ONE USE FOR A GINGERBREAD HOUSE AFTER THE HOLIDAYS ARE OVER

Don't worry, we used all organic ingredients and limited his sugar intake ;-)

CHRISTMAS DAY IN SUNNY SOUTH FLORIDA

This is one of the best things about living in South Florida. When Christmas Day is winding down, head to the beach.

HOLIDAY MAGIC

This holiday, we have incorporated Advent and St. Nicholas into our festivities. What a magical month it has been. Here are some photos to share:

Happy Thanksgiving

Well Happy Thanksgiving everyone! In our house today, we have a lot to be thankful for. Family and friends are number one on the list. We've been having a wonderful time preparing for today. Boo Boo loved cooking all our favorites. Yes, even vegetarians have a "turkey" at Thanksgiving. Take a look at Boo Boo's creation.

Dr. Boo Boo

Who would have thought such a simple thing as mommy breaking her tooth would set Boo Boo on her current career path? Yes, I broke my front tooth. Our dentist and her assistant were wonderful and allowed Boo Boo to sit in my lap and "assist" through the whole repair. Boo Boo was hooked! They sent her home with her own personal bag of "instruments", gloves, mask, cotton packing ... the works! As you can see Abigail was in need of some dental work this past week. Don't worry, Dr. Boo Boo fixed her right up ... over and over and over again.

HALLOWEEN

We had a wonderful "cool front" coming through south Florida this past week and Halloween night was cool and breezy. A little bit of rain here and there, but nothing would deter our little Fall Fairy from the quest for candy. We went trick-or-treating in our new neighborhood and Boo Boo very much enjoyed it. Here are some cute picks of Boo Boo and our new neighbors, Jori and Jack.

Later that night, the mysterious Candy Fairy came along and wisked away the bowl of candy left out by Boo Boo, leaving a very special suprise. Bright and early the next morning, Boo Boo went on a search to see what the Candy Fairy had left for her ... her favorite ... rubber stamps and ink (washable at that). Boo Boo was very excited and has been stamping everything in site. She said, "Mommy, those fairies sure know what I like". Isn't that a good thing ;-)

Boo Boo is Three Years Old

I can hardly believe that my little Boo Boo is three years old. I have to say it is a bitter-sweet time for me. I am truly mourning babyhood and, at the same time, so excited to see this delightful little girl blossom. She reminds me multiple times per day that she is a "big girl" ... just in case I were to forget. She is so strong willed and must do everything all by herself. Sometimes the moment just overwhelms her when her intense desire to be independent gets overtaken by the fact that she is just three years old. Wow, to be so little and wanting to be so big. It really must be hard. I try my best to empathize, even when I feel like tearing my hair out. Most times I am successful at looking into those big eyes and seeing just how overwhelming it must be to grow ... thrilling, dazzling, bewildering, frustrating, exciting, daring, and down-right exhausting. She has accepted the challenge of "bigdom" with grace and determination. Those of you who know her little personality, know that nothing will stand in her way toward "bigness". I'll just treasure those moments of "babyness" at each little glimpse I still get and brace myself for all the exciting "bigness" to come.

Birthday Preparations

We hope you will enjoy reading some highlights from our birthday week circle time and seeing photos of Lexi's birthday spiral and her birthday cake ... which she helped bake.

The Wish

By Ann Friday

Each birthday wish I've ever made

Really does come true.

Each year I wish I'll grow some more

And every year I DO!

Three little candles on a birthday cake,

They know just what to do.

You may blow one candle out

And that leaves two.

Two little candles on a birthday cake,

Helping us have fun.

You may blow one candle out

And that leaves one.

One little candle on a birthday cake,

It knows its job is done.

You may blow that candle out

And that leaves none.


