21 months and miscellaneous

Jane turned 21 months old this week! That fact is not particularly noteworthy (and I intend to stop counting months when she turns two years old) but it seemed like the best way to tie together these recent pictures and observations.

Jane went on her first bike ride last weekend! She helped pick out this awesome super hero bike helmet, which I might have influenced a tad bit in order to avoid having to buy the pink and purple daisies. This one is way cooler.

She had fun riding with Daddy until she finished her Fig Newton. Without that pleasant distraction, she became acutely aware of the fact that the top of her bike seat kept pushing the back of her helmet up so it fell over her eyes in the front. Not fun.

Another weekend adventure we had was our neighborhood's annual "Fall in the Hall," which was a sweet little community fair of sorts, complete with fire engines, police horses, a guy making balloon animals and such, local honey, and an antique train. Pretty cool for a sleepy little neighborhood.

Sitting on an antique train, listening to bluegrass music,
and wearing a fire chief sticker.

In spite of all those attractions,
Jane's favorite part was playing in the dirt.

Here is a picture I snagged this morning of my typical view at the breakfast table. Tee hee.

Speaking of meals, Jane is learning to drink from a "real" cup (with supervision and a bib).

Got Smoothie?

One last thing for this random post: Jane has invented an odd little game of sorts where she walks around with her eyes closed and runs into things on purpose. It is quite hilarious to watch. She'll face some kind of object (sofa, chair, etc.) then close her eyes and slowly walk towards it until she bumps into it. I just love all the ways she finds to entertain herself, even it they are a bit strange.

*Playing in the dirt photo credit to Anna. Thanks!

Daddy's shoesies

I loved watching Jane trying with such determination to put on Richard's shoes this morning. I kept thinking she was going to settle for one being on backwards, but nope...

While we're on the subject of Daddies... aw.

First day of "school"

Jane had her first day of "school" today! Until now, she had never been left with a non-grandparent caregiver besides going to the nursery at church. So Mother's Day Out twice a week is a big step for us! She got to meet her teachers at the open house last week, so we talked about them a lot over the weekend to prepare her. I gave her a heads up that Mommy would be going bye-bye for a little bit (or "libby bit" as Jane says), so when we arrived at school she got a little anxious and whimpery. To my surprise, though, she just sort of bucked up and braced for the inevitable. She asked for Lovie, then went and got a ball and didn't even cry when I said bye! This was quite shocking considering that merely walking toward the nursery at church brings on a fit of tears and clinging. What a big girl we have now!

I only snagged a few quick pics with my phone before school...

Slightly anxious...

What's that I see?!

An elevator! Oh, boy, I LOVE buttons!
This is going to be a good day.

And look how happy she was after her big day! (Notice the outfit change? That was due to drinking a little too much water during snack time. I did not intend for her to wear crop pants with socks and shoes... not that it matters...)

First artwork from school...Aw. 

Want to hear what little Jane had to say about her first day? Apparently she was as excited about nap time as I was. I couldn't believe it when her teacher said she slept for an hour on a mat in a room with seven other kids. Woo!