like a fish

Someone is very anxious to be a big girl! You have a new bicycle that you ride up and down the hallways. You even made it fancy with your new streamers from grama.

You've gotten into dolls and dressing them and playing with your dollhouse that we made for Christmas. We spend a lot of time doing crafts and have made such fun things from hanging ornaments to a cardboard Christmas tree.

Daddy gave you the old camera we use and we taught you how to take care of it, so you've snapping pictures and it's been very fun watching what you think constitutes a worthy picture. Mostly your toys and things you have made and of course many unflattering shots of your dad and I posing with a random toy of your choice.

You have graduated from swimming with a tube to swimming with arm floaties. You can now touch the bottom of the pool and can swim from one end to the other without assistance. You are so proud as are we! You've decided that when you are 4 you will be able to go under water and pick up toys from the bottom of the pool.

Christmas is coming, which has been exciting for you. You've been making gifts and cards and have not been obsessed with presents, which makes us smile!

halloween is over

Halloween lasts more than one day in this house. We attended the Boo at the Zoo celebration at the National Zoo. These are the before and after pictures of your makeup for the evening. You were very excited once you saw your cat face and asked about every 10 minutes if it was still on your face. You also made me take the pencil with me to fix your makeup should it have been smeared. You brought home a bag of candy and had a great time.

For Halloween night we went to Hilloween and then trick-or-treating with your friend Olivia. You had a fantastic time and we were able to go on a Hay ride with two Clydesdale horses pulling it through Capitol Hill. We couldn't have asked for a better ending to Halloween. You brought home another bag of candy and again had a great time. It is now a week post-Halloween and now that the best candy is gone and most of the pumpkins have been thrown out, Halloween is officially over to you. Every now and then we see another pumpkin and you excitedly point it out until I acknowledge your observation.

The day after Halloween was when we took off to make out trip to Kansas for a week, but that trip requires its own post that is to come shortly.

fancy dress-up

Despite having a rough evening last night with a little bit of puking, you recovered well. You were saying were funny things despite having vomit decorating your body and nightie. You let us know you didn't really like throwing up and kept asking questions about where it comes from and why it comes out. You went through two full sets of bedding before dad offered his spot in mom and dad's bed for you to sleep. You were very excited and spent the night with mom in her bed. You didn't get much sleep since Ben woke you up at 6 a.m., but you felt special getting the extra attention.

You've also been very amused with the winter wear that was recently pulled off the closet shelf. Here you'll see yourself dressed with only scarves, neck warmers and ear warmers. You were pretending to be a scarf princess and mom was the scarf queen. We were a very nice princess and queen. We provided a few laughs for our neighbors that were returning home from work to see us modeling on the runway.

The Washington International Horse Show is going on in DC now and we were able to go see all the stables at the convention center and see the horses being groomed. You proudly pointed out "all things horse" you know: blazes, stars, reins, blankets, saddles, horseshoes, etc. You really wanted to stay all day.

We're getting ready for Halloween and a big trip back to Kansas which both excite you very much. More on those later fancy Scarf Princess.

princess

There have been many princess stories told in the house lately and you insist there is always a dragon or monster that is trying to get the princess. Thankfully someone always rescues her and everything ends up happily ever after.

Yesterday while driving home in the car, we were listening to classical music. Everyone was quiet because it was getting a little late, but out of nowhere you blurted out that it sounded like the princess was being chased by a monster. It took dad and I a minute to understand what you were referring to, but we discovered it was the music. There was a suspenseful turn in the song we were listening to and you associated it with one of your princess stories in your head. Each time the music changed tones you would ask what we thought was happening with the princess. It was a great example of your vivid imagination and made mom and dad both smile.

On the way to school this morning as if your princess story continued once you sat in your car seat, you said the monsters always want to eat up the princess, but they never actually do. I'm glad your imagination is still rated G.

You just started watching Peter Pan for the first time today, so we'll see what other stories you will come up with in the future. Love you little princess.

