Milla's Toddler Tales

3rd Post: Fairy Tea Party

2012-01-22T21:04:00.000-08:00

Saturday afternoon I got to attend a super fun fairy tea party for my neighbor Claire who is just a few weeks younger than me...

It was so nice to be able to walk to a party!

and I hammed it up before we left...

Ready for some mommy time! Daddy stayed home to build my IKEA furniture...

Me and the birthday girl...

She's so sweet! She knew that I didn't know any of her other friends so she asked me to sit next to her when we had our tea...

We were the best behaved group of fairies mommy has ever seen! We played so well together!

Time for tea!

We all had unique cups...

and had yummy tea food...

The cupcakes were amazing with marshmallow icing...

The birthday girl!

Time to sing happy birthday (Claire was not so sure about the candles)...

Yummo!

All the fairies lined up in a row!

After presents we headed up to the playroom...

Thank you for inviting me Claire! I had a blast!

2nd Post: Dad's Day at 1st Presby

2012-01-22T20:57:00.000-08:00

Saturday was Dad's Day at school... it is one of my favorite days of the year!

This year's theme was Dinosaurs so mom whipped me up a "Daddy's Snugglesaurus" shirt. :)

Love my daddy!

This year mommy gave me the option of her staying at home or coming and I said I wanted her there... there were actually a few moms there this year so she didn't feel as awkward. She just comes to take pictures and chat with the teachers...

I wanted to show daddy all the fun science experiments first!

Then we went to paint...

I painted a red dinosaur...

and I was proud!

Ms. Judy worked very hard creating this volcano and I told mom later that it was my favorite part...

There were dinosaurs EVERYWHERE!

Donut holes!

Playdoh...

and my awesome dinosaur friend I created with daddy...

Another Week in Review...

2012-01-22T20:41:00.000-08:00

Monday was MLK Day, so I had the day off from school....

Which meant getting to go to the park with my playgroup friends...

With a big girl ponytail!

Brooklyn & Stella were there...

it was windy but beautiful...

Stella has grown up so much!

Tire swing...

Karyssa came too...

We played an awesome game of hide and seek...

and Stella even joined us...

Tuesday we went to ballet...

and then had a McDonalds/Costco playdate with Bella...

Wednesday was "O" for Owl day at school...

and Wednesday night I asked daddy to play Rapunzel with me...

Maggie was Maximus..

Thursday we had a fieldtrip to IKEA in Frisco, played at the Stonebriar play area... it was very fun!

Friday was show and tell at school and we had to choose from "M,N, or O"... I of course chose M. I took a Minnie Mouse stuffed animal with me and some M&Ms!!!

It was a great week!

3rd Post: Campbell's Birthday Party

2012-01-15T19:34:00.000-08:00

We are starting to really love Sunday birthday parties...

Breakfast, grocery shopping... and then we get ready to party!

Today we got to go to Chuck E Cheese for Campbell's birthday party...

I was very excited!

Finally there!

I don't really love when Chuck comes over to the stage to dance with the birthday parties, but I love these dance parties that aren't crowded at the front of the restaurant... much better!

I spent more time playing games than playing in the toddler area today... that's a first!

The birthday girl! My sweet friend Campbell from ballet...

Lots of pictures of Campbell here for her mommy to grab...

Pizza and cake time!

Campbell and her mommy...

See the dance party near the tables is too crazy!

Campbell was not so sure about Chuck.... so she spent most of the party part very nervous...

Cake always helps though!

Dancing...

and cupcakes... 2 of my favorite things!

the best part of the dance parties is they throw tickets at the end of the party!

Hugs...

Campbell's brother took her turn in the ticket blaster...

It was a great party! Thanks for inviting us Campbell!

2nd Post: Frank Buck Zoo

2012-01-15T18:37:00.000-08:00

We woke up Saturday morning and it was BEAUTIFUL! We had no plans... so it was time for a Fort Family Adventure...

We've talked about going to Frank Buck Zoo in Gainesville several times, but today was the day we finally headed north...

Our first stop... Rudy's in Denton!

Super yummy barbecue and they support mommy's college... Caw!

When we got to Gainesville we saw a sign for the World's Best Fried Pies... so we made a stop before we got to the zoo... and it was TOTALLY worth it!

