"Ta Da"

Pinky's Thursday night activity this spring (and our weekly comic relief) is gymnastics.  There's approximately 20+ 2ish year olds in her class.  Each with a parent (or 2).  And 4 instructors.

This seems to be the perfect combination for TOTAL CHAOS!  She loves it! 

Each week the teachers set up little stations and parents try to get their child(ren) to wait in line to practice the exercises.  In order for this to happen, parents have to drag them off the trampoline, pull them out of the foam (fungus) pit, and chase them around the gym.  (No problem!)  After each exercise, a "ta da" is prompted, followed by lots of colorful stamps (rewards) up and down the arms and legs of the children.

Here's a glimpse into the world of Parent-Tot gymnastics with a 2 year old:

NO fear!  (She gets that from her daddy!)

Can I get one of these at home?

Fungus (I mean foam) pit. 

She can do it without help . . . . Really!

Check out that form!

Hop!

"Ta Da!"  (followed by some stamps!

The "Fun Aunt"

As a young adult, I was never quite certain if I would ever be a mom.  What I was quite certain of was that I would be an aunt one day . . . So when my friends would talk about the names of their future children, I talked about being the “fun aunt”.  Oh, the plans I had to spoil my siblings' children, and the children of my dearest friends! 

Little did I know, not every day of “aunt-hood” would be fun.  Some of the hardest days of my adult life have been part of being an aunt.  I knew that I would love being an auntie . . . but I never imagined the love I would have for these children who do not live in my home, but certainly live in my heart!  The thing about being an aunt that I didn’t quite know, but quickly learned, is that you are part of a story that isn’t your own.  Four nieces.  Three nephews.  I love them dearly.  I celebrate when they celebrate, but  I also cry when they cry.

I wouldn’t trade being an aunt for a gazillion dollars.  I love all of the fun things we get to do. Take trips to the lake and the farm.  Have sleepovers and campfires.  Skip the main course and go straight for dessert(s).  I buy their Girl Scout Cookies, their Boy Scout popcorn, their magazines, cookie dough, etc.  That’s my job! And I love it!

Most of the time . . .

Last week was one of those not-so-fun weeks. I was called upon to take a journey with one of my cherished loves.  Although I was certainly willing to go, I was completely overwhelmed with fear, anxiety, and sadness as I prepared to leave.

We feared this journey would be difficult in ways we couldn't even fathom.  We did all that we could humanly do to try to set things up so they would go as smoothly as possible . . . Most importantly, we called on our prayer warriors for help . . . And help they did!  The prayers for our journey were coming from all around the country all week long.  People even set their alarm clocks for 4 am the morning we left, to pray for us as we departed.   What makes this story mine is that I was part of something that can only be described miraculous, for I know that it was only by the grace of God that we got to our destination safely and without struggles.   The people we met along along the way, who helped us in ways we didn't even know we'd need, could only have been sent by our heavenly Father, answering our prayers. 

At the end of the day, I returned home from this journey alone.  That was the plan.  That was part of what made this journey so dreaded and difficult.  Yes, there were tears shed.  Yes, there was some grumbling.  Yes, there were some tense moments.  But for just a few hours, last Thursday morning, I got to be the fun aunt.  And for that, I couldn’t be more grateful!

To all of our prayer warriors out there, my cup runneth over.  Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!

The Comforts of Home

We are back into the swing of things after enjoying "spring break".  A year ago, we traveled to sunny AZ, where we "defrosted" in the warm desert sun.  This year, we decided to stay put and enjoy the comforts of home.  Once the school year starts, we typically don't spend many "vacation days" at home.  It was a nice change to have a week off with nothing to plan, pack, or prepare for.  We took it one day at a time and enjoyed every minute!  Here are some of the highlights.


Saturday - Swimming lessons in the morning and an evening with friends!

Sunday - Church, naps, and dinner out on the town.  (We had to leave the house . . . someone made 4 jars of pickled eggs and we couldn't stand the smell any longer!)

Monday - The THREE of us had the day off and we enjoyed the day lounging and playing in the snow!  It's not very often you will find all 3 of us home on a Monday!  It was quite a treat!

Tuesday - One more day off for the 3 of us.  The boys came and played in the morning.  The girls came to play after naps. Followed by outdoor adventures with Frosty!  We consumed more than our fair share of marshmallows and hot chocolate!

Wednesday - Someone had to go back to work while the rest of us stayed nestled in at home and enjoyed a little snowstorm.  Fortunately, the weather didn't interfere with our "playdate" with the BISON!

Thursday - Afternoon visit with friends.  After-dinner trip for some frozen yogurt for dessert!  Pinky's favorite flavor was the chocolate in my bowl . . . It's a good thing she's so cute, I don't share chocolate with just anyone! 

Friday - A trip to the mall in the morning.  Lunch at the office with daddy.  Dinner at our favorite local Chinese restaurant.  AND an evening with a big bowl of popcorn and the "State B".

Saturday - Swimming lessons in the morning with a special audience followed by lots of play time!