So many changes

Well Eve, I hear you are just becoming a very big girl these days! You got to pick out a new BIG GIRL bed and you just think it is the best bed EVER! I can't wait to see it! It has a ladder and a tent! What else could you ask for. I talked to you on the phone and you told me all about it. You also told me that Ben wasn't big enough to get in your bed. He has to settle for playing under it since it is 4 feet off the ground. You have also started going to a new school 3 days a week. Your teacher is Miss Bernadette and you seem to love it! Right now you are also into princesses and make believe. You just love to make up stories and songs. For Halloween this year you are going to be a Kitty Cat (black, of course, just like Grama's Harley the Cat). Your momma has be busy getting your ears made for your costume. I wish I could be at your house and go trick or treating with you and Ben. Grama was very sick for a couple of weeks, but now I am feeling normal and healthy again! I am trying to plan another visit to your house; probably in the spring. I love and miss you terribly. Grama

eve, the musical

Your dad and you have always made up songs together. Every time you used to get in the stroller you would sing songs to yourself that were usually a variation of the many songs that are sung at home. Then came a time when you would ask dad and sometimes mom to sing a song about something you saw on your walk. Then came a time when you would sing an entire song without missing any words. Now instead of just saying something you will sing it. Whether you are at the dinner table and asking to be excused or out walking in your stroller you sometimes break into song and require only sung replies. Last weekend you attended your first Opera. You saw La Traviata, which was a live simulcast at the new Nationals Stadium that was built near our house. You got to go down on the outfield grass and run around. Dad said you were dancing and twirling to the music. Of course it was all in Italian, but it didn't bother you.

You've also been attending a new school with Ms. Bernadette. She is very structured and has a well established routine, but you seem to really enjoy it and have been telling me about your new friends and what you have been doing. It's been fun hearing about your day! I can't believe how quickly you are growing up and what a great big sister you are!

Hello Sweetie!

Why hello there sweetie! I actually got to talk to you a bit today. You were telling me about your new outfit you created after raiding your mom's bras. It seems you were getting ready for a work out since you went for a sports bra. You are quite the designer coming up with outfits more outrageous than ones created on all of the designer reality shows that are on television. It seems that you are quite into jewelry too so if you need the hook-up you just let me know! You are constantly impressing everyone with your intelligence and your literature, and although it is still a little difficult to understand you, you know exactly what you are talking about!! You let us know!! You are growing up so fast and have become quite the little lady! I can't wait to hear from you! Miss you!
Love,
Aunt Jill

update on your estranged family

Since their last posts:

Erin and Dustin got married and you were her flower girl. They graduated from college and got a full-time jobs. Erin takes a job at a bank and Dustin starts coaching at OSU. Erin resigns from her first job and finds another.

Dad and Geri bought a new house. Dad contracted Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. He recovered.

Jill and Noah decided to put the beloved Wishkah to rest so no more chatting with him at the computer.

They all still love you.

eve the artist

Feet diptych
Originally uploaded by lovedc

You decided while we were out on a photo walk the other day that we should take pictures of our feet. It was so adorable I had to make a diptych out of it to show off your creativity.

We should make this a tradition, because you know how much I like those.

Thanks Squirt.

Oh, and we may have to look into some tumbling for you. Since the Olympics started you've become very interested in Gymnastics and keep saying that you want to be able to do that (referring to Shawn Johnson and her crazy tricks).

look at my new dress

You and dad were grilling some chicken and eggplant at Sophia's house yesterday when you rushed in the door to show me your new dress Sophia made you. When I looked up from the dishes I was washing, I laughed for about 5 minutes. Of course, you kept smiling and asking me what I was laughing at and I could hardly come up with an answer. You gladly posed for me. Hilarious! You wanted to wear it to the baseball game with mom and Sophia that night, and normally mom and dad let you wear whatever you choose, but that may be one dress that stays worn only in the house.

You had a great time at the baseball game and were surprised that Ben didn't tag along and it was only you and mom. You had a lemonade and french fries. You enjoyed the "President's Race" and really wanted a W shirt to take home with you to match mom's W hat. You took home a pink shirt that said Washington Nationals Princess on it and were very content.

happy 3rd birthday

Happy 3rd Birthday Squirt!

Love you.

Such a great visit

Hi Eve! Here you are at your garden. This is just one of the many things we did on my trip to DC with Aunt Teen. We had such a good time. You are growing up so fast and becoming such an interesting individual. You now tell grama how to do things (like mom does it). You even showed grama how to load a video into the computer so you could watch one of your movies. Every night before bedtime, after your bath, you asked me to read a Dora book to you. You were also full of hugs and kisses. Also, you have turned into quite the little shopper! When I asked you to pick an outfit out - you took your time and came up with something you really wanted to take home! Of course, there was a decision like that in many stores. When we got back to your house, you wanted to put all the new clothes on together! You would have a nightie and a couple of sun dresses on. I guess you like the layered look! Then, with your great imagination, you gave us a fashion show.

