Y is for Yippee!

Dear Maya,

It's been a pretty typical week around here for the most part, which I guess is the reason mommy didn't pull out her camera very often. To make up for a lack of photos in this post, though, there is a video from daddy to share. Enjoy!

 

Last Tuesday at the library story hour you surprised mommy. After some heated negotiations (ahem) you sat on mommy's lap to listen to Kristen read a story instead of ignoring the whole group for a change. After a quick trip outside to pick green beans from the library garden (something you're already skilled at) and coming in to do a fun craft with glue and tissue paper (something you love doing), you sat down quietly and listened to Kristen read a few more books. Wow! Then you tried to use the library's big potty. Wow again!
 

Your speech has matured so much lately. Today, suddenly, you've been calling me "mom" instead of your usual, more babyish "mama" and it stops me in my tracks each time I hear it. We also taught you to answer the question "How old are you?" with "I'm almost three," instead of two. You're growing up so, so fast!

We studied "Y" this week with the key word "yellow" but you didn't really catch on until the very end. Either that or you were faking it, which is also completely possible. You've not been very fond of being asked questions lately, and have been ignoring us when we try to get you to show off. Oh, well.

Here's a cute little video of you 'helping' daddy in the kitchen during his weekly pizza night.

Well, mommy's going to sign off with one last photo--an amazing picture you drew tonight and then held it up in front of your face and said "It's Maya!" We're torn between wanting to praise you as the amazing little artist that you are and wanting to limit your Mickey Mouse watching. Ha ha. Love you, sweetie!

X: exhausted, expert, equinox

Dear Maya,

As we might have predicted, you and mommy were a bit under the weather early last week after all the excitement of the big wedding and a houseful of people. We spent a couple days not really going anywhere and not really doing anything. Mommy had planned on paying special attention to you anyways because you tend to get really cranky and act babyish after visitors leave, and this time Matt and Rhi were gone on their honeymoon, too. The house was very quiet but you weren't quite as moody as I'd expected.

We made up for all the indoor time early in the week with TONS of time outdoors since last Thursday. First we went to a farm most people go to for apples, but mommy really wanted to pick some of their red and yellow raspberries for our morning oatmeal. The weather was gorgeous and we had a great time. Afterwards we enjoyed our last trip to an ice cream stand for the season. Then while driving home we, as well as several other cars, stopped at one spot along the road to look at the enormous full harvest moon.

 

Friday morning you and mommy strapped on backpacks and walked to the park next door for some hiking and playing. You climbed the jungle gym higher than ever before and played basketball for the first time. In the afternoon we waited to go get our crop share until after daddy got home from work so he could join us. You really impressed him with your bean and cherry tomato picking skills. Come to think of it, you impress me with your veggie knowledge these days, i.e. knowing what a 'husk cherry' is and how to eat it.

On Saturday morning mommy took you to a playground but we didn't stay long because there was an art festival going on. After lunch and a nap, we got daddy to join us to go to another playground which we had all to ourselves. It was really fun and when we got home, Matt and Rhi were back!

Sunday we all went apple picking! It was kind of chilly and our usual orchard was under new management, but we had a good time anyway. After eating lots of apples right off the trees and sampling some plums and blackberries, too, we washed all the fruit down with some good ol' cider donuts. Yum!

Well, fall has officially arrived and that means bundling up and shorter daylight, but hopefully we'll still have lots more of this kind of outdoor fun. Love you!

P.S. Our "X" studies this week were a little sparse and vague but luckily you had already figured out this letter before we got to it. Good enough!

W is for WEDDING!

Dear Maya,

Could we have timed our alphabet studies any better? This week we studied "W" and our key word was "watermelon" (or as you say it "waterlemon") but only because you didn't really understand the concept of "wedding" just yet. Uncle Matt and Now Officially Aunt Rhi got married on Saturday and the several days leading up to the event, the day itself, and the couple days since have been a touching, beautiful time for our family!

On Tuesday Grandma and Papa Stan (and doggy Tessa) arrived so we got to spend some extra time with them. Each day you sat across the dining room table from Stan doing your jigsaw puzzles for long, quiet periods while the rest of us did wedding preparations. When Grandma got out her hairstylist accessories you had a blast combing her hair and having crazy clips put in yours. You had lots of fun with both of them and also with Grandpa and Lori and Aunt Bobbie who joined us on Friday.

Saturday the wedding was at 4pm up on a hill with the most spectacular view. The ceremony was short and very, very sweet and you only photobombed the bride and groom a little bit. When the posed photos were being taken, though, you had to be lured away from them after a few fun shots.

 

You snuck into a bunch more photos with Matt and Rhi at the reception, though. It was held at a really cool old warehouse that has been transformed into a restaurant and club. The food was great, the decor was beautiful and the music had you hopping (literally).

Oh, and Saturday was your Great-Grandpa's 80th birthday to boot! You did your part to keep him young by racing around the hilltop with him at the ceremony site. Later at the reception everyone sang to him and he got his very own cake and candles to blow out. Aunt Bobbie also sang to him and made him very teary.

You had such a great day playing with and loving on all of your favorite people. Everywhere you turned someone would pick you up or dance with you or give you a bite of something yummy. It's quite possible that you thought the entire party was for you!

 

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Sunday was a slightly quieter day--you and mommy drove up to Albany to meet Grandpa and Lori and from there we went to visit Grandpa's Aunt (your Great-Great-Aunt?) who will be 96 next week! You were so very well-behaved at her house and it was great that we got to spend time with her and her daughter. Today Grandpa stopped by for a couple more hours of play time with you, but then he headed out and the entourage of company was over. Hopefully your usual post-guest meltdown is not too bad...

Well, mommy's going to bed. Love you!

P.S. Thanks Grandpa for many of the great photos in this post!
P.P.S. Here are a few shots of the happy couple. We love you and wish you all the best!!