Day After Thankgiving Part 3 - Forts, Parade, Rudolph and Poppy

Ally is really into forts right now - a fort, a tent - a cave - anything that she can play and hide under. Grandma Debbie worked really hard rigging this one up - it even involved securing a blanket with the window closed on it! (Ally thought that was very creative)

Excuse the blurry - but its Ally and Grandma under the tent!

We went to the parade! Its the annual Christmas Tree lighting and Day after Thanksgiving Parade in the town where Dave and Debbie live. Love this picture of Beth, Becky and Debbie.

Ally was so excited for her first parade.

There is a large Hispanic population in their town and there were several marching groups in elaborate traditional costumes.

The highlight of course was Santa - and I couldn't get a great picture, but you get the idea - it was Mr & Mrs Santa.

Back at home after her bath to ensure she was tick-free watching Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and wearing the light-up red nose!

Ally asked poppy to read her a book before bed on her last night.

It was a quick trip - only 3 nights and 2 full days. But it was really wonderful to spend the Holiday with Becky's family. Thank-you to everyone for making it so special for Ally.

Day after Thanksgiving Part 2 - Bamboo Forest

In addition to tree climbing in Grandma and Poppy's backyard Ally constructed a fairy house and ventured into the Bamboo Forest.

That is the fairy house. I did not see any fairies though.


Racing up the hill with mommy.

building a giant fairy house outside with old bamboo pieces

the 3 master builders; mama, Ally & Aunt Beth

contemplating the forest

at the edge

" can I go in?" Ally asked

far deep into the forest

loving it and the instrument she made by banging two small pieces of dried out bamboo together

very tall bamboo

Rolling down the hill.

It was a "super fun" time. But then the negative part of the outdoors - ticks! Yes - ticks! We found 4 on Ally over the next several hours we were inside. We changed her clothes and combed her hair very carefully and one still crept over her face during dinner! YUCK. Becky disposed of it quickly and I remained quite calm and Ally was not actually afraid or freaked out. But then we decided she should have a bath so we could wash her hair and dry it and be completely sure she was tick free for sleeping and the trip home. She was not happy about a bath, but with some marshmallows and a second viewing of Rudolph offered she agreed.

It was really a very special time playing outside. It reminded me very much of my childhood, I grew up in a house with a large acre yard and several acres of woods and creek behind the house. Becky's childhood home was even more secluded than where her parents live now. So both of us had a very different environment than what Ally has. It was nice to share the outdoors with Ally and remember firsthand the non-urban way of life. I'm happy walking all over and going to parks and no school bus and such, but there are pros and cons of each way. I guess what I mean is its quite gratifying to be able to expose Ally to so many things. I feel fortunate to be able to do that.

Day After Thanksgiving Part 1 - Tree climbing

The day after Thanksgiving Becky and I went shopping and out to lunch while Grandma Debbie watched Ally. We came home and found out Ally learned to crack walnuts!

She kept saying "I can do it Mommy" and she could.

Ally really likes eating nuts and she had a fun time getting them out of the shell.

Then it was outside to show off her tree climbing skills. While we were gone Aunt Beth and Ally climbed a tree.

Very cool fun tree

Ally loved it! Loved having a tree the "perfect size" for her to climb. She did keep looking for a branch to swing from.

Up so high

" look at me"

Such a happy smiley little girl.

I picked her up at kindergarten on Friday and as we walked out she said "I love school".

It just made me smile and my heart swelled. Ally is like a sponge soaking up new experiences, new friends and her new school.

Ally has a bit of a cold has was not sleeping well this weekend so I spent a lot of early morning hours in her room sitting with her. I could hear her counting in Spanish to try and get to sleep. It was music to my ears.

Becky and I have made the decision that Ally will no longer attend her after school program starting in January. It has been 3 months, Ally does not like it, and is a much happier person when she does not have to go. I've cut back my hours at work so I can pick Ally up at school everyday. We'll go to music class one day, and possibly gymnastics another day, so we don't have to go on the weekend any more, and we'll have play dates and fun and more time. Our whole family is looking forward to it. Ally is so happy and frankly she seems relieved to know she won't have to go much longer.

