers - puzzles, matching games, counting, etc. and she's really very good at them.  She is getting better at following directions (when she feels like it), and will usually clean up her own toys.  She is following the typical toddler behavior of being a helper.  She loves carrying things in the grocery store and loves to be able to carry things into the house from the car.  When we do laundry, she hands me an item and then I fold it.  She LOVES to use the swiffer!  We try to encourage it and I know it makes her feel good when she helps.

Of course, that all makes her seem like she's an angel, right?  Well, she is.  But...she is also a typical almost two year old with the tantrums to prove it.  Very dramatic tantrums.  I should say melodramatic tantrums.  I mean, throwing herself down on the floor and the whole nine yards.  We want to laugh sometimes.  We are working hard on not giving in to her.  So, we hear a lot of screaming these days too!

During this month, she will be attending 3 classes or activities per week.  We all go to Gymboree which she really loves.  We moved up to a new level for 22-28 month olds.  She also attends a pre-school practice class through the city parks & rec one morning per week.  They play and sing songs, learn to follow a teacher and do some arts and crafts.  Then once per week we will go to a show for kids at the library.  Tomorrow is the first one so hopefully she'll enjoy it.

We can't believe she will be 2 years old next month!  Where did the time go?  

Here are the pics from the 4th:

Here's our little patriot in a cute outfit from Auntie Sheila

At grandma and grandpa's in a little pool

Dumping a bucket of water on Grandpa

She preferred the hose and a bucket to the other water toys Grandma got her.

Wearing Grandma's sandals

Picking apricots with Grandpa

I saw a really cute kids bookshelf in a catalog.  I liked how the kids could see the fronts of the books.  It was $150 and so I asked my dad if he could build it cheaper.  He said he had scraps and could pretty much build it for nothing.  So, with only a picture he designed and built this.  As soon as we got home, Rebecca started putting her books on it.

The finished product with books!

Rebecca loves to read.  Here she is in front of her shelf with her books