Frank Buck Zoo is small, but it's one of those great places where toddlers can roam free and they are still safe...

I got to be the line leader the whole day!

Bunnies...

Goats...

Porcupine... the zoo keeper let us touch a quill and told us all about Lucy (short for Lucifer)...

Lemurs!

Giraffes!

Time to dance!

The have names on almost all of the wood beams and mom found her name and asked dad to take her picture...

So I immediately wanted to do the same thing... not an easy feat with the name Milla... we started looking for "Amelia" or "Fort"... but mom found "Mills" (which she often calls me) and I decided it was close enough...

Giraffe!

No idea what this guy is...

Bears!

Bobcat...

BIG bear!

Gift shop time!

There is a fantastic park next to the zoo... it was almost as much fun as the zoo!

We had a great day!

Our Week in Review...

2012-01-15T18:12:00.000-08:00

This week was all about getting back to routine... 3 days of school, ballet and an errand day... amazing how when I get back into routine, my behavior immediately improves!

There are several crazy Milla stories this week... Monday morning I found my Easter Bunny book (from the movie last year) and I said "I have that chicken"... I insisted on finding him and even though I hadn't touched him in 9 months (at least) I was able to walk into my playroom, go to one of many containers of stuffed animals and find him. This is why mom struggles to get rid of my stuffed animals. My memory is just TOO GOOD!

Tuesday I had ballet... another story. I asked if Rebecca could come with me to ballet, so we put her ballet clothes on. The day was going really well until after ballet when mom helped me get changed and I asked where Rebecca's change of clothes was. Needless to say we had to go home and get her a change of clothes...

We played at home for a little while and then we met up with Bella at the play area at Milestone church...

We were the only two kids there... super fun!

Towards the end of our playdate we put on a little talent show...

Mommy has to laugh that at one point this year my counselor called me extremely shy... not so much here!

Wednesday I played squinkies before school...

We are learning about penguins and Eskimos this week...

Thursday was our errand day... we stayed home all morning and then we went to Costco and Target... it was a very restful day...

Friday is my long day at school... which is perfect for mom because she can get lots of errands done before the weekend...

Do you all know that I still think mom has a "job" that she does when I'm at school... she says it's not technically lying because being a SAHM is a job... she says she helps daddy with his work, running errands, etc. It's the only way I will let her leave me at school...

Even though school is my favorite place in the world... by the way thank you Nana for the rockin' leg warmers!

School, Ponies & Parks...

2012-01-10T20:19:00.000-08:00

Friday at school we were reading a book about mice... mom thought "we have no mice shirts" and then she remembered my favorite mouse! (playing hair salon here)

Minnie!

Mom had to laugh when I chose the "rock star" shirt over a princess shirt (too much Fresh Beat "Rock Star")... Milla 6.0 picture

After a VERY hard morning and a long nap we headed to the school playground to play...

Love sliding my $100 American Girl doll...

Mom loves this series of pictures...

You can definitely tell how proud I am of myself...

We found the hills that we will be using for sledding if/when it ever snows again...

and I took a minute to exam the grass...

the BIG hill...

We noticed the ponies were by the fence so we went to feed them...

There is some SUPER long grass in front of their fence that they can't reach and they LOVE it!

Meet the BULLY!

I am definitely not afraid of animals... I went up to each horse on my own and fed them...

On Sunday we headed to Kidsville (the original plan from Saturday before the meltdown)...

It's SUCH a cool park!

I scared mom half to death when I decided to climb this by myself... I did it though...

She recovered quickly...

We became friends with this smart, funny little boy and his little sister and we decided to have a dinosaur dig...

More mountain climbing...

and some swinging...

and some spinning...

NYE & My First Week Back at School...

2012-01-08T20:43:00.000-08:00

We had a low-key New Year's Eve this year...

But I still rocked a festive dress...

We took daddy's "boat to the lake"...

his r/c boat (that he's asked for the past 4 Christmases and we finally found this year)...

and our lake at the front of the neighborhood...

I'm actually an excellent driver...

and it held my attention a lot longer than mommy thought it would...

We also spent a little time at the park...

and ended the day with an early dinner at BJ's...

