Grocery List

Big Sis has been obsessed with writing lately. Needless to say Jeremy and I have been having to spell out word like a storm. Her grandparents have been encouraged this with giving notepads and pens or pencils. Big Sis was excited to find taht I needed to go to the grocery store. Big Sis wanted to write the list. I will have to say that in the store I did use it to remind me what to get. Above is the list and just to translate it says: at the top is the start of MILK, BREAD then it continues down if you look closely: VEGGIES (half), CEREAL, SNACKS, SYRUP, then: BANANA and Jelly are along the side. She already can write her sisters name by sight/memory, her first and last name (all be it not that long) and gets mommy and daddy.

I see this and I'm thinking seriously this kid has 2 more years of preschool.

4 Years Ago!!! Our lives changed!!!

Well she came into our lives 4 years ago and nothing will be the same. When they are this young it seems as though they are growing leaps and bounds. Changes happen so fast. I feel like even last fall is hard to remember because we are now a 4 year old. Being 4 sometimes isn't pleasant because we are developing different ways to express ourself but with that comes some expressions are comical and precious

Big Sis is an observant, sharp, excited, friendly girl who loves life and the people around her. She is developing a genuine grateful side to her and expressing it better everyday. She is slow to warm up in new situations and gets timid when the focus of attention. The cautious side of her is just like her mom when she was young and will need nuturing from her parents. She has a memory that I wish I had now and is so interested and aware of everything going on around her life. When it is all said and done with the good and bad of becoming who we are I'm so glad that God made her the way she is now and know He will help her develop into a wonderful person. Just not too fast, I guess she will always be my baby.

Thing you can say ONLY as a preschooler!!!

One evening getting ready for bath:
We always tell Big Sis, " Go get naked." as we start to run the bath and undress Baby Girl, radio music still going in the background from dinner. Well a good song comes on with a good dancing beat, which Baby Girl loves. Big Sis comes running out to the living room and is excited to dance and get Baby Girl to dance as well. As the tub fills, we all decided to dance, one kid naked and one in just a diaper. Big Sis then procedes to say, " Mommy, I'm dancing with my girlie parts!!"

Ah! The things that you are only able to say when you are three years old!!!

Kids Say....

These are some of the things that have been being said around our house. Probably not that out of the ordinary if you have a 3 1/2 year old so basically I don't want to forget these moments myself.

Discussing with Big Sis about going swimming and getting over our fear of going underwater... She describes what prep she needs before going underwater
"Mommy, I'm going to just close my eyes and hold my nose and HOLD MY BRAIN (breath)!!" All to go under water.

We had folding chairs in our living room after Baby Girls party that had our last name on the back. Big Sis spells what she sees, " D-E-A-N Mommy does that say chair?"

Dog sitting for my parents and Big Sis discussing how the dogs are barking in the yard. Big sis, "When the dog see something in the backyard the are roofing (barking) at it." It actually took me awhile to realize what she was talking about.


The dogs were with for about a week and I do have to say that Big Sis did a good job taking care of them. It made me think we should get one for her, but even though she might be ready for a dog, I'M NOT ready. Maybe some day that will happen at the same time.

1st Dental Visit and 1st Cavity!!

First dental visit and first cavity all in the same day.

Well, Big Sis had been talking about the dentist for awhile now. She had been getting into our "loss" - floss and the topper was that they talked about the dentist at preschool. So we discussed going to visit him to get our teeth clean and she was willing. The office had a cancellation and we got in in about 2 days. Otherwise we were going to have to wait a month. I thougt the excitement would be gone by then. I'm so glad we went because we found a cavity.

She isn't looking happy at first but this was her idea. I kept telling myself that.
This is where we found the cavity although we had to get it verified by the dentist.
She let them do the entire exam, even the flouride. When it came time to floss Big Sis wouldn't let them because she brought her own piece and demonstrated to the assistant how she does it. I got video of her assertiveness, but haven't gotten it to upload.
The after smile of a successful visit. I'm not sure how it will be when we have to get the cavity filled. We are going to wait for one more cleaning before we jump into drills and fills. I think I might have Jeremy take her for that.

