E for Exciting Events!

Dear Maya,

What an eventful week we've had! We barely managed to squeeze in your E studies with some books about elephants, a coloring page with eggs, playtime with alphabet magnets and some plastic Easter eggs with "E" written on them. Other than that we spent most of the week on the go!

Grandma and Papa Stan (and Tessa!) came back to spend the week with us. On Tuesday we went with Grandma to the library story hour and then out for a yummy lunch. On Wednesday we went to the park and then had ice cream even though it was only 10am! You had such a blast!

 

On Thursday you and mommy ran to the nursery for some flowers and pots to paint with footprint butterflies for Mother's Day. On Friday morning we went to visit your great-grandparents to wish them an early happy anniversary and Mother's Day. Later that day we went to visit Baby Grace again, and this time you were a bit more interested in her. You were even excited to hold her, and when she started to fuss a little you patted her belly and told her not to worry. It was so sweet!!!

 

We told your great-grandparents we were visiting Friday because we were busy on the weekend, but it was all a lie--for their big surprise anniversary party on Saturday night! There were about 60 friends and family members gathered at a restaurant and they were so shocked. You had a great time eating, playing with balloons and running around. The band seemed very grateful for your constant presence on the dance floor and how you kept trying to pull everyone up to dance with you. What a blast!

The theme of the party was curlers and pianos. Your great-grandma always wears curlers
and your great-grandpa has worked most of his life for a company that makes piano parts. 

 

And, last but not least, yesterday was Mother's Day. You were pretty tired from the night before so we let you take a long nap before heading out to do anything. Then we celebrated with a hike in a local conservation area and mommy got out from behind the camera for a change! Thanks, daddy!

Well, mommy's got lots of photos of Baby Grace and the anniversary party to go through and edit, so I'm signing off now. Love you!

D for darling daughterS!

Dear Maya,

What a week we've had! On Wednesday morning your Aunt Kelsie went into labor and you and mommy headed to the hospital in the afternoon. You were such a good girl as you played in the waiting room and even spent a little time in the hospital room cheering for Kelsie. Daddy came to pick you up after work so you could make it home for bedtime. Mommy was so happy to watch your cousin Grace Ann come into the world at about 7:45, weighing 9 pounds, 3.6 ounces and measuring 22 inches long!

Due to every one's schedules, you and daddy didn't get to meet Grace until a couple days later at Aunt Kelsie's house. You were too busy playing with the cat and barely paid any attention to the baby! When you found her binky in her swing, you finally seemed to realize that she was a little person just like you and brought it over to where mommy was holding her. You looked at her for a minute but then went right back to the cat. You'll be great buddies someday soon, though, I'm sure!

We did study "D" this week as planned and our key word was dog. With all the excitement, though, we didn't get in any special activities besides coloring sheets and books featuring dogs, ducks and diapers. We did, however, get to play with a real dog when Grandma and Poppa Stan came up with Tessa.

Friday night we had more visitors come to our house--Grandpa and Lori! We've spent the weekend playing games with them at home, walking around a local town and hiking to our local waterfall. Even with six adults to one little girl, you've had us all tired out by the end of each day!

Well, good night, my dear. Mommy's preparing for another fun week ahead! Love you!

C is for Car

Dear Maya,

Lots of "C" things were happening during our "C" study week. We've all had Colds. You are getting along better with our Cat Clio. Uncle Matt got a new Car. And now we're waiting for your new Cousin to arrive (Aunt Kelsie's due date was yesterday). Here's how the week went...

To study "C" we made a wearable car out of a cardboard box. You barely wore it yourself but loved making daddy and mommy wear it and chase you around making car noises. We also made a city out of blocks around a "C"-shaped street drawn on paper and used our block cars to drive on it.

Since you were sniffling most of the week, we spent a lot of time reading. You have been getting really good at reciting parts of your favorite books, and even when you don't know the words you like to point out colors and count objects on the pages. It's so sweet to see you loving books so much!

You've also made great strides on the potty-training front. You don't have too many accidents, even when wearing pants, and you have woken up in the morning and after naps with dry diapers for a few days now. We still wish you would use the big potty, but we're taking it one step at a time.

And you were finally feeling better over the weekend so on Saturday you and mommy went to the park. We've been having such nice weather that it was so good to be able to get out and enjoy it. Hopefully the temperature will stay warmer like this from now on!

Well, we've got a lot heading our way this week so mommy's got to get some rest.
Love you!