Daddy's Birthday

We went out hunting last week for the perfect "present" for daddy's birthday and practiced singing Happy Birthday!This is what Lexi picked out for her daddy: A Snoopy dancing figure!We had to find our special Birthday party hat to wear for daddy's birthday dinner!
Last night, we made daddy dinner and got him a special cake. Lexi helped put the candles on the cake and then got her party hat on and then told me she would play the music. She went and got her piano and played some music while we sang happy birthday and then she came back to the table to help blow out the candles. The piano and playing music was 100% her idea - I love the imagination of a 2 year old!

Lexi's 3rd Heart Walk

Today, was the annual American Heart Association Heart Walk and every year we walk in honor of our dearest, Alexis.This year Lexi decided she wanted to walk some of the route!And the finish line!

Painting a boat

Today, we attended another Hope Kids event. I had signed Lexi up to attend a Home Depot event with the intentions that it would be a good father and daughter outing, but since daddy is buried deep in accounting books mommy & Lexi went to the Depot to build. She received her very own orange Home Depot apron. Lexi chose a boat as her activity so mommy built it and then Lexi painted it! She couldn't wait to get her hands into the paint. Painting anywhere but at our house is the most fun!

2010 Family Trip to Disney World

We had a fabulous time in Florida - couldn't have asked for anything more than better weather (it was rather cold in Florida)! Everyone had such a great time! Hundreds of wonderful memories and good times were had by all. Each day was filled with something new and exciting.
You forget how everything in Orlando revolves around Mickey and the gang. Grandpa took us grocery shopping the first night and look what we found at the supermarket.
On day 2 it was up early, to go meet Trevor and the rest of the family at Give the Kids the World Village. There were some special people who were going to be at breakfast. The village was so neat (it looks like a life size candy land and everything is geared towards children). Look who we got to meet before breakfast.Lexi and Trevor with Mickey & Minnie (poor Trystin was sick and VERY scared of the characters)The Trevor Gang: his parents and sister, all of his grandparents, a few aunts, an uncle, and a cousin
And since we spent some much time meeting Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, & Belle we missed our breakfast by 5 minutes. So we ended up at the ice cream shop for a quick continental breakfast and of course, ice cream. It wouldn't be vacation without ice cream for breakfast at 10 am on the first day. It was then off to the "Happiest Place on Earth"!Trystin, Trevor, & Lexi in front of Walt, Mickey, & Cinderella's Castle (the 3 famous icons of the park).
The first four days of the trip Grandma Cindy, Papa Tom, Auntie Paige, Auntie Whitney, & Grandpa Larry were in Florida so we spent time with them at the park, T-Rex Cafe, and the village where Trevor stayed (the Village had an event/activity every night for all the kids - events like the town mayor's birthday party, Santa Claus & parade). Staying at the Village is like staying at a miniature Disney World. If anyone knows Trevor they know he loves dinosaurs so we all went out to eat at the T-Rex Cafe in Downtown Disney and he even got to Build-A-Dinosaur! Trevor and Lexi were buddies for the whole trip because it was only the last couple days Trystin began to feel better and was able to hang with us.
The last part of the trip Uncle Russ & Auntie Robin came from New York to see their little goddaughter in all her glory with the Disney characters. We took Lexi to breakfast with the Princesses for her Valentine's day present and she loved it. I really think that this Disney trip was all about the characters for her. She would light up every time one of them came anywhere near her. She enjoyed the rides in Fantasyland. Her favorites were the Pooh Hunnypots, Dumbo, Tea Cups, & the carousel. We attended a Disney Playhouse show and she danced the whole time. She also, got to see her first 3D shows and it was so fun to watch her try and touch the objects in the air. We got to see the fireworks & Tinkerbell a couple times, as well as, the famous night-time light parade.
Words can't really describe how much fun we had so why don't you view this slide show we put together with all of our memories!
Disney Slideshow

We are goofing around . . .

with these people this week. We will be back soon with lots of pictures and wonderful memories!

Proud Parents!

Well some may call this bragging, and maybe it is, but when Alexis looks back at all these posts someday I want her to know how very proud we are of her as a two year old.
Yesterday, we attended the 2010 Family Day HeartTalk at the local zoo. It is a symposium for parents of children with congenital heart defects. A local non-profit organization (Nick & Kelly Children's Heart Fund) sponsors the meeting each year, bringing in knowledgeable doctors and speakers to speak on different topics regarding CHD. This was our first year to attend. They had free child care on-site provided by local hospital nurses which was nice because we were able to bring Alexis. The meeting was phenomenal! We had a great time mingling with other "heart" parents and we learned a lot.
It also, appears that Alexis had a great time playing with the volunteers, as well. We went to pick her up after our meetings and the volunteers told us she was great and was the happiest kid ever. She sang and danced for them (what a ham). We didn't think much of their kind remarks and went on our way, thankful that they said kind things about our daughter. And then today, the phone rings . . . The conversation goes a little something like this . . . "Hello, this is Margaret from the Nick & Kelly Children's Heart Fund, (I am like, oh gosh, what does she need - did we forget something at the meeting). I wanted to call you today, to let you know that for the first time ever I had a volunteer say to me, 'I met the nicest and politest little girl today.' I asked her if she remembered her name and she said she couldn't remember her first name but her last name was R*hl. I want you to know no volunteer has ever said this about any of the kids as long as we have been doing this. Your daughter left such an impression on so many of our volunteers that I thought you should know what a great job you are doing at raising her." I said, "Well, thank you very much, that means the world to me especially since she is only two years old." Margaret finishes the conversation with, "Whatever you guys are doing, you are doing right and you should be very proud of her!" I thanked her again for her kind words and taking the time to make the call. Can you believe this? This lady was nice enough to take time to call me and tell me this the day after the event. I hung up the phone and Rick asked me who was that, I guess I still had a surprised look on my face. I tell him the conversation and both of us sat there still not believing what had just happened. I almost told Margaret, are you sure you have the right little girl???? I know other parents have these times throughout their children's childhood, but this was obviously our first time to have our daughter be so recognized that we are just so ecstatic about it. This means that even through all of our naughty chair times and warnings to little Lexi that something is sinking in and even if she doesn't always show us her best behavior she does show other caretakers and I am so thankful for that. Thank you Lexi for being the nicest and politest little girl when you are with others! We love you and couldn't be more proud of you!

Preschool

Well, after we finally got back in the swing of things after celebrating the holidays we began the hunt for a preschool for Lexi. Lexi and I have been out and about touring several different schools. The first visit she held onto my leg the first 45 minutes and then warmed up to the teacher and kids the last 10 minutes. But each visit got better and she knew what to expect and that I wasn't leaving her. By the time we went to the last one she left my side the moment we got in the room and engaged herself in the activities the kids were doing. We are planning to enroll her in the fall. The whole thought of preschool is bittersweet for me and I am sure her, too. I just can't believe our little girl is old enough to go to school. Thankfully, it will be a slow transition only 2 days/week for 3 hours each day. I am sure the first day will be harder on me than her. Now the next big thing after our trip to Florida is potty training boot camp. Wish us luck, she has to be potty trained to go to school so we have 6 months!