A trip to Santa

We took the kids to see Santa this evening.  Now, we all know how Abby feels about "characters" so she obviously had no fear in running right up to the big guy.  She could hardly contain her excitement as she waited for him to put on his hat and gloves.  (We had somehow stumbled upon a time where we could walk right up, with no waiting at all!)

Abby has been all over the map with her gift requests this year.  She's discovered a few new TV shows and they all have commercials.  Lots and lots of toy commercials.  She also loves to look at any catalog or newspaper ad that has anything remotely to do with toys.  Needless to say, she wants EVERYTHING.*  So, we had done a little prepping (and guiding) to try and narrow things down.  After much nudging and coaching**, Abby was all set to ask for a leappad, Barbie stuff and things for her baby dolls.  Maybe even a game or two. Then, Abby went right up to Santa and, after the small talk, asked for a Pocahontas doll.  WHAT?!?  Nowhere, in any media source she had seen, was there a Pocahontas doll.  At least we went with enough time left before Christmas, so Santa's elves can find/make one of those?

However, in what was perhaps the best moment of the evening (at least for Dan and I), Santa told her to stay away from boys.  (He'd gone through all the other, be good, eat your veggies stuff, too)  I could hardly contain my laughter.  Even Santa knows my daughter is boy crazy.***

So that was Abby.  Austin just cried.  He was happy, right until we put him on Santa's lap.  Then he screamed.  What did I do?  Instead of rescuing my very distraught son, I stood back and told Abby to smile so they could take a picture.  Because I am a good mom.  And because if I hadn't,  you wouldn't be able to enjoy this:

*Though, I do love that a lot of the commercials throw in the line at the end that says, "You must be 18 to order."  To Abby this means she has to be 18 to own one.  Since she has no concept of age 18, it makes sense. She does, however, ask if she can get whatever it happens to be when she turns 18.
** We had gone to a local park's holiday event, and there was a Santa there.  When Abby approached him, she asked for a bell from his sled.  We had watched The Polar Express the day before. 
***As an update to the whole "boyfriend" thing- Abby randomly told me that she was going to marry Flynn (name changed to protect the innocent) in her second wedding.  When I asked about the first wedding, she giggled and told me I was silly.  She was marrying her brother first, then she was going to have another dress and wedding so she could marry Flynn.  Duh. (she didn't really say "duh" but her facial expression did)

Christmas Cards: The Outtakes

In, what will become an annual tradition, I present to you the pictures we are definitely not using for our Christmas card:

.You're welcome.

Happy Birthday Abby!

Abby,

I won't go into all the stuff about how I can't believe you are four, and time has gone by so fast, and so on.  (OMG, WHERE DID THE TIME GO?!?)  So, I will just say, Happy 4th Birthday!

You have had quite the year.  When you turned three, you were a brand new big sister and had just started school.  This year, you are a pro at the whole sister thing, and have blossomed at school.  Last year, you were the quiet girl who preferred to sit back at watch what occurred in class.  This year?  Your teacher frequently comments on how much of a leader you are, and how much they love to listen to your stories and opinions.  (I also get comments on your volume and how you are sometimes a little too eager to share, but you are really starting to get the hang of things.)  I love all the stories you come home with, and love that you seem to love learning.

Through school, you've also developed a whole new group of girlfriends.  (And a boyfriend, but that's a whole other story.)  It has been so much fun to see you at the playground get-togethers and after school when you all play "chase."  Not only has it been nice to see your circle expanded, but you've really come out of your shell.  You have opinions, and  play suggestions, and are a leader.  At the same time, you're also a great friend, and flexible when others want to do something different.  Often times you can be a little too sensitive, and get your feelings hurt easily, but I think that's just a sign of just how caring and sweet you are.  You wouldn't purposely say mean things to your friends, so you have a hard time understanding when others say something to you.

It's also been wonderful to have these new friends and routines, since we can no longer just open our front door and go outside to play with friends.  When we moved in July, we've still seen your old neighbors and friends, but it hasn't been the same.  Still, the trade-off has been for a lot more space and a house of our own.  You have loved every bit of this house.  You got to pick your room color (pink, of course) and have a whole new bedroom set with plenty of room for all your stuffed friends and dolls.  The extra space has also been nice, because you are able to get away from your brother and I when you need too.

