Discovery Green

Last weekend we took an unexpected trip over to Discovery Green. Bella loves parks and slides and Mama and Daddy love sliding with her. She is at such a fun age. Everything is so BIG to her and she is learning and exploring all the time.

The ice skating rink was packed so we just watched.

Mama and Daddy

Mama, Bella and Daddy

a GIRL and her TUTU

The other night I was making a tutu for a friend and Bella wanted it really bad. I got hers and she wore it several times over the next few days. She loves it so much that she actually tries to eat it. She bites at the tool. So she gets it taken away when she does that. Oh well, she still loves it!

"All of this coloring can wear a girl out!"

MDO Christmas Program......SUCCESS!

********Update*********
I fixed the video so you should be able to watch it.

Today Bella had her Mother's Day Out Christmas program. She did FANTASTIC!! I couldn't be any more proud of her. I must admit that I was really nervous about how she would do because she has been having a hard time being there, which by the way she IS getting better. All of us parents were anxiously awaiting the arrival of our little ones. The MDO parents were placed in the back because they were afraid our kids spotted us they were decide they needed to sit with us rather than perform "Jingle Bells". So they all marched in together and I was listening for her cry but I NEVER heard it. Little Bit got right up on that stage with her jingle bells and waited for the music to start. The music started and she began shaking her shoulders and jingling her bells like nobody's business. Luckily she was seated next to Ryan so we got video and pictures of both of them. I have to apologize for the quality of my pictures because I was so far back and I had to crop them out to see her in them. So here we go....Bella is on the bottom row with the large red bow on her head. Ryan is to her left, our right.

She is getting into the groove of things here.

Break it down, Sista!!

This is where she decides she would rather stand with the older MDO kids.

She was quite serious about this but her teacher put a stop to it.

"Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the waaaaaaaayyyyy"

Aren't they just precious!

I seriously can't wait til the next performance.

My little STAR!

I just love her to pieces...

Baby boy had a little accident and had a goose egg and cut on his forhead.

After the spectacular performance we went into her classroom and decorated cookies. Bella is pretty dominant with her left hand so I was trying to help her with my left hand and it was slightly awkward. I guess my dad should have been there to help with part :).

Me and my Bell

Ryan decorating his cookie.

Alyssa helping Ryan.

Daddy got in on the Bella action too!

Bella was sitting next to Lorelai, her momma grew up in our church too.

Bella picked her book...

....and was quite excited about it!

Luckily Courtney was there to help her open her present. (She had a dr.'s appointment so she was off from school.)

Then it was time to meet Santa.... that didn't go so well and he EVEN knew her name.

She was terrified, to say the least.

Things didn't go much better with Ryan.

He calmed down a lot faster though.

When we got home Bella got aquainted with her new coloring book. Then took a nap. It's hard work performing, decorating cookies, opening presents, and being terrified of Santa.

And now I will leave with you with a piece of what you missed today. Sorry the filming is a little rough. The lady in front of Terry kept getting her hair in the way...

Baby Anthony turns 1

Today we took Bella to Anthony's 1st birthday party. When we first arrived Bella did not want to be put down. This quickly changed when she realized she could exert her independence. She was really excited to see the moonwalk and kept talking to it and screaming with excitement.

When it was time for her to get in......she screamed with terror. Terry had to get in with her and she was still apprehensive.

She started to loosen up a bit and get the hang of the feeling of the movement.

And then she finally felt comfortable but still wasn't wanting to stand up.

She finally got brave enough to stand up and had a great time. She never did try to jump but she did enjoy laughing at the other kiddos that were in there. She loves big kids!

Anthony with his Mommy and Daddy opening presents. This is prior to Bella joining them.

And there she is playing with Anthony's new toy. She loved this thing. Maybe we should get her one for Christmas.

Bella & Anthony both enjoying his new toy.

Birthday Boy eating his cake. He did not even make a mess.

Happy 1st Birthday, Anthony!! Thanks for letting us share your special day with you!!

Update on Mother's Day Out: Still crying!!

She now has to leave before naptime because she keeps everyone awake. No good. I pretty much can't stand how upset she is but I know she will get use to it. She has 3 days next week and then two weeks off. I'm afraid that is BAD NEWS BEARS!! We are trying to figure out the best way to deal with this but it's still a work in progress.

Today she was fine and walking off from us at the party. She acted like she could have cared less that we were even there. I know she DID know we were there and that gave her confidence. Ugh.....what to do!?!

Mother's Day Out

So today was Bella's first day of Mother's Day Out. I took half a day today to be able to take her and pick her up on her first day. Before we left she was in such a good mood, talking and playing and just being silly.

She was just a happy little princess.

When we got there her teacher's assistant led her over to the table and she sat there like a big girl and played with a puzzle.
We chatted with her teacher as a few other kiddos came in and Bella stayed at the table and played. We kissed her good bye and were on our way. We got out of there without any tears.
But then I went to pick her up. I went to the door and peeked inside and there was my Bella standing in the middle of the room crying. It broke my heart to find out she cried pretty much the whole time. Apparently she started looking for us after we left and got pretty upset and stayed that way. She was good as long as Mrs. Alma was holding her....oops! She would get really upset every time they transitioned to a new activity; snack, lunch, and the oh so dreaded nap time. She did not take a nap today. Not even when I got her home. Needless to say she will be headed to bed at about 7 tonight. I know that this is totally normal, I did teach Kindergarten! But it feels so very different on the other side. I can't stand for her to be upset. From now on Mom will be taking and picking her up so she will get to be the one that deals with this. I'm afraid tomorrow might be worse. I know she will get use to it just as Ryan has. Even though he went in and did just fine :) He's such a good boy! Mrs. Alma said they really didn't pay much attention to each other but when I got there she kept telling him "hi". He actually met me at the door when I got there this afternoon. I wanted to get a picture of the two of them but I couldn't put Bella down without her crying. I did steal some sugars from my sweet nephew though!! I think it will be fun for them to be in the same class and do this together. Their Christmas program and party are next week. I'm forseeing that our Bella might not participate. Here's hoping she makes a liar out of me!!

Good luck tomorrow, Mom!!

Guess where we are going tomorrow?

These items could only mean one thing.

Can you guess where Bella is going for the first time tomorrow?

nappy, lunch kit, diapers and diaper bag