What a fall it has been. Danica started pre-school and after a month of tears we are all smiles!!! YAY! You are a little machine and you never stop whether it be talking, singing, laughing, moving, eating, drinking, changing your clothes; You name it you do it and without a break. You are like having 100 little puppies running around all in one little body. The cutest little body may I add with the littlest legs and a little bump in the trunk. What a strong little girl you are. You hair is so long and unmanageable and you love to brush every one else's hair but your own. Your big blue eyes have their own distinct color and your double dimples make me know you will always be up to something!
Your imagination is terrific. It is so great to catch you in the middle of looking at yourself in the mirror, being a mommy to your dolls, or acting out some kind of script in your head. Frozen has surpassed Hairspray as your go to movie at this point. I don't know if anyone is cuter than you acting out the movie and signing the songs. You have such a soft, sweet voice when you sing and you are definitely on key so you are really captivating to watch, and I am so impressed with your ability to memorize and remember all that you do. You are a very smart little girl as well as super funny. You can really crack yourself up, you are what fun means, from the minute you wake up to the time you finally wind down. You giggle when you wake up talking about toots, or just being silly. All day you say things that make you laugh and make everyone else laugh. You are so sweet with your I love you's, especially to Charli, she is such a role model to you. After Charli says something you will apply it to yourself and say it about you, but then it comes out like the telephone game and is so silly. When it comes to clothes like I mentioned you change a hundred times a day, and if Charli wears something you have to wear it too!
When I picture you it is always with your green frog. You love your green frog, it is hard for me to get the frog away from you long enough to wash him. Froggy goes to school with you, to Kathy's with you, he goes on car rides, on trips, and of course sleeps with you. He is your sidekick.
Preschool has given you the chance to meet new friends. You were star of the week in October and I came in to read a Halloween book to your class. That was really exciting. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I get to spend sometime with you when I pick you up and take you to Kathy's. On Fridays when I pick you up we go on a quick lunch date and lately your favorite thing in the whole work to eat is.....wait for it....... CRAZY BREAD from Little Cesears! Even when it is scorching hot you put it in your little mouth and savor every bite. Honestly if I let you, you will eat the entire bag. What a fun snack. The first time we went to Little Cesears, you gave the guy $500 in monopoly money out of your wallet to pay for it. The he snuck it back to me and gave you a free cookie. How cool! It is such an awesome break in the day to see your smiling little face, with your back back on, your froggy in hand, and your purple penguin hat and gloves. Every day you walk out and say, " are we going to Kathy's?" Then you ask for crazy bread, then you say, "You gotta see what is in my bagback." Then you pull out the pictures you made and tell me you made them for Charli. You have made such wonderful projects and I love how proud you are of each and every one I on the other hand are so very proud of you. Each day pick up is like groundhog day and I love every moment of it.
Phones calls are like groundhog day with you too. You still no matter who it is, you ask about someone else when you call them. We can recite when you will say it! You are such a little munchkin, I mean I don't even think you know how cute you are. 3 definitely looks good on you and I keep asking if you can stay 3, and be my baby baby, and you simply say no and deceitfully smile. Oh do we have our hands full. All the little moments are the best moments, you say funny things, do funny things, wear funny things. You are always up for anything. And if you can believe it, although we have hardly had any, you LOVE snow! Your Elf came on the first magical snow and you named him, "wishes." He brought you socks and an Elf on the Shelf tumbler cup. That was so awesome, you and Charli had so much magic in your eyes. Then we were having a difficult time listening so Elf went back to the North Pole, and that was so sad. You had to keep saying goodbye to your ELF. Our listening and kindness skills resurfaced and so do ELF. WOW I am so glad they came back. As far as Christmas lists I think the only thing you have really asked for is Hatchimals but wow are you getting the gauntlet of gifts including a trip to Disney World. I am so excited. This will be your very first time as Disney and it will be fascinating to watch you. The cameras are ready to capture it all. I am so looking forward to our two weeks in Florida. NO diapers, full vocabulary, no fears of sand or water. Let the fun begin! Before we leave we have your Christmas concert tonight and you will be in your Chistmas dress, I cannot wait to see you preform. With Daddy taking some time away from wrestling we have been able to do so much more during the Christmas season. We saw Santa at Miss Jen's house, we went on the Polar Express, we went to the family Christmas party , and Auntie Terry loaded you all with gifts! It has been quite a fall 2017. Let me now forget your trip to the pumpkin farm and how you loved the pumpkin eating dragon you told me all about it! You also love going to the gym and school and all the new Jesus songs you learn. When you had the thanksgiving feast at school I am sure you were the best one, you knew all the words, all the moves, and you were definitely the cutest. You truly are thriving at school and I am so grateful. It was great having you latch on and love Mommy and Daddy so much but it is way better not having to leave you in tears. So glad we made through that. Now it is only Mommy's turn to cry every year you get older! Please time SLOW DOWN!
My wish for you is to continue to grow, stay healthy, be happy, and always feel safe, loved, and have fun. I want you to continue to learn, and explore, and sing as loud as you can for all to hear. I love you baby baby. Merry Christmas, I cannot wait for our amazing family trip ahead.
OH DANICA I ALMOST FORGOT-- we had you pick a square for a football pool and you picked 100--- guess what?! You won Mommy and Daddy $1000!!!!! We for sure celebrated you a little more that day. Champion Danica xoxoxo
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Danica started Preschool 3!
Danica you are officially a PREschool 3 student! The transition has not been necessarily smooth but we are in it for a month now. You started as a 3 day a week full day student and that turned in to a 3 day a week half day student after the first day. That means that Mommy gets to pick you up and take you to Kathy's and we get to go on dates on Fridays. We went on our first date to McDonald's and we had such a great time. I never knew that apples and ketchup are a combination, but boy do you love it.YUCK! I am excited for all the other dates we will have this year!
Each day we drop you off or pick you up you don't want us to leave you but we reassure you we are always in our heart and we will always be there for you. Daddy pretends that he stays outside the whole day because you told him too! Each day gets a little better but for the most part I think a lot of it is that you may be tired. At least I hope that it is and its just a phase because it is so hard to see your sweet little face sad. You told me last week that you are not going to school, you are going to stay home by yourself. I told you that you can't do that because you are only 3, but that didn't phase you the least bit. You told me then you will put me on the naughty list, I am pretty sure you have put Daddy, Me, Charli, and Grandma on the naughty list and the funny thing is you actually write something on a list! You let me know that you will cry at school but just a little, it is only 3 and a half hours, kids your age, PE class, church, music, crafts, sounds so fun....no more tears I tell you no more tears. You laugh and tell me you will cry but like I said we are making it through.
The fall has really flown by with the beautiful weather ( a week stretch of 90' and 80' on 10/9) and the activities we have pack in the entire week, every week. Part of your schedule is dance on Mondays with Miss Jaime. You are doing a terrific job and again you don't want us to leave you so we peek through the curtain and watch you do your shuffle steps! You have also taken a science class and really enjoy watching Charli play soccer. Let's be honest you do so many things in a day I don't know how you don't fall asleep mid-action; wait actually you do!