This year, we've really started to see your personality.  You are opinionated, very girly, independent, sensitive, and passionate.  You have a wonderful sense of humor.  I love to see the world through your eyes.(even if I have no idea what you are talking about or where you are coming from.  You have your dad's sense of random thinking.)  I am constantly amazed at your ability to comprehend the world around you and interpret what you see into your own words and thoughts.    

Unfortunately, your year has not been without some sadness.  Shortly after we moved, we unexpectedly lost our dog, Dexter.  You were deeply saddened, but were able to understand what occurred more than I thought you would.  In the way that only you can, you've made sure he's lived on in your thoughts and dreams.  I never know when you will bring him up, or if it will be a happy or sad moment, but you have dealt with it with a maturity that is beyond your four years of age.  I am so very proud of you.

Overall, this year has been a wonderful one.  My little baby girl is pretty much gone, but she has been replaced by an amazing little girl.  You bring a smile to my face every day.  (And often times some frustration or anger, but that's to be expected from a 4 year old.)  Four years ago, you totally changed my life and who I was as a person.  But the change was all for the better.  I have loved every minute of it!

Love you, Ladybug!
Mom

* For some reason, I couldn't figure out how to move the picture to the beginning or end of the post.  When I asked Dan for help, he said to leave it.  Abby loves to be smack dab in the middle of things.  She would appreciate the placement.  So, there the picture will stay.  

Better late than never: Halloween

I'm sorry it's taken me a few days to post these.  (A special sorry to Mom and Mary, who have both subtly and not so subtly mentioned this.) Starting Halloween night, Austin came down with a nasty cold and a blocked ear tube which lead to an ear infection.  Needless to say, he's been kind of cranky.

Anyway.  We had planned on taking both kids out for a few houses, then bringing Austin home.  It was pouring rain and 40 degrees.  So, Abby and Daddy went out with a neighbor, while Austin and I stayed home to hand out candy.  (Austin lasted for exactly one trick-or-treater before climbing the stairs yelling, "Ni-Ni!")

After a few trips around the block, our Sleeping Beauty was Soaking Beauty, but she had a blast.  She changed into warm clothes, and was excited to hand out candy to the kids that came to the door.  Since Halloween, she has been slowly working her way through her candy.*  So far, she does not like anything chocolate except for peanut butter cups and M&Ms.  Though, if you told her there was chocolate in them, she would probably declare them "yuck" as well.  She's stubborn like that.

I apologize for the lack of photos.  Mickey Mouse was none to pleased with his outfit or hat.  Sleeping Beauty just wanted to get going, not pose for pictures.

* I am not one of those Mom's who throw/give the candy away.  At least as of now.  She's pretty good at following the 2 pieces after nap and 2 pieces after dinner rule.  We'll see what happens as the amount of candy and her desire to eat it all increases.  

Oh, Boy.

I thought I had a few more years before this started, but no.  My daughter (who, remember, will be 4 next month) has a boyfriend.

It all started a few weeks ago at a birthday party for two girls in Abby's class.  The theme was princesses and pirates, and my daughter (shocker!) was dressed as a princess.  Things started out normally.  She was playing with her girl friends from school, running all over the playground.  I was chatting with Mom friends and taking care of Austin, so I had half an eye on Abby.  Just enough to make sure she was safe, but not really paying close attention to what she was doing.*   When I did start watching Abby, I noticed she was playing with a little boy from her class, Flynn.**

It was unusual to Abby playing with only boys, so I decided to watch for a bit.  They danced together.  They chased each other.  They went down the side-by-side slide together.  Abby was telling Flynn what to do, and he was happily chasing behind her.

As the party was wrapping up and we were getting ready to leave, Abby stopped suddenly.  Then she looked at me and said:

"Wait, mom!  I have to go find Flynn.  I can't leave without hugging my prince!"

And off she ran.  Laughing I followed her, to share this cuteness with Flynn's parents.  I told them what she said, and they looked at me with a surprised look and said not only did Abby hug Flynn, she also kissed him.

Kissed him!

When I asked Abby about it later, the conversation went like this:

"Abby, did you kiss Flynn?"

shyly "Yes."

"Was that the first time you kissed a boy?"

"No, I kiss my Daddy."

"Was that the first time you kissed a boy that was not family?"

"Yeah." shoulder shrug "It was kinda special."

In the car, I asked if she liked Flynn.  She thought for a minute and said, "Well.  I kinda love him."

