Over the Christmas holidays, we finally got our bikes fixed (note: do not store pool chemicals in the garage with your bikes...tends to result in bikes with no spokes...) and got Anna's bike cart set up. We had so much fun taking bike rides as a family! We still have some mechanics to work out with Anna's helmet (its tending to result in a bit of baby whiplash right now...), but are glad to have a new family activity that we all enjoy!
While Anna loves to have bows in her hair, she hasn't been the biggest fan of any other hair "fixings" that I've tried...particularly pigtails. Well, I've been on a passive crusade over the past month to slow re-introduce the idea of pigtails and encourage her that they're a good thing. During lunch the other day, she just looked up at me and said "Piggies? Piggies?". When I confirmed that she did in fact want me to put pigtails in her hair, I quickly rushed to fix her hair before she changed her mind. To encourage her acceptance of the idea of pigtails, I handed her a mirror so she could see her piggies. She immediately looked at herself, let out a little toddler gasp, and proclaimed "How pretty!!". Sold.
Grammie and Grandpa gave Anna her first dollhouse this year for Christmas. Oh my, does this girl love it! She loves putting all of the family members to bed in their different rooms, and is particularly enthralled with having them all potty and wash their hands (we're in the beginning stages of potty training...). Here, Grammie helps her set up the different rooms...
And, Grandpa (aka "Bucko") watches on as Anna discovers all of the joys of her new doll abode...
Forget the fancy toys...she made a beeline for the coloring book...
"My very own lap desk with my name on it? Color me happy..."
Doesn't every toddler need a wooden salad dressing and olive oil? I mean, how else can she prepare her fine pretend Italian fare?
Being a good mommy, Anna fed her baby with her new bottle before putting her to bed in her new bassinet...
Anna thought the kaleidescope that Santa left in her stocking was pretty neat...
Anna is thoroughly enjoying one of the gifts that Santa left her...a new play cottage! She thinks playing peek-a-boo through the windows and doors is just hilarious, and likes having her own little "retreat" to visit.
Happy New Year everyone! We rang in the New Year a bit early yesterday at the Children's Museum with a "countdown to noon". Anna loved the little parade and marching band, and we enjoyed getting to go to bed early last night without the guilt of not having celebrated the New Year. Are we lame, or what? But then again, we do have a 7am wakeup call every morning, regardless of the "fun" we had the night before!
Anna has a new-found streak of independence, often expressed via the well-used term "Anna's turn!" As much as I think we're both sad to see our "baby" grow up, it is fun to watch her exert her independence and become more brave in her adventures.