You are full of scrapes and bruises, you are more tough than I could have ever imagined. Kathy took you to the park and you fell out of the stroller on your face, ROAD RASH so bad, and then she proceeded to almost run you over because she had no idea you had fallen. You questioned her, "Kathy are you trying to kill me," oh Danica she held you so tight she would never try to hurt you. A few little whimpers, a phone call to Mommy, and Daddy came to get you and we were all better. Your face has healed remarkably and thanks to almost a week of no school you wouldn't even know it happened. You told me last night you need to get the "raisins off" as you were pulling at what is left of a scab. You didn't want Mrs. Fisher to see your boo boo and you pulled it off and said you were all better! Yes, you are something else. Now let me remind myself that whenever I set up family pictures some kind of injury is going to happen with almost certainty and of course this happened Thursday and we had pictures on Sunday. I guess that's life. Either way, scrapes or no scrapes, you and Charli looked just beautiful. I cannot wait to see the pictures. The ones we took on Daddy's phone were beyond stunning. You and Charli are just BEAUTIFUL, words don't do you any justice!
The charisma you exude is almost too hard to describe as well. You really are your own little show. The excitement and wonder you have in your eyes makes life so awesome. The things you say and do leave us laughing and shaking our heads. You just talk and talk and talk all the time. The other day you used " Freaking out" in a sentence. Ridiculous is "diculous." Lighting continues to be flashlights. I even think you told me that someone "must be very crabby!"
You love to face time and talk on the phone, and the funniest thing and most consistent of all your conversations is you ask, "you coming to my house," and no matter what without question whoever you call you ask where someone else is." Example you call Grandma, your first question is always "where is ERIC?" It is still so funny. We know it is going to happen but it is still so funny.
The rebellious side of you comes from your addiction candy and gum. You and Charli are manipulators with candy and gum. You are not to have candy and gum. Oh and suckers, it is an addiction for you both. I know they are yummy but it is almost like the real addiction is being defiant. I had to call Officer Mike to speak with you and Charli and though you were both hysterical and in tears the lesson is yet to be learned. If that is the least of my worries right now than so be it. The biggest of your worries is changing your clothes at least 10 times a day and I am serious. I do more pink laundry than the pink panther's Mom and that is a fact. You love to wear Olaf shirts and Elsa Anna as you call it, with polka dot pants. I mean you look so cute and trying to stop you is like trying to stop a hurricane so it is what it is.
You are a little girl beyond your years. You are so bright, well spoken with your little lisp, compassionate, and caring. You are so concerned when something is wrong and so able to handle yourself if something happens. You tell us if a stranger comes and tries to get you , you will "punch them in the face, give them blood, and send them to the sky." You show us your tough punch your kick and your mean face, I am warning people, watch out for Danica! You are able to express emotions and this is so apparent when you read us stories and fluctuate your voice and tell us what the characters are feeling. You have some of the best stories and they are so captivating- theater might be your thing. We have gone to numerous plays and I have asked if you want to go on the stage and you say yes, we will see how that pans out. As for now, we are audience members enjoying both shows, one being you.
It is awesome how well you communicate because you give us every detail and are very articulate. Hence why you are such a good story teller and why you can never keep a secret which is the best thing. You even know your birthday how many 3 year old can say that!
Being in our new home for a year now, the past few months have proved to me that we moved to the best place for all the right reasons. You have so many friends on our street and you love all of them especially Mason. There was a day you yelled out the window for Mason and he told his Mom he has to check on Danica and ran over. Mason is also 3 it is beyond adorable. The girls we live by have such unique names and you make them your own. You love Vangeline & Mearbel. When you see anyone outside you think it is an open invitation for you to go outside and run to their house and I mean run. You are the most active kid on the block. You jump on your bike with your light up bug helmet and you are off, you have no fear and you are soooooo fast. Fast in spotting anyone outside, fast in getting out of the house, fast in getting to someone else's house, fast on your bike, fast on the ziggle, fast in all ways to be 3 and be FAST! You even wear fast nike's! Oh and fast to get in the fridge, get snacks, and get Popsicles!!!!!!!
I think it is awesome how well you get along with Charli. I love how you look up to her but how you also stand on your own. You were so excited this week that both you and Charli were able to go to Kathy's for the day since we had no school, but Mom and Dad had to work. You asked about it for weeks! What a great day you had. We are so blessed how well you get along, how much you giggle with one another, and how much you love each other. Pink teddy in her hand, and Green frogy in yours we are the luckiest parents alive.
I have to say you engage in competition, at times healthy, and at times not so much. This usually comes in expressing yourself when Charli is talking you try to talk over her or when it comes to singing you like to sing alone and Frosty of course is your go to! Oh and of course "Good Morning Baltimore," since you cannot get enough of the musical Hairspray. Can you even keep up with all of this, when I said you are busy I meant it, you even drive Auntie Ter and Uncle Neil's boat, how many kids can say that. With you and Charli my life is anything but boring and my days are always full but my heart is the fullest of all.
Oh and so I don't forget I did my own photo shoot of you in our backyard for turning 3. We hugged trees, we stood on the fence, we ate tomatoes. Just me and my baby girl, my baby baby Danica. Love you pannie- poohnie.
Halloween is around the corner, I can't wait for what is in store! xoxoxoxo
Each day we drop you off or pick you up you don't want us to leave you but we reassure you we are always in our heart and we will always be there for you. Daddy pretends that he stays outside the whole day because you told him too! Each day gets a little better but for the most part I think a lot of it is that you may be tired. At least I hope that it is and its just a phase because it is so hard to see your sweet little face sad. You told me last week that you are not going to school, you are going to stay home by yourself. I told you that you can't do that because you are only 3, but that didn't phase you the least bit. You told me then you will put me on the naughty list, I am pretty sure you have put Daddy, Me, Charli, and Grandma on the naughty list and the funny thing is you actually write something on a list! You let me know that you will cry at school but just a little, it is only 3 and a half hours, kids your age, PE class, church, music, crafts, sounds so fun....no more tears I tell you no more tears. You laugh and tell me you will cry but like I said we are making it through.
The fall has really flown by with the beautiful weather ( a week stretch of 90' and 80' on 10/9) and the activities we have pack in the entire week, every week. Part of your schedule is dance on Mondays with Miss Jaime. You are doing a terrific job and again you don't want us to leave you so we peek through the curtain and watch you do your shuffle steps! You have also taken a science class and really enjoy watching Charli play soccer. Let's be honest you do so many things in a day I don't know how you don't fall asleep mid-action; wait actually you do!
You are full of scrapes and bruises, you are more tough than I could have ever imagined. Kathy took you to the park and you fell out of the stroller on your face, ROAD RASH so bad, and then she proceeded to almost run you over because she had no idea you had fallen. You questioned her, "Kathy are you trying to kill me," oh Danica she held you so tight she would never try to hurt you. A few little whimpers, a phone call to Mommy, and Daddy came to get you and we were all better. Your face has healed remarkably and thanks to almost a week of no school you wouldn't even know it happened. You told me last night you need to get the "raisins off" as you were pulling at what is left of a scab. You didn't want Mrs. Fisher to see your boo boo and you pulled it off and said you were all better! Yes, you are something else. Now let me remind myself that whenever I set up family pictures some kind of injury is going to happen with almost certainty and of course this happened Thursday and we had pictures on Sunday. I guess that's life. Either way, scrapes or no scrapes, you and Charli looked just beautiful. I cannot wait to see the pictures. The ones we took on Daddy's phone were beyond stunning. You and Charli are just BEAUTIFUL, words don't do you any justice!
