Willow's 3!

Yesterday was willow's bday. Steve took a personal day to spend it with us (yay). We woke willow up with her balloons and gifts in her room...






...then set out early to go to the aquarium in NJ. Luckily, we beat the EXTREME crowds that showed up just about the time we were leaving. It was a pleasant visit (though not yearly pass worthy in my opinion), but would not have been pleasant had we dealt with the EXTREME crowds.



After that, we went to the mall - willow got her bangs cut, we had lunch, and did a little clearance rack shopping.

Then it was home for nap.

Post nap, we "played" the games she got from us - not too bad for the first foray into following rules for a game, but it will be a process. We kept it light and easy.

Then she and I went to get Stephanie, who came over and had bday cake with us, then baby sat so Steve and I could have a date. Willow was very excited to spend the time with stephanie - who gave her a very cute stuffed dog.



Ahhh the bday cake. The day before, i got out my betty crocker mix and icing... asked willow what color cake she wanted (purple), and set about making it. As you can see, it did NOT turn out, and even tasted a little gross to me. When steve called on his break thursday night, i told him to just get a little one at the store. Oy. what a mess. next time, i'm just making it from scratch.

that's supposed to be layered purple hearts... i won't say what i think it looks like...

Pic

Since Rose was having her picture taken, I of course wanted to have mine taken...

Pics

Here's a pic of me - I insisted on turning around so Mommy could take a picture of my "pony tail" - my hair is getting long!

The Zoo

Yesterday we went to the zoo with Stephanie, Logan, and Stephanie's sister. We had a great time, and of course got to eat great food that Stephanie brought. Yummm. Here are some pics...

Goings On

Mommy has determined that her laziness will not be a detriment to me being fully and completely potty trained. To that end, we have a potty downstairs now (just for me). The great thing is it has a lid on it, and when it's potty usefulness has gone, it can also serve as a step stool. Mommy has requested that certain things still happen on the big potty upstairs, and so far, I am happy to oblige her.

And now, a pic of me in my ponytail...

Mmmm

Here I am enjoying dinner...

Life

Life is good. I've got my little playhouse, and I spend a lot of time "cooking". I speak in complete sentences a lot, and the occurrence of being understood is increasing dramatically.

Here I am with Granny and Grandpa and Rose...

Christmas

Christmas eve, we went to church - mommy played - and I was super well-behaved.

Christmas morning, I woke up and came downstairs to this...

Behold!


I also got other "special treats" - I am a very lucky little girl!


I've been having a great time with Grandpa and Granny. Today, I was SUPER surprised when Paka and Grammy showed up too (just for a couple of hours)! see Rose's blog for the grandfather picture...


I'm having a lot of fun making the grown-ups get in my house with me... they are maybe not enjoying it quite so much, but for now, I'm being humored...

waiting for the trolley...



on the subway - playing with Granny's musical socks...



sitting on the floor in Macy's, waiting for the light show...


The grand finale of the lights show...

Cookin' Pork Chops

I helped Granny make pork chops...like, I actually really helped her. It was a lot of fun.

I also helped her make deviled eggs, but we didn't get any pictures of that.

Gingerbread House

Don't be too impressed..it came fully assembled in a box from Wal-Mart...all we did was apply the icing and decorate it...but given mommy's lack of baking desire, and the fact that I'm two, it was a great project to do.

More Sibling Bonding

Pics

We're in to doing pigtails right now for my hair...





some silliness with Rose...

Mmmmm

Last night, in a rare occurrence, Mommy let me have the entire york peppermint patty. Holy smokes!

Just to Clarify

"So mommy, just to clarify, you would prefer I not give these lead filled toys to rose for her to choke on? ok. Just wanted to make sure. And that was a no, right?"

:(

I have an ear infection. Mommy took me to the dr. this morning. I was super good for the dr and he was very impressed with me. I've got my medicine now, and am already feeling better...but I was pretty punky for awhile there this morning!

Hair Cut

Finally, mommy trimmed my bangs. This was probably her best effort to date.


And here's a pic from this morning - we hung out with Stephanie today (who I adore!) - and these are my new 50 cent wal-mart gloves. Cute! On a side note, the senior citizen ladies that I encountered today were particularly taken with my attire.

My Nativity

Here's the nativity that Mommy found for me. I'm enjoying playing with the figurines, and talking about who they are. Tomorrow (or sunday?) we start talking about advent. I'm looking forward to that. Mommy has some "holy" and "non-holy" fun things planned to celebrate the advent season and to count down the days to christmas. I get to play with the set, but to distinguish it from my regular toys, it has to stay on this shelf... so far, so good.

Attack of the Paka-razzi