Random Things.....

Yesterday Lil' was drawing frogs while I made the grocery list. Here is the one she drew for me.....


And here are a few photos from our Christmas vacation...

UN building graham cracker houses to decorate. He was quite an architect....making two big buildings. I made Lil's smaller house.



Grandma Barbie and Mr. Elevens' house.....


UN's house.....


Lil' and Mama's house....


The whole village.....I had purchased a box of sugar cones to make trees for our village but forget them along with the graham crackers at home....so much for advanced planning. Thanks to Mr. Eleven and UN for going to the Chevron and buying "golden" graham crackers.


Lil' drawing a computer for Grandma Barbie....

One of about 50 games of Cootie that were played in a two and a half day time span.

White Christmas

Merry Christmas from Lil' Here's a peek at the fun!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPA DOUG


Push the triangle to play a video message from Lil'


P.S. The lighting on the video looks so much better on my camera....Sorry!

Lil's First Letter To Santa

Finger Games

Somehow I forgot to mention this earlier.....

One of the things that Lil' did while waiting to vote was to to tell me things about Oosje's house. She told me that she likes Oosje's sink. This did not surprise me but I was shocked when she started naming her fingers. She wanted to know which one was domolot and which one was likiput. I was without an answer. I need a refresher course. What are the names of our fingers?

A First

This morning started with a Mama and Lil' girls adventure to the elections office. Mama was shocked when we got to the polling site and saw a line more than a block long. Mama and Lil' took our place in line. The line moved a few steps at a time in a consistent manner. Lil' made friends with the men standing behind us in line. For the next hour she entertained herself and many others with her singing, dancing and requests to go inside now. She had been promised a sticker after she voted and she was not leaving without it. She was even interviewed by a local news team who heard her say that Broccoli Obama is running for President. As we got closer to the building we also got closer to the hot dog stand. It smelled yummy. They also had hot cocoa which Mama decided would be a good reward for Lil's patience and good spirits as we stood waiting in the cloudy, chilly autumn air. The hot cocoa wasn't ready at our first try but about 10 minutes later the nice man from the hot dog stand delivered Lil' her cocoa which kept her happy through the rest of the wait. She participated in voting by carrying Mama's sealed vote to the ballot box, putting it in and getting her I voted sticker.

Happy Halloween

Mr. Eleven and Lil' carved her jack o lantern last night.


I'll have to come back and post a photo of it finished. Somehow the one I took didn't turn out.

Today ended up being an all day event. Lil's day of trick or treating started this morning at Mama's old office. She was quite a hit in her robot costume. We spent this evening at a fun Halloween community event with games and trick or treating. Lil' participated in throwing darts (rubber tipped ones of course), tennis balls, rings and beanbags at various targets. She surprised many of the people running the games with her aim and persistance. She sang the BSU fight song to some Bronco fans. And played a mean solo set on the drums. She had her first experience with a big blow up slide. It was a bit too scary the first time and Mama had to insist they finish the deal. But there was nothing stopping her the next 6 times. She trick or treated in her neighborhood and was as sweet as Lil' can be using her best manners "Trick or treat please." and showing people her robot walk. Mr. Eleven and Lil' practiced saying "I am a robot" in a voice only a dad or toddler could do which received many rounds of applause and laughs. It was a fun night that Mama and Mr. Eleven will never forget and will have fun telling Lil' about one day.

In September Lil' and Mama went to a woman's fitness show. There were lots of snacks (chili, baked potatoes, yogurt and string cheese, chocolate milk, wedding cake, Hawaiian food, potato brownies and more) and Lil' wanted to taste it all. She watched young local dancers perform, got to see a policeman who gave her a sticker badge. She was quite happy in her stroller throughout the whole process. Then it caught her eye. It was the local Harley Davidson booth and everything was "Shiny, Mama!" She immediately needed out of her stroller to take a turn.

Boo At The Zoo

Halloween is coming and we've been talking about two different ideas with Lil' for her costume. She had narrowed it down to two things, a robot or a cowgirl with robot in the lead. Mama was going to make her a robot costume this weekend.

Mama and Lil' had been planning a girls adventure on Friday afternoon to spend some time together since Mama worked at the school a lot this week. Mama had heard about a Halloween party at a little candy shop in the neighborhood. Games and activities and a 50 cent coupon for free candy. It sounded perfect for our adventure. So off we went to the party dressed as a cowgirl.

Yesterday was to be Lil' big Halloween event. Boo at the Zoo. Costumes, trick-o-treat with your favorite characters (Pooh, Tigger, a giraffe, a red chicken, a turtle and the firefighters and police officers) Mama made the robot costume. Lil' however insisted that her costume was a cowgirl.