The charisma you exude is almost too hard to describe as well. You really are your own little show. The excitement and wonder you have in your eyes makes life so awesome. The things you say and do leave us laughing and shaking our heads. You just talk and talk and talk all the time. The other day you used " Freaking out" in a sentence. Ridiculous is "diculous." Lighting continues to be flashlights. I even think you told me that someone "must be very crabby!"
You love to face time and talk on the phone, and the funniest thing and most consistent of all your conversations is you ask, "you coming to my house," and no matter what without question whoever you call you ask where someone else is." Example you call Grandma, your first question is always "where is ERIC?" It is still so funny. We know it is going to happen but it is still so funny.
The rebellious side of you comes from your addiction candy and gum. You and Charli are manipulators with candy and gum. You are not to have candy and gum. Oh and suckers, it is an addiction for you both. I know they are yummy but it is almost like the real addiction is being defiant. I had to call Officer Mike to speak with you and Charli and though you were both hysterical and in tears the lesson is yet to be learned. If that is the least of my worries right now than so be it. The biggest of your worries is changing your clothes at least 10 times a day and I am serious. I do more pink laundry than the pink panther's Mom and that is a fact. You love to wear Olaf shirts and Elsa Anna as you call it, with polka dot pants. I mean you look so cute and trying to stop you is like trying to stop a hurricane so it is what it is.
You are a little girl beyond your years. You are so bright, well spoken with your little lisp, compassionate, and caring. You are so concerned when something is wrong and so able to handle yourself if something happens. You tell us if a stranger comes and tries to get you , you will "punch them in the face, give them blood, and send them to the sky." You show us your tough punch your kick and your mean face, I am warning people, watch out for Danica! You are able to express emotions and this is so apparent when you read us stories and fluctuate your voice and tell us what the characters are feeling. You have some of the best stories and they are so captivating- theater might be your thing. We have gone to numerous plays and I have asked if you want to go on the stage and you say yes, we will see how that pans out. As for now, we are audience members enjoying both shows, one being you.
It is awesome how well you communicate because you give us every detail and are very articulate. Hence why you are such a good story teller and why you can never keep a secret which is the best thing. You even know your birthday how many 3 year old can say that!
Being in our new home for a year now, the past few months have proved to me that we moved to the best place for all the right reasons. You have so many friends on our street and you love all of them especially Mason. There was a day you yelled out the window for Mason and he told his Mom he has to check on Danica and ran over. Mason is also 3 it is beyond adorable. The girls we live by have such unique names and you make them your own. You love Vangeline & Mearbel. When you see anyone outside you think it is an open invitation for you to go outside and run to their house and I mean run. You are the most active kid on the block. You jump on your bike with your light up bug helmet and you are off, you have no fear and you are soooooo fast. Fast in spotting anyone outside, fast in getting out of the house, fast in getting to someone else's house, fast on your bike, fast on the ziggle, fast in all ways to be 3 and be FAST! You even wear fast nike's! Oh and fast to get in the fridge, get snacks, and get Popsicles!!!!!!!
I think it is awesome how well you get along with Charli. I love how you look up to her but how you also stand on your own. You were so excited this week that both you and Charli were able to go to Kathy's for the day since we had no school, but Mom and Dad had to work. You asked about it for weeks! What a great day you had. We are so blessed how well you get along, how much you giggle with one another, and how much you love each other. Pink teddy in her hand, and Green frogy in yours we are the luckiest parents alive.
I have to say you engage in competition, at times healthy, and at times not so much. This usually comes in expressing yourself when Charli is talking you try to talk over her or when it comes to singing you like to sing alone and Frosty of course is your go to! Oh and of course "Good Morning Baltimore," since you cannot get enough of the musical Hairspray. Can you even keep up with all of this, when I said you are busy I meant it, you even drive Auntie Ter and Uncle Neil's boat, how many kids can say that. With you and Charli my life is anything but boring and my days are always full but my heart is the fullest of all.
Oh and so I don't forget I did my own photo shoot of you in our backyard for turning 3. We hugged trees, we stood on the fence, we ate tomatoes. Just me and my baby girl, my baby baby Danica. Love you pannie- poohnie.
Halloween is around the corner, I can't wait for what is in store! xoxoxoxo
Thursday, August 17, 2017
7 months later
Holy smokes where did the time go?????????? My little baby is already a big girl. Potty trained, no more woobie, starting school. All in the blink of an eye.
Danica you have truly taught me things really are mind over matter. I have learned that if we put something in our mind we can do it or not do it. When you decided you would start going potty on the toliet that is exactly what you did at 2 1/2 years old and you are accident proof since. Potty is in the toliet! So is a roll of toilet paper some times, but potty is in and that's what counts!
When it came to mind over matter in regards to your woobie well that was a little different because you LOVED all your woobies, you were a woobie addict, and an equal opportunity woobie addict as well. With that said, here is the final chapter and story about the woobie....We went boating on Uncle Neil and Auntie Terry's new pontoon boat on the Chain of Lakes, a beautiful day early June. Reindeer woobie was in the beach bag when we boarded and a few hours later reindeer woobie was gone....forever. You were standing with Charli at the end of the boat, you had dropped your woobie overboard, and honey that was the last time you saw woobie. You and Charli, her arm around you, consoling you, stood there for what seemed like eternity saying good bye to woobie, as it disappeared in to the lake. She explained to you that once the woobie went in the water it wasn't coming back and you seemed to understand. Uncle Eric sang an original score, "bye bye woobie" and we all mourned the loss of your beloved Reindeer woobie. Charli said to you we could get another to which you responded " that was my only one." We didn't talk much more about woobie after that, it was like the end scene of a romance novel made into a movie.
On the flip of that emotional night we did have some pacifiers at home and you found them.....much to our dismay..... and used them for a few days but you knew you were a big girl and babies use pacifiers, you were not a baby. That is when Daddy decided Tuesday, Pat our handyman, who knows the pacifier fairy, would come over and take them to her. Handyman Pat came over to do some work that Tuesday as planned and when he walked in you handed him all the pacifiers and he took them all to the pacifier fairy ( the mailbox). Pat didn't know he had this magical role when he was greeted by you and all your pacifiers at the door, but with the wink of an eye he did~( how magical) since then there has been an occasional thought or memory of woobie but you have moved on...well to green frog or a yellow bunny or any other stuffed animal at nighty.... Or sometimes old pictures of you and Woobie!
What huge milestones have gone on these past months. All of this while constantly learning and overachieving. Your musical vibe is awesome girl, you have soul. You love having dance parties with Charli and Daddy, watching music videos, seeing live bands and you love to sing. The musical, hairspray, is at the top of your list and I don't think you even blink while watching and singing. You are non- stop with whatever you do and you are always making some kind of noise. We went to Lake Geneva this summer and Danica on the hour and 15 minute ride home you talked and sang who knows what the entire time. I mean the entire time! I don't know if Dad and I were laughing or crying or a little bit of both. I love Frosty the Snowman, and in my life I think I have now heard a version of that song a million times because of you. You love Frosty, Rudolph, and Jingle Bells soooooo much that they were on your 3rd birthday cake for your party! Yep and clouds because you love clouds oh and you wanted fireworks too because you now love fireworks. How things change!!!! Fireworks are another mind over matter for you. You were so afraid of fireworks and the fhunder ( thunder) and now you think they should be an every day event with the flashlights ( lightning). ( oh and the siren for stormy that brings you terror) Overcoming your fear of fireworks made for an awesome 4th of July this year; I wish you could teach Reilly boots the same. (Wink wink)
While you finished up the past school year at Kathy's you showed all of us how ready you were to start school. Everywhere we went people could not believe you were 2 because of how well you could speak and all the things you know and your completely amazing psychomotor skills. Being able to tell people your birth date and also manipulating your age to be able to do things, like saying you are 5 to do things with Charli, definitely put you in a class above the rest.
