Summer Fun

Amidst all the packing and prepping there is still time for sidewalk chalk, bubbles and Popsicles. Doesn't get more summery than that!

Drawing on your legs apparently is fun, too!

Kisses!

Someone looooves her Grandpa!

Hangin' with Aunt Sue.

Bubbles!!!!


And Popsicles! Mmmmmm.. Yummy!!


Hope you are having fun and making memories this summer!

It's Been a Very Busy Few Days

This week has been jam packed! I haven't done a thing towards our move because there was so much else going on. Every day was busy! Every single day. I have had very little sleep.
The week started out with celebrating her birthday. And we had family in town. And then there was my surprise going away party for me at work. And report cards were due. And her end of the year awards ceremony. Whew! It's been crazy!

When her birthday finally rolled around, she was an old pro with blowing out candles and singing her age and all of that! Here is my cutie pie on her way to school with the cookies for her friends. I'm lovin' the Mary Jane's, tiara and band aid!I think I can show three fingers, Mama.

Yes, there. I'm three!

Grandma really wanted to come into town to celebrate her youngest grandchild turning three. It was so sweet seeing them together. She insisted that Grandma sit in the backseat with her and hold hands. Awww...

Before going into the daycare to sing Happy Birthday to her and share the cookies with the her classmates, Grandma came into my classroom to read one of her books to my Kindergartners. They were so excited to have a real author visit!

Then we headed down the hall for the birthday celebration. I think Almi was overwhelmed with seeing Grandma in her daycare cause she had a meltdown. Seeing her with her classmates and hearing them sing to her was cute, but I admit, was quite disappointed that she wouldn't sing 'I'm three years old' for the video. Which leads me ask this question. Does turning three mean you officially stop listening to your parents and your teachers? Seriously. I'm just wondering cause it has been downhill ever since.

After school we went out to dinner: Almi, Grandma, her Godmother Ayanna, and I. She wanted pizza for dinner so we that's what we did. Her lovely behavior continued in the restaurant. Sigh. She was not listening. Again. Luckily, when she had her pizza she calmed down and was happy. She even proved to us she can sing how old she is. Loudly. Very, very loudly. LOL



After dinner we went home. There were more presents.

And a cute card where Almi knew which bunny she was and which were Grandma and Grandpa.

Then there was more cake. This time an ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins. She (we) loved it!



Later on in the week Uncle C was here to see the munchkin. Love seeing them together!

And last night my colleagues threw a surprise going away party for me! Man, they are really awesome. We had a ball. We had dinner and wine and lots of laughter. They even surprised me with two awesome gifts. A gift card for the Apple Store and iTunes for me and an adorable backpack filled with toys and games to entertain her on the flight! How incredibly thoughtful is that?!

Tonight was her award ceremony at school. I cringe with embarrassment thinking about it. Let's just say the drama there deserves its own post. Can I tell you how glad I am that Friday is here?! Mama needs a big goblet of wine!!!

First Christmas Eve

Greeting Grandma in the morning with hugs and laughter.

Dressed and ready for church!

She loved listening to all the music. Here she is ringing her bell during Jingle Bells. We left shortly after it began and while we were zipping up jackets in the vestibule, she asked me if we could go back in. We had left in part because it was close to her bedtime but also she was getting a bit antsy and I was afraid she'd want to run up and down the aisles. I told her we could go back in but I would have to hold her. She agreed so we went back in and enjoyed it some more. She was so good and so into it! This was her first time going to church and I was so proud of her. Maybe in 2011 I can find a church home. I think that would make us both happy. Here she is jammin' to Feliz Navidad.



When we were leaving the church I wanted a few more photos so I crouched down to get on her level but then she crouched down, too. :-) My parents are in the background. If I could photoshop the car lights and my purse out of the photo, I think this would be a really cool shot. I love the wall and the fence to the right and the moon above left. I also like how my parents are holding on to each other for support like they've done all their lives emotionally, spiritually and intellectually, but now also physically. I also like how Almi is wearing such bright colors and stands out in the picture.

My dad got this nice shot of the three of us. She didn't want to be in any more photos and did what she now does when she's displeased: she puts her head down on her shoulder. It is too funny. But I still like the photo.

Back at home I bribed her with candy canes to get her to sit in front of the tree for some more pictures. Hey, it was win-win!
I did get one or two shots of the rest of my family. :)
The candy cane reward!

Saying good night to Grandma.

Putting together the stocking.

Playing with Mommy before heading to bed. She looks so happy here. I can't wait for her to see what's in store for her tomorrow!!

More Baptism Weekend Photos

One thing I noticed was Almi was much happier and less clingy on this trip than the last trip we took, the one to Martha's Vineyard. I was able to explain to her that we were going to "drive and drive and drive and go to Grandma and Grandpa's house" and I think she understood. Each day she asked me, "Beep beep?" meaning 'Are we going in the car?' (which I think was her way of asking if we were leaving) and I would tell her "no, not yet". Since we pray for all of these family members each night and talk to many of them on the phone regularly, I think she really remembered them and she had a ball playing with her cousins. We both had a great time!

Uncle C! I remember you!

Wednesday dinner at Aunt B and Uncle Otey's

Watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Cousins
I captured this picture right after I got her dressed for her baptism. Love it.