24 hours with Boca

Boca came to visit!  He wasn't here very long (and he didn't bring Gramcy) but Nola had a great time with him!

They colored together.

They played house.

They checked their email.

They tried on a green mustache.

They took silly pictures.

Come back soon Boca!  We miss you already!

Circus

Last weekend we went to the Circus! It was Nola's first time and she was excited. She was really looking forward to seeing the elephants. When we walked in the door we were met by a bunch of craziness. Tons of people, clowns, workers in costumes and people with painted faces pushing merchandise. So I wasn't surprised when she started crying as we walked to the bathroom to change her diaper. I thought she would clam down once we got into the bathroom but she just screamed louder. When I set her down to wash my hands I knew it was going to be a rough night. She freaked out, and continued to do so for the next 20 minutes.

Apparently, she's afraid of clowns. Every time she saw one she would start screaming again. I'm not surprised that she scares easily because I scare easily- just ask my parents about the E.T. incident. But I was/am disappointed. Being a big ol' scardey cat is a trait I'd rather not pass on to my child.

When the circus started, Nola calmed down a little.  We got her in her seat and she seemed to enjoy the rest of the night.  She ate a whole tub of popcorn but wouldn't touch the cotton candy.

Nola loved the elephant.  She also loved the acrobats because I told her they were princesses :)

I tried to get a few pictures of us together but she kept making silly faces.

This is the best one I could get.

In case you're keeping score, Nola is afraid of clowns, vacuums, and Santa.

Spring Break, Swing Break

Our Spring break this year was only a few days and I spent one of them at our District Speech contest.  The rest of my days off were spent with a crazy two year old at the park.  

The first day we went she would only go down the small slide.  By the last day she was going down all of them.

She also had her first experience with sand.   She loved it!

We ended our days at the park with some ice cream!

Here she is going down the big slide:

We were so lucky to have nice weather during my days off!  It made me really excited for summer!  Nine more weeks :)

February Photo Dump

Can you tell what her favorite face to make is?

BFFs.

Liebster Award

My college roommate, Libbi, blogs over at Finding Meaning through Writing.  She is an amazing writer and is changing the lives of many teenagers as an English teacher in Denver.   She also reads this blog and has left more comments than any other reader!  Thanks for those three comments Libberito!!

Recently Libbi nominated Swirls & Stripes for a Liebster Award!  What's that?  According to Libbi it's a German word (she loves those).  Here are the details:

The Liebster Award is given to upcoming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. So, what is a Liebster? It is a German word and it simply means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.

Official rules for the Liebster award are as follows:

1. Thank the person who nominated you and link to their blog.
2. You must answer the 10 questions given to you by the blogger who nominated you.
3. Nominate 10 of your favourite blogs with fewer than 200ish followers and notify them of their nomination.
4. Come up with 10 questions for your nominees to answer.

1. Why do you write?
I blog for my family.  I want to have a record of memories that Nola can read when she's older.   I also want to share my artwork.

2. Who inspires you?
Nola, my family, my students,  Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson.

3. What book has had the greatest impact on you?
Lama Lama Red Pajama, The Wee Piggy, I'll Love You Forever, anything I read with Nola.

4. What is your earliest memory?
I have a horrible memory, but I think I remember trying mustard at Disney Land when I was 4ish?  I also remember cheating on a spelling test in 3rd grade.  I still feel pretty guilty about it.

5. What is your favorite quote, mantra, or scripture?
"Create a life you love."  

6. What is your favorite tree, flower, or plant? Why?
The cocoa plant.  CHOCOLATE!

7. Describe your idea of comfort food.
See question 6.  Also, I'm totally loving these right now-

8. How do you spend Sunday mornings?
I normally make breakfast and do the dishes that have piled up over the last week.

9. Which blog speaks most poignantly to you? Why? Include a link.
I love reading about what Libbi is doing in her classroom and in her home.  I also like The Militant Baker.  She writes about body love and accepting yourself at any size.

10. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you visit?
Pittsburgh or Indianapolis.  I'm not a huge traveler.  I'd rather hang out with my sisters in their new cities then travel the world.

And.... I'm not doing rules 3 and 4.  I don't follow a lot of small blogs, but it was fun to answer these questions!  Thanks Libbi! P.S.  Come visit.