I Left My Heart in San Francisco

What a wedding weekend extravaganza! Violet and I accompanied Mom & Dad, Grammy & Grampy and our uncles and aunts to SF for our second cousin's wedding. The lovely bride, Joanna, and her beau, Lucien, were stunning and hosted quite the shindig-- or so our parents tell us. We were left behind with a sitter.

The night before, however, we dined at Trattoria Contadina in North Beach and then hit the Farmer's Market and Aquarium the next morning. All in all, a fabulous trip. Enjoy the pics! xoxo Stell & Vio

Marriage Brings Beautiful Things

M&D celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary a week early in wonderful San Francisco. Never in their wildest dreams would they have imagined life to have taken them to such a "playground." Literally. 4 years, 2 kids and so much fun.

Sometimes, however, that fun gets a bit exhausting, leaving M&D longing for "alone time." Grammy & Grampy answered the call and watched V & I while our rents played in peace. They missed us, though, and were happy to return (1 day later) with some fun loot for both of us. It's funny, they always seem so anxious to go and be alone, but then they can't wait to come back. The usual shenanigans ensue as they step foot in the Kinney casa-- food throwing during meals, high pitched temper tantrums (followed by slobber kisses) and energy to beat the band, but M&D smile through it all. Happy Anniversary!!

"I thought I lost you, Mommy..."

This is what I say every time Mommy picks me up from preschool. I know that in reality, I haven't lost her, but I also know that every time I say these words, Mommy starts to cry. Mommy would never abandon me, of course, but I like to give her my sweetest voice and poutiest pout while hugging her and whispering, "I thought I lost you, Mommy. I found you, Mommy. I love you, Mommy." It gets her every single time :)

-Stella

What a Weekend!

Playdates, Birthdays and Out of Town Guests made for quite the weekend for Stell and I. We are still recovering, but boy did we have fun. Fairy Tale Town, Uncle Mikey's 27th birthday and dinner out Saturday night with Mommy's best friends, Lisa & Lenora (visiting from LA). Special thanks to Lisa and Lenora for our fabulous new toys and clothes. So fun! xoxo Vio

Updates from PottyLand

I'm still doing it, folks. The potty is my new BFF and well, the treats I get for every endeavor have certainly helped maintain the potty's novelty. I have managed to go poo poo once, but that one is a bit trickier. So far, lots of pee pee has made it's way down M&D's plumbing. Yay for me!

Sick in Bed

So, despite the 99+ degree weather we have been experiencing here in Sacratomato, Sis and I have managed to catch a terrible cold (fever included) just in time for Daddy's trip to London all week. Lucky Mommy. At least M&D had some alone time last night at Cousin Paul & Cousin Jamie's wedding before Mommy finds herself a single mom this week ;). Included are some shots of last night's debauchery as well as the morning after snuggle time with V & me... Happy Sunday!

Thank Goodness for Peer Pressure: Bye Bye Diapers!

Mommy never thought the day would come...

After only 2 days at preschool, I have started to use the big girl potty-- not even the baby potty Mommy bought me, but the adult potty! Since my first day of school last Tuesday, I have gone potty now 7 times on my own! I'm not even wearing diapers any more! Yay for me! I have had a few accidents in between, but all in all, not bad. Seeing all of those big kids use the potty has made me think my time has come... Thanks Little Blossoms Montessori School! :)

Stella: Prima Ballerina

My sis, Stell, is a prima ballerina. I ain't kiddin' ya either.

She started her first ballet class today at Deane Dance Center (http://www.deanedancecenter.com/) in East Sacramento and well, she practically pirouette'd her way into the studio. From the looks of it, this will not be her last class. I, on the other hand, watched in total disbelief as my big sister -- against Mr. Don's (ballet instructor) curriculum for the day-- twirled and twirled (and twirled!) for the audience of Mommies watching anxiously as their tots learned the beginnings of ballet. I might join Stella in a few years here, but in the meantime, I'm having a good ole time just watching my sister in all of her diva fantastic-ness.

After class, fellow ballerina, Lily Govenar, joined us for some "Go Diego Go!" and popsicle fun at the Kinney homestead. All in all, a great day.

Much love,
Violet

Back to School

Mommy, Daddy and Violet took me to Little Blossom Montessori School this AM for my first official day of preschool. I was so excited I shrieked when I got out of the car. Best friend, Lily Govenar, also started today. Mommy & Ms. Brookey are very happy, as you can see... The day started, appropriately, with the Pledge of Allegiance and "Itsy, Bitsy Spider"... another national favorite? In the middle of Itsy Bitsy I yelled aloud, "Mommy, that's my song!" Hopefully sharing is a skill I'll acquire in school. ;-) Enjoy my first shots... more to come, I'm sure!

Update: Cut to-- me being picked up promptly by Mommy at 12:30pm, only to find myself in a sad state of affairs, begging for my mommy. Upon entering the school from the playground I peered across the room to see my Mommy standing there with a huge smile on her face and a tear in her eye, "Mommy!" I yelled, "I thought I lost you." Let's just say Mommy's tears kept coming for a good 10 minutes after that. Never fear, folks, I was pretty happy most of the day... it was only in the last hour that I became somewhat distraught. I was not alone either... a chorus of preschool cries greeted Mommy and the other parents at pick-up. Gotta love the first day of school! :)

Back on Thursday!
xoxo Stell

Mr. & Mrs...

This weekend was Uncle Tommy and Auntie Erin's wedding. It was phenom... I was the flower girl. I had a gorgeous pretty pretty princess dress -- organza and all-- and Uncle Heath did my Shirley Temple-esque hair. When it was time, I did the walk... sort of... tears coming down my face and screams galore, but I did it... Aren't you all proud? Here are some pics from the glorious eve.