Your sense of humor is still just beyond. You can laugh at anything and make anyone laugh. One non-laughing matter is you and the term police. Having you keep your belt on in the car has become a challenge so we had to bring in reinforcements and that is where the police come in. However, this has actually taken on a meaning we did not expect and now you are afraid of the police and you don't like them. OH BOY and to make matters worse when you do something wrong Charli makes siren sounds. SERIOUSLY! With that said we have had you meet fireman and policeman and tried to make friends. We let you know they are your friends and here to help you .... and your response is always " so I don't go to sky." The sky is a hard concept for you or anyone that is 2 years old especially when we have talked about so many people and animals that live in the sky. I am hoping that maybe in Preschool we can get more of a concrete view but for now this is where we are. I am hoping and praying we have a lot less conversations about the sky and a lot less conversations about police....Ever.... and police don't make you go to sky.
This summer was one of the greatest summers I have ever had mainly because of you and Charli. We had so many awesome things to do, places to go, and people to see. You took soccer classes, crafting classes, science classes, finished up with TOT rock, took Karate and tumbling, gymnastics, and swim lessons. We rode on Thomas the train and Percy in Union, IL. We went horseback riding, had your face painted, got a caricature, and a spider henna tatoo too! We did everything every fest could offer! We enjoyed time at all the pools in Palatine and Grandma's pool especially. Wow did we do a lot!
You are your own girl and beat to your own drum and of course any drum you may hear. You are a copy cat of Charli and if she flips, you flip, literally. You are fearless when it comes to the things I want you to fear and you are so physically strong it doesn't seem to matter. The amount of black eyes and bruises you have accumulated this summer I am amazed no one has called DCFS on us. You are a mack truck and the cutest one I have ever seen. You are resilient!
Danica you have the craziest head of hair and refuse to keep in your hair clips or ponytails in your hair and out of your beautiful blue eyes, but when it comes to being fashionable you must match, go figure. That or want to wear everything Charli already has on.....and princess everything including the healed shoes. You are still thinking that if you scream and fake cry you will get your way and for now it is still working. Bad Mom and Dad... hold up let me switch back to apparel... Oh and your swimsuits, we went to the pool so many times and each time your suit would fit right in between your cutest little bunnies. The cutest in the town! You rain outside naked in the summer and told Daddy you were tanning your bunnies!!!! I could talk about your bunnies all day but I will talk about pool days. You jumped in the deep, you swam, you rolled, and you even went down the water slide a couple hundred times and tried to go down the extra huge big kids slide....we found you in the line!!! Danica you are a troublemaker and the cutest one I know. I have to say that with how independent you are sometimes I forget just how fragile you are but there is something that will always make me remember. You have the most adorable body type and have always had the cutest little legs. I was standing behind you and I leaned over you and saw your legs from a different angle and they just make you smile and then I squeezed them and realized you will always be my little baby!!! It was a moment I will never forget.
You are a bright happy star in everyone's day. We are so blessed to be around you and your captivating light. Even when something is wrong you still make us laugh, and in the middle of fake crying because you were disciplined you still manage to tell the truth and know what you did was wrong. You are a terrific little tattle tell and when you yell at Charli or she is not listening you call her Charli Reece!!! You are just so funny all the time.
Speaking of so cute and funny I love this story. Something was going on with your pinky finger, I am not sure how you hurt it or if it was a hang nail, all I know is something was wrong and you kept telling us it was your wiggly wiggly. It was really bothering you and I would move it, I cut your nail but you just kept saying it was wiggly and held it limp. I knew nothing was seriously wrong so we made a wiggly wiggly dance and we would wiggle our whole body in a wave motion and what do you know in a few days you said your wiggly was feeling better. Yeah baby Danica! Our baby baby!
Tangent of babies: you love them, think they are sooooo cute. You want to hold them especially baby Cole you love him. You would be a great big sister that is for sure.
Other funny things that come out of your mouth. Daddy and I were going out, you and Charli were having a sitter, and you asked us where we were going and I told you Daddy was taking me on a date. Your reply, "that's so cute." These replies are hilarious, when Charli does some kind of a project you tell her, "that's awesome Charli." I mean you are such an individual.
Your defiance comes from sneaking a sip of my squirt, going in the refrigerator to get whatever you want, brushing your teeth at all times of the day, putting dog food in Reilly's water dish, riding your bike in flip flops without a helmet... the list goes on and on and with every act of discipline your response, "cuz then I go to the sky?" To which I have to say NO, because I said so that's why!
You ride your bike so fast, you cruise with Charli in the pink mustang, there is nothing you do that doesn't have intent and that is awesome. Even when you face time with Grandma you say, I'm ma hang you up now" and you push the button! There is no down time with you that is for sure! You are able to send mass texts messages and if we are on the phone with someone you have to be on the phone with someone too!
School is right around the corner for you and we already had meet the teacher. It was so great because you grabbed a baby doll when we walked in, explored the room, colored a picture, gave your new teacher's hugs and then didn't want to leave. Danica, you are so excited for school and I am so excited for you to go to school because the world you are about to explore in regards to learning is going to be amazing since you are such a sponge!!! Pre-school 3 better watch out for my my Baby Baby!
I can't even think back about you these past 7 months without smiling, laughing, and shaking my head at the same time. Even with how busy you are you have the gentlest heart. You love people and you love animals. Hold up.......you did not care for ants for a little while but I think ants are our friends now. You think you can just walk up to any duck, squirrel, dog, cat, skunk, and pet them... we are still working on that. I think you would go to Arlington every day to see the horses! It is your great heart that gives me reassurance we are doing something right. We might not be the best at structure, boundaries, and sleeping arrangements, yes Daddy and I still fall asleep with you in your bed, but hey you are only 2 once right! Kindness check!
We had your 3rd birthday party at the beginning of August like last year to try to have mother nature cooperate and this year last minute she did! It was a celebration with over 100 people! Pool party, crafts, Lou's pizza and salad and a party that continued at our new house until 1am! Your parties are always a hit, I think it was the Frosty and Rudolph cake!!!! Actually it's YOU!
You are IT girl. You have the X factor and I am mezmorised by you more and more everyday. I can't even get over how big my heart is knowing you are mine. We are so proud of you and we love you so much honey and are so excited for what the future holds! I cannot wait for our next adventure but I know you will be making us laugh the entire time.
Let me not forget one big detail-------- how cute you are singing Pete the cat and the face you have when you do! I've got my red shoes, I've got my red shoes.....
Danica you have truly taught me things really are mind over matter. I have learned that if we put something in our mind we can do it or not do it. When you decided you would start going potty on the toliet that is exactly what you did at 2 1/2 years old and you are accident proof since. Potty is in the toliet! So is a roll of toilet paper some times, but potty is in and that's what counts!
