To cut or not to cut

Elsa has developed a mullet, a rat tail, a crazy patch of hair. You be the judge. Some say we should cut it because she looks like a redneck little boy. Steve is against it, I am on the fence. Votes?

Merry Christmas 2013

Just wanted to say Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of our friends and family.

Counting

I have been trying to get a video of Elsa counting to six for about 3 weeks now. Tonight I finally got one!

Where's My Baby?

That moment when it hits you like a ton of bricks that your baby is no longer a baby but a full blown toddler. 

Generational Change

It was bound to happen. We were bound to become adults, parents, old. You know how I know? Because they are using "my" songs to sell me stuff on tv. What are "my" songs you ask? Bust A Move (thank Old Navy for that one). Push It to sell school supplies. I could go on. 

Old. 

What birthday money?

One crappy thing about having my birthday so close to Christmas, is that all my birthday cash goes straight to buying Christmas gifts for other people. Boo!

Uuummmm….NO!

After seeing Santa on Sunday we went to a store to do some shopping for Christmas. Elsa found a toy that was a phone. It looked like an office phone with a cordless handset as well. It has TONS of buttons. She carried the box around with her all over the store. Occasionally she would sit down on the floor and push away at the buttons. One button triggers a message that says something like "This is the operator can I help you?" Every single time Elsa would say "Uuuummmm…NO!" I knew exactly where she was in the store with her daddy and her mormor because I would just listen for "Uuuuummmm…NO!" It was super cute. Needless to say she will be getting that phone from her mormor for Christmas.

Seeing santa

Sunday was my birthday, but it was also Santa Day. Sunday's are great for Santa Day. You don't have to get up too early to get in line, since they don't open until 11am. And if you are there slightly before opening, you can get in and out fairly fast. I got some cute photos as we were waiting in line.

                                              

This is what we ended up with. She wasn't so sure about Santa. She would give him a high five, but she did not want to let go of me. I finally was able to hand her over, but she started crying. Her dress was all messed up so he put her on the floor then picked her up. She loved that and gave us big smiles. So he did that about 3 times and this was the best one. She kind of looks like a rag doll, but she is smiling and that's the important thing right?

Boy stuff Girl stuff

Sitting in the dermatologists waiting room is a sweet little boy about 2 and his mom. To keep him busy they start looking through the Toys-R-Us catalog. As he points to things he likes the mom responds "no you don't. You don't like girly stuff."  And then says "you like boy stuff." And I want to yell "dang it lady he says he likes it let him like it!!!" Who cares if it's "girly stuff" or "boy stuff?" 

And yes if I ever have a boy he can like whatever he wants. Whatever makes him happy. Besides anything he would get would be an Elsa hand me down anyways. 

Why do kids toys have to be gender specific? Ugh!!

School Days

We have been so fortunate to have had the best sitter for Elsa. She was originally recommended to me by a board member of the Museum. Come to find out she had worked with my bestie's mom at St. Patricks school, was my bestie's sister's kindergarten teacher, and is close friends with one of my co-workers. It all fell into place beautifully. We have felt so comfortable with her care, her home, and her family. And most importantly, Elsa adores her.

Alas, all good things must come to an end. She will be moving to Atlanta in the foreseeable future. Her house is currently for sale and once she sells it, she will be off to her new adventure as grandma extraordinaire. In the back of my mind I knew it was coming. Her granddaughter is the same age as Elsa. She has been up there a few times, as has her other daughters, to help take care of her. It was only a matter of time.

Elsa will transition into a more structured school setting. I knew we would do this eventually, but I just hoped we would get at least one more year with her sitter first. I have visited the daycare right at the end of our street and I am comfortable with their facilities and administrators. I have yet to meet the woman that will be her teacher, but we will before we make the final transition. The bonus is we will be able to walk Elsa to and from school everyday. Saves time and gas. We still aren't sure exactly when this will take place, but sometime after the holidays.

I am not too concerned about her ability to adapt. She is such an outgoing and laid-back kid. I do worry she will be sad about not seeing her sitter, but we will deal with that as it comes. She will have a MUCH more structured day. And in some ways that is very good.

It is bitter sweet that our munchkin is growing up and transitioning to a "big girl" school, while leaving her only other caretaker she has known since practically birth. Wish us luck!

Beebo

Beebo is Brisco the dog's new name courtesy of Elsa.

Holiday projects 2013

Holiday decorating has started with two crafty projects. Both were inspired by Pinterest and I'm so happy with how they turned out!

First a tree holiday card holder. Made from 1x2's and a 1x3, some acrylic paint, and mini clothespins.  

The second project was an advent calendar for Elsa. I used mini galvanized buckets (originally wedding favors from Michaels), stencil for the numbers, acrylic paint and ribbon.