You get along very well with your brother. You call him your little buddy! You loved playing with him in your new red tent, inviting him in then closing the door and hiding.
This trip was different because grama stayed at the hotel a few of the nights with Aunt Teen. You would call me every morning around 8:00 am and tell me to come to your house. You and I had a fun time going swimming. You really like to be swung around in circles REAL fast! My visit was too short and I wish I lived closer to you so we could make more memories. Until that happens, we will have to rely on the web camera. I love you so much, grama

special visitors

Although you were very sad that daddy was gone for the last two weeks in Boston, you thoroughly enjoyed your special visitors from KS. Last night before bed, one of the five things you told me was that you so loved grama and Aunt Teen. They had a lot of fun with you while they were here and got to see what an imaginative, funny little girl you are turning into. You made up stories about lost princesses with Aunt Teen and of course built barns with grama. They had a great time and I think you really enjoyed them too since you told your friends at school all about your visitors from KS and about Aunt Teen's cows.

You've found a new friend in Dora the Explorer and really enjoy her show and have picked up a lot of Spanish from her. You tell Ben, "No swiping" quite a bit since he only wants your toys, but he doesn't respond like Swiper and mostly just screams when you take back your toys from him.

One of the funniest things that has been happening lately is that when you lay down for your naps or bedtime you will do all sorts of funny things. We do have a video monitor so we watch you climb out of your bed repeatedly to gather whatever you want to join you in your crib. You crawl out to grab such strange things like your comb and brush, your Dora books, your Hanna Andersen catalog, your new clothes that grama bought you, and your headbands. I've come in to see that you've changed clothes while you were supposed to be sleeping. Today you were calling that you needed to use the potty and when I went into your room you were wearing a backpack full of toys and your crocs for some reason.
I can't even be upset because I'm to focused on keeping a straight face telling you that you need to lay down, close your eyes and go to sleep.

You have a birthday coming up and you know it, so we'll try to do something special with a few of your close friends. You've been telling me you want a yellow cake with chocolate icing and rainbow sprinkles, which seems like an easy enough task.

School has been going well this summer and you come home telling stories about what happens while I was gone, which is so much fun for me to hear.

One thing that made me very sad and very happy was that while we made a trip to IKEA last weekend you decided you were a big girl and could be dropped off at the kid playroom all by yourself to play with strangers. You love shopping which was a plus for grama and Aunt Teen since they enjoy shopping too. Upon returning from the mall you put on every single outfit you received at the same time and had about 5 layers of new clothes on your body. It was an interesting fashion show and haven't stopped wearing your new outfits yet.

I love hearing your imaginative songs and stories and look forward to your dad returning tomorrow so I can hear your recap of the last two weeks. Love you squirty.

few changes

Sadly, one of your best friends recently had to move out of the city. It's still been a little difficult for you to understand and you've been telling me that you're ready for her to come back. It's been a sad and totally sweet time.

You are also getting into birthday season since most of your friends are summer babies. You keep asking about your own birthday and volunteering to anyone that will listen when your birthday is and how old you'll be. We may have to do something a little special for you.

We've been spending a lot of time at the garden and you've been enjoying fresh blackberries, black raspberries, strawberries, plums, and carrots. You've also discovered the mulberry bush that is about a block from our house and request we take that route home to gather mulberries. It's also the season for lightning bugs and you caught one and took it home and put it in a bottle in your room, but decided the next day to let it go at the park. Michelangelo has been enjoying some fresh produce lately too. Gotta love summer.

Not that I was that concerned about it, but you started a new playgroup this week. It was with a group of kids that had spent the previous year together, so I didn't know how the transition would go for you since you had been a part of a different playgroup too. We showed up and I got Ben out of the stroller and we had a seat on the floor of the play space and within 10 minutes you were ready for me to leave. You gave me a kiss and a hug and asked me if I needed to go get some coffee. I left and that was that. You have been talking about your new friends and the whole situation has been a piece of cake. Way to go, my little friendly girl. Love you squirty.

kansas trip

Hey there Eve-

Well it has been a couple of weeks since I saw you, but I wanted to let you know it was wonderful to see you and your baby brother in kansas.  Things got a little hectic here from you and ben being sick to your dad getting poison ivy to you having a head full of baby oil on Aunt Erins wedding day!!  Everyone felt so bad because you didn't like wearing your itchy dress and didn't feel too good!! You looked so pretty though in your pink and silver dress and did a fantastic job as a flower girl.  We weren't scared at all, just mesmerized by the people in the church, that you stared at the whole way down the aisle!  Beyond the wedding it was sure good to see you.  You are just so smart!!  It made me feel real special when you wanted me to read you one book before bedtime and you ended up suckering me into reading four!!  It is ok though because it will make up for us being so far away!!  I hear you may be coming to Illinois in the fall!! I am so excited and hope you get to make it!!  Until then.