New Year's Day was just as low-key. We got groceries, showed my bike and Santa presents to Nana and Pop Pop...

and then mommy and daddy snuck out for a hibachi dinner to celebrate the New Year...

Monday mom put her camera down (knowing she was getting behind and daddy spent the day buying a new truck)...

Tuesday our life started to get back to normal... starting with ballet!

mom says she needs a catch phrase for these pictures where I look way to old... Milla 6.0 or something...

Wednesday it was finally time to head back to school (we had s'mores for dessert every night last week)...

and of course the bubble baths have continued to be popular...

and yes... my eyes are officially green.

Bubble crown...

Snow!

Thursday we headed to Lilly's house for a playdate...

She got a bounce house for Christmas...

I also got a new basket so my bears can now ride with me...

I definitely have my big girl bike down!

Dallas Zoo...

2012-01-06T18:59:00.000-08:00

Mommy decided to do something special with some of her Christmas money this year... she got us a family membership to the Dallas Zoo! We L-O-V-E the Fort Worth Zoo and will continue being members there, but sometimes you just want to experience some different animals AND it only took us 30 minutes to get there and 45 to get home...

We headed straight to the Giants of the Savannah section...

and ate our lunch with the lions...

We checked out the other animals of Africa...

Played on the sculptures...

and waited patiently for our chance to ride on the monorail...

I always love their monorail!

the Dallas Zoo has a ton of sculptures and I was obsessed with posing and "playing" with each one...

We finally found the meerkats...

and more sculptures...

The giant anteaters were REALLY creepy!

and my favorite of the day was the albino alligator...

Mom finally showed me the Children's Zoo and I was in heaven!

I even went to pet the goats by myself!

Our last stop of the day was the carousel... where I got to ride a rhino!

It was a great day!

Christmas with the Houston Forts

2012-01-03T20:44:00.000-08:00

First just one of those pictures that makes mommy smile... I was wearing both pairs of sunglasses Santa brought me. :)

Tuesday afternoon daddy came home early from work and we headed out to Granbury for Christmas with the Houston Forts...

What more presents? Sign me up!

We had presents... BBQ...

and some kinect time with my pal (and cousin) Blaise...

Family picture time...

Mom asked for silly faces... only Blaise and I participated...

On Wednesday we headed to see the Chipmunk movie... I earned it with my sticker chart and loved it!

and I'm still LOVING bubble baths!!!!

2011: Our Year in Pictures...

2011-12-31T23:19:00.000-08:00

We had a fabulous year full of Fort Family Adventures...

Here are the highlights...

We started January off with a fresh haircut and a trip to Milestone's play area...

a super fun Barney concert...

Played in some faux snow...

Tried on ballet costumes for recital...

took a trip to the Fort Worth Museum...

Attended my first big girl class at Little Gym (no mommy)...

Had my first ear infection ever. :(...

and we enjoyed Dad's Day at school...

Maggie continued to be my best 4 legged friend...

and we made our first family trip to Krispy Kreme...

I started big girl swinging...

and we had a super fun time at the Fort Worth Stockshow...

In February, I had my first kiss...

Lots of snow days...

My imagination really started to take off and I could be found totally engrossed in creative play...

We had a fun Valentine party at school...

and a rockin' side ponytail Valentine's Day!

We went to see the Imagination Movers...

and Bubba and I headed to the zoo...

We took a family trip to the ice skating rink...

and I tried, but I was pretty nervous...

Our playground on our street was completed...

and I visited daddy at work...

Mom and dad went to the Moms' League Gala...

Mommy and her friends threw Miss Carrie a baby shower for baby Luke...

and mom completed her first multi-character appliqued outfit...

In March, we headed to Artie's Playhouse to see Wizard of Oz...

Enjoyed Gnomeo and Juliet...

Got another haircut...

Mommy got a new car...

and I got a new scooter...

Spring brought back play time at Southlake Town Square...

and I got to ride a horse of another color at Sailer's Wizard of Oz birthday party...

We started off April with bluebonnet pictures...

A vacation to San Antonio to see Shamu...

and Scooby...

I went to my first dance party...

Met the Easter bunny...

Twice in one day...

Had a special Easter party at school...

and had my yearly music performance at school...