When it came to mind over matter in regards to your woobie well that was a little different because you LOVED all your woobies, you were a woobie addict, and an equal opportunity woobie addict as well. With that said, here is the final chapter and story about the woobie....We went boating on Uncle Neil and Auntie Terry's new pontoon boat on the Chain of Lakes, a beautiful day early June. Reindeer woobie was in the beach bag when we boarded and a few hours later reindeer woobie was gone....forever. You were standing with Charli at the end of the boat, you had dropped your woobie overboard, and honey that was the last time you saw woobie. You and Charli, her arm around you, consoling you, stood there for what seemed like eternity saying good bye to woobie, as it disappeared in to the lake. She explained to you that once the woobie went in the water it wasn't coming back and you seemed to understand. Uncle Eric sang an original score, "bye bye woobie" and we all mourned the loss of your beloved Reindeer woobie. Charli said to you we could get another to which you responded " that was my only one." We didn't talk much more about woobie after that, it was like the end scene of a romance novel made into a movie.
On the flip of that emotional night we did have some pacifiers at home and you found them.....much to our dismay..... and used them for a few days but you knew you were a big girl and babies use pacifiers, you were not a baby. That is when Daddy decided Tuesday, Pat our handyman, who knows the pacifier fairy, would come over and take them to her. Handyman Pat came over to do some work that Tuesday as planned and when he walked in you handed him all the pacifiers and he took them all to the pacifier fairy ( the mailbox). Pat didn't know he had this magical role when he was greeted by you and all your pacifiers at the door, but with the wink of an eye he did~( how magical) since then there has been an occasional thought or memory of woobie but you have moved on...well to green frog or a yellow bunny or any other stuffed animal at nighty.... Or sometimes old pictures of you and Woobie!
What huge milestones have gone on these past months. All of this while constantly learning and overachieving. Your musical vibe is awesome girl, you have soul. You love having dance parties with Charli and Daddy, watching music videos, seeing live bands and you love to sing. The musical, hairspray, is at the top of your list and I don't think you even blink while watching and singing. You are non- stop with whatever you do and you are always making some kind of noise. We went to Lake Geneva this summer and Danica on the hour and 15 minute ride home you talked and sang who knows what the entire time. I mean the entire time! I don't know if Dad and I were laughing or crying or a little bit of both. I love Frosty the Snowman, and in my life I think I have now heard a version of that song a million times because of you. You love Frosty, Rudolph, and Jingle Bells soooooo much that they were on your 3rd birthday cake for your party! Yep and clouds because you love clouds oh and you wanted fireworks too because you now love fireworks. How things change!!!! Fireworks are another mind over matter for you. You were so afraid of fireworks and the fhunder ( thunder) and now you think they should be an every day event with the flashlights ( lightning). ( oh and the siren for stormy that brings you terror) Overcoming your fear of fireworks made for an awesome 4th of July this year; I wish you could teach Reilly boots the same. (Wink wink)
While you finished up the past school year at Kathy's you showed all of us how ready you were to start school. Everywhere we went people could not believe you were 2 because of how well you could speak and all the things you know and your completely amazing psychomotor skills. Being able to tell people your birth date and also manipulating your age to be able to do things, like saying you are 5 to do things with Charli, definitely put you in a class above the rest.
Your sense of humor is still just beyond. You can laugh at anything and make anyone laugh. One non-laughing matter is you and the term police. Having you keep your belt on in the car has become a challenge so we had to bring in reinforcements and that is where the police come in. However, this has actually taken on a meaning we did not expect and now you are afraid of the police and you don't like them. OH BOY and to make matters worse when you do something wrong Charli makes siren sounds. SERIOUSLY! With that said we have had you meet fireman and policeman and tried to make friends. We let you know they are your friends and here to help you .... and your response is always " so I don't go to sky." The sky is a hard concept for you or anyone that is 2 years old especially when we have talked about so many people and animals that live in the sky. I am hoping that maybe in Preschool we can get more of a concrete view but for now this is where we are. I am hoping and praying we have a lot less conversations about the sky and a lot less conversations about police....Ever.... and police don't make you go to sky.
This summer was one of the greatest summers I have ever had mainly because of you and Charli. We had so many awesome things to do, places to go, and people to see. You took soccer classes, crafting classes, science classes, finished up with TOT rock, took Karate and tumbling, gymnastics, and swim lessons. We rode on Thomas the train and Percy in Union, IL. We went horseback riding, had your face painted, got a caricature, and a spider henna tatoo too! We did everything every fest could offer! We enjoyed time at all the pools in Palatine and Grandma's pool especially. Wow did we do a lot!
You are your own girl and beat to your own drum and of course any drum you may hear. You are a copy cat of Charli and if she flips, you flip, literally. You are fearless when it comes to the things I want you to fear and you are so physically strong it doesn't seem to matter. The amount of black eyes and bruises you have accumulated this summer I am amazed no one has called DCFS on us. You are a mack truck and the cutest one I have ever seen. You are resilient!
Danica you have the craziest head of hair and refuse to keep in your hair clips or ponytails in your hair and out of your beautiful blue eyes, but when it comes to being fashionable you must match, go figure. That or want to wear everything Charli already has on.....and princess everything including the healed shoes. You are still thinking that if you scream and fake cry you will get your way and for now it is still working. Bad Mom and Dad... hold up let me switch back to apparel... Oh and your swimsuits, we went to the pool so many times and each time your suit would fit right in between your cutest little bunnies. The cutest in the town! You rain outside naked in the summer and told Daddy you were tanning your bunnies!!!! I could talk about your bunnies all day but I will talk about pool days. You jumped in the deep, you swam, you rolled, and you even went down the water slide a couple hundred times and tried to go down the extra huge big kids slide....we found you in the line!!! Danica you are a troublemaker and the cutest one I know. I have to say that with how independent you are sometimes I forget just how fragile you are but there is something that will always make me remember. You have the most adorable body type and have always had the cutest little legs. I was standing behind you and I leaned over you and saw your legs from a different angle and they just make you smile and then I squeezed them and realized you will always be my little baby!!! It was a moment I will never forget.
You are a bright happy star in everyone's day. We are so blessed to be around you and your captivating light. Even when something is wrong you still make us laugh, and in the middle of fake crying because you were disciplined you still manage to tell the truth and know what you did was wrong. You are a terrific little tattle tell and when you yell at Charli or she is not listening you call her Charli Reece!!! You are just so funny all the time.
Speaking of so cute and funny I love this story. Something was going on with your pinky finger, I am not sure how you hurt it or if it was a hang nail, all I know is something was wrong and you kept telling us it was your wiggly wiggly. It was really bothering you and I would move it, I cut your nail but you just kept saying it was wiggly and held it limp. I knew nothing was seriously wrong so we made a wiggly wiggly dance and we would wiggle our whole body in a wave motion and what do you know in a few days you said your wiggly was feeling better. Yeah baby Danica! Our baby baby!
Tangent of babies: you love them, think they are sooooo cute. You want to hold them especially baby Cole you love him. You would be a great big sister that is for sure.
Other funny things that come out of your mouth. Daddy and I were going out, you and Charli were having a sitter, and you asked us where we were going and I told you Daddy was taking me on a date. Your reply, "that's so cute." These replies are hilarious, when Charli does some kind of a project you tell her, "that's awesome Charli." I mean you are such an individual.
Your defiance comes from sneaking a sip of my squirt, going in the refrigerator to get whatever you want, brushing your teeth at all times of the day, putting dog food in Reilly's water dish, riding your bike in flip flops without a helmet... the list goes on and on and with every act of discipline your response, "cuz then I go to the sky?" To which I have to say NO, because I said so that's why!