Love you sweetie!

Love and Jill

shopaholic

Somehow in the last few weeks, you've decided how much you enjoy shopping. We had to go to Target today to get some clothes and you wanted to go straight to the kid's clothes. After finding out you could only take one thing home with you, you decided on a new sundress, but unfortunately you had a breakdown that ended up in us returning the dress to the shelves and leaving with nothing.

We've been busy doing some fun things too. You went to a Nationals game with Pippa, went to Watkins farm with Pippa and Kathryn and rode the train and carousel, and went to a MOTH picnic where you ate a cherry sno-cone. I don't know which of those things you enjoyed the most, but we've been busy to say the least.

We're getting ready to bid farewell to your two best friends. They are both leaving in less than a month and moving away, and things will change a bit. We are joining a new playgroup around that time, so hopefully we find someone to take their place.

You've also discovered your passion for painting. It's been fun watching you paint worms, bananas, and ovals with the occasional accidental object like a cow or a foot. They are about to be distributed to family members to adorn refrigerators and bring smiles to faces.

mcdonald's saves the day

There are many things to share about the recent trip to KS, but I wanted to tell you a quick story before I forgot it. There are few things that McDonald's is good for in my opinion, but after visiting Coffeyville last week I am grateful for those golden arches. We had a bit of bad luck with our travels, and you ended up sick with the terrible cold that Ben had when we first arrived. It made sleeping very difficult for you with the coughing which in turn made it very difficult for dad to sleep since you shared a room in the camper (aka ambulance car which was kinda funny). There were some very early mornings for the family when no one was awake yet to visit so we would venture to the 24 hour McDonald's down the road. We shared the restaurant with some of the old farmers that met up for coffee in the mornings. It was a task to get you and your brother to eat anything for the week because you didn't feel good, but we tried. We were willing to do about anything to make you two feel better and this is what you came up with...

Butter and syrup soup
Ingredients:
Butter
Syrup

Open a package of McDonald's syrup and two packages of McDonald's butter. Scrape the butter into the syrup and stir until you've reached the desired consistency.

You made it, tasted it, enjoyed it, talked your mom and dad into tasting it, and it created a little comic relief for your two very exhausted parents.

quick note

I just wanted to share something really funny that Eve has been doing the last few days. Bedtime has actually been a little difficult lately and we've been working through it, but one method of stalling you have is to keep talking and asking questions as we're walking out the door. Today you asked if you could tell me five things and I said if you could tell me as I walked out the door so you took a deep breath and said,
"I love you and my dad and my brother,
Are you not coming back in and my dad is not coming back in and my brother is not coming back in,
I feel bad but I don't want to feel better,
Can I kick my pink blanket off?,
I love you good night."

Then she took her next breath.

Kansas bound!

I am getting so excited. You and your family are coming to Kansas for Aunt Erin's wedding! I talked to you on the web cam last weekend and you said that you would give me a big hug when I picked you up at the airport! Everyone is counting the days until they see you. I have alot of plans for us. We are going to go swimming (Aunt Erin says she is taking you every day), and we will go to the park and to the library. Grama is really busy getting ready for your visit. I am cleaning my house and getting your toys out! Amos and Harley the Cat are also very excited to see you. All of your aunts and uncles want to spend some fun times with you. We are all going to wear you out!
Love you,
Grama

new words

I don't know if all kids make up their own words, but that is your newest talent. Sometimes they are fitting, like naming your baby brother's boy bits his waggy baggy, or deciding that saying scit scat weanie in the car repeatedly is the funniest thing you've ever heard. In either case, it makes me laugh too. Sometimes you get strange looks from adults when they ask you a question and you respond with a random nonsense word, but I just shrug it off and keep going.

You seem to be having a bit of a rough time expressing your feelings lately (by that, I'm trying to put it nicely that you've been quite a pill). Bedtime has been a little painful because you've been throwing the occasional fit. You've also created a new bedtime routine by trying to squeeze as many sentences and thoughts into a conversation while your bedroom door is closing. You are sputtering off about how you so love your mommy and you so love your daddy, you so love your brother, you so love Pippa, you're going to kick off your pink blanket, you want your cup to stay on your shelf and not in the fridge, and what you plan on doing when you wake up next.

