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