Jingle Bells

Santa really came (personally, I though the whole thing sounded really far fetched).  This morning, when I came downstairs, there were tons of presents everywhere.  Unfortunately, some of the adults took a long time waking up- it was so hard to wait!  But finally, everyone was up and I was able to tear into my gifts.  I suppose I was a good girl this year because I received lots of wonderful things.  I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas too!

Merry Merry

Happy Christmas Eve all- my family and I have been eating and celebrating all day long.  As you can see, we are feeling quite merry.  Soon, Santa will come and tomorrow we will open presents!  I can hardly contain my excitement.  Hope your holiday is as wonderful as mine! 

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today was the greatest day- the anniversary of my birth!  I got to eat Big Bird cake and received a boatload of presents . . . I wasn't really sure what to do with my presents, but luckily I had to wonderful older cousins- they were more than happy to help me out!  Since Christmas is only two days away, I'll get to practice my gift opening skills again soon.

 

Little Brother has arrived!

After MONTHS and months of waiting, baby brother finally arrived.  He is very cute, and I think this spells trouble for me.  As you can see, when I saw mommy in the hospital, I became very concerned.  But mommy and daddy still give me kisses every day, so I guess all is well.  I'm still a little confused as to how baby bro came out of mommy's belly, but that is a question for another day!

Happy Turkey Day

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  I've decided this is my favorite holiday- it combines socializing with food!  What could be better?  I was especially thankful this year, because my godmother Michelle and her sister Maureen were able to join us!  I hope you all ate lots of turkey... I know I did.

Obama Obama!

I sort of missed out on Campaign '08 because I wasn't even one year old yet, but that doesn't mean I can't start gearing up for 2012.  I'm totally ready for the reelection campaign, don't you think?

Trick or Treat

While I did trick-or-treat for Halloween this year, I robbed my parents of the opportunity to take cute pictures of me in a cheesy costume.  I did NOT like it and I screamed and cried until my mommy said, No more!  and put it away.  We compromised, and I wore my Halloween Tee instead.  I'm still totally cute right?

Saturday Muffins!

I love Saturday mornings, because I wake up and my whole family is still in the house.  Also, sometimes I go out with Daddy and get special treats, like chocolate-chip banana muffins!  Yum!

New Space

I've always really enjoyed my cousins, but their new house on Long Island is the bomb!  Not only is there tons of space to run around, but they have this amazing spaceship ball pit to play in.  I think my aunt and uncle made an excellent choice when they decided to move!

Elmo Elmo!

Every morning, while daddy gets ready for work, I sit with my Elmo doll, eat Cheerios, and watch Sesame Street.  I really only watch Elmo's World, but I'm starting to also enjoy Big Bird and Cookie Monster (A guy who binges on cookies?  Now that's someone I could become a fan of!)

Brushing my Teeth

Since I have almost all my baby teeth, I am taking precautions and making sure I brush every morning and night.  I love my bubblegum flavored toothpaste, but not the spicy kind mommy and daddy use!

Waffles!

Last Sunday, I went out for brunch at Stacks in San Jose.  I ordered waffles, and boy were they yummy.  I've never had waffles with homemade whipped cream and strawberries!  Wowie!

My new cousin

I finally got to meet my new baby cousin this weekend.  He is very cute and small.  I try to help out when he cries, and I especially like to give him his bottles.  I hate being hungry, and I'm sure he does too!  My auntie and uncle are really awesome parents, cousin X told me so ;)

Fishes, and sharks, and stingrays oh my!

This Saturday I traveled to San Francisco with my family.  We had a fabulous day- I especially enjoyed the aquarium.  I got to see lot of nice and beautiful fishes.  I even got to touch baby stingrays and sharks- pretty cool right?  I wasn't scared at all- and they were very friendly and swam right up to me.  I just love nature! 

Raiderette in training

Today I traveled to Santa Cruz with my cousin, my auntie, my uncle, and my parents.  We spent the whole day on the beach.  I was blown away.  I loved the waves!  I would have run straight into the ocean, but the water was a little chilly.  So I spent most of my time building sandcastles and playing ball with my uncle Stefan and my dad.  I'm such a tomboy!

