We love books!

This is one of Molly's favorite things to do lately - crawl over to her bookshelf and pull out all of her books. I tried to capture it on film this morning . . . as it really only takes about 5-10 minutes before she has "read" every book on the shelf. :)

If you say, "Where are your books, Molly?" you will see her in this stance usually--crawling over towards her books.

I love how Molly opens her books - with her little fingers pulling the pages apart right in the middle. She has also started pointing at things on the pages - saying "Oh -- oh!" It makes me smile EVERY TIME.

OK. I've pulled down a few and "read" through them, time to go get a few more . . .

And a few more . . .

This is typically how I find Molly a couple minutes after asking her where her books are . . . surrounded by them, sitting on them.

Oh . .. .oh!

She's really concentrating here . . . :)

Pulling the pages apart with her little fingers again . . .

We love books!

Molly - 1st Real Hair-cut

Pre-haircut photo . . .

The 4 tails I cut off - the longest one was 3 1/2" long.

As you know, Molly was born with a TON of hair and it has been growing like a weed ever since. I've never wanted to cut it (except for a few bang trims here and there). I at least wanted to wait a full year for good luck.

Well, all summer the back of her hair was beginning to look like a rat tail/mullet combo and something needed to be done. Her hair in the back basically had 3 layers. The top and bottom layer were all the same length--but the middle layer was LONG - like half way down Molly's back long and it needed to be chopped off to make it all one length.

The hardest part about all of this is that these were the baby curls she's had since she was born. They are SOOO cute (in a rat tail sort of way!) So, this morning I did the deed and chopped those little tails off.

I am having a tough time with this . . . but hair DOES GROW BACK! And it already looks thicker and healthier all one length in the back. I will just keep telling myself that . . . In the meantime - GROW HAIR GROW. :)

Molly's new little pixie cut . . .

Baking with Molly . . .

Molly has not been feeling well this past week so we've been trying to get creative with things to do at home after we take our morning walks to the park (enjoying this wonderful Indian Summer weather)

I don't know what it is about autumn, but it always puts me in a mood to bake . . . and Molly LOVES to help in the kitchen. Here she is stirring up Cheerios in the colander with a spatula - while singing.

Summer Days Gone too Soon . . .

Molly watching daddy mow the lawn . . .

So today is officially the last full day of summer. It certainly still feels like summer with highs in the 80's here in Kansas City. I know crisp autumn days are just around the corner and it's time to get out our sweaters. Even though autumn is my ABSOLUTE favorite time of year - I can't help but get a little sad that my very 1st summer with Molly is officially over. It seems like only yesterday it was May and we were so excited to go swimming for the 1st time ever, walk to the park, swing in the baby swings, pet doggies, look for birdies. We had such a fabulous and fun summer (celebrating our "firsts") with family and friends! Molly is now 10 months old and stands up at the front door all by herself pointing at the squirrels and birds in the yard - babbling "Molly speak" to them . . .

Molly trying to sneak a bite out of the acorns the squirrels left for her . . .

Molly was singing a song to herself as I took this photo . . . she sings a LOT these days. I blame it on me as I sing to her probably more than I talk to her. Poor child probably thinks life is a musical. :)

Last pizza of the summer with basil and tomatoes from the farmers market.

In the dishwasher . . .

Molly wants to be everywhere I am these days. If I am getting dressed, she is in the closet with me. If I'm cooking dinner, she's right at my feet in the kitchen. When I load the dishwasher, she stands next to the dishwasher watching me put in every single dish - babbling molly speak with each plate being dropped in.

While I was rinsing dishes in the sink yesterday I looked down and she had completely climbed INTO the dishwasher. I happened to have my camera in the kitchen at the time so took a quick photo. She really is a little monkey--climbing into and on/over everything she sees these days.

Play-dates & Birthday Parties . . .

Molly was invited to her friend Mary Kate's 4th birthday party on Saturday. As you can see it was Princess themed and Snow White even made an appearance! Molly LOVED watching all the "big girls" in their fancy dresses . . .

Molly got lots of kisses from the other princesses.

Molly traded in her tutu for Mickey Mouse ears - as it was her good friend Max's 1st Birthday on Sunday!!

Here is Molly with her friends . . . from l-r (Lincoln, Ainsley, Max, Molly, Brooks, & Marshall)

Check out the appetizer tray (specifically for little ones!) :)

This is a new play-group we were recently invited to join - there are 4 other babies in it around Molly's age, and of course their older siblings too! Between the 5 of us moms, there are FOURTEEN children . . . Lots of love.

Mike & Jenny - 3 years!

Mike and I celebrated our 3 Year Wedding Anniversary over the holiday weekend!

9.8.07. was the special day!

We went to the same location as where we had our 1st date a little over 5 years ago. Used to be Frondizi's, but now is Cafe Trio! In our opinion, they have the best patio in Kansas City!

Molly - 10 months old!

Just like I am a tank top and jeans kind of girl - Molly is a onesie kind of girl. If you were to stop by our house at any hour -- any day of the week--this is the clothing you would most likely see us wearing. For Molly's 10 month photo shoot--I decided we would have a little girly fun and dress up!

Irish Fest!

We spent all day Sunday at the Kansas City Irish Festival! The McGinnis Clan drove in from Omaha and Arkansas to celebrate the day with us and it was really really good to all be together.

Cousin Vaughn loved the Irish Music, but most of all - loved the face painting! He will turn 5 next St. Patrick's Day so he is a TRUE Irishman!

Molly loved seeing all the kids at the festival and loved waving at everyone (and saying HI). Here she is with her own set of Shamrock head-gear.

Dancing with Molly to Eddie Delahunt!!! "Whiskey in a Jar . . . " She is already a fan!

I love that Mike was in his green Irish gear - but still had his Nebraska baseball cap hanging out his back pocket. He is LOYAL through and through. :)