I am back, as promised. I see I haven't written since July so let's go back to then and catch up, shall we?
July
In July, we had the Olympics and you became inspired. Since you love to act things out, I ended up having to teach you to pretend vault our ottoman. It was getting too dangerous to watch you wing it. Over and over, you'd run up to the ottoman, do a pretend vault put your arms up, then bow yelling "Bravo! Bravo!"
You got to go to the fire station open house and fell in love. I won't be surprised if you marry a fireman someday just for the chance to drive the truck. You sat in the truck for 30 min! Just loved sitting and looking out the different windows, etc. You cried so hard when we finally left! We felt terrible but also realized we couldn't live at the fire station.
August
We drove to Montana to meet up with your Nana and Papa and see your Montana family. It was a really fun trip! You had a blast with your second cousins Quade and Savannah. We saw your great grandma for the last time, not realizing she would pass soon after our visit. She gave you a little bear you were playing with in her room. She was such a sweet, caring woman. Silliness reached an all time high this month as you can see:
September
Grandma and Grandpa came to visit! We had fun with them, even going to a rodeo for the first time! You were so excited to see them. The funniest part of their visit was when we drove over to Coeur d'Alene thinking we could drive around the lake after a picnic. We didn't realize a drive around the lake would take several hours and involve very winding roads. Grandma and I started feeling sick then Riley, who had been sitting on Grandpa's lap started vomitting all over poor Grandpa, who doesn't like dogs to begin with. We pulled over and he let Riley out unleashed, who was scared and started running into the busy road. You suddenly decided you HAD to go potty so we had to quickly grab the potty chair we just happened to bring in the trunk. It was funny and terrible, all at the same time!
You started ballet this month. When you saw your leotard you declared it "beautiful" and then immediately said "I love you mom." Awww! You loved to dance, loved the leotard and shoes, and loved the idea of dance class. The reality? You didn't like standing in line waiting your turn to do something across the floor and didn't like that there were routines or moves to learn. You really thought you should just do any dance moves you wanted and we should all watch and then clap yelling "BRAVO!" The free dance time was your favorite.
October
We started making big Sunday dinners. You love to help with the fried chicken, saying "shake, shake, shake" and doing a little dance. It took 4 meals before you'd even TRY one bite of chicken.
This was the first month your new talking skills embarrassed me. You would see an old woman and yell "Oh no mommy! A witch!" and take off running, pulling me with you. At first I thought it was Halloween decorations but then I realized it was just women with gray hair!
Your daddy got put in charge of mechanical engineering for Spokane & Boise so he started flying to Boise every other week or so. Sometimes we would go surprise him at the airport. You made him a sign and then in true little kid fashion held it upside down for him. Too cute!
We took you to an orchard festival and you had a blast! Of course the pumpkin donuts were our favorite thing about it all. You LOVE donuts.
While watching me wrap a present for your cousin Jacob, you announced "I need a birthday!" Of course you do! So cute!
Here's a quick facebook status I wanted to share with you: Just overheard Grace counting to 13 then she stopped and said to herself "I'm good!" Gotta love her self-confidence. :)
November
We celebrated Thanksgiving at Seth's house. You were more excited about the felt food turkey I made you with velcro wings and legs.
After Thanksgiving we went to get our tree and you loved every minute of it. This was the best year ever with regard to Christmas and Christmas traditions. You jumped out of the truck, pointed at the first tree you saw and yelled "That one daddy! THAT one!" You continued to do that to every tree we passed! When it was time to cut the tree down, you grabbed a stick and dug in the dirt for awhile but insisted on helping drag the tree to the truck once it was cut. Your excitement at the tree coming into the house was awesome. You loved decorating it, carefully placing each ornament. You had a real vision I guess!
The best thing about November was we got to take you to Disney's Princesses on Ice. Beyond magical! Once we got there, we realized you didn't have panties on under your dress. That was a funny yet embarrassing discovery. It didn't matter though because you saw your favorite princess: Cinderella. Or Prinella as you like to call her.
A carriage made from legos? Yes please! You didn't want to leave the display. We had seats that were second row center. Somehow we'd been upgraded and you found the whole show breathtaking. Even better? The snow cone in a keepsake cup with straw! $12! Sorry but we only let you get one. One snow cone and a $20 program guide. You still use the cup and straw today so I guess it was money well spent! After the show you spent the next month Oo-ing and Ah-ing over the program guide, reliving it all. We felt like the bestest parents ever. I'd been worried about the expense but your daddy said "Hey, there's gotta be some benefits to being an only child." That daddy! He loves you so much he can't help but spoil you a little!
December
You and I spent 2 1/2 weeks in Ohio. Daddy was there for about 10 days of it. When you saw Grandma you LEAPED into her arms. You were so funny on the planes. You kept repeating "Grandma, grandpa, cookies" as if it were your mantra. Grandma had told you she was making cookies so many times you were ready. Poor Grandma disappointed you a bit when she didn't have them with her right then but you were still happy to see her. On our first flight, five minutes in you yelled out "WOOHOO! I'm flying!" Near the end of that flight though, we hit some pretty heavy turbulence and you made people nervous when you looked out the window (covered in clouds) and yelled "Look out birds! Oh no! Look out for that tree!" Several people thought we were crashing I think but we were still very high in the air.
One of the best things about the trip was finally throwing you the surprise party you'd been wanting for about 5 months. You'd kept saying "Mommy: surprise party. For my birf-day." Super cute. By the way--you say caterpiller, coco-patter. Cutest thing ever. Never stop saying it that way. It always makes me smile.
For your surprise party, daddy & grandpa took you to the McDonalds playland so Grandma and I could get ready. Unfortunately, you got hurt on the slide just before coming home. You walked in the door planning to come to me for sympathy and were shocked when poppers started going off and we yelled "SURPRISE!" You adjusted quickly but cried a few times during the party due to not feeling well. Some Motrin helped a lot.
You had fun with your second cousins on grandma's side of the family but may have had a crush on your second cousin on grandpa's side of the family. Poor Chase was a freshman in high school and spent the whole night with you holding his hand and making him run around hiding from monsters, etc. He was such a good sport about it all.
January
We spent nearly the whole month sick. Flu season was especially bad this year and we had several colds. It was miserable. When you were feeling better, you did manage to take my sewing scissors to one of your new dresses and cut it to pieces. You brought it to me and said "fix it." You were so disappointed when I said I couldn't. It was bound to happen with as much fabric cutting and sewing as you have seen me do.
February
We were well enough in time for Valentine's day. You loved our pink heart shaped pancakes and pink milk! Daddy gave you a little box of chocolates and you wasted no time shoving those in your mouth. Thankfully there were only 3 in the box!
March
This month you have been the most mini-me/copycat of all. I love that you saw daddy reading his tablet in his outdoor chair on the deck (he'd been watching you play outside) and you ran in to get your innotab and sat like he did. How cute!
Your dollies have become an extension of your family. I love how you had them all sit on the couch with you for movie time!
You are suddenly (and finally) trying new foods and ones you used to like. You tried a california roll this past week, popcorn shrimp last week, etc. I'm so glad to see you eating more variety!
Please stop growing up. I love you too much to lose you. Ok, that's obviously a mother's guilt trip and too much to ask. Can I just ask instead that you grow up to be a sweet person, capable of standing up for yourself and for what is right, and to be a good mommy yourself and enjoy your life? I want nothing more than for you to be happy and a good person Gracie. You already have the best personality and are a ray of sunshine. I know the rest will come with time.
I love you baby!
Mommy
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