In May, we enjoyed the Royal Nuptials...

I attended playcare at Moms' League without crying... YAY!

Maggie started dog training...

We headed to the zoo for Mother's Day...

Took professional pictures in my recital costumes...

and some super fun pictures too...

We had dress rehearsal for recital...

and finally it was recital time...

I had my last day of school :(...

Graduated from Little Gym...

and remembered how much I love live music...

We went on adventure at Fossil Rim...

Checked out Legoland for the first time...

and the neighborhood pool opened...

In June, Maggie got a summer haircut (which I hated), she also got Kennel Cough...

and Mabel joined our family...

I was very excited to meet her...

and Maggie was thrilled to have a new friend...

I started summer school...

We celebrated Father's Day with a trip to Legoland...

and I started summer ballet classes...

and met Miss Linda...

In July, we celebrated the 4th of July...

Had lots of playdates with Bella...

Went to our 2nd Wiggles concert...

Celebrated how well the Rangers were doing...

and went to an awesome Pinkalicious play...

In August, I started my 2nd summer school...

We went to the circus...

I got a fantastic bounce house to fight the summer heat...

and I flunked out of gymnastics (this was my picture the day I threw my last screaming fit and mom un-enrolled me)...

We checked out the new Sea Life Aquarium...

and started having playdates with my neighbor Ava...

We toured the new neighborhood elementary school...

and I had ear infection #6 in 6 months...

We had our first neighborhood block party...

Went to the zoo with Madeline...

Started fall ballet with Miss Linda...

and had lots of playdates with Lilly...

In September we headed back to school with Meet the Teacher Day...

I got ear tubes...

and immediately felt better (well after I recovered for a couple of days)...

My 3rd year of school started...

I had a fun dress up playdate with Lilly...

Where we went to Grapevine Main Street Days...

and I attended my first homecoming parade...

In October, we headed to Sharkarosa Wildlife Ranch to meet some awesome animals...

Enjoyed a beautiful day at the Dallas Arboretum with Bella...

Went to a super fun Superhero Birthday Party...

Enjoyed the Shrine Circus...

Had fun at Country Critters Day at school...

Went to my first State Fair of Texas...

Participated in my first parade with Bella...

Gutted my own pumpkin...

Mommy attended a baby shower for Ms. Christi's baby Parker...

Mabel got spayed...

I was a super cute Strawberry Shortcake...

and a Berrrykin...

We had a blast getting lost in the corn maze...

Mommy turned 35...

and had a great birthday party hosted by Ms. Shelley...

and I mastered trick or treating...

In November, I went on my first airplane ride...

to Disney World...

I met Minnie Mouse...

Became a princess by my very own Fairy Godmother...

Had dinner with Cinderella and all her princess friends...

Saw the best Christmas Lights in the world...

Met the Beast...

had breakfast with all the princesses...

Met Marie the Cat...

and even enjoyed my evening at The Neverland Club...

and one of my favorite moments... I met Sully & Mike...

When we got home I enjoyed a super fun trip to the zoo with Bella...

Had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family...

and took Nana and Pop Pop to the Southlake Christmas Tree lighting...

In December, I visited Santa with Bella...

and on my own...

Had a magical day at American Girl Doll...

and a super fun lunch with Nana at the American Girl Doll cafe...

turned 4...

Had Polar Express Day at school...

Had a fantastic 4th birthday party at Paradise Pond...

Went to my first Nutcracker with mommy....

Went to Ice for the first time...

Met Gingy...

Had a fantastic Christmas Party at school...

Went to Six Flags Holiday in the Park...

Met Scooby Doo for the 2nd time this year...

Went on the Polar Express with Emerson...

Danced at "The Reindeer that Saved Christmas"...

Met the Chick-fil-a Princess Cow...

Had my worst boo boo of the year...

Enjoyed Christmas Eve with my grandparents...

Said goodbye to my very special Elf friend Sprinkles...

Had a WONDERFUL Christmas Day...

Mastered my big girl bike...

Celebrated a 2nd Christmas with the Forts...

learned how much I love bubble baths...

and got a zoo membership at the Dallas Zoo...

It truly was a magical year!

Christmas Day!

