The Final Preparations!

The gingerbread house was glistening in sugar and sprinkles, carols were sung with the family at the piano, cookies and milk (with a little short note) were set out in hopes that dancing Santa soon would be there. Here's pictures of the days leading up to Jesus' birthday and a very nice Christmas. The reveal of glorious presents coming up in my next post!!!

Christmas Singing

This week was the last week of school before the holiday break and I also performed in the preschool Christmas program! Although I knew all of the words and motions to the songs, I got SOOO nervous that I just stood there when we got up to sing in front of everyone!!! I just froze. I didn't sing or do the motions! When I got home I sang the songs for Mommy and Daddy and taught them the motions. I really like "Twinkle, Twinkle, Christmas Star." That is the song that I sang with my classmates. Despite my cold feet, I was the epitome of cute in my angel costume: white smock, gold halo and star! Maybe next year I will be a much better performer. Until then, I'll just keep practicing my song and dance at home. Mommy has been practicing Christmas carols on the piano so that we can sing on Christmas Eve! I can't wait! The only thing we ARE waiting for is some Christmas-like weather. Today it was 80 degrees outside, and while it was nice swinging at the playground and enjoying a warm breeze, it's time for it to get cold outside for Christmas. Daddy and I baked cookies today - it was FUN. That's enough cheer to get me into the Christmas spirit which is in THREE DAYS!!! I told Mommy today that I have been really good, so Santa should be bringing me something special!

Holiday Festivities

It comes as a surprise to everyone that I don't care for Santa at all. Now, it's not the stuffed Santas, or dancing Santas, or animated Santas that give me problem (in fact I love the IDEA of Santa); I just can't handle Santa in person. It was a pretty cold, and somewhat rainy week, so one afternoon Mommy, Adam and I had an outing at the mall. We passed by Santa once - Mommy asked if I wanted to see him, and I was just fine with him at a distance. We passed by Santa again - this time I figured, what the heck, I can try this. Boy, was I wrong. I got close to him and I just couldn't do it. I made Mommy sit in Santa's lap while he asked me what I wanted. Not knowing what to say, I said, "Toys". Well, how broad could I have been???

Thankfully, I had a second opportunity to visit with Santa. On Thursday night we went to the neighborhood holiday party where they had sleigh rides, crafts, Christmas music, and visits with Santa! We took a fun sleigh ride (I wish there had been snow because it was COLD) and then headed inside for some cookies, crafts and a visit with Santa. This time, I wasn't as shy as the first, and I had the opportunity to finally tell Santa what I wanted for Christmas - earrings!! It was somewhat difficult yelling over Adam's screaming to tell Santa, but I think that he heard me because he gave me a huge hug before we left!
In addition to all the fun with Santa, I got to have a very special night with Daddy when we went to see Disney on Ice! We had such a fun time together - I am so glad I got us tickets for his birthday! I was also happy that Daddy bought me some cotton candy that we shared while I wore my Mickey Mouse ears!!! Luckily, I didn't get sick before all of this fun stuff because on Friday I had to stay home from school because I got a cold! We stayed inside a lot so I could get better to go back to school, and enjoy the rest of the holidays!

Christmas Tree Topper!

This weekend was all about Christmas trees!!! On Friday night, we went to downtown Wake Forest and saw a very big Christmas tree with red and green lights on it! We saw Santa arrive on a big fire truck whilst listening to Christmas carols - and we got to wear T-shirts! It was so warm outside it felt like fall again, and not winter!
Luckily on Saturday morning, it got cooold! In the cold rain, we took the front wheel drive sleigh (as Daddy called it) and drove around what felt like forever, to find a Christmas tree for our house. Once, we finally found an acceptable tree lot to look at, we got out of the car and searched for the perfect tree. I had fun running around and getting lost in all the trees. After the tree got loaded up, we went home and put up the tree! In the afternoon, Daddy strung lights on the tree, then after dinner I got to help attach the star on top! Plus, we got to hang on the ornaments too! I loved that!!
There are lots of other decorations throughout the house. I really enjoy looking at the Nativity, with Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. Daddy explained to me what all the different people and animals are doing. On Sunday, an Elf made a surprise visit and was sitting on the Christmas tree. Daddy says that the Elf was sent by Santa and he is watching to make sure I behave. After nap, I woke up to find ANOTHER Christmas tree in the playroom. This tree has lots of fun toys to play with under it and I love having a tree to look at in the playroom! What a great weekend! I am really getting excited for Christmas - the only thing I don't need to do this year is sit on Santa's lap!

