Christmas 2012

It was not anything less than amazing!

On Christmas Eve we got to my parents at 3. The cousins played for awhile, then we started the kid presents. After presents dinner was preparing and the kids did a Christmas craft together which was fun. I hope we can continue that tradition. After dinner, the girls all went to play together while the adults opened their presents. I got a Cricut! I can't wait to use it.  We packed up the car and headed home at 8:30. Jacie fell asleep within 5 minutes being the car.

We got home and she woke back up. We had to open our star presents... she was so happy to see the penguin dream lite in the sack. I also got matching penguin jammies too which I thought was a cute touch on dada's part. We put out the cookies, milk and carrots and got her into bed.

We didn't have anything we HAD to build before Christmas but we really wanted to build the kitchen we just got from my parents. We had built the train table the night before and I had built the puppet theater earlier in the week and had it hiding in the closet. Not thinking we would be up super late we got building. 4 hours later it was done! We went to bed at 2:30am!

Christmas morning I woke up before anyone. Finally at 8:30 I went to wake everyone up. I was too excited to wait any longer =) Jacie came out and got busy emptying her stocking and opening presents. We got busy opening boxes and building what needs to be put together. I tried to offer breakfast but she didn't wan to take a break! It was hard getting her up and going so we could get to Ben's parents house for their Christmas. I finally got her dresssed and we were out the door at 11.

We got there and of course she got right to business. I don't even think she said hello to anyone! She is the only grandchild so there is no need to wait or take turns at their house =)

Right before lunch the rain started turning to SNOW! She ran to the door and saw the snow coming down. I told her after lunch we would go out (although I really didn't think it would snow so I didn't dress her right) We stayed outside for about 1 min and she was ready to go back in. We packed up the car, and headed home.

When we got home we unloaded the car and got her ready for a nap. While she napped I found new homes for all her toys =) She got up at about 5:30. After snowing for 5 hours we had enough on the ground to play in for awhile.

After we came inside, she continued to play and play and go to bed! 

Christmas though the years

Days 21-25

Day 21- Eat lunch with Dada. It has been almost 2 years since I brought her up to his work. She loved the Christmas decorations and receiving goodies from his co-workers.

"Riding" in Santa's sleigh

Day 22- Christmas snack

So loved the candy cane

Day 23- Make Christmas cookies for Santa

Day 24- Open her star present! It was a penguin themed present since she really wanted a penguin dream lite so she also got penguin pj's and a penguin Christmas book

We both got penguin jammies. Dada planned mine =) 

Day 25- Celebrate and open Christmas presents =)

In the morning after she opened all her presents. She was checking out all her new toys 

Christmas post to come... FYI....IT WAS A WHITE CHRISTMAS!! 

Days 16-20

Day 16- Went to buy a special ornament. We got her a 3rd Christmas one.

Day 17-  She received a special present from her mama and dada. We did a record a story Frosty the Snowman together for her. We only had to re-record this last page about 10 times!! I couldn't help myself from laughing every time =) 

Day 18- We did a family Christmas craft

Day 19- Eat a special Christmas treat. I made special treats for her dance class christmas party so it worked out perfectly =)

I made the reindeer popcorn bags and the pretzel kisses 

Day 20- We decorated a Christmas tree cone and worked on the grandparents Christmas presents.

It is hard to believe we are down to our last 5 days! I can't wait to celebrate Christmas with this little one. I know she is going to have a great one =) 

Days 11- 15

Day 11- I took Jacie to my schools 4th grade Christmas PTA performance.















Day 12- After dance class we went to eat at a special restaurant

Day 13- Penguin craft with dada

Day 14- Snuggled up on mama and dada's bed and watched Polar Express. Held her extra tight that night!

Day 15- Went to a popular neighborhood to look at more Christmas lights

Advent activity calender days 1-10

A few months ago I ordered a Santa Claus Advent calendar from Pottery Barn. We started doing our activities on Dec. 1. I have told Jacie what number to look for and she brings me the little paper inside. Her face is so cute and she looks so happy when she is carrying it over...she has been able to identify 1-10 on her own, we'll see how well she does tomorrow =) This is what we have been doing for the past 10 days. 

Day 1- Go to ICE

Day 2- Help decorate Aunt Tiki's Christmas tree

Day 3- Create an Elf on the shelf color book

Day 4- Decorate the window with clings

Day 5- Do a Gingerbread craft with mama

Day 6- Color a Christmas picture

Day 7- Go to Prairie Lights

Day 8- Go to Creative Hands to make presents

Day 9- Drink hot chocolate with marsh mellows

Day 10- Get new Christmas pajamas ( this is her new monkey face)

2 1/2

Jacie is officially the big 2.5! It is so hard to believe that it has already been 6 months since her birthday and then in another (most likely fast) 6 more months she will be 3!!

