Clifford

As if there isn't enough going on we had to go have cocoa and cookies and read a story with Clifford. She talked about seeing Clifford all day, in fact, she was so focused on Clifford she couldn't even take a nap.

Advent Calendar

This is the first year we have done an advent calendar with Lexi but I wanted to help her understand the countdown to Christmas and Jesus' birthday. Here is the 2009 advent calendar at our house.Christmas Socks with little treasures for Lexi in each sockEach morning we look for the number and if she can't figure it out she gets hints about what's on the sock.

Holiday lights, Santa visits, and making cookies

The holidays are in full swing and we have been busy partaking in lots of local festivities. It is so much fun stepping back and watching Christmas through the eyes of a child. Alexis is so excited about everything Christmas (the lights, Santa, music, candy canes, baby Jesus). We have really been trying to make it clear that Christmas is about celebrating Jesus' birthday, but I am pretty sure the message is getting some what lost in all the excitement about Santa and presents (after all she is only 2). Lexi did help set up the manager and we talked about each of the people and their roles (she wanted everyone to be in Jesus' house). And her favorite books for bedtime are a set of books about Jesus being born, the 3 wise men, and the shepards. One of the things we are going to do this year to maybe help her make sense out of it, is to make Jesus a birthday cake on Christmas day. I got this idea from my friend Holly who did it last year with her 2 boys. She always has great ideas about how to keep Christmas all about the "real reason of the season"!Lexi, Rudolph, and Santa's helper

Mommy & Lexi enjoying the lights

greeting Santa as he arrived

saying hello to Mrs. Claus

frosting her "Ginger cookie"

Holiday Traditions begin

The day after Thanksgiving (aka black Friday) is usually spent by most shopping, shopping, shopping. Well, since we have had Alexis, I have to say we don't really get all crazy about shopping the day after Thanksgiving; instead we head over to the promenade shopping center and see Santa! Alexis was really excited to see Santa this year and was ready to ask him to bring her trains for Christmas.November 2009

I think she got a little intimidated once she sat on his lap, but she did tell him she wanted trains.

November 2008November 2007

Many Thanks . . .

There is so much to be thankful for in life it is good to have a day to remind us to stop and be THANKFUL. Maybe the world needs more of these days . . .
1) our health - there are times when it might not seem like much to be thankful for but in the grand scheme of life we are very thankful for the health we do have and the modern day medical advances that contribute to our health
2) our families - the people who have gotten us to where we are today and never leave our sides no matter what we do and how many miles are between us
3) our home - it may not be large in square feet but there is a lot of love in our home and we are thankful to have a warm place to call home.
4) our friends - the ones who can pick up where we left off no matter how long it has been, the ones who have been with us during celebrations and life's trying times.
5) our little baby girl - who is not so little anymore, who has brought so much life and love to our lives. We can't imagine life without her.
AND the list could go on and on forever . . .

"Mommy take picture"

We were out shopping last night for a few last minute things for Thanksgiving and Lexi saw this palm tree decorated with Christmas lights and wanted me to take her picture. Whenever she sees something neat or cool we have to "take a picture".

Olivia's Dora Party

Olivia celebrated her 2nd birthday today and we all had a good time at her party. Here are a few pictures.

Lexi trying to catch butterfliesOlivia and her Dora cakeAll the kids eating cake (Lexi's favorite part)!

Chicago - Karen's Wedding

We traveled to Chicago last weekend to attend Karen's wedding. It was a time to celebrate and reunite with mommy's college friends. Pedicure time: Elyse, Karen, & ErinRehearsal dinner: Univ. of IA friends (Erin, Brenda, Karen, Andrea, & Tanya)mommy & daddyCocktail Hour: Erin, Jana, Andrea, & BrendaTaking a break from the dance floor: Erin, Tanya, Karen, & Andrea
While mommy and daddy had fun celebrating; Grandpa Larry & Nana Sandra came to play with me. They took me out for pizza, took me swimming in the pool, and spoiled me with lots of Minnie Mouse gifts from Walt Disney World. Mommy needs to take a picture of me in my ears.

Happy Halloween from Minnie Mouse!!

We've been celebrating Halloween this whole week; doing lots of activities around the community and giving Minnie some practice at trick-or-treating.

On Saturday, Oct. 24th, we attended the Fall festival at our community center. They had a costume parade and lots of vendors doing fun crafts and activities for the kids.coloring a pumpkin picture - in her Minnie costume with her Elmo balloon hatdecorating ANOTHER pumpkin! Halloween 2009 Lexi had a total of 4 pumpkins (3 small & 1 big)making a flower necklace

On Monday, Oct. 26th, we did some trick-or-treating from all of her favorite storytime teachers.On Thursday, Oct. 29th, we went to watch the Little Bunny's Halloween puppet show and decorate cookies at the supermarket.

Friday, Oct. 30th was a Halloween costume party at the park with some of Lexi's friends.Someone really liked the chocolate cake ice cream conesLizzy (giraffe), Giavanna (kitty-cat), Lexi (Minnie Mouse), Ailey (ladybug), Olivia (princess ballerina), Valentina (princess) The boys at the party didn't want to partake in the group picture.Luke the pirateBrady the Bears football player

Halloween eve we finally carved our pumpkin - daddy made sure Lexi had a Mickey pumpkin for 2009 since "mice" was this year's theme.Daddy cuts, while Lexi scoops out the seeds with her shovel.This little girl was SO EXCITED about her "Mickey" pumpkin!

Oct. 31st, HALLOWEEN & TRICK-OR-TREATING!!

We went to Malloween at one of our local shopping centers during the day because Radio Disney was going to be there. Well guess who was the announcer, Minnie!

Lexi loved Trick-or-Treating and was so excited about the other "kids" in the neighborhood.Little Minnie on Halloween night with her Mickey pumpkinsEvery night, the whole month of October we had to go see the "Witch and pumpkins" in our neighbor's yard."ding, dong", "Trick-or-Treat", "Thank you" and then she would say "next one"We did a little trick-or-treating with Lexi's friend Lizzy and her baby brother, Sammie.

Lexi's 1st Report Card

Lexi got her first report card today at swim lessons and she has passed Parent and Child and is ready to move on to Level 1 next year.