Easter

We had a great Easter this year.  Grace is old enough to enjoy the Easter Egg hunts so we decided to attend 2.  One was in our neighborhood.  It is amazing how many kids live here and how fast they can pick up all of the eggs.  We knew from experience last year to get there early and expect it to be over less than 5 minutes after it starts.  Her age had more candy and stuffed animals on the ground than actual eggs, but she still loved it.   There were so many kids that I got caught up watching Grace grab eggs that I forgot to take pictures of the actual egg hunt.

Ready for the hunt with daddy.  

After the Hunt, she wanted to go and see the ducks.  She was quacking at them.  

Our church hosted our second egg hunt.  It was on Saturday before Easter.  They have a huge festival with bounce houses, petting zoo, pony rides, egg hunt, crafts, fire truck, face painting etc.  

Setting up the petting zoo - ducks, turtles, bunnies, chickens, goats, etc.  Grace pointed them all out to me including the sounds that they make.  

The Pony ride was a huge hit.  We tried to get her to ride the pony when we went to the Stockyards, but she said no.  This day she was so excited and loved it. She wanted to pet and ride at the same time.  

Excuse the screaming - someone decided that pony rides and a 6 month old were a great idea - not!

Grace wanted to go and sit with the rest of the kids.  She wouldn't get any closer though.

Picking up our 6 eggs that we were allowed.  

Sitting with Daddy looking at the Firetruck and Firemen.

At lunch after the hunt with friends.  

Easter Morning opening her easter basket - new bibs, sippy cups, watering can, gardening tools, Annie's fruit bunnies, Minnie Mouse sticker sets, and mini M&Ms.  

After church, we met the Woy's for Easter brunch.  I forgot to take a picture of Grace before her nap since it was pouring outside.  This was after and she wanted nothing to do with a picture.   This dress was Aunt Holly's when she was 4 - vintage easter dress.  

We had a great Easter.  I love asking Grace what she did last weekend and hearing her reply - 'Riding a Pony'

Fort Worth Stockards

Every time my family comes into town we try and see some Dallas Fort Worth site, attraction, touristy, etc place.  We've been to the Fair, the arboretum, ICE exhibit and now this time we decided to see the Fort Worth Stockyards.

It turned out to be a beautiful day after a few cold and rainy days so it was perfect for walking around.   I am glad that we've done this since it is an institution here and I think that Grace enjoyed seeing the horses.  

These are just some of the pictures that we took during the day.  I look forward to our next adventure!

Walking off into the sunset

A way with words

We went for Grace's 2 yr check up on Monday.  She is a very healthy little girl.  36 inches tall and 28.5 lbs - Yep a pretty tall little girl.  It seems crazy that we don't go back to the dr for a healthy visit until she is 3 though.

A few weeks ago, I came across this article about the 25 words every 2 yr old should know.  It got me thinking about the number of words that Grace says.  She is a definite chatter box at times, but a lot of it we haven't a clue what she is saying.  It is obvious though she knows what she is saying since she will repeat it for you.   I began to make a list and after about 200 words I got tired and realized I had nothing to worry about.  She says a ton of words (some of her own version) and understands so much more.  The Dr. yesterday said that her speech is completely normal.  Perfect speech isn't expected for a 2 yr old.   Grace knows her colors, shapes and can count to 10 almost to 20, which is apparently ahead of the curve at this point so that is good.

We originally tried teaching Grace a few signs from baby signs.  She got more and all done.  Even more interesting, is that she created her own signs for Eat and Thank you.  She still signs more and all done along with saying the word.  It is like she is adding her own emphasis on the spoken word.

I love that as toddlers are learning to talk, they start pointing out everything they know. In the car, grocery store, etc. I am now getting a running play by play as we walk past the things, shapes, colors that she knows - 'Mommy look berries, Mommy look cookies, MommylLook - M&Ms, Mommy look star,  Mommy look pink" and on and on.  Additionally, she can't say an animal name without also making its sound or motion in the case of elephants and gorillas.