She is truly the best thing ever and I love spending every second I can with her. We can now have the best conversations and she says the funniest and something craziest things. I love when she says something and my thought is "where in the world did she learn that?" That just truly shows me how smart and observant she really is!

I couldn't even tell you what has changed in the past 3 months although I would love to try...

- She has become a huge Toy Story fan, but her favorite TV show is Peppa Pig. Around Halloween she LOVED watching Disney's Halloween Treat (a bunch of older Disney shorts put together that fit into the Halloween theme). After Halloween she got her to watch Mickey's Christmas Carol and now that is almost a daily thing she wants to watch. She loves to say "Bah Humbug!"

- She loves reenacting experiences that we have or do (example... she is still giving her Dora people a "hayride" and we did that back in October). Her imagination just keep growing and growing!

- She loves to pretend to be animals, the most common ones she pretends to be is a dog, cat, frog, butterfly, bee, and a spider. She loves to get "squashed" (by her blanket) when she is a spider.

- She can use zippers now so she can take off her boots or take off her jackets, which is normally followed by "I take my shoes off all by myself" or "I take my jacket off all by myself"... She is in the independent phase where she wants to do everything "by myself" or "me do it" "me help"

- She now says her whole name (first, middle, last) when asked what her name is. People don't expect 3 names at once so they get thrown off sometimes =)

- She is now telling us when she is hungry. For some reason she use to just scream "want cookie eat" over and over when she was hungry. No idea where that came from but we knew what it meant, Lately though she was finally been telling us "I'm real real hungry (while rubbing her tummy)"

- She is really into emotions of people around her or in books/ t.v. She knows lots of different ones such as (happy, sad, mad, angry, scared, frustrated) We have a book on emotions that she likes to read.

- Started dance/ gymnastics class. She did such a great job! Hope she continues to love it

- Can tell if someone is a boy or girl, and likes to go through our families and tell us who is a boy and who is a girl.

- potty training? hopefully I will have more to report in the next 3 months...

- she already loves Christmas and it just started. She loves looking at the Christmas lights outside our neighborhood, she wants our tree on 24/7 and loves going to find "cookie the elf" every morning. I can't wait to see her face on Christmas morning!!

Cookie the elf

Today we introduced Jacie to the elf on the shelf. We have already watched the show a few times so she is aware of the idea of the elf. We watched it again today and then after the show was done "someone" knocked on the front door. She ran to the door to see who it was. She opened it up to find the elf on the self box. She was excited and carried it in. We came to the couch and opened it up and read the book together.

Afterward, we asked her what she was going to name it and she refused to answer. She wouldn't say anything and just grunt or make funny noises. We kept telling her the elf needed a name or he was going to back to Santa and be so sad that she didn't name him. This went on for a while. Finally, like an  hour later she said she wanted "Cookie" to be his name.

She was finally excited again about Cookie. We put him on the mantel in his box and she kept saying "hi Cookie" over and over. We left the house later and she made sure she told Cookie "bye"

I think Cookie is going to be a good addition to our house this season =)

Santa

I still can't believe she actually did it!! 

Yesterday was suppose to be more of a "trial run." We just got done watching a movie and it had Santa on it and she was all excited and said she wanted to go see Santa now and give him a big hug. Our plan was to go somewhere else in a few weeks for our pictures but I thought going to see him wouldn't hurt anything. I didn't even dress her in her Christmas outfit (although I tried to make it a little Christmasy) because I still thought she was going to freak out and refuse to go near him, but I was so wrong!! 

We came in from behind and we had to walk around the whole set up. There was no line so we got in and she was still so excited, we walked up and the lady working there said "Is she going to be okay because we can have them go away and come in from behind?" my response was "I have no idea how this is going to go!" We went around and as soon she saw him she ran right up to him and put her arms up for him to pick her up. They talked for a while, she had a smile on her face the whole time and as soon as Mrs. Claus came back they took pictures. When Santa asked her what she wanted for Christmas and she said "TOYS!" I guess she isn't too picky this year..... 

I can't wait to start our Christmas activities advent calendar in just 2 short weeks!

For giggles here is last years Santa picture

Happy Halloween!

So happy about going to get some candy! 

Jacie did awesome for her 1st time trick or treating. We walked in big circle around the neighborhood. She wanted to hold her bucket the whole time. She would tell everyone "trick or treat" and "thank you" She only tried to walk into a few homes... not all of them =)

At one house she was asked what she was an owl and Jacie wouldn't respond so he asked are you a bird? and Jacie said "NO, I a owl" 

9:00pm at night and Jacie was still ready to party!!! She was not so happy when I woke her up this morning!!! 

