Oh! It's Christmas

Merry Christmas to all! We hope that you had a wonderful Christmas morning with your loved ones. We had a wonderful time celebrating the birth of Jesus with our family. Of course Ainsley noticed the "pres" (presents) that were around the tree and the beautiful music of Handel's Messiah faded into the background as our giddy almost 2 year old demonstrated her unwrapping skills.


Yes, she unwrapped each present. We heard "I tear" numerous times. But this was also followed by "trash" as she took each piece to the trash bag. We also noticed a bit of her meticulousness come out as each present had to be completely free of wrapping paper and tape prior to opening it and looking at it.


She loved the "pres" she did receive. Her new three piece band consisting of "tumpet" (trunpet), "tar" (guitar), and harp were a hit, she got a set of building alphabet blocks which she makes "big choo-choos" out of, and of course the kitchen are favorites. It was amazing that the kitchen made it to the very end before being opened. She never peaked under the sheet until we told her she could and even then she was timid while exploring it. But she definitely loves it and it has expanded her ability to play and pretend on her own by a 100%.



We were very thankful to be together as a family over the holiday. We hope that you experienced some wonderful times and created cherished memories on this special day.

Simple Joys

We celebrated Christmas with Matthew's family over the weekend. We had a great time and enjoyed the moments we had to relax despite the hustle and bustle of the season. Perhaps the thing that gave us the most joy though was Ainsley. She did a wonderful job sharing, waiting her turn to open presents, and demonstrated a joy for life without the presents. It gave us hope that she knew somewhere that the true joy of Christmas didn't come wrapped in a pretty box.

Cookie Time!

It's the holidays and the baking has begun. Mom found her recipe box hidden in a lunch box so now we have access to some of the good old standby's. Here I am sampling the Peanut Butter Kisses, Great Grandma Annies recipe. The peanut butter cookie is okay, but I really like the Hershey's kiss in the middle. After witnessing this, dad said why waste a good cookie, and just gave me the kiss.


I love chocolate. I cook pretend hot chocolate, love dark chocolate M&Ms and Hershey's Kisses, and am quite a mess when I'm through. Mom's been a good sport through the holidays but I bet the chocolate frenzy will end after my birthday.


Here we are baking the infamous cut-out sugar cookies. To have times like these is why my Papa and Gigi have moved here. I loved pushing the cookie cutter down, although I had to get the knack of it. At first I was a speed cutter and didn't quite get the imprint. But then I got into it, the grunt helped and I used all my strength to cut-out one of these cookies. I had no idea how much work this was!



I loved sampling the cold cookie dough and saying "I got it" each time I saw the beautiful cut-out I had just made.

Gymnastics

Yes, I'm in gymnastics. I'm training at the GAGE Center in Blue Springs where two olympic gymnasts have trained. Mom enrolled me for the winter months as a way to burn off some energy while we're forced to stay indoors more with the colder temperatures and snow. Little did she know that I would take to this whole gymnast thing. I'm fearless, check me out on the trapeze. I'm the only one in class who'll hang on and fall into the pit at this point.


I also love running on the trampoline and jumping on them too. I walk around the house during the week saying, "Jump, Jump" followed by "nastics" letting mom know that I'm ready to go back to gymnastics, even though we just left or worse, have to wait another 5 days. Thankfully they have open gym time, though we've yet to make it to that.


Here I am with my friend, Colton. He's younger than me, but much bigger. Actually, I'm the smallest in my class. But that's okay, especially if you want to be a gymnast. I love the end of class when we all get stamps for the new skills we've learned. What have I learned you ask...I love walking the balance beam, doing kicks while I walk the balance beam, flipping on the uneven bars, and of course there's the whole trapeze thing. I'm not really fond of the quiet stretching time at the beginning, but I'm getting better at it. When I'm 2 1/2 we'll think about moving me up to the next class.

Bathtime Fun

Here we are at bathtime on a wild night. This nightly activity is mom and dad's way to calm me down. They do everything short of using the lavendar bathtime soap. Tonight will be an exceptionally hard night I think. Mom's laughing, dad's snapping photos, and I'm cracking that grin that gets everyone going. Lots of splashes will follow, mom will be drenched, and dad will finally get this slippery little girl into bed.

Snow, Snow, Snow!

