Coat and Boots

Someone is super, duper, completely, and totally excited to come home in just a short while!

She loves to wear her coat and boots and talk about all the things she's going to do in them when we finally get there!

Saturday Stuff

Today was a good day. AC was in a good mood almost all day. It's amazing how one little person's attitude can affect every one's outlook on the day.

She played with her Little People, colored pictures of Team Umizoomi, pretended to be Marina from the Fresh Beats by having a dance party, and watched the Winnie the Pooh movie.

She took a long nap (2 hours, 45 minutes).

When she woke up, she ate her lunch with Daddy while they watched Ohio State play Kansas in basketball. Coincidentally, she and Daddy were both dressed to support the Buckeyes.

Later in the evening, we headed over to "Lights in the Park." We knew AC would love it and she did! It was quite awesome, if I do say so. Before we even entered the park, we saw the Big Guy himself hanging out at the entrance.
AC was so bashful when he came to her window to say hi. She covered her eyes because she was so excited. I could see her big grin and her eyes peeking out to see him.

This was one of her favorite lights. She has a new love for seahorses.

As soon as we got home, it was time for bed. She wanted to read a book first, so she picked out her favorite, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. We read it 8 times before we finally told her that she had to go to bed. She LOVES that book! She can even "read" some of the pages on her own (it's more like reciting it from memory)!

We hope you all had a great day, even if basketball did put a damper on it!

Toddlerhood

It's been a lazy, rainy Friday. AC went to school this morning. It was one of her classmates' birthday so they had cupcakes. Apparently these cupcakes had red icing which managed to get in her ears, hair, shirt, and shoes. It must have been a rockin' 3 year old party!

After her nap, we spent a little time watching Christmas shows on TV. Even the furry one seemed to enjoy it.

Our days seemed to be governed by these rules. Sigh.

This girl is seems to be in the midst of all that is Terrible-Two-Madness. And someone told me last week that being 3 is harder than 2. Pray for me.

Christmas Treats

AC loves to help me bake and cook. Last night I decided that we would make some fun Christmas goodies today. She loved it (and has eaten entirely too much sugar today)!

Here are our reindeer cookies!

Our Marshmellow Snowmen

Eating her first snowman. She was a little annoyed because Gracie was eating the parts that fell on the ground.

Yummy!

Shopping

Today at school, AC got to go to the Santa Store. The PTO organized a little activity where the parents paid $2 per family member, they bought inexpensive gifts and set them up in a designated area, and each student got to shop for her family. I had forgotten about it until I picked AC up today. We were walking out the door when I heard the teacher calling, "Wait, Anna Claire! You forgot your gifts!" After we went back and got them, AC looked at me and said, "Mommy, me went shopping!" I said, "Yes, you did! Did you get Mommy and Daddy a Christmas present?" She said, "Right. Me get you bear. Me get Daddy sticks." Well, there you go. She kept that a secret for all of 2 minutes. But I couldn't stop wondering what she meant by 'sticks'. When I asked her what kind of sticks, she said, "Drumsticks, Mommy!" So as soon as Daddy got home from work, we opened our presents!

Her gift bags. There was a painted drawing of her hand on the other side!

Mommy's Bear and Daddy's "Sticks" (zip ties)

We laughed after we opened them because we tried to imagine her walking through the store looking for the perfect thing for us. I can totally understand why she picked the bear. Kids like bears. But the zip ties? I can't imagine why she thought these were the best gift for Daddy. She's a funny girl.

Here she is before school. I asked her to stand still so that I could get a picture of her and this is what I got. The statue pose.
By the way, the teacher has strongly advised that I put socks on her from now on. It looks so goofy, but I'm trying to do what is asked! If it makes the day easier, I'll play along.
We love and miss you all!

Bubble Bath Pool

A friend of Daddy's has a little girl. She wanted to give her Barbies away, so we gladly took them. AC was so excited to find her new Barbies this morning. At around 10 am, she asked if she could get in the pool (or bathtub) with her Barbies. Here's a little video.

Here's a transcript of the conversation. I know she can be a little hard to understand at times.

AC: Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, jingle all the way! Hey! Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, jingle all the way! Hey!

Me: What else can you sing?

AC: Me?

Me: Can you sing Oh Christmas Tree?

AC: Mom?

Me: What babe? What about Frosty the Snowman?

AC: Mommy? Barbie’s hair messy.

Me: Barbie’s hair is messy? Why? Can you sing any other songs?

AC: Mommy, wait a minute.

Me: Ok.

AC: Mommy, Barbie's hair is sticky.

Me: It’s sticky?

AC: It’s sticking to my hand.

Me: Ok. Can you look at mommy?

AC: Mommy. Look at my face. (I'm always asking her to look at me when I talk to her. That must be where she got the 'look at me face' thing! HA!)

Me: You look at my face.

AC: Mommy. somethingsomethingsomething. Look.

Me: What’s wrong with her?

AC: Mommy, look.

Me: What’s wrong with her?

AC: Barbie’s hair is sticky.

Me: It’s sticky?

AC: I clean it.

Me: You gonna clean it?

AC: Look, Mommy. I clean it in the pool.

Me: Where’s your other Barbie?

AC: Right there.

Me: Does she want to swim?

AC: Watch this, Mommy. I clean it in the bath.

Me: Ok.

The Park

AC and I met our friends at the park this morning. As soon as I told her we were going to play with Makayla, she wouldn't stop talking about "MayMay"!

It is a chilly day by south Florida standards. Only 71 degrees. But it is also breezy, so that makes it feel extra chilly in the shade. AC was able to break-in some of her winter clothes that we bought for our trip home.

My big girl getting ready to go down the slide!

Little girls picking flowers.

Taking a walk.

Lounging in the tunnel.

It was a fun morning. AC didn't want to leave, so I had to drag her to the car kicking and screaming. That's pretty much a normal thing, sadly enough. She can't stop talking about MayMay and can't wait to see her at school tomorrow!

In other news:

Daddy took AC to Kohl's with him yesterday evening. He called on the way home to tell me that he's sure that store will never be the same after their visit. I must admit that I find it humorous when he gets to experience what my everyday life is like with AC. His first mistake was that he let her out of the stroller. Who can blame a girl for taking advantage of an opportunity like that? She ran wild through the store pulling things off the shelves. Then she begged and cried for a $40 Dora doll. Instead he convinced her to settle for a $5 dolphin. She also begged to buy a 'prise' for Mommy. She was so excited to surprise me with a sparkly peace sign ornament. He also said that she kept repeating, "I miss Mommy so much" while they were gone. I just love this girl.