Jacie's version of the story

Today was her mimi's birthday. I had to work late so her daddy picked her up so I didn't hear any stories about the day. When I got home Jacie was eating dinner so I sat next to her and talked to her about her day. Our conversation went like this:

Me: Who's birthday was it today?
Jacie: mimis birthday
Me: How old is mimi now?
Jacie: 2, it mimi birthday and my birthday today!
Me: No, its just mimis birthday,  not yours
Jacie: OH
Me: Did mimi get any presents?
Jacie: uh huh
Me: What did she get?
Jacie: Tike (aunt) got flowers, Papa got cupcakes and Jeff (uncle) got mail
Me: mail?? Jeff got mimi mail?
Jacie: uh huh!

Turns out he got mimi a card =) Love that she called it mail!!! 

It's only October!

She has become very aware of the sun these last few weeks. Weekday mornings when we wake her up said tries to tell us it is still night time, and then on weekend mornings she is always so excited when she wakes up because the sun came back! With nap time she tries to convince us its still morning and she can still play, and then at bedtime she always sees that the sun went byebye.

Last night she looked out her window like she has been doing and instead of talking about the sun she started talking about Santa! She starts yelling out "Santa coming Santa coming with reindeer, bring me presents" I have no idea what made her think of Santa since we have been focusing on Halloween! I had to break it to her it is not Christmas yet and he will come on Christmas Eve but we have to have Halloween and Thanksgiving first. Her response was "OH" and then she grabbed her Halloween books to read.

Hard to believe next weekend is the last weekend before Halloween! 

A little Christmas in October

I know Christmas is still over 2 months away but it is never too early to shop!

I have been in search of a cute Christmas dress for the past few weeks and I found one online which is too cute. It is simple but seriously adorable. I started searched facebook today which I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner. It is from smocked angels.

Then..... I got an email today from Pottery Barn with a free shipping code! I have been looking for an advent calendar for this past year so we can do a 25 days of Christmas activity countdown! I order this calendar and am so excited to get it. I let Jacie choose between the christmas tree and the santa one and she picked santa. Pottery Barn is not normally the 1st place I look for things considering the price tags but this is something we will use for many many years! 

Big baby switcheroo!

Jacie loves "Big baby" so much! A long time ago Big baby use to live in the crib only but as Jacie got older her love for her baby grew and now Big baby goes pretty much everywhere with her. A while ago we had our first big baby incident where she fell into the toilet right before bed. It was her 1st time to go to sleep without holding big baby. She cried and cried for Big baby! That night I ordered a backup for when the next thing happened to her loved baby. Last weekend it happened... Big baby stayed at her mamaw and papaws house on accident. Of course as soon we pull into the drive way Jacie says "oh no BIG BABY!" I knew right then she was left behind. It was already 7pm when we got home so the thought of going back was not what I wanted to do.

We came inside, and we did the big switch. I went into the closet and grabbed the new one, took the tags off and came out all excited that Big baby was in mama and dada's room! I honestly don't think Jacie bought it right away. Her reaction to a brand new big baby was pretty funny. She kept looking at her and squeezing her, turning her over to look at her 'tail" (tag). Her big baby was looking really ratty and not so "new" looking.  At one point she even asked "No, other big baby" but then after that initial meeting she was okay with it. She went to bed just fine and has been using that Big baby with no problem. 

"Hold me"

One of Jacie's newer phrases is "hold me." She will say it out in public when she wants to be picked up or say it when she is sitting in a shopping cart. On those occasions I tell her "no." I am not going to hold her when she is perfectly fine and plus she is getting pretty heavy.

This morning though she said "hold me" and I picked her up as quick as I could and held on to her tight! We were sitting on the couch watching Finding Nemo and she wanted to sit on my lap! I grabbed her up and we snuggled under a blanket while watching the movie =) I will take a snugly 2 year old any day!

I was just thinking the other day about how I can't even remember the last time I have held her while she slept!!! I know that is not what she did today but it was close enough!

ABC song

Jacie has been doing lots and lots of singing these last few months. Recently she has loved singing the ABC's. She sings them anytime she sees any letters. She is getting better at the song daily but getting the song on video is near impossible. So far this is the best I have gotten of her.

This weekend my "job" was to get my students take home binder done! They take so long to put together. I worked on them after Jacie went to bed so the next morning she walked into the living room and saw so many "books." She was looking through them and said "Look mama, letters!" So then she started singing =) I got her to repeat it a few times... that sound between V and W  is the dishwasher making a weird noise! You know 2 year olds are in full ADD mode!!! HA! 

2 1/4 years old!

Well, 3 months have pasted since Jacie turned 2! Can I please slow down time?!?! It just keeps going faster and faster I swear! These past 3 months we have been together almost every day and I have loved every minute of it!! I am going to do my best at a little update on what she is doing.