Mr. Eleven and I have decided that we will trick or treat a few places on Halloween night as long as Lil' will wear the robot costume....

Swimming

Yesterday Drama invited Lil' down to the hotel for a swim date. Lil' did great. By the end of the time at the pool Lil' was willing to get into the water from the edge of the pool all by herself. She would swim between Mama and Drama who were about 7 feet apart by herself and let Mama throw her up in the air to splash down in the water. It was so much fun for Mama to watch Lil' and Drama together! Here is a picture for all of you to share the moment too.

Dinner Talk

Last night was leftover night. Lil noted that she was having chicken and Mama and Mr. Eleven were having lasagna. She announced that Belle didn't like lasagna and that she wanted chicken. She noted that her and Mr. Elevens' forks matched but Mama's was different. She noted that she was having milk and Mama and Mr. Eleven were drinking water..... No eating was actually happening. Just lots of talk. It was already getting late and Mama wanted to keep things moving towards bedtime.

Mama "Bites or bed, Lil?"
Lil "No Mama, I'm talking to Daddy!"

Earlier in the day Lil' and I were at the library and she got her very own library card. She got to pick the picture that was on the card. She choose the one with the tiger and then roared at the librarian.

Knowing this Mr. Eleven jumped in "Lil' do you know who eats chicken?"
Lil "No"
Mr. Eleven "Tigers eat chicken. Can you take a tiger bite?"
Lil roared about ten times and then took her tiger bite.
Mr Eleven continued the game. "Do you know who else eats chicken?"
Lil "No"
Mr. Eleven "Dora eats chicken"
Lil ate another bite.
Not knowing where to take it now Mr. Eleven looked to me for back up.
Mama "Lil, what does Dora call her grandmother?"
Lil "Don't know."
Mama "Does she call her Abuela?"
Lil "Yes! buella"
Mama "Can you take an Abuela bite?"
Lil "No.....tiger bite!"

The game continued until she was done with her chicken. It was a variation to a game we often play when Lil' isn't eating her meal. Most of the time the people we choose are thematic. Sometimes we pick all the men in her life and she eats Bampa, Papa D., Uncle N., Uncle T, Uncle B, Ace, Papa Hans, Papa Renfro, Frank and Uncle Organics bites. Other times we go for the grandparent theme and she eats Oosje/Bampa and Grandma Barbie/Papa D bites, Granny/Fabe, Grandma and Grandpa D bites, and Drama/Poppa R. bites, Other times we eat Aunt scully and moolah bites. There are times at dinner she wonders what her friends "A" "Z" "Q" or "G" are eating/doing. We tell her that they are eating dinner and that it's the same thing she's got.

Dinnertime is never dull with Lil.

Here is several weeks worth up stories, photos and fun since I haven't posted in a while.

Lil' has a new game....It's called Ready, Set, Go. She gets down in a runners starting position and yells "ready,set, go before she starts the race. Last night the course was from the front room couch, into the movie room and around the couch, down the hall and onto reading rug, back to the front room and around a book that was on the floor and then jumped over a shoe string. That was her route...she made it all on her own. Each time Mr. Eleven or Mama did the course another step was added....pick up the ball and put it under a kitchen chair or roll from one side of the room to the other, etc. It was hilarious, and both cameras were out of batteries! Darn.

Art Projects....

These hang proudly around Lil's room.

Mama helped Lil' make a street light using all kinds of stuff from the craft box including tissue paper, scrap book paper, felt and foam pieces and stickers. Lil' favorite part was putting glue on the page.

On the left is a project from Kids' Art. She used chunks of lemon and a toy car to paint.


This CD Sparkely was this weeks project. She colored the CD's and the teacher strung them together. Mama was instructed to hang them "here" as soon as we got home.

Last Saturday's project was "Junk Mosaics".

This morning we took Lil' on a hike in the foothills. Belle got excited about a mile before we arrived at the parking lot because she recognized what was going to happen. Not too far into the walk we came across a good spot for pictures. A hiker going the other way offered to take a picture with all of us. Too bad the girls aren't looking at the camera!

Sitting on a rock in the path.

Swinging at the park at the end of the hike. "Higher Daddy, higher!"

The best part of the morning....climbing on piles of bark.

Think Happy Thoughts....

for Mr. Eleven. He's got a job interview on Monday!

Weekend Adventures....

