Our Thoughts on Elmo's Rainbow

I was sent a copy of Elmo's Rainbow and Other Springtime Stories to review.  Come see what we thought!

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A few more painting photos...

Notice the lovely lips.

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A Massacre?.... oh, no, nevermind... just toddler paint.

Crayola's TaDoodles washable all-in-one paint.  Awwww.... aren't they so cute???

Those little faces... sure they're all cute and smiley and innocent looking.  Plus, your toddler really can get a good grip on them.  And the paint inside the little chubby body?  Genius right?

Just don't you turn your back on those little hooligans though.  You don't know what they're capable of.  Without warning they just might start bashing each other in the head.

And those little cuties???  Those things cause spatter that would have Gil Grissom second guessing what went on in your kitchen.

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Ana Snow Smiles

Yes... I know Spring weather is here (I hope to stay).  You know me though... forever behind on posting pics.  Plus, I like snow a lot more when I don't have to be near it.

Mommy... you know I'm the one that doesn't like the snow right?  While Zoe is at school we can just stay inside.  I'm happy away from the snow.

Oh man!  Now you put me down here... and my little green binky is over there.  How am I suppose to get it now??? I'll have to actually walk on this stuff.

Hmm.  I guess I could just stay right here.

Oh my poor binky.  Look at you.  So cold in the snow.

 Hey Mommy.  I just noticed you don't have your boots on.  What are you doing wearing those Crocs with holes in them?

 Ha Ha!!! Now you can't get me!!!  I can run and run and run and you won't come get me!

 Ok... I suppose snow isn't TOO bad.

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A gymnast at rest

You never can tell what my little gymnast at rest will look like. 

She could be at rest like this....

but usually it's this...

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Look! You can't see me!

Zoe shocked us a little bit when she decided to not only USE the word camouflage... but use it correctly.

And then... she decided Ana should be camouflaged too. 

And THEN she decided I should call Daddy to see if he would be able to see them in the red chair... since they were camouflaged.

Then she decided that she should pose in a crazy way... since I guess that's what you do while camouflaged.  (Every once in a while she reminds us that she was born with hip dysplasia by putting those legs in those kinds of positions.  I bet she could actually put both legs up like that at one time.  I'm not going to check though... cause it kinda freaks me out.)

Smart and cute... what more could we ask for?

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Yicky

Yicky is the newest and most frequently used word in our house. 

But.... yicky does not mean yicky.  It does not even mean yucky.

If you are Ana, and you come running into a room yelling "YICKY" it means "Hey, you there... my sippy cup is EMPTY.  More juice now please."

Yicky.  Empty.  Same difference right? 

I will admit it took me quite a few days of tasting her apple juice and telling her "It's not yucky.  It tastes fine.  But, it's EMPTY... let me get you more."

I can already imagine her looking at me saying "Well duh Mom... that's what I said." 

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Ana-in-the-Box

We decided to get rid of the glider rocking chair in Ana's room.  Since she's climbing like a little monkey lately it really wasn't safe to have the rocker anymore.  So... we went off to IKEA and bought the perfect little red chair.  Ana loved it so much she couldn't even wait for it to come out of the box.

She was actually quite upset when we made her get out so we could take the chair to her room.

Now I'm thinking maybe we should have just kept her in the box. 

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It's in the bag

The girls both got a sleeping bag for Christmas.

They like snuggling up in them when they sit and watch TV (I think they may have seen me huddle under a blanket on the couch once or twice or every single day).

I think it's safe to say they like their sleeping bags.
Well... at least Zoe does.

Maybe Ana just can't figure out how to get out of hers. 

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Santa DID actually come to our house...

I just never posted about it.  I was going to skip it altogether.... but I'm sure you've all been waiting with bated breath.  I'm also sure it makes me look totally sane to post Christmas photos in March. (Oh well... I guess sanity is my last concern after Nick has been in India for 11 days.)  Anyhoo...

We came down the stairs bright and early and the girls were both so excited.  Zoe was exited for the normal reasons... "SANTA CAME!!!!!  HE LEFT ME PRESENTS!!!!"

Ana was excited for a different reason... "SANTA CAME!!!! HE LEFT ME COOKIE CRUMBS!!!!"

Once Ana realized there were presents and she could open them... she was happy about that too.

Oh my girls. 

Zoe was very focused about opening her presents.  I didn't get many pictures of her looking at the camera.

I think the present Zoe may have been the most excited wasn't one she opened for herself... but one she picked out and gave to Ana.  Christmas just get more and more fun as Zoe (and Ana) gets older.  I love that she was just as excited by giving as she was by getting.

"MIT MOUSE!!! HI MIT MOUSE!!!"
(Just a short time ago Ana called Mickey and Minney Mouse both "Mit Mouse."  She uses their proper names now and it almost breaks my heart.)

My little artist was very excited about painting with "magic paint."

The silly monkey may very well have been the most awesome present given to us.  Ana opened it and immediately pointed and said "oo oo ah ah!"  I think absolutely everyone should have a striped monkey.  haha

"OK... that's enough with the ripping paper.  Let's watch some Wiggles."

Zoe collected all of her loot (and some of Ana's I think she wanted to claim as her own) on the couch.  We tried to keep Christmas under control... and the girls still managed to make out like bandits.  We are very fortunate.

Zoe and Ana had many favorite gifts (all of them may have attained favorite status at one point or another in the last couple months)... but I think my favorites were these hooded towels I found on Etsy.  The back of the towel has a "Z" for Zoe in the matching stripes.  Ana's (of course) has an "A" and is the same except the towel is purple.  I think I want one too. 

So, see!  Santa did visit us in December.  We have the photos to prove it!
(And how funny is this one???  Zoe's cheesy smile.  Ana trying to escape by backing under the table.  heehee)

Oh... and look... Nick enjoyed Christmas too. 

I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas (3 months ago)!  It's been fun looking back at our holiday.  Maybe I'll start posting everything 3 months late.

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My Little Gymnast

Zoe has been taking gymnastics for a little while now.  She really loves it... and never seems to stop tumbling and flipping around now.  The girl sits upside down in her chair more often than right side up.

The parents usually aren't able to go in to watch the classes but once in while we get invited in.

Zoe is very serious about her stretching.

They teach the girls to balance on the beam.  They also put bean bags on the beam to teach the girls to balance, jump over the bag, and balance again.  Zoe's had a really had time learning this.  She's finally getting the landing though.  And Miss Kim is FABULOUS!  We met her when Zoe and I started doing the Gym Baby class when Zoe was 6 months old.  LOVE HER!

Getting ready to do a "donkey kick" on the low beam.

TaDa!!

You really can tell Miss Kim loves her job. 

Handstands!  If you can... just imagine this same position in our TV room with her feet flopped over the back of her big red chair.  It's how we've gotten used to seeing her.

Zoe loves to do cartwheels now.  I imagine it won't be long now before those legs are straight up in the air and she's cartwheeling around the back yard.

My little Jolly Jumper... she's becoming quit the gymnast!

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