Happy Valentine's Day!

Audrey, Ian, and I had a fabulous Valentine's Day together. The kids took naps at alternate times so I had some alone time with each of my Valentine's. Audrey chose to play Hi Ho with her alone time, and of course, won! (She's faking that last look of disgust, mimicking me! "Mommy, take a picture of me now!")

Brrrr!

We were heading home from some errands this morning, and we were passing the pasture where Audrey often spies horses grazing in the mornings.

Me: Do you think the horses will be out today?

A: No. You know, mommy, horses don't like the snow.

Me: Yeah, I bet they're somewhere nice and warm.

A: I bet they're out in Arizona with grandma and grandpa. Maybe when it finally stops snowing, they can all come home!

Can't argue with that!

Days of the Week According to Audrey

Audrey's last thought of today

"Maybe when you are older and bigger and can reach the sky like daddy, you will know the words to Frere Jacques."

I love that her daddy can reach the sky.

And that she has hope for my French.

:)

Christmas - Part 4

Audrey loooooved seeing some of her cousins this past weekend. Since Ian was passed out before presents were opened, Audrey got to open his presents as well as hers. She's become quite the expert on present opening! She's been talking about all the fun she had playing Barbies, and with her train and Star Wars figures. She can't wait to see everyone again! She also had a third installment of her birthday and was so surprised that she insisted that she turned 4! I think we're set until next year!

Christmas - Finally!

Though we did not end up spending Christmas Day where we had expected, we had a good Christmas 2010. In our own home. An unexpected treat.

Eric and I knew our little rooster would be crowing even earlier on Christmas morning, so I decided to set one rule: We ALL have to be awake before any presents can be opened.

5:45 AM

A: Daaaaaaaaady!

Eric heads in her room to hear the predictable.

A: I'm ready to get up!

E: Ian's not awake yet so you need to stay in bed.

The next 30 minutes, yelling: "Is Ian awake yet?"

For some reason, Ian wasn't able to sleep much longer, and Christmas morning begins. First, with Audrey hearing Santa's letter to her and Ian.

And before I had even sat down with camera in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other, Audrey was showing Ian his stocking stuffers. She later moved on to show Eric his and then eventually got to her own stocking. Oh so excited!

She of course got a ton from Santa. Warm princess pajamas which make her look so grown up. And puzzles. And books. And snow boots. No coal for this little girl.

And when all the gift unwrapping was done, Audrey surveyed what she had received and thought about some things Santa could bring for her next year!

We of course have much to be thankful for, not the least of which is another year of good health and development for Audrey.

Christmas Eve

I think this year has been my favorite. She got it. Really got the excitement of Christmas this year. She would check her stocking each morning (and everyone else's!) and get so excited if Santa had delivered something for her (or Ian). She loved watching and rewatching Rudolph, and Frosty, and hearing and reading about all things Christmas. And every morning she and Eric would count down the days until Christmas.

She carefully decided that Santa should have 6 cookies this year, and Rudolph was also to receive an onion. And she wanted to make that neither Eric nor I had a fire in the fireplace when Santa was to arrive. Her last words as she laid her head on her pillow? "I will go right to sleep because it is CHRISTMAS!" Oh for everyday to be Christmas!

And of course Christmas Eve will always be particularly special. The day we brought this little girl home from the hospital. Three years ago today!