Everyday, I am amazed at some of the things that she has picked up.  We were in the grocery store the other day and she pointed at a bag and said something like 'Spiderman'  Sure enough he was on the bag.  I know I haven't ever showed her spiderman.  She even pointed to pull-ups and said 'Princess'.  We haven't avoided Disney princesses and definitely have watched our fair share of Disney shows together like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, but we haven't knowingly talked about the princesses before.   It really shows that she is paying attention to everything nowadays and therefore Keith and I need to be careful with what we say.

Here are a few of my favorite words of hers right now - many of which are definitely her interpretation.  I know that I will miss some but this is a start and I have heard most of these already today.

Memix - music.  She even knows her favorite songs and sings along with them - Paradise, Chicken Fried(sounds like butterflies), and Wheels on the Bus.  She knows how to start music on the iPhone now too.

Baapi - Paci - We are working to get rid of this, but thankfully she only has it for naps and nighttime

You Too - Her response to 'I love you'. sometimes also says 'Wuv You'

Nya Nya - Thank you  - no clue how she came up with this.

Ba-bedge - vegetables.  She has a set of Melissa and Doug foods that includes frozen vegetables and this is what she calls them.

YO - yogurt

Nemonade - Lemonade - Pretty much any beverage with a straw, but she also really likes actual lemonade

No, No, No, No, No- no isn't new, but her waving stop sign hand in your face with a head shake is - this isn't a favorite, but I want to remember it cause it is funny when she is doing it to someone else.

Saeee -- sorry. she says this with meaning - head down looking sheepish.

This list would not be complete without "Paweeze' - please.  She even will drawl it out and put her hands under her chin when she really wants something.

Maremain - Airplane - getting closer to airwayne at this point.   Choo-Choo is another one that she loves

Dip - said very curtly -  anything from ketchup, BBQ sauce, queso, etc

Wiggle, wiggle and fweeze - She loves to wiggle and then freezes with her jazz hands out at her sides.  This started from a Mickey Mouse and then evolved from a Yo Gabba Gabba.

We weem - ice cream - this is a favorite second only to Cupcakes (cu-cakes)

She has lots of names down(Mommy, Daddy, Mimi, Nanie, Papa and Holly) except for grandpa.  That is more like Panpa.

I toot and I burp - these are funny right now because she says it with a guilty grin.

Where are you? There you are - Grace says these for anyone and anything.  Even things like shoes - "shoes, where are you?  Oh there you are".

Kiss (insert body part) - This started as 'Mwah belbow' but is now kiss belbow(elbow) or other body part she might have hurt a bit.  I am kissing lots of boo boos lately.

Finally,

'I help' - I know this one might quickly become old since she wants to help with everything from cooking to taking out trash to yard work. I am just waiting for the 'All by myself' to start as well.  Last week before my parents left, we built a square foot garden that I bought at Home Depot.  Grace was right in the middle 'Helping'.

Helping with the boards

Wasn't happy until we gave her a hammer too - Mallet was slightly safer.

She wanted to help arrange the plants

Digging her own holes.  

Final product -  I hope that it produces lots of fruits and vegetables for us. I need to get Grace a small watering can to help water.  Handing her the hose the other day was a wet mess.  

I was so amazed at the growth from 0 to 1yrs and then 1 - 2yrs.  2 - 3yrs is sure to bring more amazing changes.  I'll probably look back at this list next year and marvel at the fact that I barely remember her saying things this way.   I have a feeling though that I am not going to be able to get her to stop talking.  Keith is in for it - house full of girls that talk all day!

She's 2!!!

It seems like just yesterday that Grace Elizabeth was born.   In many ways I still look at her like she is a itty bitty baby, but she is a full fledged toddler now.  It has been so fun watching her little personality emerge.  