Even with the fits, when we actually get out and do something you really enjoy like visiting the farm today, it makes everything better again. You ran and ran and pointed out all the animals and loved the barns and fences. We even spotted a very young lamb that was hobbling after its mom. Maybe I just need to work harder to find things that interest you as much as visiting a farm. Hmmm I'll be working on that for you squirt.

neither an elephant nor eve ever forgets

Sometimes it is shocking how much a two and a half year old will absorb.

Even though you are undergoing some of those terrible two moments, we can't help but laugh at some of the things you bring up at the funniest moments.

We've been battling at bedtime a little and you were coming up with every excuse you could think of to not go to sleep and we were at our limit. I told daddy that he had to see why you were screaming for the third time in an evening and it was because you wanted a drink of water because your mouth hurt (for the third time). He grabbed your sippy cup and gently tossed it over the side of your crib and told you to take a drink and it upset you greatly. Every night for the last week you have been asking dad if he threw your sippy cup at you in your bed. Of course, he feels terrible because you make it sound like such a horrible thing to do. Daddy always gives you a straight answer about it while I'm trying to contain the laughter.

Two nights ago daddy was sitting in your bathroom waiting for you to stop throwing a fit about something silly. As he stood up trying to avoid all the kid stuff covering the floor of your bathroom he lost his balance and ended up pulling the toilet paper holder off the wall as well as the toilet seat and cover off the toilet. You gave him a serious look, stopped crying and said, "Daddy, why did you break my potty?" He said he didn't mean to and I walked in after hearing the crash to check out the situation. Dad was just smiling and shaking his head. You've been continuously asking him why he broke your potty and pulled the toilet paper down. He gets embarrassed and again just gives you a straight answer while I silently crack up.

Tonight after another small fit when you got mad at me, you told me you wanted to go to grama's house. I told you we couldn't go to grama's because she lives in Kansas and you said, "Let's go to Kansas right now." Funny girl.

What a trip!!!

Hi Pumkin,
Well did I have a fun visit with you! You and your mom and brother met me at the airport. You were holding my hand as we arrived at the metro, so we took the escalator and Mom and Ben took the elevator to the platforms. We couldn't find them anywhere and kept walking back and forth on the platform. You kept asking, "Where is mom?" I told you that I didn't know and you were such a big girl by saying over and over,"I'm not going to cry Grama". And you never did!!! We made it home all by ourselves.
I don't know where you got it but you LOVE to shop!!! We went into a store and your told me you wanted a certain dress...so I, of course, held it up and you started undressing yourself right there! You wanted to wear it out of the store! I talked you out of it but when it came to a new pair of crocs....yes, you got to wear them out of the store! WE went to a big parade with lots of bands and horses! I got to go to your dance class and see you be the very best dancer there!!!! We went to the park and read so many books. You are so much fun to be around. A couple of times when I was playing or holding Ben; you would ask you mom to get Ben so we could go and play or read more books! I can't wait to see you all dressed up for Aunt Erin's wedding. You are already talking about your trip to Grama's house. I'll see you in May! Love, Grama

I miss you

Well hello Eve, how are you this fine day? I'm alright now because I'm home from work. Poppy is working at one of the rentals and will be home later. I sure do miss you and your brother and hope to see you when you come for Aunt Erin's wedding. Grama Sortore told me about your pretty tutu you are going to wear a the wedding, I'm sure you will outshine even Aunt Erin, what do you think.
Your grama said you love pink, well that's because you look beautiful in pink. I look at you and your brothers pictures all the time and you kids are getting soooooo big. Well Grammy better close right now and start some supper for Poppy because hes always hungry when he gets home from work.
So here's a kiss for you and give one to Ben and I will see you in May.
I love you
Grammy

definitely still napping

We survived Easter and the associated sugar highs and crashes. Luckily we are out of candy now (thanks to dad and I helping you) so you can stop obsessing over when you will get another piece. We ventured to the building museum yesterday and you had a good time building. We have also survived the transition from using to not using Nuks. It wasn't as bad as we thought it would be and I'm sure you have made a young red-headed baby named Pippa very happy.

We decided to forgo your nap last Sunday and it was a very poor decision. We will not attempt a no nap day for some time thanks to the unpleasant evening that resulted. We all determined that nap time is a good time.

sad and joyous day

It's a sad day because grama's plane left this morning after her short and sweet visit this last weekend. We were so busy with activities that the time flew too quickly. You had a great time with grama reading books, books, and more books. You also enjoyed your shopping spree. It's great you found someone that you can shop with, because mom is not very good company for shopping, mostly because of her lack of fashion sense. You'll have to rely on your aunts and grandma's to go to the mall! You were sneaking in gifts at the mall and telling grama you needed them. You even managed to find a puzzle in a clothing store in the mall to bring home. We went to the St. Patty's Day Parade and loved watching the horses, marching bands, and Irish dancers with grama.