So this continued for a few weeks,  (Thankfully there was no hugging or hand holding at school.)  At the fall festival (which was at the same playground) they were inseparable  They held hands as the went down the slide and ran across the playground.  She played with his hood; he messed with her hair.  He left before we did, so Abby did not give another kiss.*** 

Fast forward to this morning.  She's again in her costume (for show and tell) and on the way to school when she sighs and says, "Mom.  I really hope that Flynn thinks I look pretty in my dress."

I thought I had a few more years til this started.  But no.  My daughter is full on boy crazy.****

If she is starting this early, what in the world will she be like in her teen years ?!?




*Before your judge: we were at an enclosed playground that she was very familiar with.  The only people there were parents and kids from the party.  She was fine. 
** Obviously, his name is not really Flynn.  I don't really know his parents, and don't know how they'd feel about their kid being talked about publicly..So, I'll refer to him by the name of Abby's other crush, Flynn Ryder.  
***She was upset by this.  She kept asking why Flynn left before she could kiss him goodbye.
****I haven't even told you about the time she told her doctor he was handsome or the 8 year old boy she was flirting with on a family walk.

Breakfast at the Salgado house

A glimpse into a typical morning in our house....

"Abby, what would you like for breakfast?"

"I don't WAAANNT breakfast."

"Abby, what would you like for breakfast? Waffles, toast, toaster strudel, yogurt....?"

"FINE!  Just yogurt.  ONLY yogurt."

I put her yogurt on the table.


"Mom!  I WAAANNNT waffles!"

I give her the look.


"Please can I have waffles with my yogurt?"

I fix waffles and put them on the table.


"I DON'T WAAANNNT waffles.  I am NOT going to eat them!"

I feed Austin the waffles.  He happily eats them.


The End.

Austin: 1 year

Austin,

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!

I can hardly believe you are a year old today.  It seems this year has gone by way too fast, but it has been amazing.  You have brought so much joy into this family; no matter what else was going on, you were always smiling.  It's hard to have a bad day when you look at us with those big blue eyes and wide smile.  Even your sister has a hard time resisting your laughter and we are truly a more complete package with you around.

As this day approached, your baby-ness has been slowly fading.  While you're still not quite walking, you are a very fast crawler and cruiser.  In this last month, you've even started trying to stand without holding on to anything.  So far your only able to last a second or two before grabbing something or falling on your bottom, but it's a step in the right direction!

When you're not trying to walk, one of your favorite things to do while standing is to dance.  Anytime you hear music, you stand up and start to bounce.  Even when there's no music, you something start to "sing" and dance to your own beat.  It is quite adorable.

Last month we introduced whole milk, and you took to it like a champ.  Once you mastered your sippy cup (which only took a few days) you were drinking as much as we would give you and never looked back.  As a result, our weaning process went a little quicker than expected.  It was hard for me, but you were ready.  We had a few tantrums in the beginning, but once you figured out what was going on you were fine.  In order to still get my snuggles in, we've altered our bedtime routine a bit and added a few songs.

In addition to the milk, you've tried all kinds of new foods this month.  So far, you like pretty much everything. Except for Grandma's macaroni and cheese.  We'll keep trying on that one though, I have a feeling you'll grow to like it just as much as I do.  Tonight we gave you your first slice of pizza to celebrate your big day.  Thankfully, you loved it!  (Had you not, we might have had to check your DNA.  We're a big pizza family.)

Another big change this month has been your speech.  Recently you learned, "uh-oh!"  Not only do you love to say it when you drop something on accident, you love to say it as you throw something.  As cute as this is, it makes the "throw things so Mommy picks them up" game a much more lengthy process.  You also say it when you just wake up.  I love watching you in the monitor as you wake up, stand up, throw your paci out of the crib, and then yell, "UH-OH!" over and over until I come get you.

This past weekend, we had your birthday party.  It was a small get-together of close friends and family, but you hammed it up as usual.  Though you weren't sure what to thing in the beginning, you quickly dove into your cake and make a giant mess.  You also loved all your presents and happily played with all of them right away.  It was overall a wonderful day.

I've been a little emotional these past few days, anticipating your birthday.  I thought for sure I'd be a mess today.  However, this morning I woke up to, "Ma-ma-ma" and when I went in the room, you gave me one of your big smiles, raised your arms are said, "MaMa!"  I melted.  You were in such a happy mood today, I couldn't help but match the enthusiasm.  You have become such a wonderful little boy.  I have truly loved every minute of this last year, and cannot wait to see what lies ahead.

Happy birthday my sweet, sweet boy!
Love,
Mommy