We still only have a glimpse of the full person is to become, but she is a happy, giggly, dancing fool right now.  We also definitely have an opinionated little girl - she know what she does and doesn't want.  We wake up to demands of pancakes, lemonade is hands down a favorite(watered way down of course), hot dogs and mac and cheese can make her day, ice cream is a favorite treat that she loves to share and I believe she can consume her weight in strawberries if allowed.  Mickey Mouse is her favorite TV show and she doesn't understand why she can't watch it all the time.  She loves to dance and her favorite "Memix" is Coldplay's Paradise to which she will sing the chorus or Zac Brown Band's Chicken Fried if we are listening to Daddy's iPad.   Speaking of iPad's or iPhones, she can navigate with the best of us and knows how to start a video or find her favorite apps.  I love technology, but I am scared how fast she is going to pass me in knowledge.

Like most 2 yr olds, the park is a favorite.  She loves the swings and slides.  Grace is a complete monkey at climbing on the playground. She is always asking to "go play".

As any good birthday should be celebrated, Grace had about 5 parties.  The first party was with Nanie and Papa before they left for Florida.

Aunt Heather and Tim gave Grace a baby doll, with a stroller, high chair, car seat and carrier.  The baby doll and stroller have been a huge hit.  Grace is a very good mommie and loves to push the stroller.  

Uncle Justin gave Grace a Mickey Mouse chair, DVD and book.  She loves all of them and would be content to watch the DVD every day while sitting in her chair.  

First cupcake - Cupcakes are the best!

Nanie and Papa gave Grace this car and a couple of dresses.  Grace loves driving her car around the house or getting us to push her in the car.  We find the car in all sorts of places - pantry, office, laundry room, bathrooms.  She loves to drive it to our bathroom in the morning while we are getting ready.   She even drives to us and says 'Beep Beep'

Party number 2 was at Grace's Mother's Day Out.  We brought cupcakes, but unfortunately she had to leave school early because of a nasty cough.  Thankfully, she got to enjoy the cupcakes before heading home. 

Since Grace's actual birthday fell on a Saturday we had her party with her friends the same day.  We decided that Chick-fil-a would be a great place.  The local store has a great covered outdoor play area, but of course out days of 75+ degree weather, that Saturday the high was only 55 so we moved most of the party indoors.  I can't say enough nice things about Chick-fil-a.  The Trinity Mills location was a dream to work with.  My mother and I showed up early to set up and then Grace arrived just before the party.  We invited about 12 friends and it was perfect.  

Grace and her adorable outfit made by Mimi and Aunt Patti

Opening Presents.

Grace was not a fan of the Cow that showed up during the party.

She loved the slide.  

Everyone enjoying ice cream and Whoopie Pies.  

Mimi and Grace pointing to the cow - this was as close as she would get and be happy.

Overall the party was a huge success!  

After the party and a good nap, we are now on to party number 4.   

Because I wanted to use this Cow at the party, Grace did open a few presents early.  The funniest part was that we had hidden it and another gift in the office.  Apparently, she had spotted both, but didn't say anything until we gave her the cow.  Once she had that she started asking for the other presents.   This cow is a bouncy toy.  She hasn't figure out quite how to go forward on it, but loves to just sit and bounce. I find it in all sorts of places as well.  I need to post a picture of her carrying it, since it is about her size, you just can't tell in the pictures. 

Mimi and Grandpa also gave Grace her first bike!  She immediately knew it was a bike and it was hers.  She just needs to grow another inch or so before she really will be able to ride.

Keith and I got her a little kitchen.  I thought that she would like it, but she really loves it.  We get to eat a lot of soup though.  She had soup in Colorado and apparently that is what she wants to fix now.  

Opening more presents with Holly.  2 Disney DVD's - Lady and the Tramp and Bambi - classics that I think we'll be watching a lot.  

Aunt patti made matching gift wrap.

Looking good in my rain coat from Aunt Patti and Uncle Chris.

Little Chef

To round out a fabulous couple of weeks of parties, we finished out hosting playgroup at the Ark with more cupcakes.  We had another birthday party to attend this weekend and I was a bit worried she might think it was more parties for her, but she was great!

Thanks to all our friends and family for a wonderful 2nd Birthday.  We love all of our gifts and are having a blast playing with them.