B is for bubbles

My new favorite pastime is the tub- I just love to be clean!  I ask to take a bath at least 5 times and day.  Sometimes I just climb in fully clothed.  Maybe it's all the special toys, or the bubbles, or maybe I'm just a little OCD.  But then again, who doesn't love a relaxing soak in a bubble bath?

AGUA!

In case you didn't know, I'm bilingual.  Agua means water in Spanish, and boy is it one of my favorite things.  Not only is it pretty and great to drink, but you can also make big splashes in it, and blow bubbles.  I'm learning all of this stuff in swimming lessons.  The place I go to for my swimming lessons is also called AGUA.  How's that for synergy?

Ice cream cake

Today is mommy's birthday- she is 27, which sounds super old!   We are supposed to celebrate her today, and I guess I have to be kind of happy she's around, because she's the reason I'm here.  However, she took me to the doctor to get shots this morning, so I wasn't very happy with her.  I hate the doctor!  But she made up for everything when she brought out the most delicious creation known to man: the ice cream cake!  I gobbled it up, licked the plate, and asked for "more please!"  Now I ask for ice cream before bed every night.  Mom has created an ice cream monster!

Somebody to lean on

These two gals are my cousins, and let me tell you they are the best family you could ask for- cause while all the grown ups are eating, drinking, talking, or watching sports, they join me on the swings or at the piano.  We love to entertain and we certainly make a striking trio.

Happy 4th!

The Fourth of July is a very special day.  On this day we celebrate the birth of our nation and the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which the founding fathers pledged to support with "our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."  Heavy stuff.  As heavy as this day originally was, we now use it as a day for swimming, eating, and watching fireworks.  Which is fine with me.  I clearly love all three!

Big Ben

Last weekend I traveled to Lancaster, PA with my mom and dad for mom's 5th College Reunion.  It was kind of a rough ride down for me.  After a minor bout of car sickness, I recovered to dine on spaghetti pizza in true Bushong-Weiss fashion.  The next morning was very exciting.  As a bagpipe played I marched with the Class of 2004 to the Barshinger Center, where mom and a bunch of other people gave speeches and presented each other with huge checks.  Seriously, these checks were bigger than me!  It got kind of boring, however.  Luckily, dad rescued me and took me to a place with large cookies and juice.  A big improvement indeed.  Then I got to meet the College mascots- Ben and John.  John was very nice, but I did not like Ben.  I cried whenever he tried to hug me (as you can see above).  My mom said this was an insult to my Quaker roots.  I don't really know what that means, but I just can't be bothered with someone who believes in "early to bed."  WHATEVER!

Kobe and the Lakers

Usually, dad's sports' teams kind of bite the big one.  The Mets haven't been to the World Series since 2000, and the Raiders haven't seen a Super Bowl since 2003.  Luckily, dad's no fair-weather fan.  His one saving grace?  The Lakers and Kobe Bryant.  They rarely let him down, and so I am quite proud to wear this purple and gold onesie . . . aren't I cute?

The New Swing Set

Grammy and Gramps got a new swing set for all the grandkids.  I especially enjoy the slide!  I have no fear, and with encouragement will go down it head first!!

No, no, no!

Mommy and Daddy had been working very, very hard, so they decided to take a little spring break and leave me with my trustworthy Grammy.  Well, little did they know I had my own plans!  I'd been eyeing Grammy and Gramps supercool fountain in the backyard, and well, with all my new swimming expertise, I decided I would just jump right in!  Grammy screamed and fished me out, and I started to cry because the water was cold, not at all like the warm pool at Asphalt Green.  I guess what I did was naughty, because Grammy told me, "No, no, no!!!"  Grownups only say no when something is naughty.  Anyways, I learned my lesson.  Water fountains are not for swimming.  Here I am on Mother's Day, returning to the scene of my crime.  Now, when I see the fountain, I tell anyone who will listen, "No, no, no!!"  I even shake my finger like Grammy.