Unconventional Dress UP

Big Sis is enjoying some new dress up clothes that have made it into our house. She loves being a cook. She will ask us what we want to eat and if we are creative and think of something she then proceeds to tell us that she doesn’t have that kind or at all.
She is enjoys dressing up Baby Girl when she gets a chance. Depending on the mood of Baby Girl she is pretty tolerant.
The last photo is Big Sis being unconventional and using the 2 tutus she got for Christmas being worn at the same time, one as a shirt and one as a skirt. This led into an one hour dance session around our living room and kitchen with her, mommy and Baby Girl with daddy being the DJ. Hey you got to get them tired somehow right?!?

Preschool

Well, we were able to get Big Sis into a preschool this year. They opened another class in our school district through Parents As Teachers (great program) this November. Big Sis has always loved learning and we figured we should nurture this while we can. At least preschool isn’t a high stress environment like high school. We told her she was going to start school and she was very excited.She wanted a purple backpack and when shopping I was able to steer her interest away from the Barbie or Dora. We got her supplies and then it was just waiting for the day to come. Meet the teacher Day went very well she has her own cubby. She isn’t shy about being on her own and asked me if I was going to leave during Meet the Teacher Day. She was sure to tell Jeremy when he got home from work that she needs a backpack and coat to put in her cubby for school. The morning of the first day Big Sis was up dressed and ready w/ hair done by 7:10.She is my early riser where Baby Girl always seems to sleep to the very last minute until we have to be somewhere. We still had to wait for another hour to leave. She occupied herself with playdoh still asking Jer if it was time about every 10 minutes. Jer drove her due to the weather, but her class is in the elementary school a few minute walk from our house.The second day was a good day and she was able to walk with Jeremy. Then Baby Girl and I took a walk in the stroller to go get her. She already talks about being the line leader, the projects they get to do and the new kids she is meeting.

Girls Night Out!!

So after the Daddy Daughter Date I got jealous and wanted to spend some time w/ Big Sis without worry where I was with putting Baby Girl down for a nap or when to feed her, etc. So this month we got to go see the Backyardigans at the Fox. What started this was the adventure of going to West County Mall with my neighbors to see the characters in person. Big Sis was a little nervous when see them so close, but Baby Girl didn’t have any problem with posing with the adorable characters.They were giving away 3 Family packs there. Needless to say we didn’t win those, but I tried to get some on Craigslist. I hit many dead ends, but one of the ladies that I e-mailed gave my info to her friend. Content with not being able to go I got a call on Saturday evening because these people couldn’t use their tickets and the rest is history.Big Sis was excited it was the Backyardigans (or as she says The Backyardigans Rock) and I was excited because it was at the Fox, which I think is beautiful and we were sitting in the Fox Club seating. Big Sis followed along, danced and sang all night. She gave Jeremy an earful when she got home going on about the story in the show. I later had to piece what she told him together for him so it made sense.. She still pretends we are there or she is doing the show herself. She has her play figurines lined up and even yells the curtain call for the show to start.

Daddy Daughter Date

Well, after being at his new job for a few months Jer figured how to take advantage of some of the free stuff that they offer. He decided that he was going to try and get tickets for the ballgame and take Big Sis. He thought it would be nice to spend some time with her since he had been working so many hours. Thus the Daddy/Daughter Date was born. I hope that it is something that continues with both of the girls.This is Big Sis in a hand me down Cardinal outfit that I glad we are getting to use. I call this the Cardinal Cutie photo. It was fun to get her excited about going to the game with her daddy. She never called it the baseball game but instead it is called the baseball players. She still talks about going when she see them on the news.We told her that they would do fireworks if a player hit the ball over the fence. That was the main thing that she wanted to see there, but unfortunately it didn’t happen that night. Here is the view they had in the company clubhouse, but Jeremy say the pic doesn’t do it justice. I hope I get to go on a baseball date next season.

Swimsuit Season is here!

BG2 first swim/pool experience. She just chillin w/ her buddy. It went well which is more than I can say for Big Sis. She is aware of things and fear of water is prevailing. Pray for her to just take the plunge and have fun.

Our Baby Girl's 2nd Birthday