Where Ya Been?

Well hello there.

Where have we been for this past month? Busy Busy Busy. Not a place, I know, but November is just about gone and I thought I should offer up proof that we've been doing things.

First is was the annual Cinderella ball for Baby Girl. Bonus for us, she got to wear her beautiful flower girl dress again!

Then it was Dr. Dad's birthday. Celebrated with pie...so good.

Then it was general sickness...ear infections, pink eye, coughing, etc. Didn't think you would want pictures of that. You can thank me later.

We went to Breakfast with Santa and the Tree Festival. Baby Boy does not share his sister's previous fear of the Man in Red. It was good all around fun.

Finally, it was our annual Thanksgiving weekend extravaganza!

Friday night dinner at Luigi's...

(We all love Luigi's)

...followed by a trip to the Peanut Shoppe...

...ending in the freezing cold watching fireworks downtown.

Let's hope December offers up a little more time for updating you on our never ending exciting life...oh, who am I kidding...let the Christmas Madness begin!

Pirate, Farmer Girl, Ladybug, Cinderella, Dancing Cow

Some people need costume options...

...and some people are content to just be the cow.

Really, really, content to be the cow.

Things I Don't Want to Forget

The way you say "I hold you Mommy" when you want me to pick you up.

The way you scrunch up your face when you try and look angry.

The way you sing "Tonight's Gonna be a Good Night" at the top of your lungs.

The way you ask us "You happy?" when you think we might not look so happy.

The way you have to sleep with blue blanket, other blanket, Scout the dog, and a race car in each hand.

The way you say "See you later" when you leave the room.

The way you exclaim "It's Pink!" when we ask you what color something is.

The way you laugh hysterically at the dog, even if she is just sleeping.

The way you love dinosaurs, trains, cars, planes, and, for whatever reason, Tinkerbell.

The way you get excited about everything, especially when your Daddy comes home from work.

The way you scream "CHICKEL FRIZES" each and every time we pass a fast food establishment.

The way you walk like a duck while saying "quack, quack."

8 Years

It's amazing to me. Being the mother of an 8 year old. Such a funny age.

For your birthday we went to the zoo. It was 15 kids and family and it was a lot of fun. But I am glad I am not the parent of 15 kids. Keeping that herd together was a little nerve racking.

As a special surprise your favorite person in the whole world (other than your Dad, maybe) flew in from LA to celebrate your birthday.

I think your reaction to her leaving a few days later perfectly sums up your age. You were really very sad, until you realized she had left you a dollar to get a snack at the local Speedway (you really love to do that...who knows why). Then it was all "so, can we go to Speedway after school today?" You are up and down in the blink of an eye. Gee, can't wait for those magical teenage years.

We bought you a new bike since you learned (finally!) to ride a two wheeler this summer. Apparently your legs grew a thousand inches and the bike you were riding was like one of those little clown bikes, your knees up to your elbows. You picked this bike out...due to its "cool" factor.

You are happily 44 pounds now. Only 5th percentile. But in another 12 inches you will be as tall as your Mom. Sometimes I still take off your Dad's wedding ring and peer at that little round opening...remembering how your whole hand once fit inside.

This year will be amazing. You will start Brownies soon, you are still dancing and will start piano lessons. You will make your First Communion and probably do a million other things.

We are proud of you and excited for you and love you. Lucky us.