Pizza, Pizza!

Pizza is my favorite lunch food ('Nanas and cheerios are still my breakfast favs).  This weekend, I really lucked out, because Great Grammy and Fa took me to this really cool place called Pizza by Elizabeths.  There are picture of all kinds of Elizabeths everywhere-- like the Queen and Elizabeth Taylor.  Really cool.  It was so nice to be out and about with the family-- plus I got to enjoy my favorite food.  While everyone else ate pizza with crazy stuff on it like crab and chicken, I went for the traditional cheese.  Simple, but delicious!!

Here comes Peter Cottontail!

Happy Easter everyone!  What a wonderful, busy day.  As you can see, I got all decked out in my Sunday best. My purple dress was just right for the occasion-- I even matched the bishop at church (how exciting!).  After church, we went to brunch at the DuPont Hotel.  And guess what they had there-- purple grapes (my second fav fruit).  I also had a visit from the Easter Bunny.  As you can see below, he was very kind to me.  I even got chocolate covered Cheerios!!

Evel Knievel

My teachers at school claim I am a mini Evel Knievel. I guess you could argue I'm a bit of a daredevil. I'm always looking for something to climb, so the playground is a place where I can channel my energies safely (as opposed to my parents' coffee table, book cases, or kitchen counter). I enjoy the slides the most, the more complicated the better. I like to go face first, 'cause you go faster that way (and it makes mom and dad nervous, muhahaha).

Still Swinging...

Although it is technically a baby toy, and I am now a toddler, I still like to turn the music and lights on and sit in my swing. But don't you dare try to strap me in-- I need independence!! Sometimes I stand, sometimes I lounge, but it is all my choice. Freedom baby! Freedom!

Happy St. Patties!

I'm all decked out in green, ready to celebrate St. Patties. Even though I'm too young for the green beer, I plan to party today at school!! Enjoy everyone!

Graduation day

After much bubble blowing, splish splashing, and ducky diving, I graduated from Advanced Water Babies. Mommy and Daddy are quite proud (I am a total fish). On my last day, I enjoyed some free time with my friend Maggie. We are exactly the same age, how crazy is that?!

Happy Snow Day!

Last night it snowed more than I have ever seen in my whole life. When I woke up this morning, my mommy was still at home (Mike Bloomberg actually canceled school- a miracle). I did not have school either, and I got to stay home with mom and play all day (poor dad had to go to work). By about noon I was driving mom crazy so we went outside. The snow was above my head!! I tried to eat some of it, but that did not work out to well and I'm sorry to say I cried a little. It was so cold!! I guess I'm just a city girl and unable to deal with the natural elements.

My new chair

Check out my comfy new chair. It's just my size- so exciting! I love to sit in it and read, hold my dolly, and eat cheerios.

Guitar and Granddaddy

As I have shared with you all before, I love tunes. And I am so lucky because I have quite the musical family. My Granddaddy, for example, plays guitar and the banjo. I love to feel the strings while he plays. It's fascinating!

My favorite doggy

This is Camille, my favorite doggy. We got off to a rocky start (she was so excited to see me she knocked me down) but now we are best buddies. We play together, share food, and give each other kisses. I wish I could see her more often, but she lives in Virginia.

Flying JetBlue

Mom and I made an exciting discovery on our way down to Virginia- the new JetBlue terminal at JFK has a playground. I got to release some energy before the flight (a welcome surprise for both of us). It was almost as much fun as playing with the doggy.

The Next Dara Torres...

Since the start of the new year, I've been spending my Saturdays at Asphalt Green, swimming with my daddy and a bunch of other really great swim babies. I've totally mastered kicking, splashing, and climbing out of the pool. I'm such a star, I'm already getting moved up to Advanced Swim Babies! How exciting!! I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!

Doggies

Doggies, by Sandra Boyton, is my new favorite book. Doggy is also one of my favorite words to say- whenever I see a doggy on the street or in our apartment building, I point and say, "Doggy." I love reading and talking, just like my mommy the literacy teacher.