Thanksgiving 2011

We flew to Pennsylvania with Aunt Beth to spend Thanksgiving with Becky's family. Travel was super easy, no stress and quick trips both ways.

Upon our arrival Grandma Debbie and Poppy had belated birthday gifts for Ally to open.

An I Spy book and a really cool marble tower game thing:

Reading books with Grandma and Aunt Beth before bed.

Thanksgiving Day - Ally was a little intimidated by all the people - there were lots of adults:

Grandma Debbie

Poppy

Mama

Mommy

Aunt Beth

Aunt Louise

Aunt Cindy

Uncle Denny

Aunt Polly

Uncle Jim

Aunt Pammy

Uncle Tommy

Cousin Mandy

Cousin Jake

Cousin Jake's wife Kim

so Ally spent most of the before dinner time playing in her room with a rotating array of relatives playing with her one on one. Above she is playing with the whistle Uncle Denny Made for her.

Grandma and Aunt Cindy helped Ally build a fort.

The big table!

After dinner there was lots of coloring and playing with the marble run.

Ally and I taught everyone the "Ally ABCs" it was pretty fun.

Grandma and Aunt Beth really liked the marble run.

Aunt Polly, Cousin Mandy and Poppy

It was a fun day and we were all grateful to Debbie for hosting and for everyone coming to visit it was pretty special to see so much family at one time.

Typical Weekend

I have a whole series of Thanksgiving posts, but they are taking a while to put together, and when life slows down a bit I hope to post a big recap of Ally's birthday party. But I don;t want to get too behind on my blogging so here is a simple post.

After the Thanksgiving Holiday we flew home early Saturday morning and spent a very relaxing weekend at home. Playing, cleaning, organizing and shopping.

Ally is modeling a new tunic we bought her at a huge sale in PA. I just happened to have matching pants I bought last year on clearance! I love a bargain.

Ally and Becky played school for a really long time.

In the morning it was time to organize Ally's book shelf. It was a mess in there for a while, and eventually Ally lost steam and it was left to Becky to put them away. But Ally helped for a while, and as always is loathe to get rid of anything. I think she gets her pack rack mentality from me.

Ally spent some time with her babysitter on Sunday and Becky and I went shopping - we got this hat and matching coat for Ally to wear on the 26th. She loves it - and how could one not love it - I think I am more excited about Ally all dressed up than I am about the event.

A truly Ally story:

Ally's old preschool teacher Jill was working at a local toy store wrapping gifts for charity - a homeless shelter for women and children she works with. We thought it would be nice to go and say hello. Ally had been so very well behaved all through Thanksgiving and our travels that I told her she could pick out a new toy at the store when we went. She looked me in the eye and said "I don't want a new toy" at first I thought it was a way to get out of going to the store. But a few minutes later she stopped what she was doing and looked at me and said "mommy, I don't need any new toys - there are lots of toys here (in the living room) and my room is kind of messy with all of my toys" I told her OK - she did not have to pick out a toy, and instead we would make a donation to the charity. Donations are a hard concept for a 5 year old but I tried to explain it.
It's so Ally to refuse a new toy. At the store, she looked at a dinosaur puzzle and had Becky read her a book, but she didn't ask for anything or really look at anything else. And it was a TOY STORE. She was most happy to be with us and enjoy the nice weather.