It's snowing, ALOT. Today mom and I were out and about when the first snow of the season started falling. It started on the way to gymnastics and by the time we left we had about 2 inches! 2 inches in 1 hour, wow! So, after the scary drive home on slippery backroads with mom saying, "Ainsley, please be patient. I know you're hungry." and me saying "A mess. A big mess." I finally got to go play in the snow.


From the window I see the white fluffy snow and say, "A mess. Big mess." Mom says, "Ainsley, this is snow. Yes, it makes a mess. Brrr it is cold." I say, "Nosw", my version of snow which sounds more like nose and follow it up with "mess". We got almost 4 inches of snow! I really enjoyed turning on our Christmas lights, the snow made them twinkle.

I missed prime snowman building weather because by the time I got out there it was too cold. But mom made a miniature one (if you look closely you can see it in the picture) and I got to hold snowballs. This morning, it's not snowing so the snow is slushy. I liked stomping in it in my new frog rain boots. I also got some snow boots to keep my feet warm. The pink hightops may have matched my snow suit but they aren't certified for 30 degrees and colder.

I'm a Pumpkin!

Well, my dad calls me pumpkin all of the time, so mom though it would be a great costume for me this year. (I had my eye on the sparkly butterfly, but mom convinced me that the pumpkin was the way to go.)



This year I got to trick or treat twice. Once at my neighbors and then at night with my cousins! Chanie and I had a great time in the wagon again and made it down a whole street, both sides! Check out my trick or treat bag. It was a gift from Gigi and the "treat" part lights up! I think I got extra candy for it, it was the hit of my Aunt Markie's street.


In and out of that wagon sure was tiring, but I recharged with a pack of Skittles and was up until 10:00! Can you tell I'm not slowing down one bit.

Pumpkin Carving 2008

This year's pumpkin carving session was much different than last year. At 10 months old, I was really into the pumpkin...inside, outside, strings, and seeds. It didn't matter I loved all of it.


This year however; I only liked the outside. One look into that orange slimy mess and I was out of there. As I have grown, I have learned the difference between clean and dirty. And at this point, I definitely prefer clean.


SO, so much for pumpkin carving with me. This was the closest I got.





Of course this was after dad had cleaned out the pumpkin (mom's not into the messy part either) and mom had pre-carved it for me.

Haunted Walk

Mom and dad have a new tradition for Halloween. The luminary walk at Powell Gardens. Here they have hundreds of carved pumpkins lit on paths that lead you through the gardens. Some of them where so scary, they sent me running. (Watch out for the headless horseman!)


Others though where very sweet and I didn't mind checking them out up close. Here was my favorite, the mouse.

A special visitor

Yes, this sweet little girl was only a visitor. I think it has mom and dad thinking though.


I had a great time with her. She was abandoned at a friend of my dad's and they couldn't keep her for the night. So, dad said she could come home with him. We borrowed a leash and a kennel and had a great visit. She was extremely sweet and let me walk her, pet her, and even feed her treats.




She now has a great home though!

Cookie Baker or Cookie Monster

Many of my faithful readers know that I am a very lucky girl, my Papa has been living with us and Gigi is coming soon! One of the perks of having Papa here is that he loves cookies! So, mom tries to keep the cookie jar full for all of the cookie monsters here, not just my Papa.

Today, my mom and I made our second joint attempt and baking together. This one, did not include the industrial strength mixer. I used the mixer last time to sends clouds of flour through the kitchen. Mom laughed. (As all readers gasp, really, she laughed.) But yes, I have fully broken her into life with a toddler. So, with wooden spoon in hand I started off by mixing.


Mom thought it would be better if she rolled out the dough. So, I watched as mom rolled though dough (I said dough numerous times) and waited anxiously for the moment to push the cookie cutter in.)


Today, we made pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns. Papa was such a good helper.


Here we are tasting the fruits of our labor.


I can't wait to Christmas for cut-outs, but thankfully mom said we could do it again soon. Next time though, she said we'll be using the toddler table!

Caterpillars and Butterflies

Today I went to "Little Sprout Storytime" at Powell Gardens. The whole lesson was about butterflies, Monarch butterflies. We learned how they grow, how they sleep, and how they start off as eggs, then turn into caterpillars, and then turn into butterflies! But the best part was all of the activities...

Making my butterfly wings so I can pretend to be a monarch butterfly.


Making my butterfly snack. It was pretty neat to watch celery, peanut butter, and pretzels turn into butterflies right before my eyes. Mom made sure I knew that real butterflies don't taste nearly as good.