It's a joyous day because you decided you were done with your Nuks. We wrapped them up in a box with wrapping paper and took them down to Monica at the front desk. You decided that you were a big girl and wanted the mailman to take the package to another baby girl (preferably named Pippa) so she could use them. We celebrated by walking to the CVS and buying a package of Peeps because you love them. You called grama at the airport before her flight left to tell her you were through with your Nuks and another little girl would be using them now. It was adorable and I'm sooooo happy to have them out of our house!!

why?

Why is the most frequently used word by you these days. I know it's a phase, but it's exhausting. The conversation usually ends with an "I don't know" by me, which you fortunately still accept. Your dad is a lot more patient with those questions and will go into great detail answering your questions, which usually bores you into not asking any more. That is actually a good approach to this phase.

Speaking of patience, I think your understanding of the word may be a little off. While we were riding the metro home from the mall last night to buy dad's new Macbook, you saw a bunch of loose bus passes strewn on the floor under the escalator. At first we just thought you were cleaning up, but you started stuffing all the passes into dad's pocket. He asked what you were doing and you told him that he was losing his patience. It was very funny and oddly fitting considering the overuse of the word why.

We did enjoy a little outside time in the warm March weather. It was a fun new park that we'd never been to and you enjoyed yourself especially since dad was there.

growing up too fast

I just wanted to write a few things that you have done in the last few days that made me smile.

We've been working on recognizing letters and tracing and writing them. You've started trying to guess what the letters are when you see them and yesterday when you were reading a book you said, "Look, it's a broken O." I said well that's actually a C and you said, "Ohh, but it's a broken O though." I just had to smile and say okay so I didn't start any fights. We'll try that letter again soon. You have decided to try tracing the letters on your own and actually successfully traced about 4 letters in your dry erase book. You were very proud as was I.

Aunt Sarah and Uncle AJ came to visit you and your brother last weekend. Of course you wore your Aunt Sarah out taking her to the park and making her build so many barns and play with all your toys. You two even had a tea party and let me join. You ingested an entire tube of lip gloss and wanted to put on makeup with Aunt Sarah every day. You didn't let Aunt Sarah spend much time with Ben unless you were all three sitting on your floor playing. Aunt Sarah read you books before you went to bed and she took you to feed Michaelangelo. I think it's only taken a week for you to detox from all the extra attention you received while Aunt Sarah was here.

You've been doing a great job using the big potty and haven't had any accidents in many days. For some reason yesterday you decided you needed to use your tiny potty seat that was being stored under your crib. You dug it out and set it up in your room and sat on it and went potty. You yelled at me that you went and then picked up the entire potty and carried it into the bathroom. I tried to help you, but you wanted to do it all by yourself. You managed to get it to the bathroom and dumped it into the toilet and flushed it. Then you climbed up to the sink and washed your hands and the toilet out. You were so proud that you had done all of it by yourself. I think it would have been easier to just use the big potty like you usually do, but for some crazy reason you decided to go to all that work. It definitely brought a smile to my face.

looking forward to spring break

Hi Pumkin!!
I'll be coming out to visit in less than 1 month. Grama gets a vacation from school and she always tries to come and see you. I hear you are a little restless. It is hard when it is too cold to go outside and you get bored in the house. You seem to like the new donkey you received from me. You told me that you took a nap with donkey and dapple grey. You really love all animals and like to talk about them. You were so excited on the phone because your best friend Pippa was coming over for dinner. I think you were planning exactly what you two were going to do. Every time I talk to you on the phone you say something about coming to Kansas for Aunt Erin's wedding. I think we found the perfect flower girl dress for you! You will look like a little goddess (that is the name of the tutu dress). We are all looking forward to that day. Your great aunts Teen, and Jenny, and I are trying to plan another visit in July. Your dad is going to be in Boston for two weeks and we thought it would be fun to come keep you and Ben and Momma company.
I can't wait to see you!
Love, Grama

loving camouflage

We need to thank Aunt Jenny for your new favorite dress. It is camo with a pink trim and you have worn it every day for the last many and cry when I try to put it in the washing machine. If I tell you that it's dirty you dig it out of the hamper and insist that it isn't dirty. You also make Ben wear his matching shirt and think when both of you are dressed alike that it's time for pictures. Of course for some reason we can only take pictures of you two in your camo outfits in the hallway. You really like to be in charge of things. I think you get that from your poppie.