2011-12-27T20:53:00.000-08:00

Finally it was time... Santa came!

and Buddy the Elf too... I left him a glass of maple syrup (his favorite)...

Awake and ready (at 10am)...

Coming down the stairs...

So excited about all my presents...

The Belle doll (that talks, reads books and interacts is my favorite for sure)...

Stockings!

I patiently waited as each person opened their stocking...

Maggie!

Mabel even got a gingerbread rawhide...

Don't I look like a big girl on my bike?

Still in love with my castle...

More story time with Belle...

For a kid with sensory issues bubble baths can be a little much. Mom tried when I was 1 and then again when I was 2 and it freaked me out both times. So she waited... and finally she agreed with Santa that I was probably ready. So he brought me princess bubble bath and in the middle of Christmas morning I wanted to take a bubble bath... mom and dad obliged...

and then I ate my godiva reindeer! YUMMO!

I finally discovered the coolness of my spooner board... this is the next hot toy and mommy just ran into it and decided to buy it...

Finally it was time for some bike riding...

We are not homebodies and it is torture to us that everything is closed on Christmas Day (and Grandma Kitty & Papa Don had already headed back to Corpus) so we decided to just get out of the house...

We headed to Grapevine to see all the decorations one more time...

All Christmas season I have LOVED nativity scenes. I can be heard screaming "Jesus" as we drive down the road and pass one. Cracks daddy up every time!

A little polar bear love...

NOTHING was open on Christmas so we ended up at McDonalds... we were the only ones there for dinner...

and with hot chocolate in hand we headed back to Main Street to watch the lights...

and one last look at the moving displays... I seriously would visit them everyday if mom and dad would take me!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas Eve...

2011-12-26T21:28:00.000-08:00

The day before Christmas Eve, Sprinkles my elf left me some sugar cookies to decorate...

and then mom and I headed out to see Arthur Claus...

When we came back Papa Don & Grandma Kitty arrived and we played, went to see Christmas lights and enjoyed their company. Mom and I haggled over when Christmas was (I was convinced that day was Christmas Eve)...

Christmas Eve morning I told Papa Don... "Hey, I have an idea" and lead him through the Frosty the Snowman circle dance... he obliged...

Then I told mom I wanted to make more cookies...

While she made cookies... I played in the powdered sugar!

Maggie even licked me clean...

I made such a mess we had to vacuum up the powdered sugar!

Later, Nana and Pop Pop came over for dinner and presents...

and we started our official Christmas Eve picture taking...

Mom made this dress too...

Grandma Kitty & Papa Don...

Nana & Pop Pop...

We had one last project before dinner... our gingerbread house...

Notice our exact same facial expression... probably because I was eating more chocolate chips than I was putting on the house...

We had lots of fun decorating...

and our house was very cute... with a chimney (which was my idea)...

After patiently waiting through dinner it was finally time for PRESENTS!

Operation! Which I have been begging for...

This was my face when I saw that I got my Cinderella Castle from Disneyworld...

It's SO beautiful!

I was amazed at all the characters!

and requested some play time right away...

I also LOVED my vet set from Papa Don and Grandma Kitty...

after opening all my presents (there were LOTS and mom finally just put down her camera to enjoy)... it was time to make reindeer food. Chocolate chips, oatmeal and sprinkles...

We put out cookies for Santa...

and I got to say goodbye to my elf Sprinkles. Since Santa took her home when he came I was able to touch her (she didn't need her magic to get home). It was so nice to finally touch her and I cannot wait for her to visit us next year!

She became one of my favorite friends!

Finally it was time for bed, I went to sleep like all good girls should on Christmas Eve without a fuss!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T20:19:00.000-08:00

Panda Snow x 2...

2011-12-23T21:51:00.000-08:00

My elf was nice enough to bring me a present this morning... a Lalaloopsy mini doll who is an elf... isn't she cute?

after some playtime with squinkies & lalaloopsy dolls mommy convinced me to play hair salon and straighten my hair...

I was READY to head back to the Gaylord and ride the snow hills... and visit one last time with Santa (something I've been requesting a lot lately)...

Can you tell this outfit makes me feel sassy?

Quick pic of me and mommy...

So excited!

The Gaylord was very different a week later... very busy and all the characters were out...

a pic with the gingy statue...

