You LOVE Chocolate & Frozen Custard

Gracie,

     The move to WI has been a good one for you.  You LOVE frozen custard, a treat very common here in Milwaukee.  We asked you tonight if you wanted to go for ice cream & you came running & yelling "Ice Cream!"  When asked if you wanted your ice cream to be chocolate ice cream, you immediately said "Choc" with conviction.  You couldn't wait for us to get going, hugging each of us as if to hurry us along.

     I should preface these photos by telling you that you have been tired all day but refused your nap.  When you are tired, you are generally very naughty.  It's like your body seeks out trouble nonstop!  The ice cream diversion was partly to keep you busy for a few minutes & out of trouble.

     We decided to head to Leon's (we call it Neon Leon's due to his apparent love of neon signs) & daddy went to get the custard while we waited in the car.  You were so excited!  I turned on music to keep you occupied & we rocked out to that "I hate myself for loving you" song.  I have to admit that while I'm thrilled you're trying to talk & to sing, I was a little nervous about you learning this song.  Maybe we should start with Twinkle Twinkle Little Star?  You started to cry when daddy took too long, as if maybe he was secretly standing in the parking lot, eating all our ice creams.

     You wasted no time when he handed you your cone & began to eat.  Poor thing--you were so tired!  We laughed as we watched you falling asleep while trying to still eat your cone.  You'd nod off between licks.  Then, you were out.  Daddy calls this the Ice Cream Hobo look.

Your cone is in your lap!

Messy, tired girl!

Still so cute!

     After we snapped these pics, your daddy carried you up to bed.  As he laid you down, you drew up your arm & licked an imaginary cone.  I agree, baby girl.  The chocolate custard here is the stuff dreams are made of!

Sweet dreams Gracie Goo!

You Love the Outdoors

Grace,

You get your love of the outdoors from your father--this is sooooo not your mother's quality!

What's better than mud?

What mom?  This is good for my nails!

Not sure what you were digging for!

You LOVE this rock at the edge of our yard.

It's so good for jumping!

   
     I asked your daddy tonight if he thought we could ever take you camping.  He said,  "Grace?  Yes.  You? No."  He knows me so well!  We had dinner at Olive Garden tonight.  You had bread sticks galore, pasta, went potty not once, not twice, but three times & then finished the meal with one of their mint chocolates that come with bill.  Best night ever you thought.  You blew a kiss to the restaurant as we left & yelled, "Bye!  Bye!!" as you waved while we walked out.  Too cute.  The way to your heart is carbs, chocolate and frequent bathroom visits.

Love you!

You Are an Artist

Baby Girl,

You love art.  Drawing, coloring, painting--they are all passions for you.  Is it any wonder that the words "draw," "color," and "paint" were among your first 50?  You don't have a favorite color but already name the colors yellow, blue, red and green.

We knew you needed a new easel--a taller one with the chalkboard you'd been craving.  How do I know?  You kept writing on EVERYTHING with chalk.  Grandma & Grandpa found this goodie in their shed & when they brought it up, you were in love.  When we got out the paints, you fell in love even more!

The plastic tablecloth on the floor is essential!

So is using Crayola WASHABLE paints!

You have such a vision! :)  Not sure what it is but you're busy!

You're always soooo focused when you paint!

Moved you by the window so you could have plenty of
natural light. 

     Your favorite thing to draw is circles but painting seems to be where it's at for you.  We've stopped putting the paints & brushes away since you paint about eight times a day.  The other morning, I woke up at 4:45 to find you cheerfully painting!!  You smiled and kept on with your work as if to say "I was inspired by a dream & just had to paint this!"

     I love you little Monet!

Grace: Style Icon

Yes little girl, you insisted on wearing one glove to and from the park.  It was 60 degrees out & you didn't want a coat, just one glove.  Fashion over function I'm guessing. :)