But then came the best part. We all got our own butterfly catching net. I walked around and around the garden looking for a butterfly. If we caught a monarch, our leader was going to help us tag them for tracking their flight to Mexico.


I caught one. But it was a look alike monarch butterfly. I still got to let it go though.


I was the only one who caught a butterfly out of our whole group, of course with mom's help. We even caught a second one and gave it to another little girl to let go. Mom said it was a good lesson in sharing and I enjoyed watching the girl laugh when she let it go.

Mom said I was her sweet butterfly.

The Potty!

Today was a big day. Mom, in uncharacteristic fashion let me run around in bath attire prior to bath time. At one point I disappeared and when mom finished filling the tub, she came looking. Where did she find me but on my very own potty! Yes, I went, all by myself! Mom could hardly believe it. This is definitely a big step for both of us. Mom's sure it's just the beginning of potty training, but it is definitely a big step in the right direction.

Golfing with Dad

Awhile back Papa and Gigi bought me my very own set of golf clubs. I liked to play with them but had never truly gotten any lessons. (Mom finds this quite hard to believe.) Well, Wednesdays is my night with dad (Mom goes to Bible study) and he's been giving me some lessons.


(Hmmm, no one has their eye on the ball.)



The best part of the lesson is watching dad run to get the ball when we've hit it across the street. Just like in the real game of golf, if it doesn't go in the street, I'm not very happy. I suppose this is how adults feel when they can't get it in the hole. Thankfully, my target is much larger.

A Visitor!

I had a very special visitor from Austin, Texas come and stay with me this weekend. Haley and her mom came just to see us and we are so thankful! We had a fabulous time despite some car trouble (more on that later) and are very much looking forward to our trip to see them in October.

We started the trip out at the spray ground. Just a few pictures to show off the girl's spray ground fun!










































We also went to the zoo on Saturday. Mom forget her camera though. Check out Haley's blog for a recap of that adventure. I must agree with Haley, the lions were by far the most exciting!

On Monday when all the water parks were closed. We went to Paradise Park. We both had a blast with the many things they had to offer. Here we are doing an art project together. Stamps with pictures of my favorite thing, bus! We also tried out the car, bicycle, train, and boat. But my favorite is bus. I say it to the trucks and buses that drive by our car!


We also played at the water table. Thank heavens they have smocks or we would have been drenched!














And in closing....


Yes, this picture sums up the car trouble. Throughout the course of the weekend, we had moments of waiting. Waiting for mom to get the car jumped. Dad, on Sunday gave us his best effort to try to get it fixedy, but the battery just wouldn't fit. But on Monday, when even a jump didn't seem to start that tired battery, Dad left work and got us a new battery before taking Haley and her mom back to work. We are so thankful we have such good friends who stuck by us with a smile through it all. The tally at the end of the day was: 1 on Friday, late to the airport, 1 on Saturday, off to the zoo, 2 on Sunday, to church and back, 1 on Monday during our trunk snack.

Little Butterfly

Today mom took me to Powell Gardens for the butterfly festival. What an experience! We walked through a tent that had thousands of butterflies flying through it. Then, we waled the gardens and explored all of the flowers and the dinosaurs that were on exhibit. (They're fake dinosaurs, thankfully! But they look very real.)

The highlight of the trip though was the master gardeners who brought butterflies and caterpillars to a special tent. In this tent, you could touch the butterflies and let caterpillars crawl on you. This was my absolute favorite and I learned that I am much braver than mom. (She promptly returned the caterpillar to the gardener when she stopped it from crawling down my onesie and instead let it crawl on her.) The gardeners were all shocked as I kept coming back for more and more butterfly feet on my hands and arms. Plus, the wings were really soft. (Mom didn't mind that part.) The gardeners all said I was the bravest little girl they had seen my age.

At the end of the morning we went for a craft and I made my own antennas.

Through the Tunnel

That was our lesson for the day at our trial Gymboree class. Yes, it's so hot here that we're using our free trial coupons now instead of the dead of winter. It was fun, not too busy which was sad for me, I had only one friend to play with, Davis. However, we did discover that with my high energy level and desire to explore everything maybe a class like this isn't really for me. What a great way to beat the heat though! And, I must admit, even I stood still while mom helped the parachute to fly over my head.



So, mom called the Gage Center and we're going to go try out preschool gymnastics on Monday! Stay tuned for more updates on that. Mom is hoping it's a hit so she can enroll me for the winter class. Something to look forward to when it's cold (or brrrr as I say it) outside.