We got into Panda tubing and found Kung Foo Panda dancing on top of the snow hill... AWESOME!

Isn't he cool?

SOO excited! No pictures of tubing since mom and I had to go down together each time. We had SO much fun BUT the lines were WAY longer than the other day... ugh! You got to go twice and then you had to stand in line again (for 20 to 30 minutes)...

snack time... practicing my kung fu moves...

Love this panda!

Got my Rudolph nose and we headed to see Santa...

When we got to the line we were told that Santa was going to go feed his reindeer for an hour and we would have to come back... ugh...

But we made the best of it... we visited all the elfs...

watched the trains...

and found all the reindeer...

We visited the sleigh again...

and when boredom hit, we ate cotton candy!

I love the trains!

Mom loves this picture of me waiting in line for Santa...

My Santa picture was ok... mom will scan it soon and post it. But I was able to tell him a more specific list (which mom thinks is why I wanted to go see him again)... A Belle doll, a Willa (Fijit) and a big girl bike (Strawberry Shortcake please)... after we were done we headed back to the snow hills and made all 6 runs... which was crazy since we had to wait in line 3 times... I definitely had my patience hat on!!!!!!!

Twas the Week Before Christmas...

2011-12-22T22:14:00.000-08:00

Monday morning we headed out to run errands, it was a boring day but I had to get this shirt worn before Christmas...

Tuesday we had tickets to Artie's Playhouse for "The Reindeer that Saved Christmas"...

Gotta love the self timer on the camera...

Me and my Rudolph...

Ready to go!

We had front row seats...

The kids did a great job...

and I really enjoyed it!

After the show was over I headed straight to the stage to dance...

and conga...

Mom had a Rudolph lollipop for me. :)

We headed to the mall for a few more errands, it was CRAZY busy!

but I got to meet the Princess Cow...

She was AWESOME!

I really wanted to spend the day with her!

Wednesday morning we took it slow and played "find the pickle"... it's an ornament that you hide and it talks to give you clues...

My elf Sprinkles played too... isn't she cute? She made her reindeer antlers during craft time at elf school... she goes there at night when I'm sleeping...

While playing mom went to start the dishwasher and I was playing with my Rudolph... all she heard was screaming and came in to find this... I was trying to put Rudolph in my stocking and my stocking holder fell... that thing weighs a ton and it conked me really hard. I was bleeding and it even put a big dent in my IKEA table...

Gotta love boo boos for Christmas pictures! Mr. Brian down the street (who is a paramedic) checked me over and deemed me ok... shwew!

I recovered pretty quickly...

and even had fun at McDonalds...

North Pole Express

2011-12-21T21:47:00.001-08:00

Sunday morning we headed out to get groceries... I requested a Minnie Mouse Christmas shirt & antlers...

Sunday evening we headed to Grapevine to ride the North Pole Express...

I was VERY excited!

The best part was we were meeting my "birthday twin" Emerson. We born on the exact same day and our moms became fast friends on babycenter. They live in Austin, but we've gotten to play together a few times...

Since the last time we saw her, they've added Ainsley to their family... she's so cute!

Here is me and Emme...

Fall of 2009 (when Grant was born)...

and our first meeting, summer of 2008...

Nothing breaks the ice with a new friend like a game of chase!

We both brought our American Girl dolls...

walking the balance beam, waiting for our turn to ride...

We met a cute doggie...

and Emerson's mommy took our picture...

We were FAST friends!

Emerson, Tara & Ainsley...

Happy Milla!

Finally it was time to watch the pre-show...

and we took a picture with our mommies...

definitely better than our last picture with our mommies!

So excited to finally get to board the train!

SNOW!

YAY! Finally on board...

Mom was trying to convince me we were really going to the North Pole, but seeing Great Wolf Lodge kind of gave it away...

the conductor...

waiving at Santa...

He gave us bells...

and snapped a quick picture...

and then we got to see Mrs. Claus...

I loved my bell!

There were lots of songs to sing and dance to...

ALl done with the train...

Look how big this ornament is!

Next stop... hot chocolate!

Emerson... I loved spending time with you! I actually cried when we had to leave and asked to see you over and over again... I promise my mommy will work hard to get me to Austin (or the Waco zoo) soon!