 Sunday - Breakfast with Gma and Gpa.  A nice long nap in the afternoon.  A little polish on the toes.  And another bowl of popcorn and "Happy Feet". 

We rested.  We snuggled.  We read books.  We sang songs.  We got plenty of fresh air.  We had lots of soggy wet mittens.  We had a variety of yummy snacks.  We made lots of memories with family and friends.  And we never left city limits!

"Fishing!"

Practicing our fine motor skills!

Loves time with her babies!

Quite possibly the best spring break ever!  (Although I haven't ruled out Mexico in 2013!)

Splish Splash

Pinky is over half way through her first set of swimming lessons.  It's been so much fun watching Pinky as she becomes more comfortable in the swimming pool!    You are probably wondering what swimming lessons are like for a 2-year-old.  Well, these are some of the skills her teacher is working on with the class:

• blowing bubbles
• splashing
• learning that you move when you kick you legs
• reaching towards objects (balls/rubber duckies) floating in front of you with both hands
• floating on your tummy
• floating on your back (one of Pinky's favorites)
• feeling what happens when you push your body off the sides of the pool in the water
• jumping in, and maybe even going under
• trying to build independence in the water

These are some of the songs we sing when working on these skills:

• "The Wheels on the Bus"
• "Twinkle Twinkle"
• "If You're Happy and you Know It"
• "Ring Around the Rosie"

We try to take turns so that she is comfortable in the water with both of us . . . She's probably more daring with her dad and more clingy with me.  But it's fun, and wet, and quite an adventure! 

January

January has never been one of my favorite months . . . after packing up Christmas, it has always felt like a long 31 days of bitter cold and lots of snow to "get through"!  To be honest, I find that it's usually a good month to hybernate.  January 2012 has been a different story at our house!

Thanks to an unusually mild January, it was actually 50 degrees on Pinky's birthday.  Imagine that!  We spent the afternoon outside enjoying the beautiful weather . . . without coats, mittens, hats or boot.  AWESOME!  I take that back, we did make Bella wear a hat . . . if you call a bike helmet a hat . . . when she cruised around on her new 4-wheeler!

Pinky's birthday party included friends and family (complete with a surprise visit from Grandma and Grandpa); Minute to Win It Games; a butterfly cake; and as many of Pinky's favorite treats and snacks as we could (M&Ms, fruit loops, gold fish, pizza and chips & dip). 
In addition, Pinky has started swimming lessons, which means for the last 4 Saturdays (and next 5), we have had the chance to enjoy a nice warm swimming pool, where Pinky is becoming more comfortable and confident in the water.  Lessons typically include singing familiar songs incorporating lots of action: kicking, reaching, twirling, splashing, dipping the ears, and blowing bubbles!  If you ask her about lessons, she'll quickly reply "ring around the rosie."  Evidently one of her favorite songs in the pool.

We've used our shovels a few times this month, but to be honest, I find the few inches of white fluff out thereto be quite lovely . . . I'd much rather look at a little white snow than dead grass . . . and it's way more fun to play in.  Pinky enjoys playing outside any chance she can get.

January was a busy month:  Birthday party, outdoor adventures, swimming lessons, and visits with family and friends.  Hybernation was not on the list this year! 

Maiden outside voyage for her new wheels!

With her "number".  We're still working on "2".

Butterfly cake.  YUMMY!

Swimming Lessons

Shoveling snow with her rake!

And yes, we did get a family birthday hat picture this year! 
Just before bed!

Now, bring on SPRING!!!!  HA!

Order Up!

We have a new chef in the family!  Pinky got a toy kitchen for her birthday.  And along with it, a tea set, toy food, an apron and a table and chairs!  We spend a lot of time in her room these days eating snacks, soup, waffles, cheese, and of course sipping tea with cream and sugar. 

Today, I walked into her room to find Pinky stirring and cooking on her stove. "Do you want a bite?" she asked so sweetly. "Sure!" I replied, as if there was an option. "Sit down!" she demanded, as she pointed to a chair! Oh dear, do I sound like that???? Couldn't be!

Birthday girl cooking up some dessert!

Adding a little "spicy" to Sunday lunch.

Tea for Three!

Yes, an iron too! 

She spends so much time eating in her room, no wonder she isn't hungry at dinner time.  Come on over if you get hungry, she's excited to have friend and family around her table! 

Terribly 2

2 years ago today, Pinky was born.

2 years ago, my husband became a father.

2 years ago, I became a mother.

2 years ago, we became a family of 3.

And now, 2 years later, we have a smiley, giggly, sweet, strong-willed, talkative, independent, little girl who has us both wrapped around her little finger (along with her aunties, grandparents, and cousins!). 

Here are some things you may or may not know about Pinky:
She's a terribly good singer!
She's terribly silly.
She's terribly good at puzzles and sorting block shapes.
She's terrible at finishing her dinner most nights.
She has a terrible sweet tooth.
She's terribly interested in owies, and usually has at least one.
She's terrible (according to her cousins) at sharing. 
She's becoming more terribly independent every day.  ("I can do it myself.")
She's terribly lovable!

In a nut shell, she's officially terribly 2!