BIRTHDAY SONG

In heaven shines a golden star
An angel led me from afar
From heaven high to the earth
And brought me to my house of birth
Oh welcome welcome lovely day
With sunshine bright and flowers gay
With painted birds that sing their song
And make me kind and good and strong



BIRTHDAY ANTICIPATION

When I have said my evening prayer
And my clothes are folded on the chair

And mother switches off the light
I’ll still be 2 years old tonight
But from the very break of day
Before the children rise and play
Before the darkness turns to gold
Tomorrow I’ll be 3 years old
3 kisses when I wake
3 candles on my cake



Another Birthday Song

(tune: Three Blind Mice)

The birthday child is you

No one else will do.

Today's the day your're 3 years old.

So birthday cheers to you

STORY: A Birthday Story for Lexi


High in the heavens in a place that many angels call home, there once lived a little angel who who was such a delight. She loved to run, jump, bounce, play and swing. She would leap high and laugh and giggle and toss her golden ball. On one occasion the little angel tossed her golden ball so far it fell into a beautiful white cloud and she quickly ran after it. Then as if in a dream, she saw the earth. There on the earth she saw a joyful woman with a big heart and loving arms named Natalie, and a man named Bret who was strong and brave and caring. Yet, they both appeared to be missing something in their lives. “They should be my parents", said the little angel. She rushed to her guardian angel to ask if she could go to the earth to be with these parents. It was decided that the little angel should go and bless the lives of this man and this woman. The little angel would take a long journey over a rainbow bridge to the earth, but first she must visit the house of the sun, the moon, and the stars. Away she went to the house of the sun. There she received the gift of courage, it was placed under heart. Next at the house of the moon, she received the gift of wisdom, it was placed under the soles of her feet. Next, she went to the house of the stars where she received the gift of the twinkle in her eyes that she might always see the joy and humor in life.

On the earth, it was an October day in Florida and there had been a violent storm leaving much of the land in destruction followed by a quiet calm. It was cool and breezy and raining softly as the mommy and daddy and grammie waited at the hospital for their little angel to arrive. Then, just as the little angel crossed the rainbow bridge, one little baby girl came to the waiting arms of her strong and courageous daddy. The daddy smiled brightly as he saw his little angel, a baby girl. Soon after, the daddy brought the little angel to her mommy's eager and loving arms. "Her name shall be Alexa Elle, for that is the very best name for her". “She will be caring and strong, and will follow her name as a defender of mankind”. “We will call her ‘Lexi’, a spirited and delightful name, just as she is,” And so the little angel received her first gift on the earth, the gift of her name.

Everyone was so joyful when the little angel “Lexi” was born. Her mommy and daddy forgot all about the dreadful weather of the past day and reveled in delight at every whimper, grimace and coo made by the little angel. The mommy could not even sleep. Day and night all she cared to do was hold her little angel and stare into her eyes as she nursed and cuddled in her arms. Day and night, the mommy and daddy kept the little angel in their arms and snuggled close. At night, the slightest coo woke the mommy and daddy and they would snuggle their little angel close to keep her safe and warm. The little angel cuddled in her mommy's arms to nurse frequently and would often fall asleep very quickly. The mommy was sure to remind the little angel to nurse often so she might grow big and strong one day. And she did grow bigger and stronger. The little angel grew very quick and tall. Very quickly she began to notice her surroundings and loved to gaze at beautiful paintings while her mommy and daddy held her close. She was sometimes quite shy around others and preferred most of all to be right with her mommy and daddy. Which was quite fine with her parents because they loved spending every moment with her, rolling on the floor, playing and laughing. Her mommy would often make up little songs to soothe her and her daddy would carry her around showing her all the delightful things in this world. As the year moved on, the little angel began talking all the time, but her parents couldn’t quite understand her yet. Her first word was “ma-ma”, which delighted her mommy every time she heard it. The little angel began eating solid foods later in the year and much preferred oatmeal and avocado over anything else. One day, the little angel decided that she wanted to explore her world a little bit on her own and started crawling around and pulling herself up to standing. “What a wonderful view from here”, she thought. Then autumn came around again and it had been one year since the little angels crossed the rainbow bridge. It was time for Lexi’s first birthday. And so the family gathered, one year later to celebrate. We lit one candle to celebrate her first year of life.

