SELF!!

My little independent 2 year old was very proud to put her hat on her head all by her "SELF!". The word "SELF!" has become the word of the day....everyday! Here are the main things she yells "SELF!" about: wanting to climb into and buckle her own car seat, putting her shoes on, walking up and down the stairs, brushing her teeth, getting her coat on, climbing into her high chair .... OK I could make a list a mile long. Let's just say the word "SELF!" is pretty much said about everything these days. :) I have to have patients and remember all of these things are helping her to learn and grow....but man, sometimes it is really hard. Especially when we have a time limit, need to be somewhere, and the "SELF" shoes are not on yet or are on the wrong feet.
I do love the proud look on her little face in this picture. She tried and tried over and over to get this too small hat on her head her "SELF!". Then when it was accomplished she wanted me to take her picture. My sweet little independent girl! Gotta love her! :)

A Visit With Santa

Bryan took Maddie and Peyton one afternoon to see Santa... hoping the lines would be a little shorter in the middle of the day. I guess they still had to wait in line behind about 10 people. He told Peyton all about how she was going to get to visit with Santa and kind of "pep talked" her while they waited in line. Peyton seemed fine until the moment arrived. So, in the end, Maddie was the only one to sit on Santa's lap. Peyton wanted nothing to do with the man in the red suit until they were walking away and she cried and said over and over "Santa's Lap, Santa's Lap". She continues to talk about her experience everyday. Often, out of the blue, she will say "no Santa's lap, no Santa's lap". Maybe next year!

Here is a pretty good picture of Maddie and Santa. I am told she asked him for a Barbie.

Peyton The Little Cheerleader

I was in the kitchen and Peyton was in the living room. I could hear her saying " H...fight,fight, fight" over and over again. I continued to listen and finally figured out why she was saying this. This was part of a cheer from the football games that her Cousin Jordyn would cheer at. The actual cheer is C - H - S, CHS, fight, fight, fight. Peyton remembered part of it. It has been a while since we have been to a football game. It made me giggle to hear her practice her own version of the cheer. Jo-Jo (this is what the girls call their Cousin Jordyn) you have really made an impression on your little cousin!

Here is Peyton trying to be like her Cousin Jo-Jo!

Maddie's Music Program

Maddie wanted to participate in the children's choir at church this year. She was one of the youngest participants in the choir and did very well. There were 4 programs that she performed at. We took turns taking her to the show so that we could each see it one time. Once I took her, once Bryan and his parents, once my parents, and then Aunt Caitie and Bryan. It made it nice to see the show one time each and Maddie was proud to perform for different family members each night. It was a dessert theater, with the church choir performing many classic Christmas songs and a little story/play to go along with them. The children's choir was the half time entertainment while dessert was being served. Maddie was especially excited to have dessert each night....o, the important things. :)

Zoo Lights

Every year we head on over to the Oregon Zoo to enjoy what they call Zoo Lights. If you have never been, you really should go! It is pretty amazing, all of the lights and light sculptures. The girls love it (and so do I)! It is beautiful and there is just so much to see. Jan (Bryan's Mom) joined us for her first zoo lights experience. It was cold but fun!

One Fish, Two Fish...

Peyton loves fish. Even as a baby, she was always fascinated and enjoyed watching fish when we would see them in a store, mall, or Dr's office. She loves to see Dorthy (Elmo's fish) on Sesame Street. So... for her 2nd birthday we bought her a little 5 gallon fish tank. She picked out 5 little Neon Tetras to start out, and we will be adding more little fish and maybe a frog soon. She loves to feed them and push her face right against the glass and watch them swim in their little school. Every morning she wants me to turn the light on in the fish tank so she can say "morning fish". She loves her fish.

Another One Gone...

Tooth number 2 was lost and has once again changed this little ladies smile.