You've been busy with projects lately. Since you got to see dad's office and saw he had a pictures hanging that you had made him, you want to make him things for his office all the time. For his birthday we made him a frame for a picture of you out of recycled magazine pages. You chose the pages and we cut them out, rolled them up and glued them together into a frame. You were very proud and you also drew him a picture.

For Valentine's Day we decorated popcorn hearts with candy that grama sent out for you. She knows how much you enjoy making and decorating cookies so she thought we would enjoy decorating popcorn hearts. We invited your friend, Patrick over and you two played and decorated, but mostly ate all the candy you could sneak in your mouths while we weren't looking. You made a heart especially for daddy. It had graham crackers and m & m's on top and you were very excited about giving it to him when he got home from work. Of course after you gave it to him, you insisted that he share it with you. You ate all the m & m's off the top.

You've been learning your letters and numbers in the last few weeks and recently started making some real progress. You recognize almost all the numbers and know many letters. You've been doing flashcards, writing them on paper, and on the chalkboard/whiteboard and recognizing them when we are out of the house. It's been fun trying to think up words that start with the letters because every time we say a word you ask what else starts with that letter.

Another funny thing is that since I started taking a photography class on Monday nights, you look forward to hanging out with dad. You wake up from your nap anticipating when he will get home so you can watch TV. I don't know why you associate dad watching you with watching TV, but it always makes me laugh. As soon as he walks in the door you say Bye mommy, daddy you wanna change clothes and watch a little bit of TV? Of course you two don't watch a lot of TV together except of course The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. You actually know the names of the shows, which is a little disturbing. You love going swimming with daddy and standing on his chest like a surfboard while he has to run laps in the pool. It makes me happy and sad that there are things you enjoy doing only with dad and I'm sure he loves every minute of it.

There are so many things you say that make me smile that I usually forget to record, but today you were spinning around while singing Farmer in the Dell and then you would stop and let the dizziness settle. After spinning you came in to tell me Mommy, the house is moving. Thanks for saying things like this to make me smile to make those times when I get impatient seem so silly! I love you.

your day with kirk

Today was a special day for our family. Daddy received a medal from Admiral Kirkland Donald for the exceptional work he has done for the Navy. There was a ceremony today where dad wore his uniform and had to receive his medal from the Admiral and we were invited. You put on a pretty dress, tights, and matching shoes (which doesn't happen that often) and we walked down to the Navy Yard. We were invited into the Admiral's office to visit before the ceremony and he talked with our family while the photographer took pictures. You and the Admiral (he told you to call him Kirk) had a nice conversation about your dress and how the wooden dog button on the front of it scratched daddy when you climbed on him at home. You announced that you had to go potty and the Admiral let you use his own private locker room/potty in his office. Once we returned to his big fancy table to talk some more, you decided you were hungry. Admiral Donald asked his aide to grab you a string cheese from the refrigerator which gave the aide a little laugh. You thanked him and ate it in his office. We then went into the conference room and listened to the Admiral talk about your dad and all his hard work and accomplishments. Daddy received his medal and you announced that you wanted a fruit snack loudly. I tried whispering that you could have one once we were done, which only made you more excited about it. You kept asking for one and when the ceremony was over and it was time for pictures you cried because you only wanted a fruit snack and didn't want to take any pictures. The Admiral told the photographer to get a shot of you pouting about your fruit snack and you finally agreed to take a picture with us all (of course, without a smile).

We went back into the Admiral's office and he gave you another string cheese because you told him you were hungry. He then looked for something to play with from his desk and pulled out a wooden top and spinned it on his desk. You liked it and he asked if you wanted it. You said yes so he told you you could take it home with you. You said thank you and when we were leaving, he asked if you wanted to take it and you said no, so I had to step in and tell him you didn't like to carry anything around with you.

Overall it was a funny day and when we got home you went poop on the potty by yourself and decided you wanted to sleep on the big girl bed in your room. Of course, I'm sitting at the computer while you should be sleeping and I can hear you talking and singing, so we'll see how it actually works. I guess it's a step in the direction of becoming an official big girl. We're proud of you and love you.

a new year

You are a puzzle queen. That's all you've been doing lately is putting puzzles together. We started with a 24 piece floor puzzle with horses on it and now we have a collection of probably 15 puzzles ranging from 24 to 100 pieces that you will sit and put together mostly unassisted. It's amazing how quickly you picked it up. We've also started with letters and numbers and of course you recognize E, V, P (for Pippa) and O. You have almost got the numbers 1-10 down as well.