Six Flags Holiday in the Park

2011-12-20T22:18:00.000-08:00

Saturday we had nothing planned so after some rest in the morning we headed to Holiday in the Park at Six Flags...

I was SO excited!

Even though I wasn't feeling 100%, I was so hyper from the steroids mommy and daddy had to do something with me!

First ride (as always) was the trucks...

and then I requested the mini mine train...

This was the ride that I was scared of last year... not so much this year!

Mom even shot a POV video of me riding it...

Then we headed over to meet the reindeer...

Rudolph...

Dancer (mommy's favorite)...

Vixen...

Prancer...

Cupid...

Blitzen...

Donner...

Comet...

and then we headed to the Batwing...

and the cloud jumper...

When the sun went down it got REALLY cold, REALLY fast!

So we warmed up in the stores while I danced...

silly girl!

I was so excited to find Scooby at the end of the night...

and proclaimed I was going to go meet Porky Pig all by myself...

Last ride... the kiddie coaster...

We had a great afternoon (though it was REALLY, REALLY, REALLY crowded)...

Preschool Christmas Party...

2011-12-19T23:22:00.000-08:00

Friday was my last day of preschool before Christmas break... which also meant it was time for our Christmas party!

This dress looked COMPLETELY different when I went to bed, but mom wasn't happy with it, so she went back to work... the result was absolute cuteness!

and I loved it!

I also loved my Sally pigtails...

Kade's mom made these fantastic snowman cake balls for us to enjoy...

and I was SO excited to see mommy!

Let's get this party started!

They always start out with the "good for us" snacks...

Josh...

Quinn...

Piper...

Me!

Isabelle...

Maribelle...

Findlay...

Kade...

and Mathias...

"Milla the red nosed reindeer"...

Finally a picture of me at school with mommy where I'm looking at the camera and smiling... woo hoo!

Cake pop time!

You have to start with the oreo hat!

Ready to play some games!

Wreath toss... and I made it!

YAY!

Me and Lilly...

Craft time...

My wonderful teacher Ms. Judy...

Story time...

at the end of the day we did a book exchange...

and then I went to see Miss Michelle...

after school we met up with Bella for one more playdate before she left for California...

We had SO much fun!

It was big kid jump time and mom thought I would be totally intimidated, but I had a blast!

So did Bella!

I always want to "weigh" myself...

after running around like a crazy person I started coughing... HARD! So mom called Dr. Martin's office. We headed in and I got diagnosed with croup. Blah! Steroids, antibiotics & my good cough medicine. Hopefully we can kick this thing before Christmas!

Ice...

2011-12-18T22:18:00.000-08:00

Wednesday night Mabel was WAY too quiet during dinner... we should have suspected she was up to no good!

She made toilet paper snow!

Which I thoroughly enjoyed!

Thursday afternoon daddy took off from work and we headed to The Gaylord to see ICE...

Mom is glad she took these two cute pictures of the outfit she made for me because she forgot her camera at home... ugh!

So you have to experience ICE through mommy's iphone camera...

We had a whole afternoon planned... first up ICE!

It's 3 degrees in there! So we bundled up...

and then they gave us parkas...This is their professional picture they take... which you buy when you forgot your camera!

Ready to go in!

The sculptures are beautiful... but I don't think it's something a 4 year old "gets"...

They did have a super fun ice slide (which we all went down)...

and I got to see some of my favorite characters from Shrek...

and a beautiful nativity scene...

after ICE we headed over to make a gingerbread family with Gingy...

and meet Gingy himself!

So fun!

The gingerbread was VERY spicy... but I enjoyed the icing...

Next up... snow tubing!

This was the best thing we did all day!

and finally it was time to look at all the lights and decorations...

4 Year Well Visit & Holidaywear...

2011-12-16T22:54:00.000-08:00

On Monday I headed back to school after my fun birthday party/Nutcracker weekend...

And after school we headed to Dr. Martin for my 4 year well visit.

And as we always post on well visits...

2 weeks old...

3 months old...

6 months old...

12 months old...

15 months old...

18 months old...

2 years old...

3 years old...

and 4 years old...

