Now I Am Three! Happy Birthday Mia!

Trying out her new toy blow dryer and make up kit

It wouldn't be a birthday without a visit from Nana Berta!

A Verse For The Night Before The Birthday

When I have said my evening prayer,

And my clothes are folded on the chair,

And mother switches off the light,

I'll still be TWO years old tonight.

But from the very break of day,

Before the children rise and play,

Before the darkness turns to gold,

Tomorrow, I'll be THREE years old.

THREE kisses when I wake,

THREE candles on my cake!

From Animal Crackers by Jane Dyer

Hold the Presses! Santa Has Arrived!!

The drum was a big hit!

Opening our first gift under the tree

Our little chef:)

We'll miss you Bijou and reindeer!  Until next year  . . . .

Mia woke up this morning to sure evidence of Santa's existence!  She was so excited to see all the wonderful toys Santa, family, and friends all brought to our home this year. How blessed we are!  We also have to thank Bijou (Mia's name in elf language), the elf and "reindeer" who helped to make all this possible.  Mia will be saying farewell to them tonight as they return to Santa at The North Pole until next year.  They have been dear friends to help get information to and from Santa. Mia has loved the Christmas books and letters from Santa in his special red ink.  How diligent they have been for her in bringing books and Santa letters!  Of course we have to mention the real reason for the season, which is Jesus' birthday.  Mia is so thrilled she and Jesus have birthdays so close together!  Merry Christmas to you!!!

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!

Baking cookies for Santa

Feeding Santa's reindeer

Getting Santa's milk and cookies ready (and carrots for Santa's reindeer)

Santa has already arrived and her toys are waiting for Mia to wake up tomorrow morning!

Christmas Eve this year was all about family.  We spent the day together creating special memories.  Mia baked cookies for Santa, fed the reindeer, entertained us, and went to sleep looking forward to Santa.  We hope you will experience the wonder of Christmas!  We certainly have, and we have so much to be thankful for!  Merry Christmas to you!

Lacey's Birthday Party at Build A Bear

Watching the bears being made

Choosing a heart for her bear

Notice Mia - she's looking for the bear she'll choose the next time she comes to Build a Bear:)

Today, we attended Lacey's 4th birthday party at Build A Bear.  The girls chose a bear and an outfit. They had such a good time building their bears!  Happy Birthday Lacey!

Gotcha!

December 17, 2006 - Gotcha!

December 17, 2007 - Gotcha!

December 17, 2008 - Gotcha!

On December 17, 2006, we were blessed with the gift of Mia.  Now two years later (we can hardly believe it), she is still such a blessing to us.

Mia's Debut

Ready to sing!

Mia followed all the movements to the songs:)

Afterward, Mia could not wait to have cookies and punch, of course!

Mia's preschool had a Christmas program today.  Mia was just wonderful!  She sang and did all the movements to the songs.  It was so fun for us to watch and really got us into the Christmas spirit!

Breakfast with Santa and the "Noise, Noise, Noise, Noise!"

Excited about having breakfast with Santa!

Mia's was excited about meeting The Grinch!

Mia had breakfast with Santa today at our local Methodist church.  It was such a fun event - one we will include each year as one of our new family traditions for Christmas!  Mia was also able to meet one of her favorite characters in Christmas movies - The Grinch.  She watched him throughout her HUGE breakfast of four sausages, two pieces of bacon, and two pancakes!:)   

Decorating and More Decorating

Taking a little break from morning decorating.

It's so much more fun with friends.

Mia is really into Christmas this year and all that goes with it including decorating.  We had such a good time putting up the tree with Mia's help!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving today! We have so much to be thankful for!  As you can see, Mia made a cute Indian headband and necklace at preschool.  Do you see her Indian name?  We thought "Princess Pretty Eyes" fit her perfectly:)  Mia's preschool teacher had taken a picture of Mia praying at school and this verse was attached:  "O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good." Psalm 107:11

How very, very appropriate.  We hope your day was special.

Baking Cookies with Mommy

This was our first Mother/Daughter Baking Cookies Day.  We had such a good time making chocolate chip (Daddy said we HAD to have chocolate chip) and oatmeal cookies. Delicious!

First Floor Puzzle

Mia loved putting her new floor puzzle together with a little help from Mommy and Daddy!

Happy Halloween!

A ballerina princess on a mission

One Tired Little Ballerina Princess

Halloween could not have been better this year. Mia was dressed as a "ballerina princess" (as she called herself) and went trick or treating with Miss Ladybug Lacey! Those girls had a great time! After trick or treating, we came home and ate candy. We have now left candy for the Halloween Witch in hopes she will leave a "big" present (as Mia says). We'll see tomorrow!

Preschool Halloween Parade

Yesterday, Mia's preschool had a Halloween parade. Mia was a cowgirl with hat, boots, and of course a horse! As she toured the audience, she waved to each person as she went by and smiled! She had such a good time. Afterward, her class had a Halloween party and the first item eaten by Mia? Of course, the cupcake:)

Daddy, Mia, and "Little Jack"

It's time to carve

Here's our Jack-O-Lantern! Mia and Daddy really had fun carving and cleaning out Jack (well, Mia didn't really like the insides):) Even after Daddy had bought stencils for very elaborate pumpkins, Mia chose a simple smiley face. She patted him and hugged him when he was complete. He is lit now and proudly sits in front of our house for all to enjoy! Later this evening, we "ghosted" our neighbors. Mia especially liked ghosting Mr. Mike Ms. Liz, Drew, and Erin next door:)