Shortly after her first birthday, the little angel began to walk and explore her surroundings even more. Her mommy and daddy began to understand more and more as little Lexi talked. It was delightful to hear her words and thoughts strung together. And she continued to grow bigger and stronger, full of laughter and strong will. The family gathered together to celebrate Lexi’s second birthday. With amazement, we watched as this little angel blew out her two candles and dipped her fingertips into the icing on her cake.

Throughout her third year, the little angel continued to surprise her mommy and daddy with her memory of events, reasoning and uncontrollable excitement over life’s little moments. The contagious delight that little Lexi exudes still brings tears of joy to her mommy’s eyes. The little angels loves all little creatures furry, feathery, big and small. She loves to paint, draw, bake cookies, arts and crafts, gardening, gymnastics, singing, music, circle time, and all things fairy. She has mastered the potty and said goodbye forever to diapers and pullups. Most recently she has learned to jump really high on a trampoline, walk with great skill on the balance beam, ride her tricycle and quickly her bicycle with training wheels and is learning to swim. She also loves, loves, loves to swing and swing and swing. She delights in dressing herself and dons many outfits throughout the day. She would gladly pass the day away pretending she is at BabyGAP. She moves about her day with sheer joy and brings a smile to the face of those whose path she crosses. She charms, delights and intrigues others with the fire that burns inside her. The little angel, Lexi, is three years old today and her mommy and daddy are forever grateful to hold her in their arms and hearts.

New Driver in the Neighborhood

Our new neighborhood is full of little ones ... mostly girls from 3 to 7 right around us. After just a day or two of watching how the "big girls" do it, Lexi moved quickly from one tricycle to the next, then on to a bike with training wheels and a scooter. Now, she is already saying she's ready for a bike without the training wheels. Whew ... slow down ;-) Daddy will have to be the co-pilot on that trip ;-)

PUMPKIN PICKIN

Well, I'd have to say that pumpkin pickin' in South Florida is not quite what those of you up in Georgia, South Carolina and Ohio would think of ... no hayride :-( ; hot and sweltering and a ton of pumpkins spread across the front lawn of a local church. However, to a 2 year old (almost 3 she reminds me), a big lawn full of pumpkins is something to get excited about. When looking at it through her eyes, I can almost hear the tractors in the background and smell the horses ;-) Hope you are all enjoying your version of pumpkin pickin' and autumn!

Our Labor Day Weekend Guests

What better way to spend a Labor Day weekend than celebrating with guests. Aren't we fortunate that they chose to vacation at our house! Mommy duck and her 12 little babies enjoyed the varied menu of Purely O's and yummy water from the hose. Boo Boo had a blast!

The Apple Blossom Fairy is coming to visit

Autumn is near and our theme for this coming month is APPLES. Boo Boo doesn't know it yet, but the Apple Blossom Fairy will be visiting right after Labor Day to lead us through a journey of discovering apples. I hope you enjoy the sneak peak of Apple Blossom Fairy's debute.

HOW THE APPLE BLOSSOM CAME BACK (copyright by "The Outlook") with a few minor changes ;-)

ONCE upon a time, not so very long ago, there stood in a large orchard a beautiful Apple Tree. All through the long winter it had held out bare branches. The March sun had whispered to it that spring had come. But the cold March winds were not a bit polite, and would answer: "No, it hasn't."

At last, however, Apple Tree began to feel so nice and warm that she thought the March sun was right, and she began to think about getting a new spring gown. The warm April rains helped her, and her buds opened and grew; first into tiny leaves, and then into larger ones, until Apple Tree was wearing a beautiful green dress. All through April she wore it, and was very happy. Then, as the trees about her put on bright colors, and she saw Peach and Pear Tree in pink and white, something seemed to tell her to try what she could do.