You ride your bike so fast, you cruise with Charli in the pink mustang, there is nothing you do that doesn't have intent and that is awesome. Even when you face time with Grandma you say, I'm ma hang you up now" and you push the button! There is no down time with you that is for sure! You are able to send mass texts messages and if we are on the phone with someone you have to be on the phone with someone too!
School is right around the corner for you and we already had meet the teacher. It was so great because you grabbed a baby doll when we walked in, explored the room, colored a picture, gave your new teacher's hugs and then didn't want to leave. Danica, you are so excited for school and I am so excited for you to go to school because the world you are about to explore in regards to learning is going to be amazing since you are such a sponge!!! Pre-school 3 better watch out for my my Baby Baby!
I can't even think back about you these past 7 months without smiling, laughing, and shaking my head at the same time. Even with how busy you are you have the gentlest heart. You love people and you love animals. Hold up.......you did not care for ants for a little while but I think ants are our friends now. You think you can just walk up to any duck, squirrel, dog, cat, skunk, and pet them... we are still working on that. I think you would go to Arlington every day to see the horses! It is your great heart that gives me reassurance we are doing something right. We might not be the best at structure, boundaries, and sleeping arrangements, yes Daddy and I still fall asleep with you in your bed, but hey you are only 2 once right! Kindness check!
We had your 3rd birthday party at the beginning of August like last year to try to have mother nature cooperate and this year last minute she did! It was a celebration with over 100 people! Pool party, crafts, Lou's pizza and salad and a party that continued at our new house until 1am! Your parties are always a hit, I think it was the Frosty and Rudolph cake!!!! Actually it's YOU!
You are IT girl. You have the X factor and I am mezmorised by you more and more everyday. I can't even get over how big my heart is knowing you are mine. We are so proud of you and we love you so much honey and are so excited for what the future holds! I cannot wait for our next adventure but I know you will be making us laugh the entire time.
Let me not forget one big detail-------- how cute you are singing Pete the cat and the face you have when you do! I've got my red shoes, I've got my red shoes.....
Thursday, January 12, 2017
My BIG Girl
Well let's just say that the holidays came and went faster than the speed of light and all of a sudden you are 2 months older. 2 years , 4 months... is that for real???? When I hear parents say everyday, "it was like yesterday my kids were that age and now they are in college, it goes so fast." I am starting to realize it just happens, life just happens, whether we are ready for it or not...Having children makes life that much more meaningful and that much more fulfilling and also makes it go so much faster. I seem to look in the rear view mirror a lot in life and now when I actually look into it, there are 2 little people smiling back at me. Honestly when did that happen? Life, lessons, experiences just continue to happen and so much happens in such a short period of time that sometimes when you blink you have already missed so much. The holidays were truly gone in the blink of an eye and they were very special. This was all in part to all the family we shared our time with. Let me not forget to mention Halloween if I haven't already. This year you and Charli dressed up as Strawberry Shortcake and Blueberry muffin, I am biased but let's be real, there was nobody cuter. We went to so many Halloween parties and trick or treating events and in the middle of it, the CUBS WON THE WORLD SERIES! Yes it happened in your lifetime and MINE!!!!! Daddy went to the world series and that is a story that will live in infamy. I asked him to bring a back a story for the ages and he did.... I can't wait until you and Charli are old enough to understand just how amazing Dad's story is! I spent that game watching with you and Charli, Reilly, and River. What a perfect night if ever there was one. The game didn't end until after mid-night! the fireworks in our neighborhood had River trying to crawl in to bed with me :) Sometimes I wish we could replay days of our life and that would be one of them for so many personal reasons. I took a picture of my 2 angels when they won, both asleep in peaceful dreaming... as I, filled with emotion, found my heart swollen with happiness. GO CUBS GO! It is hard to imagine that was not so long ago and in in that time you have changed so much. After the Cubs won November seems to be a blur of what do we do next. We had so many parties to go to and people to see and with wrestling in full swing life just happened. In that time you just continued to grow, with vocab, sentence structure, emphasis of emotion on certain syllables or words and facial expressions-so many huge leaps. Danica quite the vocalist as well with your little lisp and love of classics, "Take me out to the ball game" as well as "go cubs ago" and many other holiday tunes are you favorites. I have to say, "Jingle Bells" would be a fav of mine or as you sing, "Jing my bells." Both you and Charli have these made for TV/Movies voices and it takes the level of cuteness off any chart. I am super impressed with your ability to count and even tell time- well your ability to say times I should mention.
The night before Thanksgiving we had Cousins from my side, Mark, Kathleen and Riley and their extended family Mick, Colleen, Maggie and Molly all over at our new home. With Eric and Grandma in the mix this made for a home full of laughter, loud voices, and plenty of love. It was truly a special night and I hope we can continue this tradition. Thanksgiving was a low key day with a fabulous feast prepared by Grandma and the usual football games, but sadly the last holiday we would spend with River. It will be one of the most special holidays in my heart as it was all of us together in our new home and even more special because you were your own little person that was able to contribute to the celebration. I am so thankful for all of you. I am so blessed. I want all of you to know that each day my life is lived for you and because of all of you. May River rest with the angels in the heaven and be a special star to guide us in the sky. We love you Big Riv, so thankful you came in to our lives and were blessed to have that time with you. We miss you so much buddy...
If you can believe we had a housewarming the day after Thanksgiving and I think had close to 100 people come through our new home. Friends, family, so many people to spend time with, share some laughs, and warm up the holidays. There were so many kids that came over it looked like a kindergarten classroom. How fun for you and Charli to have so many friends to play with! I would like to make that a tradition as well. There is nothing like a house party for the holidays full of families.
As we move forward towards Christmas you continued to grow like a sponge absorbing everything around you. Every day I pick you up you have a full on conversation telling me all the kids that were at Kathy's that day. You also like to tattle on others and then get yourself in time-out as the adventurous side or defiant side of you has grown, I didn't think that was possible, it shouldn't be possible, but is was. BUSY BUSY BUSY....non-stop all the time. As girly as they come with a Bam Bam approach. The cutest little lisp and so much to say all the time. A complete follower of Charli and as independent as they come with the sweetest soft side. With your hair growing longer and a little curlflip at the end, your perfectly round blue eyes, and these insanely adorable legs I want to eat you up. Your front teeth have a little gap and I think that makes your smile impossible to not smile back at. You can make so many faces and you are so good at keeping a straight face. It's almost amazing how stone cold you can go and just how you assess people and make sure not to trust anyone. I think that is an amazing trait to be able to assess your surroundings and those in them and make sure that you feel secure before showing any vulnerability. Without a doubt you light up a room because your sense of humor is undeniable. It's just plain awesome and it makes everything better.
I have to mention a quick thing that happened at a co-worker Miss Jen's Christmas party where the real Santa came. Little Zoe cam upstairs crying and had a big scratch down her chest to which was hysterical, "Danica scratched me." I ran to where you and Charli were coloring and asked Charli what happened, she replied, "I didn't see anything." I said Charli, Santa is upstairs and know what is going on- did Danica scratch Zoe? To which once again straight faced Charli replied. "it might have happened." My two mobsters, thick as thieves. This is what I am dealing with, the one who does it and the one who covers it up. To get to the bottom of the story, Zoe tried to take Danica's crayon and she scratched her. Danica went to time out. Next Danica colored the wall and with that the Collins girls headed home. LOL Oh the trouble makers we are, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
We spent Christmas at home this year and boy did we party. We had such a great holiday. A few weeks before Christmas Aunt Ter brought over a snowman kit and it just so happened that it was a magical snow that day. It was an almost perfect day if there ever was one. We made the most unforgettable snowman and we captured all the moments together as a family and even made it our Christmas card- it was pure magic. However, just like sand you HATED the snow and that made for the most memorable of pictures. I couldn't help but laugh- you are just something else I mean seriously you have to be around you to describe it. I just sit in awe smiling.