5 Year Old Physical

Tonight we took Ally to the pediatrician for her 5 year old check up. We all already knew this but the doctor made it official "Ally is perfect...you are both (the moms) doing a fabulous job..." The appointment was late in the day - 5:20PM and we were there for over an hour, and Ally was pretty tired by the end when it was time for her flu vaccine. We asked for the nasal one, but Ally kind of panicked after the first nostril. Lots of tears, a bathroom break (so I would not get peed on for the 4th year in a row) and a sticker and lollipop bribe later I finally held her face while the technician sprayed it in. I think most of the vaccine was then wiped/slobbered on my sweater, but at least it was over. The doctor said maybe next year we should just do the needle shot. Becky and I agree that would be simpler. But Ally has been worried all week about getting a shot in her leg, because then she couldn't run at recess if her leg hurt, and apparently those boys are still chasing her and it hurts her throat to roar at them too much. To add to the drama Ally has a make-up gymnastics class tomorrow, and she was concerned that the shot would make her leg hurt during gymnastics. Phew - a nasal spray and the leg was safe. But did you know that the nose spray is tickley? I do, now that it has been screamed into my ear. But seriously - Ally was a champ at the doctor - she had 2 exams, one from the resident and one from her regular doctor. We all talked about how important it was for Ally to eat lunch at school and meals at home. Dry skin is still an issue so we were told to keep up with the lotion twice a day.

Ally is officially 35 pounds and 40 inches tall. This is about 15-20% for both height and weight. Our doctor showed us how on the chart how Ally continues to grow and that is what is most important - continued and consistent weight and height gain.

We treated Ally to ice cream after dinner, mint chocolate chip.

Then it was craft time before bed.

I saw in a magazine a way to make a Christmas Card display using a tomato cage. So before the doctor while Ally was at after-school program Becky and I spray painted one of our old cages silver. Then while Ally finished her dinner Becky made the cone for the top.



Ally of course wanted to help so she traced the circle tree skirt, which I cut our with decorative scissors and then she and Becky made a star for the top, and Ally is shown here cutting out the star.

Silly face posing with the finished project.

Very quick project - now I just need to get binder clips to attach the card to the holder. Of course we also need to receive some cards.

It was a busy day, and its been a busy week:

Monday - it was a beautiful day, 65 degrees and sunny so I picked Ally up early and took her for a walk. Then Ally had girl scouts in the evening.

Tuesday - music class for Ally after school

Wednesday - Ally's physical and craft project

Thursday - make up gymnastics class

Friday - play date at a local paint your own pottery with Ally's friend Willow

Saturday - gymnastics and Roxie's birthday party

Sunday - swim lessons with Stella start up again

Busy Busy Busy but fun busy and happy busy and thriving and healthy busy. Ally has been sleeping really well at night and waking up in a good mood every day.

Life feels pretty good.

Cooking Class - November

River and his mom Summer hosted cooking class in November. It was a huge success and lots of fun. The kids made Zucchini Sticks, Pizza and Banana Ice Cream.

Ally seasoned the bread crumbs for the zucchini sticks.

breading the zucchini - dip it in egg, then into the bread crumbs. They were then baked in the oven and served with marinara sauce for dipping. The rule at Cooking Class is that Ally has to try things - she tasted a bite of the raw zucchini - declared she did not like it, but she tasted it.

Getting ready to put topping on her pizza.

Mia made her pizza into a face! Summer had put together all kinds of different toppings - raw spinach, roasted red peppers, raw green peppers, olives, artichokes, tomatoes. It was great.

Ally decided she wanted just cheese on her pizza but...

She tried eating some raw spinach! And she liked it. She literally ate handfuls of it.

Banana Ice Cream was the final dish. Did you know you can just blend frozen bananas and it makes ice cream?

From left to right; Auric, Ally, River & Thora tasting the frozen bananas - we try and have the kids taste things in different states, so they each had a piece of the actual frozen banana, and this was a taste of the bananas blended together to a mashed state, but not yet ice cream.

It was pretty funny to see them all gathered around a food processor watching bananas get pulverized.

Mommy and Ally

Thora's mom Sarah holding Auric (her son) and River's sister Lila.

Thora and her pizza smile. (That is Aiden's grandmother behind Thora. Aiden was camera shy and refused to have his picture taken).

River's pizza smile

Ally's pizza smile

The absolute best part of the cooking class came the next day. Becky and Ally and I were shopping at the supermarket and Ally asked "can we get some of that green stuff I liked at Cooking Class?" Of course we said yes and went to the produce aisle and found some organic baby spinach, brought it home, washed and dried it and put it in a bowl.

Turns out the girl loves her some spinach - plain, not cooked, no sauce or dressing.