So, with the showers, the gentle winds, and the warm sun as dressmakers, Apple Tree's green dress was soon covered with lovely pink and white flowers. And the air all about seemed as sweet as if she carried a great many handkerchiefs with some lovely perfume on each. The Apple Tree felt very glad and proud, and very much pleased when every one who passed said: "Oh, how lovely!"

But, only a week or two later, a damp wind and cold rain came and beat down on her spring suit, until it was quite spoiled. Then Apple tree was so sorry that she let her tear-drops fall with the rain. Her kind Mother Nature did not scold her at all, but only said: "Don't cry about the blossoms, dear; some time you will see them again."

So, all summer long, Apple Tree looked and waited, for she knew that Mother Nature always told the truth. Her arms grew full of apples, and sometimes they seemed too heavy to hold any longer. Always, when she was very tired, came the whisper: "Wait a little while. Your time is coming. You will see your blossoms again."

And, at last, one sunny September day, one yellow apple after another slipped from her hold and lay in the grass beneath. While Apple Tree wondered what would happen, a lady and a little girl came through the orchard and stopped to pick and eat some apples. "Boo Boo," said the mother, "did you ever see the blossom in the apple?" "Oh, no, mommy. Please show it to me!"

Apple Tree bent her tall head so she could hear and see. Could it be that, now, she would find the blossoms that she had lost last spring? The lady carefully cut an apple all around, half-way between the blossom and the stem. And as she laid the halves before her little girl she pointed to the blossom, which showed plainly in both ends.

And Apple Tree held the rest of the fruit tightly in her arms—sure that in each one of her apples lay a blossom she had loved months before.



This story makes me think of how Boo Boo goes in and out of stages/cycles as she develops and grows. It makes me want to hold her snug and tight, hoping I never miss one single second of the joy in each moment of her life ... holding at least an image of each one in my heart.

Mousie Nest

IT was summertime, and in the field were many mice. They were happy, indeed, for here, where they ran back and forth, between the herbs and high stalks, were ripe peas, and wheat, and corn. They bit off the ears, and carried them to their holes, and ate to the full without care or trouble. Then came autumn. The reapers whetted their scythes, and one morning the wheat stalks fell, so the mice had to run from the cats and the birds. They scurried into their holes, and only came out stealthily to fetch a couple of peas or an ear of wheat. But the grain was taken up, bound into sheaves and carried into the village, and food became scarce in the field. Soon, too, came the plough, which broke up the ground, and tore up the little mice's holes. The mice said: "Things are going very badly with us; let us move back into the carrot field." So they did. They liked the carrot field very much. The earth was loose, and the carrots tasted sweet, but along came the farmer to whom the field belonged, and he dug up all the carrots. "The mice have been at them," he said, as he saw the prints of their teeth. Now, the poor mice must go still farther, and they scampered off to a potato field; but here, also, the potatoes were dug up, and the mice were driven away. They complained of the hard times, and sadly took refuge in a clover field, and dug their holes. They intended to stay here all winter, but the times grew even worse, the fields gave them no food, and the little mice were often obliged to run about a great deal to find a pair of forlorn cherry stones, or a hedge plum. At last it grew cold, and heavy rains fell, and some of the mice found their holes full of water. These were
really very bad times. The little mice hurried off to the cities and villages and sought refuge, here, in a barn; there, in a cellar; but still they were chased. The farmer shut his cat in the barn, and the mistress set her trap. Poor little mice! But, at last, came spring and sunshine, and fresh food gladdened the fields once more. The mice went back, dug new holes, and were again glad to be alive.

No worries little field mice ... Boo Boo made you a home.

YUMMY SUN

Here is Ray the Sun before and after baking ... and well, we don't have an after eating pic ... just some crumbs ;-)

The Gnomes

The Gnomes of Autumn have started moving in. Here they are surrounded by some of the items Boo Boo has found on our nature walks.

