School Daze

Mailperson Day

Saying Gabbi loves school is an understatement.  Gabbi adores school.  She absolutely looks forward to it each week.  I have to admit, I do too.  I love that we found her a school that excites her and allows us to be involved in her learning and the school.

I would recommend a cooperative school to anyone.  The three big perks to coop environment is the parent involvement in the classroom, tuition costs are low, and the class ratio is 3:1.  Since I love involvement this experience has been very rewarding to me.

Mail carriers

I enjoy hearing Gabbi's excitement about what she is learning, the projects she completes and about all of her friends.  Recently, her teacher had the class learn about dentists and doctors.  They got to learn all about teeth, teeth brushing, 'sugar bugs', doctor visits, being a nurse, and even made a doctor's kit.  Gabbi was so excited to show me how she flosses and tell me all about sugar bugs. Then she got to show me all of the pieces in her medical kit and described what each piece was for.

Hearing her retell how preschool went is just so uplifting and exciting.  She loves her teacher and her friends so much and I believe it helps her learn.

And anything that helps her learn and explore I am in full support of.  A big thank you to Teacher Carol and all the parents that work with Gabbi and help her in the class.

Gabbi's special day!

Little Gym = Big Fun

Found her during hide & seek

It has been mentioned many times, but Gabbi loves Little Gym.  We have been members of Little Gym since she was just 14 months old. It is an activity that she loves to attend and has been a staple in our weekend schedule.  She continues to improve her skills, make new friends, connect with teachers, and learn valuable lessons.  I would recommend Little Gym to anyone with a baby, toddler, or early grade schooler.

Today was a Little Gym milestone for us.  Today was our last "gym" class because next week we transition to "DANCE" class.  No more gym clothes, now on to leotards, tap shoes, and ballet shoes!  I am very excited for the next phase of Little Gym, but hope Gabbi transitions well.  Luckily, one of her favorite friends will be in her new class too.

The parents also got to go in the gym with the kiddos today.  Gabs was excited to show off.  She did the low beam, high beam, rolls, and even the bars.  I am very proud of her.  When I asked her after class what her favorite thing was she said, "her forward rolls" which I must say she rocks at!

That's my kid!

I keep remembering her first class and how much help she needed to do the activities.  Just a lot of spotting and now she barely needs any.  Seems to be the perfect example of how fast she has grown.  These last 4 years have gone by quickly.  If only there could be a Tivo for life.  I guess I will just have to take even more pictures and videos.

Dance Revolution!

Gabbi's Dancing Shoes

Today after lunch, I bought my little girl her first pair of dance shoes!!  She now is the proud owner of a pair of pink ballet slippers and a great pair of tap shoes.  She starts her first dance class in February!  I am so very excited.

I am thrilled that she can move on to dance at Little Gym.  LG has been a staple in our lives for about two and a half years and Gabbi loves to go every week.  We have gone from helping her in the class to watching through the glass as she masters the balance beam.

Just this week she walked the beam, with tricks, and jumped off the end.  She was so proud of herself, literally yelling, "I'M DOING IT!!!!"  Then she ran to us and continued to yell, "Mom, Dad, I did it!!!"  She has been beaming with pride for about 3 days over this. Now she gets to continue to learn new things and enjoy an activity she already loves.

Gabbi and I hold many dance parties in our living room and/or car.  She loves to groove and move.  I am so excited for her to now have another outlet for this interest.

We still will have to watch her from the parent's side of the glass, but I will be there each week proudly cheering her on and with camera in hand.

Another New Year

2010?  Completely amazing!  I will try to give you the highlights of this great year.

Gabbi continues to amaze me.  She continues to make me laugh every day and beam with pride every minute.  She is growing up way too fast and is quickly becoming a very funny and very independent girl.  If you have ever spent an afternoon with us you know what I mean.

Goo @ Little Gym

This last year we have continued with some traditions.  We continue to spend lots of time together, running errands, exploring new activities, and visiting our favorite places.

She continues to enjoy Little Gym and loves going, but does not like when the other kids hold her shoulders when they walk as a train.