Every night of December you and Charli would eat your advent chocolate, Charli made sure we didn't forget! It was a great sugar high countdown to Christmas. We decorated the Christmas tree together, we put up our lights, Elf came! We made Christmas lists and sent them to Santa and Santa even called you and Charli and made you videos!!!! How awesome! We had all kinds of family over on Christmas Eve, that was so special. You and Charli had so much fun with Aunts and Uncle and cousins OH MY! No wonder when it came to Christmas morning there was no early to rise...for anyone :)
On Christmas Eve we had so much fun from our own personal entertainer, Eric, the lounge singer, singing "Chestnuts on an open fire" over and over and over again on your new karaoke machine, to a Conga line started by Terry and Tami, to a reindeer toss game. Yes, blown up antlers that one person puts on their head while the rest of us throw blown up rings at and on the antlers. I hate to admit it but you wore the antlers and loved it. It was so much fun. Have I mentioned the snow ball fight on the front yard where Uncle Neil lost his glasses that were recovered days later??? :) It was really awesome. What a wonderful Christmas Eve.
Christmas was really special to all be together in our new house as a family planning for the vacation ahead. With the way winter break fell we were off from school and on to Christmas in one day. It was so exciting knowing we would have 2 solid weeks together as a family. By Christmas you had already begun potty training yourself, brushing your own teeth, and doing your own make-up. The amount of times you change your clothes a day has officially beat Charli's record and let me say it is not just clothes but shoes too! You can only imagine the amount of laundry I do, and just when I think things are put away I am mistaken. Music and dancing are some things that comes natural to you, you really love a good beat. Watching you do what Charli does is awesome too. When I pick you up from Kathy's and you put Charli's leotard over your clothes is hilarious. Then we you show us how you think you are doing gymnastics like Charli and how proud you are, it is so sweet. Let me tell you- your somersaults are on point and I cannot wait for you to get back in gymnastics. You have so much fun with your friends at Kathy's and she let's you know you are her favorite, I mean how could you not be?? You are just so silly and so unbelievably cute! It is so fun picking up you each day and for you to ramble all about your friends, what you did, and then sing songs, I can understand about 70% of it, I LOVE IT.
Now back to the events of break: After the excitement of opening all your gifts you had one favorite gift that you asked Santa for and that was a "furreal friends" Kitty who is like having a real cat. You loved your kitty day one but in the past couple weeks I hear you telling your kitty, " No," more than playing with it. Sometimes I think Santa only needs to rewrap things we already have, but that's okay, Santa made sure to get you everything on your list. (You have the BEST Santa and Santa's assistant by the way).This included a trip to sunny Florida and time to play with Logan, Kensie, and Tate. It was there that you developed your first crush on Tate and so it goes....
We had such an awesome trip the weather was great and get this- YOU LOVED THE SAND. What a turnaround from last year, you were running in the sand, picking up the sand, playing in the sand, and even in the ocean! You would run from the waves, then run back in, the waves were up to your waist and you loved it. You and Charli both went shelling, played in the sand, it was a blessing for the future to know we can actually vacation on a beach. Now don't get me wrong the pool is still number one but now we can enjoy both without you crying and clinging to us for dear life. When you first got in the pool this time there was a little fear but within minutes you were leaping, diving, jumping fully extended out into the water and into anyone's arms that would catch you- mostly Daddy's. You would spend the whole day in there with Charli if we let you. It was just awesome to see how much fun you were having in the water. My little fishes, love it. You'd hold on the side an put your face in and hold your breath. You were teaching yourself your own life saving skills. I can't even begin to tell you the mental and physical strength you possess at age 2- it is incredible and almost unbelievable.
I'd say for the entire trip you were so well behaved and had so much fun. You are really starting to understand boundaries. Let me say for the record you have really never sat in a high chair, you still have your woobie, and you have not fallen asleep in your bed without us. Just saying loved or spoiled your pick. Either way you are a well-adjusted and amazing as a toddler can be. We had a successful airplane trip where you remained in our row and did not cry but on the way home we had to use the air sickness bag and a garbage bag-- too much pool water Daddy thinks. You made the whole plane laugh playing with a boy in the row in front of us. You would just keep repeating everything he said and it was so funny. Like I keep saying you are just a really funny girl. The week of Christmas Charli had her recital and I thought that Dad and I could each have a duty of either pictures or video but we realized that you are a duty in its own so Dad made sure you didn't destroy anything in the church, I was sure the baptismal candle was going down!!!
Here we are in 2017. You are 2 years 4 months old. You are doing amazing things knowing your ABC's, knowing how to count. Singing songs, dancing, exploring your psychomotor capabilities. Exploring all boundaries, pushing the envelope, doing all things little sisters should be doing. You show compassion, you understand logic, you are a very bright and kind little girl. I love you very much. I am proud to be your Mom. I am excited for what each day brings, From the messes you will make, to the lipstick you will have all over your face and eyes. For you to tell me "oh pretty nails," or "oh I like it." I love when you show off the outfits you put on with a "Ta- Dah." You are so proud of yourself and so sure of yourself, I love the independence and self-esteem. It is something I can only hope will continue to grow and stay with you for your whole life. It makes you who you are with a great big sense of humor. You are terrific little girl one, who is such a big girl but really still my little baby. We love you so much honey, I can't wait for it to warm up and get back outside to play. But in the meantime I am looking forward to every day we have until then and always. Kisses baby Danca (as you would say), love you.
The night before Thanksgiving we had Cousins from my side, Mark, Kathleen and Riley and their extended family Mick, Colleen, Maggie and Molly all over at our new home. With Eric and Grandma in the mix this made for a home full of laughter, loud voices, and plenty of love. It was truly a special night and I hope we can continue this tradition. Thanksgiving was a low key day with a fabulous feast prepared by Grandma and the usual football games, but sadly the last holiday we would spend with River. It will be one of the most special holidays in my heart as it was all of us together in our new home and even more special because you were your own little person that was able to contribute to the celebration. I am so thankful for all of you. I am so blessed. I want all of you to know that each day my life is lived for you and because of all of you. May River rest with the angels in the heaven and be a special star to guide us in the sky. We love you Big Riv, so thankful you came in to our lives and were blessed to have that time with you. We miss you so much buddy...
If you can believe we had a housewarming the day after Thanksgiving and I think had close to 100 people come through our new home. Friends, family, so many people to spend time with, share some laughs, and warm up the holidays. There were so many kids that came over it looked like a kindergarten classroom. How fun for you and Charli to have so many friends to play with! I would like to make that a tradition as well. There is nothing like a house party for the holidays full of families.