Boo Boo is a "Wood Workin' Girl"

Boo Boo likes to call herself a "Wood Workin' Girl". Anything that involves wood, wood glue and a hammer and she's all for it. Here are some of her creations.

YELLOW

Wake up the yellow sun is shining
And hark the noisy sparrows
Are wide awake again
Each little bud and blossom
Has lifted up its head
To great the pleasant yellow sunshine
While you are still in bed!
The yellow sun himself has risen
To call them long ago
And he has tried to wake you
This last half hour you know
The merry yellow sunbeams
Have traveled oh so far!
Have crept between the shutters
Despite the bolt and bar
Then wake and like flowers
Lift up each rosy cheek
It is too bright a morning toWaste it all in bed!

This was our first experience with Wet-on-Wet Watercolor Painting and Boo Boo had a wonderful time playing with the yellow fairies to create the sun!

Avoiding the paparazzi with some summer fun

While trying to lay low and avoid the paparazzi, Boo Boo's summer fun and relaxation has included going to the beach, swimming at the pool, gymnastics and yoga, and lots of art work. She has become quite skilled with her front roll, balance beam, and jumping on the trampoline. Also, she loves "downward dog", "upward dog", "tree", "stork" and bunny breaths! Stay tuned and we are sure to catch her in the act and get the photos out to the public ;-)

Museum of Discovery & Science - Backyard Bubble Bash

Today, we went to MODS and explored all the really cool creatures of Florida and the everglades ... but noone was real keen on touching the horseshoe crab ;-) The frog exhibit was a favorite for Boo Boo, Mommy and Daddy. We were a little leary of the poisonous dart frogs ... beautiful but deadly. It's a good thing that they were in a glass case! The everglades hammocks was a really cool treehouse to climb in. Oh, and let's not forget the bubble bash ... tons of children, big buckets of bubbles, oodles of bubble wands ... and a human bubble maker! Fun stuff.

Master of the Potty

Well, I have heard it over and over from friends ... "don't push the potty, just make it available and when she is ready she will tell you and that will be it...". That is exactly what happened. After not touching the potty for months ... ceasing at some point during our packing in Georgia and before the move to Florida ... Lexi decided on June 25th that she did not want to wear pullups anymore. We were on our way out to gymnastics, with the exception that we needed to put some clothes on because we couldn't go to gymnastics "naked baby" ... and that was the moment ... "I don't want to put undies (our word for pullups) on." "Well, okay, but we have to get dressed to go to gymnastics". Again, "I don't want to put my undies on". "Okay, do you want to wear panties?". "Yes!". "Okay, that means we need to put all our tee-tee and poo in the potty". "Okay". So, I dig the potty out of the box ... she sits ... tee-tees ... and then we go to another box and hunt for a pair of panties (purchased about a year ago). She puts them on ... gets dressed and we are off to stop by daddy's office to show him before we go to gymnastics. We tee-tee in the portable potty in the van before going in to gymnastics and after gymnastics ... dry all day! YAY!! So, Lexi then remembers a trip to the mall from over 2 months ago when she really wanted to get a little camisole and panty set to sleep in. I told her "sure, when you are putting all your tee-tee and poo in the potty, we'll get that and you can sleep in it". NEVER underestimate the memory of a 2 1/2 year old. She remembered and announced that she is now putting all her tee-tee and poo in the potty so she gets to sleep in camisoles and panties tonight. Okay, now we run off to Gymboree so I can fullfill that promise. It was a very special moment for mommy and daughter ... picking out camisoles and panties! She is growing up fast and we didn't want anyone to miss a moment. Dry day and night!

Sunrise Picnic

In honor of Summer Solstice, we had a sunrise picnic. Boo Boo was very excited, with a fairy dance and fairy food and new fairy furniture. She also sent out little fairy boats with a wish.

It was a bit hit. Now, she wants to get up every morning before sunrise and have a fairy picnic!