I'm 30.8 pounds (4.4 pounds gained in one year)

I'm 39 inches tall (3 inches taller than a year ago)

I also got 4 SHOTS! Ugh! Lots of mommies say their 4 year olds didn't cry... well I cried... it hurt VERY bad and I don't understand the whole "don't tense your leg" thing so I bruised afterward. It was pretty awful, but a Popsicle definitely helped!

So because I was so brave mommy took me to Build A Bear afterward...

and a snazzy bear backpack!

Riding the carousel...

Tuesday my legs were SORE when I woke up and I didn't feel like I could go to ballet... so we took it easy at the house...

Eventually we got too bored to stay home any longer and we headed to Great Wolf Lodge to check out their Christmas decorations. We were not impressed... they are NOT competing with Gaylord Texan for this!

Mom did finally get a picture of me with the cupcake bear (which she desperately tried to do when we vacationed there when I was almost 2)...

and we added a wolf...

After we got bored there (not sure who gets bored first these days... me or mom)... We headed to Grapevine Main Street to see their Christmas decorations (which we love)...

I even visited Santa...

Mom knew my legs were feeling better when I wanted to dance on the stage...

my new bear Trixie visited all the animals...

aren't we cute?

Wednesday I was feeling better and so off to school I went... It was movie day in afternoon enrichment, we got to watch Frosty the Snowman!

and this sums up the nightly chaos at our house... see Maggie laughing in the background?

Mommy ordered me a copy of the Nutcracker online and I was thrilled to watch it. When it got the angels I explained that I needed an angel costume to practice... amazingly mom had one on hand!

Always prepared that mommy!

Nutcracker & Ava's Birthday Party

2011-12-15T22:25:00.000-08:00

As an extra special birthday treat mommy got us tickets for the Nutcracker...

I was SO excited! When we would talk about the weekend I was almost more excited for the Nutcracker than for my birthday party...

I told mommy I wanted to a dress that looked like Clara's but was pink, so we went shopping and I found this one and was in love!

Ready for our special date...

We had perfect parking when we arrived at the theater...

and perfect seats! Can you tell how excited I was?

All the way through the first act I never moved or asked for anything... I was totally content just watching the dancers. Especially when we saw my teacher Ms. Linda who said I could be in the Nutcracker someday...

at intermission I got a little ballerina doll...

After the show we headed home to change and head to Let's Jump for Ava's 4th birthday party (Ava lives 3 houses down from me)...

The 3 girls at the party (Ava is in the middle)...

Singing happy birthday...

Sweet Ava wanted NOTHING to do with mommy's camera...

But I of course continued to ham it up like usual...

Backing Up... Polar Express...

2011-12-13T19:38:00.000-08:00

Mom was so excited to blog about my birthday party, we skipped right over Polar Express...

So now we will rewind...

Last Wednesday was Polar Express at school...

one of my favorite days because I get to wear pajamas to school!

and one of mom's favorites because she knows it is creating great memories for me...

Ready...

4 years old...

3 years old...

2 years old...

We were late to school and by the time we got there it was time for our first activity...

I was SO excited!

We headed over to meet Santa...

Maribelle was excited too!

Kade...

Mathias...

Maribelle..

Josh...

Quinn...

Me!

Mom loves this picture! 2011...

2010...

2009...

Findlay (he was explaining which Harry Potter lego set he wants)...

Isabelle (SO proud of her! She's always been scared before)...

Piper... she was the most hesitant, but she did great when she met him...

Sweet Mazy did NOT like the man in red... she was SUPER sad!

Class picture time...

I headed back up to ask Santa what kind of cookies he wanted on Christmas Eve... chocolate chip it is!

Back to our classroom to play for a little while...

Mom just can't believe how big I'm getting...

My super fun classroom... no wonder I like rainbows so much, look at this room!

Next we headed over to dance with Miss Donna...

Mom loves how sweet I am with Mazzy!

The freeze dance is my absolute favorite!

Finally it was time to board the Polar Express...

and then play reindeer games!

one quick picture to prove mom was there!

The chaos...

and finally snack time!

Cookies!

Mom always goes around the table and takes a cookie picture... Silly mommy!

I am so blessed with a great school and wonderful friends!

Oh... and I stayed in my pajamas the rest of the day!