Feeling sentimental: Martina McBride - In My Daughter's Eyes (LIVE)

A!

I spoke too soon!

Tonight while reading "Pajama Time"....on the very last page in large letters is the word PAJAMA....and all of a sudden I hear this very soft, "A" and a point to the last A....I screeched with delight....I don't know who was more excited....I, by her recognition or she, by my screeching. Woo-hoo! She knows A! :)

Call me sentimental (or yes, other things), but sometimes I get tears in my eyes because I love her so much....tonight was one of those nights....and for (also) the first time she said "Mama crying." So, I explained why and that was good enough because then she pointed and said "eye." :)

Pre-Birthday Sweets

Yesterday afternoon, I baked 48 cupcakes. From scratch. For "school." Yes, I've still got it....2 dozen vanilla and 2 dozen chocolate. It was A LOT of fun. I really get the "I'm a MOMMY feeling...this is what Mommys do" when I bake for her. Of course, not all Mommys do that or have time and that's OK, but it's something I always dreamed about doing....(Now, I did NOT dream of dealing with tantrums and all the other fun stuff...) ha ha. I did decide to buy the cake for her party...the bakery in town is fabulous and it's a good excuse. :) Below some excerpts and of course, the taste-tester in action.

 Got the paper design ideas from a neighbor. They stick to a toothpick.

 Those are 2s, not Zs!

I think that's the look of approval.

Comparison

Thought it would be fun to post a little 2009-2010 comparison! Gotta love that the clothes still fit!

Pre-Two Milestones

Thought I'd better mark these down so I don't forget:

1. We are pacifier-free. Completely (as in, not even in the room) since Sunday night. It was out-of-her-mouth at least a week ago, but she clutched it firmly in her little hand. She's asked for it twice, but I just pass it off with a "Well, what do you need that for?" and we move on. YES! Score: Mama won! :) GRIN. Special thanks to the people who gave me the "snipping" advice. I wasn't so sure, but it worked!

2. Can "sing" the ABC song!

3. Can recognize several letters: K, Q, H, T, E, etc......why A is so difficult I have no idea....she gets it royally confused with "B." So funny, since, uh, we started with A.....for several reasons!

4. Can "sing" most of chorus of Jesus Loves Me and selective other songs: The Muffin Man, Jesus Loves the little children, Twinkle, Twinkle, etc

Horsey Ride

Fall Festivities III

Yesterday we took our final trip to the Orchard for the fall...The pony ride was actually a horse this time and well-worth the admission! I got some good shots and will post a video, too.

 Big girl on horse!

 Sunflower maze

 Climbing the tractoo

Sandbox

Fall Festivities II

Last Saturday, we rode the Pumpkin Train to a patch/area run by the high school kids of FFA (Future Farmers of America). A perfect event for little kids....

 A Chilly morning...bundled up in fleece and blankie. Train had to be pushed as the generator was not working. But, we finally got there!

Lookin' out the window

 Picking out the perfect pumpkin!

 Checking out/petting some of the animals (pig, cow, rooster, rabbit)

 Face-painting. Yes, she chose the football...

 Open-air hayride. Better than the one at the orchard. Bumpier, and well, less safe. :)

 Moments before holding the rock became more important than holding the balloon...

 

Playing in the sandbox

Arrival of the train to take us back to our home-base

 Replacement balloon!

Fall Festivities

She loves school! Yesterday her teacher said she was "articulate." Not bad for 23 months. She's a motor-mouth, that's for sure. :)

Last weekend, we did the hayride and corn maze at the Orchard. Below are some pics. Tomorrow we're taking a train to a pumpkin patch. Stay tuned for some, hopefully, great pictures!

Hayride

Picking "Do Not Pick" Green Apples

 Corn Maze

 Post-picnic in the "trying to escape" pose

First Day of Preschool

Today was her first day of preschool. Since Aug 2009, she has been attending a Mother's Day Out program at a wonderful church facility. We made the decision to start her in preschool today (25 days before her 2nd bday) since Daddy's schedule is absolutely crazy this semester; Mommy has no time to practice; and our overall lack-of-luck with reliable afternoon babysitters. Fortunately, her primary Wed. teacher is also the assistant teacher on Tues and Thurs and so she was very excited to go today. Tuesdays they have "Music," which leads up to a Christmas program in December!

Before we left the garage this morning, she said "I miss you." Oh--the quickest way to move Mama to tears. But, what a big girl she is when she gets to school. I was so proud....through tears, of course.

A picture is worth a thousand words!