The End of January

Jill and I have been spending a LOT of time at the zoo over the past few weeks. We have been having a great time, and we hope to get there again this week. Jill loves to feed the penguins, and she also loves to go to the morning story time/animal encounter. Last week she was able to pet Atlas the boa constrictor!

in G.'s wagon (Jill wants a wagon now)

dropping a fish for Santiago the Humboldt penguin

Santiago

in the boat

driving the tractor

petting Atlas

this elephant came right over to us because Jill was crying

Jill waving and telling the elephant she's all done crying now

She continues to love her dance class, which is mostly about movement and rhythm, not actual dancing. Last week she said, "Mommy, I just want to DANCE!" during the warm up. At the end of the class the kids were given free dance time, and right before we left we were all subjected to a mini-lecture about how even though it doesn't feel like we're dancing, the kids are learning valuable skills, and that the instructor will try to give free dance time at the end of each lesson. Thanks, Jill!

She and Steve are also enjoying their soccer sessions together, at which attempts are made to be organized, but really the kids just run around until they lose steam, and then their parents take them home. I have missed seeing her run around, but I've enjoyed my mornings at home a lot too!

Here are a few goofy shots from around the house.

Jill and Daddy in the crib one last time (she likes to have us be in her bed with her)

playing with her new Thomas set (Thanks Little Family!)

going through the bridge

Video Fun

I thought it would be fun for Jill to practice writing letters in some flour. It quickly changed into a new imaginative time and it was wonderful!




This is a game Steve and Jill play a lot. He unscrews her feet and gives her some new ones. I don't know where it came from, but it's pretty excellent!

A Big Day and Big Girl Bed

It was a day to be remembered around here.

First underpants (Hello Kitty)...and a shirt with "Paul McCartney and his friends" on it

Then...the Big Girl Bed!

new bedding, before the rail went up on the side

demonstrating a yawn

showing us how one sleeps in a big girl bed

all ready for bed

Early to Mid January

Jill started soccer on January 8th. She loved it! You've never seen a more enthusiastic player in all your life. We had to bribe her to get her off the field after an hour and twenty minutes.

she enjoys carrying the ball as much as she does kicking

the red ball was her favorite

Later that day we headed down to see Dee and Pop for Christmas, Part 2. Spoiled Rotten had a bazillion gifts to open, enjoyed her spaghetti and cupcake, and had a fabulous time. She had such a great time that she threw a fit on the way home because she didn't want to leave their house.

Opening her gift from Great-Grandma, who has had this wrapping paper since I was a child. I think it's the biggest roll of paper ever created. I'm sure there is more of it, even after 30 years!

Dee and Jill

helping Pop open his gift

spaghetti!

I took her to the museum for "Dance to the Music" and she had such a great time that we did it twice. She even led the parade the second time!

dancing

leading the parade

December 2010/January 2011

There's a lot going on around here, so I'll just dive right into it!



First we took Jill to the Washington State History Museum for their model train festival. She was nonplussed because she wasn't allowed to touch the trains, but we managed to have fun anyway.

driving a wagon with Daddy

in the stagecoach with Mom

Then Jill discovered the joy of bacon.

"I just yove to eat bacon!"

We also paid a visit to the Children's Museum, and to a puppet show at the library which didn't really hold G. and Jill's attention for too long.

making a meal in Africa

"Clay time!"

little monkeys at the puppet show

We played in the tent and paid a visit to our friends, heading to the park on a FREEZING cold afternoon.

in the tent

"C'mon guys, yet's go faster!"

Down the slide

Next, we spent time at the Aquarium's Toddler Time, which was amazing. Jill had a truly wonderful time there.**I know there are quite a few videos here, but each on is 30 seconds or less.

touching an urchin

hugging an (upside down) squid

Jill the jellyfish

getting a high five from diver Katie

We had lunch with Dee and Pop, and dinner with a new friend who shares Jill's name!

Olive Garden for lunch

cheeseburger for dinner!

Okay, that's it for now! Next time, Jill's first soccer practice and Christmas, Part 2!