Watch Out World

She's 4 now!  How did I not post this already?  I guess I just assumed everyone already knew. 
Gabs had offically left the toddler years behind her and is a big girl now, according to her.  She is 4 going on about 10.  Her dad and I have always wanted to teach her to be independent and to use her words, and boy is she.  Gabbi is a very logical person, with a whit that is way beyond her years.  The stuff she says, or remembers is just crazy to me.  Like I said she is little Miss Independent, but can also be Miss Dramatic.  She is a hoot. 

Back to the party... When asked what type of party she wanted she didn't take long to chose a Dino theme, rather a Dinosaur Train theme.  If you haven't seen this show (and have little kids) you are missing out.  Seriously. 

So even though I said to myself we would keep it simple, once I have a theme I have to run with it.  The party was Dino-riffic to say the least.  A big part of the success was all the wonderful folks that came to help her celebrate.  We had friends from pre-school, from little gym, great friends, and wonderful family.  This was also the first birthday where my biological extended family met my adopted family.  Very cool.  I am so grateful for all of our friends and family.  They are such amazing people. 

Gabbi helped decorate and loved being involved with all the preperations.  She also loved playing with all her friends and did a great job opening her gifts.  I was pretty proud of cake.  Who needs speciality cakes when you have a great Safeway and Toys R Us? Next year's theme will be Recycle, as in I will only use the left over decor and wares from the last 4 parties.  Next year it will be an animal/princess/Cars/Dinosaur theme. :-) What else am I going to do with all of it.

So here is to my 4 year old, can't wait to see what happens this year!

It's a Volcano!!!!! at preschool

On a past episode of Dinosaur Train the Pteranodon family took the train to see a volcano erupt (yes I know that  this is full of irony).  So when she found out that Teacher Carol would be focusing on dinosaurs for two weeks AND...she would get to make a volcano...she was super excited!!

For the last two weeks she made the volcano form (thanks to a yogurt cup, small plate, foil, gauze, and glue), painted dinosaurs, painted dinosaur "fossils" and every time she told me about it she showed so much excitement.

Then came the day...time for the volcano to erupt. I am so glad that I was able to be in her class on that day!  She loved it!  She did such a great job of carefully spooning in some baking soda and poured the vinegar in perfectly.  It was a great deal of fun to watch her and her friends enjoy science!  I can't wait for the next experiment.  It made me think of my third grade science fair when I used the same ingredients to make a plastic bottle submarine.  

Momma Can Sew!

For Christmas my mom got me a great sewing machine.  Within days I was at the fabric store and went a bit overboard.  I was just so excited to make something for Gabbi.  I like the idea of being domestic for her.

I picked out a simple project to get me started, it has been years since I had sat down at a sewing machine.  My goal was to sew Gabbi a cute dress or two.  After a good run at the easy reusable bag project and some time, I decided to take on the next challenge.  I was a bit ambitious and stayed up way too late but we had a dress!

I had found a pattern that was a cute A-style dress that could easily be a cute long top if she keeps growing like she has been.  Gabbi got to pick out the fabric. We went with two, one being the "test" dress, giving me a chance to work out the pattern a bit.

I must say I was pretty proud of the little dress, but the best feeling came when Gabbi saw it in the morning.  She was so adorable and showed such great excitement when she heard that I made her a dress.  I could not have asked for a better reaction.  Right away she wanted to put it on, we could not get it off the hanger fast enough.  The best line was, "Thank you for making me a dress Momma."  Melt my heart.  Totally worth making her the next dress.  I love her so much.

What a pose!

What a dress!!

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