As we move forward towards Christmas you continued to grow like a sponge absorbing everything around you. Every day I pick you up you have a full on conversation telling me all the kids that were at Kathy's that day. You also like to tattle on others and then get yourself in time-out as the adventurous side or defiant side of you has grown, I didn't think that was possible, it shouldn't be possible, but is was. BUSY BUSY BUSY....non-stop all the time. As girly as they come with a Bam Bam approach. The cutest little lisp and so much to say all the time. A complete follower of Charli and as independent as they come with the sweetest soft side. With your hair growing longer and a little curlflip at the end, your perfectly round blue eyes, and these insanely adorable legs I want to eat you up. Your front teeth have a little gap and I think that makes your smile impossible to not smile back at. You can make so many faces and you are so good at keeping a straight face. It's almost amazing how stone cold you can go and just how you assess people and make sure not to trust anyone. I think that is an amazing trait to be able to assess your surroundings and those in them and make sure that you feel secure before showing any vulnerability. Without a doubt you light up a room because your sense of humor is undeniable. It's just plain awesome and it makes everything better.
I have to mention a quick thing that happened at a co-worker Miss Jen's Christmas party where the real Santa came. Little Zoe cam upstairs crying and had a big scratch down her chest to which was hysterical, "Danica scratched me." I ran to where you and Charli were coloring and asked Charli what happened, she replied, "I didn't see anything." I said Charli, Santa is upstairs and know what is going on- did Danica scratch Zoe? To which once again straight faced Charli replied. "it might have happened." My two mobsters, thick as thieves. This is what I am dealing with, the one who does it and the one who covers it up. To get to the bottom of the story, Zoe tried to take Danica's crayon and she scratched her. Danica went to time out. Next Danica colored the wall and with that the Collins girls headed home. LOL Oh the trouble makers we are, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
We spent Christmas at home this year and boy did we party. We had such a great holiday. A few weeks before Christmas Aunt Ter brought over a snowman kit and it just so happened that it was a magical snow that day. It was an almost perfect day if there ever was one. We made the most unforgettable snowman and we captured all the moments together as a family and even made it our Christmas card- it was pure magic. However, just like sand you HATED the snow and that made for the most memorable of pictures. I couldn't help but laugh- you are just something else I mean seriously you have to be around you to describe it. I just sit in awe smiling.
Every night of December you and Charli would eat your advent chocolate, Charli made sure we didn't forget! It was a great sugar high countdown to Christmas. We decorated the Christmas tree together, we put up our lights, Elf came! We made Christmas lists and sent them to Santa and Santa even called you and Charli and made you videos!!!! How awesome! We had all kinds of family over on Christmas Eve, that was so special. You and Charli had so much fun with Aunts and Uncle and cousins OH MY! No wonder when it came to Christmas morning there was no early to rise...for anyone :)
On Christmas Eve we had so much fun from our own personal entertainer, Eric, the lounge singer, singing "Chestnuts on an open fire" over and over and over again on your new karaoke machine, to a Conga line started by Terry and Tami, to a reindeer toss game. Yes, blown up antlers that one person puts on their head while the rest of us throw blown up rings at and on the antlers. I hate to admit it but you wore the antlers and loved it. It was so much fun. Have I mentioned the snow ball fight on the front yard where Uncle Neil lost his glasses that were recovered days later??? :) It was really awesome. What a wonderful Christmas Eve.
Christmas was really special to all be together in our new house as a family planning for the vacation ahead. With the way winter break fell we were off from school and on to Christmas in one day. It was so exciting knowing we would have 2 solid weeks together as a family. By Christmas you had already begun potty training yourself, brushing your own teeth, and doing your own make-up. The amount of times you change your clothes a day has officially beat Charli's record and let me say it is not just clothes but shoes too! You can only imagine the amount of laundry I do, and just when I think things are put away I am mistaken. Music and dancing are some things that comes natural to you, you really love a good beat. Watching you do what Charli does is awesome too. When I pick you up from Kathy's and you put Charli's leotard over your clothes is hilarious. Then we you show us how you think you are doing gymnastics like Charli and how proud you are, it is so sweet. Let me tell you- your somersaults are on point and I cannot wait for you to get back in gymnastics. You have so much fun with your friends at Kathy's and she let's you know you are her favorite, I mean how could you not be?? You are just so silly and so unbelievably cute! It is so fun picking up you each day and for you to ramble all about your friends, what you did, and then sing songs, I can understand about 70% of it, I LOVE IT.
Now back to the events of break: After the excitement of opening all your gifts you had one favorite gift that you asked Santa for and that was a "furreal friends" Kitty who is like having a real cat. You loved your kitty day one but in the past couple weeks I hear you telling your kitty, " No," more than playing with it. Sometimes I think Santa only needs to rewrap things we already have, but that's okay, Santa made sure to get you everything on your list. (You have the BEST Santa and Santa's assistant by the way).This included a trip to sunny Florida and time to play with Logan, Kensie, and Tate. It was there that you developed your first crush on Tate and so it goes....
We had such an awesome trip the weather was great and get this- YOU LOVED THE SAND. What a turnaround from last year, you were running in the sand, picking up the sand, playing in the sand, and even in the ocean! You would run from the waves, then run back in, the waves were up to your waist and you loved it. You and Charli both went shelling, played in the sand, it was a blessing for the future to know we can actually vacation on a beach. Now don't get me wrong the pool is still number one but now we can enjoy both without you crying and clinging to us for dear life. When you first got in the pool this time there was a little fear but within minutes you were leaping, diving, jumping fully extended out into the water and into anyone's arms that would catch you- mostly Daddy's. You would spend the whole day in there with Charli if we let you. It was just awesome to see how much fun you were having in the water. My little fishes, love it. You'd hold on the side an put your face in and hold your breath. You were teaching yourself your own life saving skills. I can't even begin to tell you the mental and physical strength you possess at age 2- it is incredible and almost unbelievable.
I'd say for the entire trip you were so well behaved and had so much fun. You are really starting to understand boundaries. Let me say for the record you have really never sat in a high chair, you still have your woobie, and you have not fallen asleep in your bed without us. Just saying loved or spoiled your pick. Either way you are a well-adjusted and amazing as a toddler can be. We had a successful airplane trip where you remained in our row and did not cry but on the way home we had to use the air sickness bag and a garbage bag-- too much pool water Daddy thinks. You made the whole plane laugh playing with a boy in the row in front of us. You would just keep repeating everything he said and it was so funny. Like I keep saying you are just a really funny girl. The week of Christmas Charli had her recital and I thought that Dad and I could each have a duty of either pictures or video but we realized that you are a duty in its own so Dad made sure you didn't destroy anything in the church, I was sure the baptismal candle was going down!!!
Here we are in 2017. You are 2 years 4 months old. You are doing amazing things knowing your ABC's, knowing how to count. Singing songs, dancing, exploring your psychomotor capabilities. Exploring all boundaries, pushing the envelope, doing all things little sisters should be doing. You show compassion, you understand logic, you are a very bright and kind little girl. I love you very much. I am proud to be your Mom. I am excited for what each day brings, From the messes you will make, to the lipstick you will have all over your face and eyes. For you to tell me "oh pretty nails," or "oh I like it." I love when you show off the outfits you put on with a "Ta- Dah." You are so proud of yourself and so sure of yourself, I love the independence and self-esteem. It is something I can only hope will continue to grow and stay with you for your whole life. It makes you who you are with a great big sense of humor. You are terrific little girl one, who is such a big girl but really still my little baby. We love you so much honey, I can't wait for it to warm up and get back outside to play. But in the meantime I am looking forward to every day we have until then and always. Kisses baby Danca (as you would say), love you.
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