The Best Mac & Cheese

My BaBa makes the absolute best macaroni & cheese in the world. That's not just my opinion - all the grandkids agree. I like it so much I want TWO spoons to eat it! Yummy!

Happy Birthday, Tripp

Today my friend Tripp celebrated his 4th birthday with a super-fun party that started at the fire station and ended with lunch at The County Line. The fireman let the kids shoot water with their big hose, taught us about fire safety and extended the REALLY tall ladder until it reached the sky! Happy birthday, Tripp!

What a Difference!

Just two days ago, these chairs were covered with SNOW!

Now, they are covered with ME!

It was just two days ago that I was playing in the snow. Today, the sun was shining and it was warm - not warm enough for swimming, but I didn't seem to care. I put on my bathing suit and headed outside. I did dip my feet in the pool, but stopped there. I'll be ready in a couple of months to take a real dip!

First Snow

Today I experienced my first real snow! It's not unusual for the weatherman to say, "We might see some snow tomorrow," a couple of times during the winter, but it usually never materializes. Today; however, the flakes fell down for a long while. I, who usually don't even like my hands to be wet, couldn't get enough of it. Mommy and I spent most of the afternoon outside, taking hot cocoa breaks in between the fun. After thawing our hands and feet and drying our noses, we headed back outside. She and I built a (pitiful) snowman in our yard and then later visited the neighbors where they had built a REAL snowman. Enjoy the video!

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Sesame Street Live

This morning Mommy and I met my friend Max and his mommy Lori at Kerbey Lane for breakfast before we went to see...

Sesame Street's 1-2-3 Imagine!

We got yummy popcorn.

Group Hug!

Elmo and the gang sang songs and danced around the stage,
using their imaginations to visit different places.

I applauded their hard work.

Of course, at intermission, the $10 balloons came out...

...and I got one...

but still wanted a Rosita ballerina doll (which I didn't get!)

Skipping School...Already

Although tomorrow is supposed to be my last day of school, I said my good-byes today (Mommy and I have big plans for tomorrow that can't be missed...you'll see!). All in all, this evaluation has been a good experience. I adjusted well and was excited to go see the "boys". During my ten, oops, nine days there, I was observed and assessed without even realizing it. To me, it was just fun. Now we wait to hear what those observations and assessments revealed...

Week Two

Week two of my evaluation has started with much less anxiety and many more smiles. When asked about school, I respond simply, "Boys!" As I mentioned, I am the only girl in a sea of boys. Mommy is convinced they are teaching me bad habits, like climbing on furniture and making spit bubbles. As long as I am smiling behind the spit bubbles, she isn't too upset!

Valentine's Treats

A couple of weeks ago, Mommy and I picked up some Valentine goodies (icing, sprinkles, heart-shaped tin cups) to bake for Daddy. I have pulled it all out of the cabinet every day since, hoping that we could finally bake something...and today was the day. We made brownie cupcakes, and they are delicious. Daddy, in turn, gave both Mommy and me pretty roses. Happy Valentine's Day!

Krispy Kreme Morning

Daddy needed to get his car washed this morning, so Mommy suggested he take it to the car wash next to Krispy Kreme. We could all go and enjoy some doughnuts while the car got washed. Daddy is all about efficiency (and doughnuts), so he agreed. I got to watch the doughnuts being made...as I watched them fry in the oil and then get covered with the gooey frosting, I understood why I like them so much. The one I chose to eat was one covered in pink, red and white sprinkles for Valentine's Day. Yummy!

One Week Down

The first week of my evaluation is over, and Mommy survived! I am learning how to handle the boys and feeling more comfortable in this new environment. Today we made Valentine crafts and exchanged Valentine cards - mine were Tinkerbell...the rest were Superman, Spiderman, etc...

Now That's Some Snow!

We have had a really cold winter, at least for Texas.  Daddy even called this morning from Abilene to report that he was driving in SNOW!  Uncle Van would laugh at Daddy's definition of snow - look at the photos he sent from Pittsburgh!  That's Anya in the middle of all that white.

School Photos

Mommy did her best to make me think school would be the GREATEST.  We bought Tinkerbell lunch bags, and I helped her pack my lunch.  She talked about the classroom, schedule and new friends I would meet.  I was excited to be there...at first.  All my classmates are boys, and they don't like to play the same things I do (and they are really rough - I was greeted by being tackled!).  We had lunch in a big, noisy room with lots and lots of older kids.  Although I loved the Tinkerbell bags, I wouldn't eat a bite of my lunch and since I never eat breakfast, that meant I hadn't had one bite of food all day.  At pick-up time, some of my classmates got on the bus, and I wanted Mommy and me to take a ride on the bus also...which was one more thing in a long line of things to be upset about on my first day of school.   Thank goodness Mommy had made cookies for me to have when I got home.  Somehow cookies always make everything better.

The Longest Four Hours of my Life

Dearest Victoria Pearl,

I knew this day would come, and I knew I wouldn't be ready for it no matter when it happened, but this was just far too early.  This morning I took you to school....not your usual preschool, but a real school.  Since you are now three, you are eligible for services through the public school system, and we want to do whatever we can to get you just what you need with your speech and general development.  You'll be attending four hours a day for the next two weeks for an evaluaution, and while I understand and accept that spending lots of time with you will provide the best evaluation, it hurt my heart to leave you there.  I have to trust this process and know that it will provide valuable information that will help us develop a plan for your future.  My head knows this, but my heart doesn't seem to understand.

I pray that God keeps you safe and happy and that I have the strength and patience to handle the next two weeks.  I also pray for the wisdom to use the information gathered to develop the best plan of action for you.

I love you,
Mommy

Don't Forget Me!

It's been a month since we closed on our new house, and Mommy's been one busy lady in that time...getting our current house ready to be put on the market and our new house in order.  She also loads her car several times a week to take things to the new house.  She usually tries to do this when I am napping, etc...because this is what happens when I am around...not so productive, but fun, which was just the reminder that Mommy needed to take a little breather. 

Watch Me Grow!

Mommy got this birthday crown for me even before I was born.  She thought it would be fun for me to have a photo taken wearing it each year to see my growth.  Here's last week's photo, along with the previous two year's.

I, Too, Mommy

The sweetest words a mother must hear are, "I love you."  Since forming my words is difficult for me, Mommy has had to rely on different expressions - like how I stroke her face as she reads to me or how I squeeze her tightly when we hug.  When tucking me in bed a few days ago, after telling me she loves me, I said, "I, too, Mommy!"  Mommy not only celebrates every word I say, but every syllable, every new sound, but this was

 OVER-THE-TOP!!!

Doctor's Appointment

"Playing" with the Computer

Weight Check

First Blood Pressure Check

A Sprite and a Burger after the appointment

I had my three year check-up with Dr. Dan today.  I received two shots, and for the first time ever, was quite upset by it.  I cried and stomped to the door with my back to the nurse, arms folded in front of me.  However, when the door opened and I saw Dr. Dan in the hallway, I immediately smiled, waved and gave him one last hug before leaving.  I have really grown.  I am now 39 inches tall and weigh 33 pounds, which is a 4 1/2 pound weight gain in just six months.   Contrary to the photo above, it is not due to my fast food eating habits.  I still don't like to eat and am very picky about what I eat.  Mommy was shocked when I gobbled down most of my burger today.