We spent a few days in Pittsburgh last week and you had fun with your aunts and uncles. It snowed one day we were there so you were able to run around in that and have a good time. You were great in the car and we had fun looking for cows out the window. You were very friendly to all the familiar and unfamiliar faces you saw. You've turned into quite the social girl and will talk to anyone that will listen. Of course, I still have to translate much of the time, but that doesn't stop you. We went to the Children's Museum and you loved the water room and even made a new friend.




You have started pretend play and you like to look for sunken boats. They are usually surrounded by sharks, but they are nice sharks. They like to eat yogurt and blueberries (much like you do). We also feed the pretend horse that lives outside Sophia's door and you like to comb it's mane and put on new horseshoes.

You've been singing a lot lately and really like The Farmer in the Dell, Old MacDonald, Row Your Boat, Twinkle Twinkle, Baa Baa Black Sheep, London Bridge and Mary Had a Little Lamb. We've also come across a few new artists that sing songs called We Are the Dinosaurs and Big Old Tree. Those are fun because they have actions with them that you really like doing. You sing all the time especially when you are sitting in your stroller or lying in your bed.

Last night you woke up and wanted me to come in and sing you a song. Unfortunately I have a terrible cold so I have lost my voice. You asked me to sing you Twinkle Twinkle so you could go back to sleep and when I started singing, I could only make noise about every 5 syllable. You started crying again and again and kept telling me to sing it right. You couldn't understand that I didn't have my voice, but finally gave in.

You've been doing better at going poop on the potty and even managed to go into the bathroom by yourself unannounced and poop today. We were proud and baked and decorated animal sugar cookies to celebrate. You are growing up so quickly and love your brother so much. You get a very sincere look on your face and walk up to your brother and say in the sweetest voice, "I love you Ben." It about makes me cry every time. You're such a sweetie.

You are DEFINITELY not a baby anymore!

I have so many wonderful memories of my Christmas visit with you!! The very first one is seeing you running to me in the airport in your pink tutu and striped tights!!!

You almost knocked Grama down!! You remind me of the singer Cindy Lauper (except for the red hair - don't get any ideas!) So many people in the airport commented on you, calling you a little princess.

Then, on the way back to your house, we were riding on the metro, you sat next to me and looked back and said, "Hi" to the black lady behind us, "This is my Grama and she came home".

We talked all the way to your house!!! When we got to the lobby, you introduced me again to Monica behind the desk. You made Grama feel really special. Then, you had to show me all of your new Christmas toys and new horses. It amazed me that you carry on such an unlimited vocabulary. You talk like you are 8 years old - using big sentences and correcting anything wrong.

During my visit, Grama always woke up in the morning and got you out of your crib and we had breakfast together. We let mom. dad, and Ben sleep late. Then we would get dressed and take a morning walk. We would go see Michaelangelo (and feed him a carrot) then go to Garfield Park and swing and climb on the ropes. Grama wanted to keep that memory for you and took this picture of you and Michaelangelo.

We did so many things together. We went to the Family Room and played with animals and the school bus and the rocking toys. Then, we ate lunch at a chinese restaurant that had a great big fish tank. We ran to look at the fish at least 5 times. We went to your favorite toy store "The Fairy Godmother" and got you a new puzzle. It was 35 pieces showing a map of the world with 6 of the 7 continents and the animals found on each one. It didn't take you long and Grama was teaching you about the island of Madagascar. (I knew you had watched the movie and could say the word). Well, the next day, you put the puzzle together all by yourself and when I asked you where Madagascar was....you actually pointed at it. Grama nearly fainted! Your mom is going to have her hands full when it comes to teaching you!!!

My visit was too short. On the phone, when Grama got bak to Kansas, you told me that we didn't have a tea party. I promise that the next time I come to visit, we will have the best tea party ever! I love and miss you, Grama

The holidays are to an end and I miss you more than you know!

Eve, there is so much going on! The wedding is getting closer and closer to when I get to see you! I talk to you at least once or twice on the phone, but you are a pretty busy girl! Your mom and I have picked out the perfect flower girl dress. It is a pink full dress tutu. You are going to love it i hope. We have just gotten news that we are going to be staying in Stillwater for another 2 or 3 years, but I promise we will live close someday because your uncle Dustin promised me and you need to hold that against him. Uncle Dustin is now offically a OSU football coach so don't forget to brag to all of your friends! Well it is also offical that you are smarter
than me. You have named off so many horses that I have never even heard off. Your mom has even told me that you correct people that don't the correct horse names! I love it! I miss you and love you more than you know! I will see you in May! Erin