Blog | 2015
While Jason was out of town, the girls and I got on a plane to visit Grandpa (my Dad) for a big birthday. We were very excited, but I’m pretty sure my Dad was even more excited! The flight there was uneventful – the girls were great!
M even took a nap (the promise of the iPad is very, very powerful…)!
The first day of our visit, we went to a local museum to see the dinosaurs exhibit…the moving dinosaurs! The girls loved the idea, but when they saw those gigantic creatures moving around, it made them a wee bit nervous. But, they overcame and had a great time!
This one “spit” on us (see the mist coming out of its mouth?).
Both girls said this one was their favorite – “he’s nice” was a common phrase.
T-Rex!
The museum also had a fun pioneer village and some animal exhibits and play areas. B loved this loft bed, and M loved the little porch chair “just he
Lots of fun!
While M napped, B made a new friend – Carly! It was great seeing B overcome her typical hesitancy with dogs – she loves Carly!
The next day was the big birthday.
We had fun at a local playground (it was BEAUTIFUL outside!), and got together with my brother and his wife (Uncle Bryan and Aunt Janet) that night. Birthday pictures!
After dinner, we picked up birthday cupcakes. The girls couldn’t/wouldn’t agree, so they each got their own for Grandpa (he told them to pick).
Our last day was unexpectedly extended when our original flight got cancelled. We got home quite late, but we had fun and the girls were troopers! It helped that we had an Olaf sighting at the airport…
…and again, the promise of electronics is powerful…
Happy Birthday Dad/Grandpa!
February has been soooooo busy, so first I am going to do a miscellaneous post to cover the first couple of weeks. I’ll start with this photo just because I think it is so cute – M always dresses in bright colors (sometimes matching, sometimes not), but B decided to join her on this particular day.
I am enjoying this colorful phase as long as I can – M’s clothing issues can be frustrating at times, but the bright colors often make up for it!
Let’s see, at the beginning of February we went to the doctor for M’s annual checkup. She was not particularly excited about the upcoming doctor visit (she unfortunately remembered past sick visits), so B got out her doctor kit and showed M all the things Dr. L would do (and pretty much covered them all precisely).
B and I tacitly agreed to not discuss the dreaded “s” word (shot) in front of M, but it turns out we didn’t need to bother – no shots this time! M did great and we all went to Chikfila to celebrate (M’s choice).
B also earned her second blue belt stripe – yay! Next up: Green belt test at the end of the month!
We also visited my friend Tami so the girls could learn about growing microgreens (Tami has a microgreens business, and she supplies many of the local restaurants). M was seemingly more interested in Tami’s cats and Tami’s daughter’s cool bed, but B had a great time sampling and learning how to grow her own microgreens.
Success! After a week, this is what we had (sweet peas on the left, corn in the middle, and sunflowers on the right). Yum!
That pretty much covers the first week and a half of February! Next up: a visit to Texas.
My little bit, my itty bitty is 3! We had several days of celebration. Mimi and Tatie Kat were here the week before, so we had an early celebration dinner (turkey, green beans, berries, and red cake with princesses, all by request), followed by presents. She decorated this cake herself (with some help from big sister)!
Then came the big day! For weeks leading up to her birthday, she would say (every single day) “I gonna be free (three)!” Some days she would tell you she was going to be three “tomorrow.” But when the big day finally arrived? Nope. I’m two. “I’ll be three in three weeks.” Hmmmm…After nap that day, she excitedly declared she was three…I wonder how she knows she wasn’t born until the afternoon? 
On her birthday, we had a strawberry cake (again with the requested “red” cake) with Ariel. I thought she would pick the Frozen cake or the one with more princesses, but nope! She wanted Ariel.
Apparently all the pictures I got of her opening presents are on my phone, and the cable I need to get them off is at work. So this will have to do for now.
The day after her birthday, she took cupcakes into school to share with her friends – this time, she chose Frozen…We had a mix of vanilla and chocolate because “red” was not an option from the store (I have no idea why not, and we are not allowed to bring in homemade cupcakes).
She had a wonderful birthday, and really seems to love playing with all of her presents (even if she does tend to focus on one for days at a time before moving onto the next one)!
While much of our family was in town for the holidays, we decided a trip to one of the girls’ favorite museum was in order – the girls never tire of this place! B practiced her jump shot (at one point, she made 5 in a row!), and M practiced her surfing. I only have video of B’s hoops skills, so you’ll have to settle for M’s surfing.
B also demonstrated her hula hoop talents! One hoop was just not enough to challenge her…
Apparently two hoops were not enough to challenge her either…
M had a great time taking care of her Daddy…
…and her dogs…
But the highlight of the trip was theater time! M gave quite the puppet shows (and always came out to give a bow!).
And B delighted us all with her short skits.
I know I have been slacking – I will try to do better. It really would help if I tried to do more frequent, smaller posts! This one, however, won’t be particularly small, as it covers the whole Christmas season. The girls had a GREAT time – this is the first Christmas where both girls were really aware and excited about all that was going on around them. These years of childhood are what makes Christmas so magical!!
We started by decorating, of course, which meant wearing silly headbands, picking out a tree, and decorating it.
Then we had to decorate the windows (we all agreed M did a great job (all by herself!), especially for a 2 year old).
And test all the Christmas music toys…
We also had to bake the cookies…
…and decorate them…
And deliver the neighbors’ gifts (in style, of course…).
We also received a surprise gift from my friend Bertil in Sweden – Saint Lucia costumes for the girls!
The gift season started early with a trip see to Frozen on Ice!
Cool Aunt Karen came over to talk about Hanukkah and teach the girls how to play dreidel- it was a hit!
Then our guests started arriving. Fun craft time with Mimi and Tatie Kat was in order.
B also helped Mimi make the Christmas dinner napkins – beautiful!
Christmas Eve included Afternoon Tea from Mimi!
Then…Christmas morning… there is no way I could or was even going to try to get pictures that captured everything, but here are a few moments. What Does the Fox Say toothbrushes…
New Frozen headphones, and a few layers of new Christmas clothes.
New Frozen pjs!
And Frozen dolls! (catching on to the theme yet?)
And Sven!
Princess book for M from B
The next photographer in the family?
It was a wonderful Christmas!
