The tradition continues. Caroline got to see her buddies Emma, Aaron, Mikey and Bobby, while their parents celebrated. Thanks to y'all who made my last minute birthday dinner special.

We went to the mall tonight for some dinner and window shopping. Caroline was good for about 1/2 hour, and then she launched into super-annoying, angry toddler mode. There was even a lay-on-the-floor-and-scream moment. I then devolved into super-annoying, angry mom mode. It was most unpleasant - especially for Jay.

However, tonight during bedtime, Caroline managed to melt my icy, angry heart. Every night, I tell her a few stories and sing some songs while I rock her before she hits the crib. Sometimes (like tonight) I run out of acceptable* songs to sing, so I sing "Can't Help Falling in Love" because I know all the words and the tune. Tonight for the first time, Caroline sang along loudly, and when we got to the chorus, she threw her arms around my neck and hugged me and yelled the words. It was the cutest thing ever. Sadly, I didn't record it. Maybe tomorrow -- if it's acceptable.

*"Acceptable" = not met with yelps of displeasure. One can rarely predict which songs will be acceptable to Caroline on any given night.

Caroline, Jay, and I headed to Mellow Mushroom for lunch today. Caroline ate nearly as much tasty, tasty pizza as did I. She was also quite taken with the sparkly, 3-D mural on the wall. This window box (pictured next to our table) featured a glittery mushroom with a butterfly and some spider-infested shrubbery. It was a little weird, but the sequins on its frame were quite toddler-friendly. Caroline suggested that "the spider (was) afraid of the butterfly". That was unexpected. And refreshing. And...um, mellow? I wonder what was in her pizza...

Aaron marked his territory at the park today. We joined Aaron and his mom this afternoon at Polo to enjoy the warmer weather. Despite indicating he had to use the bathroom, his mom insisted that he had gone before he left. I bet he would wet himself by 4:44. I was wrong - it was 4:47 - and he disappointed me by having the wherewithal to pull down his pants. A scolding followed shortly afterwards.

So cold. We went to the mall this afternoon with Aaron to hit the play area for a bit.

Should have posted this yesterday. Caroline picked out these flowers for Cheryl. Caroline also made us each a card while under Carley's care (4th and final dentist appointment for me for at least 6 months - hopefully), and we dined on sushi and macaroni and cheese for Valentine's Day.

A perfect morning for Caroline - her favorite store, and her good buddy Aaron to play with. It became colder and rainy overnight, so we'll be indoors for the next few days. The weather was spring-like yesterday, so we got to go to the park with Aaron in the afternoon.

Like many, many others in town, we decided a trip to the mall would help combat the cabin fever we've been suffering with the cold weather. First we made a brief stop at Spa La-Di-Da, a place we've been hearing about on the internets.

Then we rode the elevator, which never fails to entertain Caroline.

Finally, Cheryl got to accompany Caroline on the carousel - Cheryl seemed to weather its spinny evil far better than I.

We also bought Caroline a few more Sesame Street puzzles - I picked one up on our last trip a few days ago, and she absolutely loves it. For $2.50 a pop, and hours of fun, they are the toy to beat right now.

I cut Caroline's hair this week. I took about an inch off the length, and 1/2" off of her unruly bangs. I thought I did a fabulous job until I realized that EVEN HER DAD didn't notice.

So much for my fantabulous hairstyling skillz. I still think her hair looks thicker and healthier. Next time, I'm thinking of feathering it. Or a perm. A sweet, sweet perm.

Caroline has an earache. Shockingly, the Super Bowl didn't interest her at all. Maybe if the Panthers had been involved...

Caroline's at the Grandparents Zuke house, while I got the opportunity to visit my friend Gab in the city. We're doing cool stuff. Obviously.

We took a sorta spur of the moment roadtrip to NJ for the weekend. Caroline was so excited to see Grandma Z that she refused to sleep for nearly the entire trip, which ended in the wee hours of the morning.