Gosh, She's One Already

This is where I originally put a picture of the cakes I made the girl. One for her alone and one with the party theme. Then I realized that, according to family tradition, I put A's name on her cake. I know! Imagine. So anyway, here's the part I can show you, but you miss all the super-cool stripes down the sides and that the cake is actually shaped like a one. Someday, I'll get some quality editing software!

The girl.
Comfy in her new chair, enjoying a good read.

The anticipation!
"Will I be able to blow the candle out?"

Nope... but they gave me cake anyway!

The balloons were one of the best parts!

Shortening does wonders for the hair.
It's never been softer or more lustrous.
A was such a good sport about opening gifts, she studied each one appreciatively.

Ooooo, a slide!

Party Animal.
Seriously, I didn't get a picture of her until after the party was over.

This is a terrible picture I've improved as much as possible.
See? TEETH!
Her doc declared her to be out of order but fine, so we're transferring the money back to her college account instead of the Orthodontics Fund as planned.

La Vida Loca

It's not that we've been horribly busy, or incredibly ill. We haven't even been out of town. But somehow, life just snowballed on me and I've been trapped under an avalanche of ear infections, bad behavior, and obligations. I've hardly even taken a picture lately! Sure we've had fun, the baby and I spent 20 minutes today laughing ourselves silly despite her fever because I dared to dodge her left hook. She's got the best belly laugh ever! E earned back her computer privileges today and that speaks volumes! I'm not sure what happens to people at the age of four, but it appears to be very dramatic and possibly a bit painful. Thankfully, I don't remember when it happened to me, but that's what Mom's for. I get the impression from her (constant) riotous laughter that this could be one of the greater joys of grand-parenthood.

At the end of this month our baby turns one. One whole year. It's simply amazing. I remember when a year seemed like for.ev.er. My babies are growing up in the blink of an eye. Some days E seems so big I think she'll be snatching the car keys next week - her biggest dream now is to be 99, and then each night she curls up in her blanket and she's tiny again. How do they do that? It happens when they're sick or hurt, too. The other day I was holding A's hand in mine, awed over how much of my palm disappears behind hers. And today she's so small and fragile, worried and fussed over like an infant. Thank God they sleep. Thank God I get to peek in on them while they're all soft and dreamy, curled up and quiet. Thank God when life is crazy, He reminds they're still small.

An A Can Crawl

At nine months, 1 1/2 weeks my baby crawled. Finally. Her peers, all boys and therefore much more interested in transportation than my laid back little girl, have been crawling for months. MONTHS! I must admit, I brought this on myself. Knowing she's our last, I prayed she wouldn't grow up so stinking fast. I wasn't asking for developmental delays or anything, but to have the opportunity to savor her babyhood. E transformed from baby to toddler in the blink of and eye and I didn't want to miss it again. But all of the younger babies are flying around the nursery floor and there sits little A, happily eating their dust. So, I resigned myself to a disappointing "crawl" that looked more like a walrus than a human - and then she gracefully tucked her knees under that sweet bottom and took off!

Oh sweet relief.

And You Shall Be Called...

If you are owned by E and she has naming rights, you will be called Sarah, Matthew or Rachel - after her cousins. There are no exceptions other than Michael the fish, now deceased and replaced by Rachel With Fins (not to be confused with my niece, Rachel With Feet). For Christmas, we adopted an elephant at our zoo, her name is now Sarah. Snails, which according to E are always male, are named Matthew. And so it goes and has gone for 2 of her 4 years.

Driving down the road the other day with the girls and my Dad, he asked what name E had given the Little Tykes lion flashlight. I think to myself, "Duh - Sarah, Matthew or Rachel."

Nope. I nearly drove off the road.

Jorge. Spanish pronunciation and all.

Christmas 2007

The first (and really only) gift unwrapped by little A. Who knew it would get old so quick?


Overheard while unwrapping this coffee maker (that cycles REAL water)...
E: (Very excitedly) O my goodness! Look, look! It's just what I always wanted!!!
Family Friend: What is it?
E: (Screaming with excitement) I don't know!


It's never to early to accessorize!


The only picture of the girls together THE ENTIRE HOLIDAY!
Does that go against the Mother Of The Year award for last year or have I already botched 2008?

A is too busy looking at a couch full of cousins to enjoy unwrapping her gift. Thank goodness her daddy was interested in the lacy pink clothes!


Cookies for Santa/Carrots for the Reindeer.


A loves her gift from Santa and learns about colors!


E gets a big girl bike from Grahmi!


Same Grahmi reading a lovely Christmas tale. Just after this precious moment, E hopped off Grahmi's lap to play with a toy. Grahmi says, "I thought you wanted me to read you this story?" E's reply? "I can still hear you." Touching isn't it?


New wheels! Who can ride? I can! Me. All me!


She sticks her tongue out this far to blow raspberries. Then she curls it up over her lip and starts again.


A Christmas wish fulfilled. E asked Santa for an elephant. Naturally I was curious.

Me: Do you want a toy elephant?
E: No, Mom. A real one.
Me: Where will it live?
E: In my room.
Me: An elephant is far too big for your room.
E: (Thinking) I know! It can live in the backyard.
Me: (That's illegal!) (Who will clean up the poop?) I don't think the backyard is big enough either.

Santa's so smart. He adopted an elephant in E's name that lives at the zoo and we can visit it anytime. Gunda has been renamed Sarah. Sorry Gunda!

O December

There was ice. Unlike many of our friends, most of our neighborhood maintained power throughout the week even though we were badly hit. We had power guilt and hosted many a dinner. It's a month later and our streets are still covered with branches. This is our backyard and the nice men from 2 different states that came to pick up our tree limb off the power line (but not the neighbor's carport.) When trees are cut in cartoons, everyone yells timber. When you watch them fall through your brick wall, "Timber" is not what you hear yourself say.

How to dress for the first snow of the year.
Brought to you by a four year old.

A's first snow. She didn't get to experience it any other way because it was bitterly cold out there and she was a little bit under the weather. Sorry about the index finger - it's a crop or post moment.

The Christmas program.
This year there was less twirling.
There was more falling on the stage.
And bowing. Lots of bowing.
Here's a mom tip: Don't give the child new shoes right before she hits the stage. She will show the entire audience because, after all, isn't that why they're all watching?

In Which My Beautiful, Amazing First-born Turns FOUR!

E's first friend party at our favorite park.

This look is, "Really? A picture? Can't I just eat it, Mom?"
Four is very good, very good indeed.

Parade of Party Princesses.
We have no pictures of E running off with the first gift she opened, princess shoes, to try on in her bedroom, in front of the hall mirror, show to all the people waiting in the living room, twirl with, sound check on the tile, admire in the hall mirror while twirling and finally the running test.
And so it went with each gift.

She stopped mid-gift to check herself out in the dress... again.This is what happens to cute hair when scraped through the opening of a trampoline enclosure. I can't help but wonder if that's how Flock of Seagulls did it, too.

This is my cousin's son. He plays football, wrestles and makes disgusting body noises for fun. He also helps little girls into their princess gowns.
He's a pretty special kid!
Supergirl gets quiet and a little shy while we sing.

A makes an appearance with my aunt.

Cousins. And pink forks.
Which will remain in our family for many parties to come.
Because my mother washed them.
Yes Mom, they are very nice, durable forks.

Oh the birthday joy!