Each weekend we like to do a family activity with Lil. We try to do a range of things like going to the library, or zoo, or taking sister Belle with us on a walk and picnic. Other times we try new things. This weekend was a little bit of each.

On Saturday Mr. Eleven found a listing in the newspaper about free kids art at the Saturday market. Lil' enjoyed the market the last time we visited. She made friends with one of Aunt Scully's high school friends and got to sample lots of yummy food. The art project seemed like an added bonus.

We arrived just in time to select our project before the next session started. Lil' picked a project based on a classic children's book "The Hungary Catepiller". Mr. Eleven helped her do the cutting but the rest was all Lil'.



Sunday we decided to put our state parks pass to good use and headed up the road to the beach.

Tonight at dinner Mama was telling Daddy about Lil's day, which started off with a playdate at the swimming pool with our weekly group. The story included a description of the two toddler pools Lil' usually likes to be involved in the dinner conversation.

Lil: "What do day, Daddy?"
Daddy: "I went to work"
Lil: "Oooh. Good job Daddy!"
Daddy: "Thanks Lil. What did you do today?"
Lil: "Swim with Addison. Toddler pool."
Daddy: "Cool. Are you a toddler?"
Lil: "Ya". (slight pause) "Nooo. Lil a child".
Daddy: "Yes. Lil' is a child" (trying not to laugh)
Lil: "Ya." Laughing with glee

Lil' did enjoy her trip to the pool with her 4 friends. She went the farthest into the water than any others and then shouted "Come on guys!" She has NO fear.

Horton & Friends

Today Lil' experienced a first. Her first movie at the theater. She and Mr. Eleven had the whole theater to themselves. Lil' was nervous at first and wanted to leave, go potty (which she did in the men's room, another first I think) and look at where the light from the projection room came from but eventually settled down for the second part of the movie.

Poopy In The Potty

Lil' has been having slow but steady progress with going pee on the potty. Last weekend she announced to me at the zoo that she needed to pee and she went on the big potty for the first time. I couldn't balance her on the potty and have the stall door closed so she like to talk to people about her peeing as she did it. Several smiled at her cuteness. We had a pretty successful week wearing panties and going both when asked by Mama or Mr. Eleven and telling us herself at other times. Just now she pooped on the potty for the first time. She earned herself a cereal box tiger tattoo.

Robert.....

I think it was about Christmas time with Bampa gave Lil' this puppet. She hasn't shown much interest in it for a while. Yesterday she was playing with it and all of a sudden announced that she needed a tie too.

It's Jammie Day

It's cold and rainy. We will be inside much of the day. This doesn't make Lil' very happy as she loves to "GO Outside, Mama". Luckily for us.....It's Jammie Day! Lil' thought it was very exciting to get out of her overnight jammies and put on clean ones! Festivities will include but are not limited to having a carpet picnic for lunch, playing hopscotch in the garage, and painting our toes. Several other proposed activities that are pending Lil's approval are making musical instruments, and a puppet show.

I Change Myself

This afternoon was round two of Lil' thinking she would be helpful and change her own diaper. Again, this happened during naptime. Again, maybe Mama should have listened to the requests being screamed from the other side of the door sooner. Instead of being a nice neat poop contained to the diaper and hung from the coat rack I was greeted by Lil' covered in poop (hair to toenails) and a very messy diaper tucked into her covers. What was I thinking when I started keeping the wipes on the shelf in the closet after last time???? They would have been useful to Lil' in her attempts to be helpful today. The bath and laundry came immediately instead of waiting for camera documentation.

Belle : A Portrait

By: Lil'

Brain Matters

Lil' growing vocabulary has lead to more advanced communication.

When Mr. Eleven arrived home yesterday, earlier than usual, Lil' ran to greet him and proclaimed "I'm so happy!" He hadn't even shown her the package from Oosje, which contained a week's worth of Georgie panties (although she wore three pairs in an hour - two a once and then an additional pair after an outside accident).

She's also advanced in her manipulation. For example, the nightly bedtime routine consists of two books read by one parent, followed by brushing teeth and another book read by the other parent. Knowing that bedtime is drawing closer Lil' then generally requests "Rock The Baby" which is when she is swayed in one parents' arms while they sing "Rock A Bye Baby". Then it is time for her to tell us her happy thoughts followed by hugs and kisses.