Taking a ride @ Zoolights

Gabbi spent another year 'helping' at Sorority Formal Recruitment at University of Puget Sound and University of Washington.  We became members of the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and have loved visiting the animals!  We definitely made time to go to The Spring Fair and The Puyallup Fair!  This year though Gabbi got to eat hear first elephant ear.  She has already told me that next time we go she wants her own.  We'll see.  Finally, at the end of the year we were able to squeeze in a trip to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Zoolights with our friends Karen, Keith & Parker.

She loves Preschool

A big new item for us is Gabbi started Preschool!  She L-O-V-E, loves it!  She looks forward to it every week.  She loves the activities, her teacher and her friends.  I love it because it is a Co-op and parents get to be very involved in the school, and especially the classroom.  I love getting to see her grow and develop each class.  I love seeing her play with her friends and develop her large personality.  A few things I have learned (actually awhile ago) 1. Gabbi was the perfect name for her (she talks all the time), 2. she is a social butterfly but likes to play on her own, 3. she is not afraid to speak up, 4. she loves to learn, and 5. her dad and I will be very busy keeping up.

Me & my sisters (playing Barbies)

Our biggest new item in 2010 was the addition of Gabbi's two aunts.  This past spring I did a bit of research (aka Facebook stalking) and was able to find my two biological sisters.  Not only did I gain two sisters, but Gabbi and I both gained a whole family, from grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, baby cousins, and more.  So our newest traditions have included Easter dinner, a baby shower (followed by me becoming an aunt), Christmas potluck, and more dinners than I can count.  It has been a true blessing.

I can't wait to see what 2011 has in store with us.  I know it will be filled with lots of fun, continued traditions, and new experiences.  I know that Gabbi will continue to develop her not so little personality, and I can't wait!

We wish you a very Happy New Year and hope that we get to spend lots of time with our friends and family.

New Year's Eve on Vashon Island

Merry Christmas

Sweet Snowflake Holiday

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Summertime!

Well, summer is starting to fade into fall.  Even though we didn't get a chance to explore many summer festivals this year Gabbi and I had the best summer ever.  It was full of adventures all the way through.  It seems just yesterday I planned our summer trip and now we are buying school supplies.  What the heck?

Gabbi has grown so much this summer.  She has found her funny bone and her confidence, and together it is a dangerously funny combination.  All summer she has been interested in music and singing.  So far her favs are Annie's Tomorrow, Lady Gaga, Pink, certain Veggietales, some Lion King, other various artists, and most of all Beyonce's Single Ladies.

Can someone please direct me to a talent scout, pageant, or something so the world can see how hilarious she is.  Oh wait, hello YouTube.  :-)

This summer has flown by and we have had so much fun.  Everything from our wonderful vacation, to time at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, from taking in a Seahawks football game, to checking our her preschool!

Gabbi has been the best side kick!  We have had some amazing adventures and created some of the best memories.

The BIG Show

Since Gabbi was just over one she has been going to The Little Gym every week.  Roy and I have been very diligent in taking her and both going as much as we can.  It has been one of the most consistent things in our lives for the last two years.  :-)
We have been by Gabbi's side each time cheering her on, giving high fives, coaching, holding on to little fingers and encouraging her.  It has been such a highlight to watch her grow friendships with her classmates and her skills.
A couple of  weeks ago was Little Gym's big show, the end of the year event!  It is a time to invite friends and family and to take a ton of pictures.  There is even a medal ceremony.

But with this "graduation" comes some sadness.  This Big Show was the last class for us to be on her side of the glass/viewing space.  Now she has graduated to the next level, Funny Bugs, and we are stuck in the lobby in little plastic chairs watching her do her thing.  I was worried that she wouldn't like being away from us, but boy was I wrong, I think we dislike it more.  She is having a blast in the class!  She is trying everything and is getting used to the longer session.  Every now and then she tries a big skill and first thing she does is tell the teacher (who are great), "I have to go tell my mom/dad!"  She comes running to the door near us, and is ready to give us high fives.  We are working on her just coming up to the glass, but I love that she knows we are watching.  We are still taking photos and clapping from our side of the glass.  We will forever be her cheering section!

On her side of the glass vs. not.  Dad is adjusting.