- Lately she loves to sing! She knows lots of her zoo songs from kindermusik, Dora songs, ABC song (although not yet perfect), a number song, ring around the rosy, old mcdonald, itsy bitsy spider, twinkle twinkle little star, and wheels on the bus.... might be more but that is all I can think of.

- So far the "terrible two's" haven't been too "terrible" She has always been a pretty easy going baby so I hope she continues to become an easy going child! She will test limits, but she definitely knows if she doesn't fix the problems she is having she will go to time out! Time out does work with her! Its simple and affective!

- We all love having conservations with her, she is so funny and will sometimes says the funniest things.

- She has an amazing imagination!!!! The things she comes up with is crazy!

- We tried potty training this summer. I know she is just not ready yet. She was using underwear just like diapers. We did the 3 day training and it didn't work at that time.  We still talk about the potty, she will sit on it at random times still. I plan to start again in a few months.

- She loves pretend play. It is by far her most favorite thing to do!!! Especially if it involves food!

- Big baby is her love!!!! She has started going everywhere with us! Giving Big baby a bath is very traumatic for Jacie! But I try to get her in the washing machine at least once a month!

- She is drinking out of big girl cups now at dinner time!

Some of her dislikes: BUGS!! SPIDERS! Being told that something is not hers! Not letting her help! Momma leaving her! Being told it is bedtime!.... Honestly there is not much to put here! =)

At 2 years old I asked her some questions. It has been 3 months I know most of the answers have changed so I asked again.
Favorite color: white
Favorite animal: giraffe
Favorite food: pizza
Favorite Dessert: ice cream cone
Favorite TV show: Dora
Favorite stuffed animal: Big baby

Big baby had to participate in the photo shoot too!

It begins...

I started back on Monday. This week went by sooooo fast. It was full of back to school basics, training's, work days, decorating the room and hallways and last of definitely not least meet the teacher!! I had the best Meet the Teacher ever! I had 13 out of my 18 students show up and they all seemed great! PLUS I had about 20 of my past students come to see me!!! I had about 1/2 of my class last year mixed in with some now 2nd, 3rd and even a 4th grader still!!  It was AMAZING! I always love to see them at my door!!! Makes me realize just how much I miss them!

Surprisingly this year we had an off day today. Of course it truly wasn't an off day. I was not ready at all for the 1st day yesterday. So Jacie and I headed back to school this morning. We finished my last minute things I needed to do and headed home. I am ready for those 18 kiddos on Monday!!! I truly believe this will be a great year!!!

These comparisons are so crazy to see!! This was my 3rd year to have my little helper with me! Although we all know I use the term "helper" lightly =) This year though she did help me get my tables set up. Everything is color coded so she did a good job at sorting!!


I haven't taken any pictures of the inside of my classroom but I took pictures of the hallway. This year our school theme is "In it to win it" Each team had to pick a game, create a shirt and get creative however we wanted. My team did great with our Kinder Land!!!! These are the pictures my partner teacher and I decorated for our Gumdrop Mountain. The team also decorated a Lollipop Land and Peppermint forest.

3D gum ball machine!!! 

The game board is running along the walls, we plan on adding student work to the pieces throughout the year. 

Gumdrop pass just like the game! 

How I spent my last day of Summer!

First of all, I am very sad to be typing this. Feels like Summer just started and now it is officially over.  This summer has been the best one yet but I know they will keep getting better!!

This morning I told Jacie "Mama has to go back to work next week" She replied "NOOOOOO stay here with me!" It made me so sad =( Then I told her "you will be going to Mimi and Papas though" and she replied "oh okay!" So then that made me feel a little better!

We spent our last day at the zoo. I had so much with her and I know she had a good time too!!! It was very hot and I was sweating like crazy but I am so glad we went and got to spend the time together!! I will miss spending my days with her!!!

Big baby had to come to the zoo too. She spent lots of time in mama's backpack though because I didn't want her to get lost. They are both ready to go!!! 

She did such a good job at feeding the birds this time. It wasn't busy at all so we had our choice of spots so the birds were eager to eat!

I knew we had to ride the carousel. This is only like the 4th time to ever ride one but it is definitely a favorite thing to do when we ever seen one. While we were waiting in line she yells our "want to ride yellow horse!" She was so happy to ride it. This one does not have seat belts so throughout the ride she kept saying "no seat belts hold on!"

We ended up skipping a section of the zoo because there are no animals there so we got to ride the zoo train back to the entrance. This was my 1st time ever to ride the train. We have been going to KinderMusik this summer and the theme was "Zoo Train" so i knew we had to ride an actual zoo train. On the train ride we were singing the train song =)