In remaining consistant with our Big Girls' Use The Potty theme, Mama and Daddy have stopped honoring her request to rock the baby explaining for several nights now that she is a big girl. Her first request last night was for "Rock The Baby" but when she was denied she quickly changed her request to "Rock The Big Girl". Daddy was quick in explaining that this new version did not include swaying in parental arms but rather remaining upright. Mama, as all mama's can, instantly invented the Rock the Big Girl Song which has a much faster tempo. (I'm a little scared that she'll want the same song tonight and I won't remember at all what I sang). It worked perfectly as after the song was over she climbed happily into bed for the rest of the routine. When asked what her happy thought was she thought for a moment and said "Ching" which is what she calls her version of disc golf, using Daddy's mini discs and a small laundry basket.

Mama and Daddy marvel these days at how fast she's getting to be that Big Girl!

We Did It!

We dug a hole and we planted a tree. We did it! We did it. We did it, yay!




For those of you who don't watch Dora on a regular basis....the above statement is a tribute to her song, a la Mama style.

Video

In a deperate attempt to delay bedtime Lil' has come up with a new trick. About 30 minutes after being put down for the night she gets up and knocks on her door, announcing she is poopy. Most nights it has not been true. A few days ago she made the same announcement after being in nap for only a short time. Mr. Eleven happen to be working from home and was the one to respond, thinking he would tuck her back in and go back to work. Mama continues working in the kitchen.

"You need to come here, Mama." says Mr. Eleven. His tone indicated it wasn't an emergency but my presence was also not a request. This is why.

Photos

Last week after playing outside in the dirt while Mama did yard work.



Lil' picked her outfit. Mr. Eleven asked if she was going to an 80's party.



Laying in the hole Mama started digging for our new tree!

Red Lights

Oosje taught Lil' a new song during their time together. It's one that Lil' now sings in the car every time we get to a traffic light. "Stop, Red light. Go, go green" She hasn't quite figured out the yellow part and often comments at lights about the orange one. Mama hasn't yet come up with an explaination that satisfies Lil's confusion.

This morning when she got up Lil' realized that she had a "little red light blinking" in her room. She excitement over this discovery of the light in the smoke detector was a great help when Mama asked Lil' to look at the special red light blinking in Mama's room while Mama showered!

B.A.M. and KK

Oosje has been waiting over a year for this day to come....She and Lil' are going to the art museum for toddler craft activities! Then they are off for 6 days at Kamp K, where Bampa and Oosje act as Grand KampCouncelors. I'm sure it will all be lots of fun for everyone.

Pits

An exciting archaeological find has been making news in our area for the past few days. Mama and Mr. Eleven were talking about it tonight at the dinner table. Mama was describing how there were some old Indian fire pits identified. Lil', excited to join in the conversation, piped up "Like me, Mama. Look!" as she showed of her pits. After having a good laugh, Mama and Mr. Eleven then tried to explain to Lil' that yes she also has pits but they are called arm pits or tickle pits (as Mr. Eleven likes to call them right before a tickle attack). It was the best dinner conversation in a while.

Making Daddy Melt

Daddy left this morning before Lil' woke up. This doesn't happen very often and is confusing to Lil' when it does happen. She asked to call Daddy on the phone after breakfast. They chatted for just a moment because Daddy was busy getting ready for the upcoming golf tournament.

When Daddy got home Lil' ran to give him the customary hug. She threw her arms around him and said "I missed you!". This is something that Daddy tells her often but a first time for him to hear it. It was surprising since she wasn't just responding to his statement. It was all on her own.

My Seeds!

Much to my surprise and Lil's delight some of our greenhouse seeds germinated in two days and are now about an inch tall. Three other seed cups are also showing growth. Tonight after dinner when washing Lil's hands she looked up in the window and saw the greenhouse and exclaimed, "Look Daddy, my seeds!".

The Sun Has Been Shining

It was a beautiful weekend here. The sun was shining. Grandpa D. came to visit yesterday. Lil', as is customary with all visitors, took him by the hand and showed him how things are in her world. He was ushered to her room when she wanted to get something, instructed where and when to sit, take off his shoes or coat and was the recipient of many classic Lil' looks and loves. We all enjoyed a nice dinner at home.
Today Mr. Eleven got up early to dress Lil' for a date with Grandpa. She was just waking when he entered her room but immediately jumped to her feet, saying "Where Grandpa Go?" She found him tucked in his sleeping bag on the "blue couch". They were off to see the back side of the horse track and have a breakfast of crunchy bacon, eggs and peaches. Mama got to sleep in. It felt kinda weird, but very nice.
The late morning and after nap were spent outside in the backyard. One of Mama's weekend goals was to build the activity slide for Lil' that has been waiting on the side of the house for spring to arrive. Here is her first time playing with it at her house. Many thanks to Oosje's friends, B,S,I & especially H! Lil' loves her slide!