The most wonderful time of the year

 So, our Christmas season started WAY early this year due to extra ballet practices for the Nutcracker.  It's very exciting because it is Vi's first year doing ballet.  "I just want to be on stage, Mom" - Vi

Here's your chance, kiddo!  The Polichinelles are the little children that come out from Mother Ginger's big hoop skirt in the second act of the Nutcracker.  They had only a few practices before actually coming out from underneath the skirt because the prop was too big to fit into the studio, but they did a great job!  Here they are practicing before the big show.

Dance partners looking cute before their big debut!  This was also Vi's first time being beautified for the stage which included French-braided hair, blush, mascara, and lipstick.  Daddy was in a state of shock for a moment, but she was very excited to get dolled up.  100% girl!

We have already had one small chat with Santa and hope to see him again soon at Breakfast with Santa.

Happy Holidays, everyone!  It really is the most wonderful time of year for making memories!

Mom & Dad's 5th Anniversary!

 Bienvenido!  Mommy and Daddy finally got away to celebrate their anniversary!!!!!!

We were lucky to stay at this beautiful resort in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, with the help of Aunt Cindy and Uncle Jerry, our resident travel experts in the family.

 This place was sooooo relaxing but we opted for a bit of mental stimulation every now and again with daily games of chess.  All of the parents out there: can you remember the last time you ate a leisurely breakfast and played a full game of chess.  NO.  That is why we needed a vacation :)

We started working on our retirement skills early with some games of shuffleboard as well.  The activities team at this resort were really enthusiastic, but we mainly went there to do nothing.  So they created "lazy games for lazy people" as they put it, like shuffleboard and gringo bingo (all you have to do is guess the right number and you when a bottle of tequila - awesome!).

The town of Puerto Vallarta was really beautiful as well.  Neither of us had ever been across the border, so we were pleasantly surprised with the town and the friendliness of its residents.

So much wildlife!  Sea lions, freshly hatched sea turtles, birds, dolphins....

He was just born a few hours ago!

Thanks Mamaw, Paw, Grandma, and Grandpa for spending time with Vi so that we could get away.  After 5 years of marriage, welcoming a baby before our first anniversary, several job switches and moving a few times, we felt that we really deserved this trip which made it all the more enjoyable for us.

The lovely marina with mountain views in the background

Our resort from the sunset sail.

We miss you Puerto Vallarta and hope to be back VERY soon!

The doc is in!

 Happy Halloween from Dr. Vi!

 

We were very happy to trick-or-treat with Smokey (aka Beckett) and enjoy the crisp, Halloween weather.  In the car on the way to trick-or-treat she kept saying, "I'm so exciting!" meaning that she was very excited to start the festivities.  Vi told a few people that she wants to be a nurse (or doctor) when she grows up.  We asked her why she wants to be a nurse and she said, "because nurses are pretty."  Hopefully she'll come around to the realization that nurses help sick people and that will become the new reason :)

 

The cutest and smartest 4 year-old doctor in town.

 

This witch was handing out out books and toys for Halloween.  We thought that was Santa's job, but we'll take it!

 

 



Learning letters

Vi has been singing her ABCs for a long time now, but we have now transferred into the letter recognition phase of the ABCs.  Then add sounds to those letters.  Oh, and sometimes they look different because each letter has two versions, upper-case and lower-case.  The more you think about it, learning the alphabet really isn't as easy as simply singing your ABCs. 

So, that is why I am excited to report that Vi identified (instantly, with no help) 18 upper-case letters and matched them to their appropriate sound!!!!!!!!!  We still need to work on a few letters like L, R, P, J, Y, and some others.

I ran across a great blog with a section called "Mommy School" that contains lots of ideas for children 4-6 years of age.  I was able to laminate letter "apples," cut them out and put them in a basket, and then learn this little jingle to help Vi work on her letter/sound recognition:

Apple, apple nice and round

Pick an apple, and make its sound!

Vi loves this activity, and it's easy to review our letters while we are sitting at the table.  Hopefully we can make some progress with our Bob Books in the next few weeks!

Fall's a ball at the beach!

I'm at the beach AGAIN, my favorite vacation spot.  Mamaw and Paw were nice enough to let my Mommy and me join them during their fall week in Destin, Florida.

The beach service is really excellent here.  I just jump into the beach buggy and voila! I'm at the beach in no time.

Here I am buried in the sand to create a "mermaid tail" effect.

Mommy had to take my beauty shot in the dunes before sunset.

I had a few firsts at the beach this October.  The most exciting was my first go-kart ride with my Paw.  I also stepped off the last step at the pool without my float (oops!), but before going under I used my swimming lesson skills, held my breath, and closed my eyes before being rescued by Mommy.  I had so much fun that I even fell asleep at the dinner table (very rare for Vi the Energizer Bunny!).

Here I am looking like a big girl.  I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful fall weather no matter where you are!

A very "ruby" anniversary

 Can you guess where I am?  I am playing in muddy water at Mason Mountain Mine in Franklin, North Carolina!  I spent a fabulous weekend here back in September to celebrate my Grandma and Grandpa's 40th wedding anniversary, the RUBY anniversary (and yes, I said 40 - what a milestone!).

 

 Here I am before mining.  Rubies and sapphires are native to the dirt in this region, and boy did we find some winners!  I helped everyone dig up their dirt and sift through it.  I was very good at throwing the "dud" rocks over the edge and yelling "garbage" really loud while doing so.  Grandma used one of the rubies found to create a beautiful set of earrings and necklace pendant. 

 

No wonder I like hanging out with these people.

 

Here I am looking cute and precious with my Uncle Bini.  Our cabin was located on the banks of the Little Tennessee River with a beautiful mountain view (and I could watch the cows and turkeys roam across the river each morning).  Thanks to Aunt Ashlee and Uncle Joe for locating such a beautiful cabin for us to enjoy.

Some more breathtaking views...

...and the happy couple.  We love you!  Congratulations!

Happy 4th Birthday, Vi!

It was party time this past weekend at our house because Vi turned 4 years old!  She had an Ariel mermaid party, although we invited some pirates to join in on the fun, too.

One game that the kids all enjoyed was "going fishing."  Daddy made the ocean for us, and Paw was the big fish that gave out some quality dollar store prizes for everyone's sand bucket.

Rufus the magician (aka Uncle Joe) showed up for the party to share the magic he learned under the sea from Ursula and King Triton.  We had to tell Vi that it was Uncle Joe because that hair was just toooooo bizarre and frightening at first.  In the end, all of the kids loved this activity, and Vi called Rufus out on his disappearing coin trick.  Thanks Rufus for a great show!

 

On Sunday we explored the town with Aunt Janice.  We got some beautiful shots from the top of the mountain since the day was so clear.

Here is Vi trying out one of her gifts, a cotton candy maker.  Yummy!  Instead of yelling with excitement for "cotton candy!" she yelled "sugar!"

 

Family photos with Vi as she turned 4 years old.

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VI!  WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!