Turkey Day!!

Well, this long, thankful weekend has come to a close, but not without great memories and quality family time! I still have not acquired a taste for turkey, however Thanksgiving was nice for many reasons:

1) It was Daddy's birthday! After a good meal, we sang happy birthday to Daddy and he let me blow out the candle for him. For the first time ever, and probably for a long time we ate pumpkin pie for the birthday festivities. It was delicious!!!

2) We got to watch the spectacular Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Better yet, with the DVR, I was able to watch the Radio City Rockettes perform their routine twice!

3) Little Santa finally came out of the closet (the closet in the living room!) and I got to hug, kiss and dance with him. Daddy and Mommy have promised that when we set up the Christmas Tree, Santa will do his song and dance! I CAN'T WAIT!

4) We decorated the outside of the house with lights! On Friday after dinner, we bundled up and went outside to see the lights for the first time and they were very pretty! I wish we could do that every night!

My First Haircut!

While Adam has gotten to brag multiple times about his haircut, I was ready for my haircut. I didn't even flinch when the stylist sprayed water on my hair to wet it! It was ready for a trim. The cut didn't take long at all, especially since I was very well behaved. I picked out my favorite movie, Shrek to watch, but I barely got past the opening credits before it was all over! My hair looks much better and it seems much thicker now.
Last weekend, Mommy and Daddy went to an out of town wedding, so Mimi and Papa came to stay with Adam and me! I had so much fun with them. We did tons of puzzles, colored with crayons (Papa's  Zoo had a lot of interesting animals in it!) and we played constantly! It was nice to spend time with them although I will say I was very excited when Mommy and Daddy came home. It was the first time ever that both Mommy and Daddy were gone overnight!
I'm getting VERY excited for the holidays! I ask constantly about Santa. I JUST CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HIM!!!

A Salute to Great Gramps

We had a nice Veterans Day. Daddy was home from work and we got to spend some time as a family, which I love. Mommy told me that on Saturday Great Gramps went to heaven. We all loved him very much and I am so lucky that I had the opportunity to meet him. This Veterans Day may we remember him as a brave soldier that served our country, and a great grandfather who always put others before himself and lived a long, 89 years. I love my Great Gramps. May you rest in peace.
Norman Walter Simon
March 25, 1924-November 9, 2013

Trick or Treat!

 

This week was definitely a super exciting one! First came Halloween!!! Although I have been trick or treating on Halloween before, it didn't really count because I didn't do it on my own. This Halloween, Mommy let me go to the houses on my own and either get the candy out of the bowls sitting on the porches or knock on the doors and say trick or treat. The first couple of houses I got a little confused because I thought I had to go inside to get the candy. After a few houses I got the hang of it and I liked talking to the people that I met at the door. Everyone that saw me loved my owl costume and many people wanted me  to hoot like an owl. Sometimes they were successful, others not so much. For the most part I was a good trick or treater, but there were a couple of houses that I couldn't handle on my own because they were too scary or there were too many other kids there. Some of the statues that people had at their houses were scary. They weren't the friendly kind that I like to see during the my walks. I did, however enjoy going to the houses that had the big spiders on them. Adam was a good sport and he came along for the ride. I hope I get to eat most of the candy he put in his bag, if Daddy doesn't eat it all himself first.
We also got to put candles in the pumpkin that I helped Mommy clean and carve. She gave me a choice for a scary pumpkin or a silly pumpkin. I obviously chose a silly pumpkin and I think she did a great job. I got to color the pumpkin's hair adding to his silliness. Mommy was nice enough to put eyebrows on because  I insisted that my pumpkin have eyebrows!
To add to the craziness of the week, I got some packages in the mail with some great gifts inside them! Candy, snacks, books, games - all sorts of great stuff that I love!
Another exciting thing that happened this weekend was I got a new big bed! Daddy kept feeling the walls and talking about how cold they were so they decided that it was time for me to get away from the walls and into a nice big bed. I have no problem with that. I love my bed! Now all my friends have a place to sleep and I don't have to share my pillow with them anymore. I'm glad it got really cold outside because it worked in my favor!

