Yay! She's Learning Words *grimace*

Kiki's vocabulary is really blossoming these days. She is learning lots of words, some useful that help her ask for things she needs or wants, others are just fun to say. I revel in every new words, each one a little miracle that passes her lips...until I've heard it the 1000th time in about 5 minutes.

Yes, Kiki has a favorite new word, or name I should say. This little story starts with a little application called YouTube and my idea that watching YouTube videos would be a great way to keep Kiki occupied and have a little connection with her extended family.

But then she realized that is was the same people that she was seeing in the videos, and one little cousin in particular. And that cousin has an easy to say name. And say it she does. Here is a brief summary of the first 20 minutes of Kiki's day today.

6:15 am - Mommy goes into Kiki's room "Good morning, Kiki" "Nea? Nea? Nea?"
6:20 am - "Would you like some yogurt?" Points to laptop. "Nea? Nea? Nea?"
6:30 am - "Time to get dressed, Kiki." "Neeeeeeeee-aaaaaaaa!!"
6:35 am - "Would you like to watch Tigger and Pooh, Kiki?" Climbs up on couch and sits in front of laptop. "Nea? Nea? Nea?"

Thanks for the videos, GreggR. You keep us connected and entertained!!

Little Miss Firecracker 2009

We had a relaxing July 4th at home this year. Nothing too exciting, but I thought I'd post a few pics.

Here is Kiki cheesing it up. She was working on an art project while I made dinner.


Here is her final "Fireworks 2009" masterpiece.

Just Goofin' Around

My favorite times with Kiki are when she is just being silly.

Easter

Happy Easter!!

It's been a long day, but fun. Ray and I were up early to get ready for church and for Ray to make brown bread for dinner at his uncle's tonight. We got Kiki dressed up because it's a special day, and let's face it, she looks adorable. Pictures below.

Kiki played in the living room while Ray and I were getting things together, and she accidentally found (they were on the living room table) the hollow, plastic carrots I stuffed for a hunt in her room. Luckily, she's little and didn't realize what they were.

Shortly before we left for church, we got a great surprise. The doorbell rang and as I walked past the bay window, I saw a 6 foot rabbit running down our driveway to a burgundy Saturn Vue. On our doorstep was a special basket with candy and dyed eggs. Thanks Farras!

After church, Kiki hunted for the stuffed carrots in her room. She was excited to find that the carrots held her favorite treats (baby goldfish, honey Teddy Grahams, mini Oreos).

In mid-afternoon, we headed for the east side of the state for dinner at Uncle Joe's, a yearly tradition. We had a few great hours of fun with family. Kiki visited with her cousin, which is always fun (the highlight being the few moments they spent in belly shaking laughter because they were just staring at each other).

All in all, a full day, a fun day, a tiring day. But a good day.


"Are these for me?"


Who says you can't be naughty in a pretty dress?


Kiki at church


Watching Daddy make bread in the kitchen

Just A Quickie

Kiki getting ready for school with big girl hair.

Two For One

I have been meaning to post something FOREVER!! We have been busy, busy, busy with life in general. But since I haven't posted in a while, you get a two for one this time around...

HITTIN' THE GYM

A friend of mine told me about a local gymnastics company that holds an open gym every Saturday. They have one gym for the bigger experienced kids and a smaller gym for smaller kids who are basically just running around and experiencing the equipment in a very rudimentary way. We thought it would be a good way to get Kiki out of the house on the weekends without throwing her into the alternating snow and the mud puddles in our backyard.

We have taken Kiki twice and she LOVES it. The first time, she really just had fun collecting all the hula hoops she could find. She wandered a bit, checking out the trampoline, balance beams, and the flexible tunnel. Ray got some great pictures that time around. And when the session was over, Kiki was ready for a nap.

We took her again his past weekend, and she got a little more adventurous. She swung on the rope swing (that will take a little practice), jumped on the large trampoline, and ran into the foam pit. And the second time, when it was time to go, she screamed and shouted all the way into her car seat.

Here are a few shots from our first trip.













CALLING ALL PARENTS (and other wise ones)

Here is the biggest parenting question I have had to pose so far. This is serious. Are you ready?......How the heck do you get a toddler to let you brush her teeth?

When she first got teeth, Kiki was more than willing to have her teeth brushed. In fact, she seemed to love it!! That is no longer the case. She has 10 teeth and they need to stay clean, but she is having none of it. We now have to fight with Kiki twice a day to get a few swipes at those pearly whites. She does whatever she can to prevent us from succeeding.

We have tried everything we can thing of. Toothpaste, brushing in the bath, letting her have one brush while we use another, letting her watch the tooth brushing process in the mirror, EVERYTHING!!

Does anyone have any suggestions, methods that worked especially well for you?

If anyone has an idea, PLEASE leave a comment. I don't want Kiki losing teeth before she has to!!!!

V-Day Baby

Kiki had her first ever Valentine's Day party at school yesterday. She and her friends exchanged valentines and had lots of fun snacks. I arranged to leave work early so I could be at the party and see Kiki and her friends in action. Although I hadn't planned to get Kiks all dolled up for the party, I happened to get her some pink and red pants during a recent shopping spree, and she and I found some bows for $1 at Taget last weekend...so she was a bit girly for the holiday. Here's the final product...