Daytona 2

So many of you may remember our summer vacation to Daytona, FL in August.
Well we brought back a baby polar bear that we picked up at the Sea World gift shop inside the Orlando Airport.
Hannah fell in love with it and it quickly became her new best friend.

Well here it was four months later and it smelled like gym socks. Unfortunately it recommends not putting him in the washing machine. So to abbreviate a long story I got another one from a Sea World season pass holder who graciously mailed it to me. The difference was astonishing.

guess which one is the new and which is the old?

Though it looks like Hannah really loves this new version it is deceiving. She wants nothing to do with him and gets mad when she accidentally gets briefly confused. I guess it is going to be harder to put stuff past her.

By the ways does anyone have any cleaning tips that I can accomplish in the 3 hour windows that she does not need this bear?

Harmonica Music!

Pappy has been teaching Hannah how to be more musical.
I did not get that gift from God like the rest of my family as evidence of both my brothers CD's, concert tours and my dad's extensive instrument collection.

Hannah has really taken to the Harmonica, probably because it is just her size.

We found a toy harmonica in the target toy clearance section and she has absolutely loved it!
She has even figured out that breathing in and out make different noises!
Maybe she will get the gift!

First Days of School

Hannah started Pre-School this month and we could not be more excited! She is going two days a week from 9:00-2:00 and it is giving me a lot of free time away from the house!

We had two first days of school since the first was canceled due to icy roads which we were unaware of so we went to school anyway and took a picture!

This was the first try. I think Mommy overloaded the backpack!

"Clean It Up!"

So, one of my favorite songs since having a child is "Clean it up" by Laurie Berkner.
I constantly sing it whenever there is a mess that I or Hannah has made that needs to be cleaned up.
Well, I think Hannah finally caught on to the idea the other day when she saw some melted ice on the floor.
I am so proud!

(Notice the excess of paper towels behind the cabinets on the floor.)

She is such a good helper!

Here are some of Hannah’s favorite things this week.

1. Daytona – her very gross polar bear friend who she is completely attached to.
2. saying “Thank You” with Sign language. She learned this from her Daddy and says it all of the time and I love it.
3. Beads – This is not surprise.
4. Pepperoni Muffins – No this is not a new recipe, she loves to put her play pepperonis in her muffin pans and “bake” them.
5. Finger painting – I have not witnessed this mainly because I am not brave enough but her teachers go on and on about how she loves it.
6. Red – almost every color is “red” to Hannah.
7. Her name - She learned to say “Hannah” this week and she loves to point and say “Mama, Daddy, Hannah.”

Christmas Fast-forward

Here is a quick summary of how wonderful our second year of Christmas with Hannah was!

First Christmas
Getting ready for Christmas Ham (does everyone's children love fatty meat?)

Excited about our new block table!

Second Christmas
Becoming a Chef! We are ready to cook!

Hannah decided to wear her hat, apron, and hot pad at all times while cooking.
All other playing she cannot wear them, someone might get confused.

On to more presents!

Thank You, Nanny for our dollhouse! It was a huge hit!

Pause for Santa at the Southlake Town Center.

Third Christmas
Ready to open more presents!

Seriously, when are we opening the presents?

Finally!

This one is HUGE! I don't even care if it is for me!

Pause to look at the beautiful snow in my Parent's back yard! It was an amazing blessing to have the snow falling all day while we ate, opened presents, played games and relaxed.

Family Photo shoot in front of tree

I know Santa is coming but I want to stay up and have a tea party.

Christmas Morning!
(#4)
What is this?! My very own fully stocked Kitchen! Thank you Santa!

Hello Stocking!

Let's take a break from toys and play in the White Christmas snow.

Playing dress up! What else are old glasses good for!

Fifth Christmas
Family picture in front of the tree!

Wandering around Aunt Donna and Uncle Charles' waiting to open more presents!

We had a lot of fun and opened a lot of presents!
I hope you had as merry a Christmas as we did!