A Smart Cookie

I know I don't have to tell anybody that I'm a smart cookie - that's just a given - but I will toot my own horn and say that for a three-year-old I am pretty creative. Just look at this very symmetrical tower that I built with blocks one day. Don't let me fool you with my princess, girly girl ways. I'm into that just as much as blocks and match box cars, all which I know Mommy is very thankful.
This week is Halloween and I can't wait for it! I got to try on my owl costume over the weekend so I could practice "Hoo-ing".

Fun Farm Field Trip!

This week at school was exciting! On Wednesday, the fire truck came to school and I learned all about what the firemen do. They showed us the outfit that they wear and they let us sit in the truck! Then, on Friday, Daddy took me to the farm where we had our class field trip! I had such a fun time! I saw horses, cows, pumpkins, corn, tractors and so much more! We shook milk around in a jar to make butter and got to go on a hayride! It was crazy there were so many people there, but that didn't stop me from having a great time with my Daddy!

A Beautiful Smile...

...filled with perfect, clean teeth!! This week was my first time at the dentist! The lady that cleaned my teeth did a great job, despite the fact that she had to tell me every 10 seconds to keep my mouth open. I was a little scared of the dentist when he came to look at my teeth after they were cleaned, but he said that they looked great and that I was doing a good job brushing! The dentist gave me a token for the goodie machine and I got a necklace out of it! Mommy let me wear it to school on Friday!

We have started to eat dinner in the dining room all the time. That frees space on the kitchen table for me to keep my crayons and paper out all the time, so whenever the mood strikes me I can draw whatever my heart desires. Mommy has been teaching me how to draw my letters. Each week when we have a different letter of the week at school, Mommy teaches me that letter. "L" is pretty easy, and "M" is fun to draw. This week we were working on "I" and I really got the hang of it! I love coloring, especially the color indigo!!!

Catch of the Week!

School is still going very well. Last week I was the 'Catch of the Week'! I got to color a poster with facts about my name and there were pictures of my family on the bulletin board. Mommy took me to the store where I got to pick up the pictures we had developed. I even paid for the pictures by giving the money to the cashier!
I'm starting to make some friends at school also. Just the other day when we were walking around the pond, I recognized a boy from my class. I pointed to him and told Mommy that he was a friend from school. Circle time is so much fun; one day I decided to have my own circle time at home. After putting blankets down on the floor I invited Adam (he more or less invited himself) to join me on the floor and we looked at pictures together. I'm getting excited for next month at school. There are a lot of fun activities planned!

Tall for my Age!

Last week was so busy with school and our beach trip that I forgot to mention that I had a visit to the doctor for my three year well visit. I am first of all excited that I have not been to the doctor since my last well visit (the doctor was very impressed) and she reported that I am tall for my age. That must be why I fit in so well at school. Nobody can tell that I'm the youngest girl in class! I've also broken 30lbs which is very important because I need to weigh as much as possible to stand up to Adam who has figured out that he can tackle me! The other day when we were out for a walk, I was pushing the wagon, which he didn't like, so he ran up behind me and grabbed me trying to pull me down.
Now that we have ushered in some cooler weather for the fall, we have had the opportunity to eat outside for some of our meals. It's fun eating at the picnic table with Adam so he can practice eating like a grown up like me!