I like jumping in the puddles in the puddles so early in the morning!

I had to post these photos of jumping with her new tights and in the puddles---it was a song we sang at the library and she already knows the words!!!

Week in Wilsonville January 2008

These photos are from the first three days in Wilsonville--where daddy has training! We arrived on Monday after three hours --I was a great traveler and slept the last 45 minutes to the hotel! We spent the afternoon dancing and exploring the room--yahoo! We went to MOE'S (burito place) for dinner and brought it back to our room--Mommy then took me swimming for about 45 min while daddy tried to catch up on some much needed sleep from working this weekend! I was so excited to use my new sleeping bag and fell asleep great about 9:oo pm. We all were exausted tonight!! I did wake up at 1:30 am and was confused where I was--I then decide to stay up until 4 am--when sleep overtook--My parents had to wake me at 7:45 am to take daddy to training center! Tuesday was a quick day---as we came back at 8 am ater droping daddy off and snuggled on the bed watching Mickey Mouse club. Went to breakfast and then to storytime at the library at 10:30 am--well they changed storytime on Tuesdays to 6:30 pm --so have you ever been 8 hours early to something!! ha! Gretchen and mommy bought two movies and a Pooh book for .50 cents at the library (I usually "buy books " when I check them out---but these we really bought:)) We then read two books in the children's corner ,played on the chalkboard and played with the puppets and the doll house and then on the computer!! I was so excited I figured out how the mouse on the computer worked all BYSELF----I found Blues Clue mommy!!! I also went down for a nap excellent and slept three hours until 3 pm--so nice mommy got to scrapbook a little! Got daddy went to Sharis for dinner and then storytime--which I did not move the whole time sitting on daddy's lap---afterwards I loved the story with the paper hat and the take home craft was an umbrella!! We did the craft once we got back to our room--good thing mommy brought a scissors,crayons and glue stick!! (smart mom) I went to bed and slept all night!! I did stand up and say MOM (in the middle of the night)--she put me back in bed and seconds later I was asleep! Wednesday was rainy and we got dressed and ate breakfast with daddy here at the hotel-mommy and I went to get gas at Costco --errands at Target and then TO SEE THE ANIMALS---??? AT Petco----ha! I tried to pick out cans of cat food for MEOW (Tashja) but mommy was buying a whole case! We then went to Albertsons to get milk----Hermiston has no Albertsons-I fell asleep seconds before we pulled into the parking lot--so when I was unbuckled I laid my head on mommy's shoulder(9:30 am) BUT they had coool CAR CARTS to ride in and I soon perked up!!! Mom showed be the live lobsters and we went on every aisle-we bought milk and macaroni and cheese!! That was a highlight!!! I was clapping and so excited! We got back to the room and it was only 10:15 am!! Mommy says THE FUN IS NOT OVER--we could go swimming!! Wow did we have a blast!! AND guess what Mac and cheese for lunch---after lunch mommy turned around in the room and panicked she did not see me--I was lying in the middle of the bed and ready to SLEEP!!! Tooo cute!! I slept until 1:45 pm--and then we watched Wiggles Cowboys in the lobby as they cleaned our room---eating whale crackers!!! The fun did not stop===I got to ride on the luggage cart and elevator and then the lady at the front desk gave me a plate of 3 cookies to take back to our room!!! I wanted to carry it all BYSELF!! We picked daddy up and went to RED ROBIN!! For some reason I have not been good at Red Robn the last four times!! I did get a hot pink balloon when we got back to the room POP!! oh well!!! I went to bad at 8:40 so good again! Daddy had a terrible migrane --mom nursed him back to health and made him go to bed by ten---she then played on my website and others until 1 am!! At 3:30 am I sat up and said Mommy read me a story (hee hee) Guess it was better than crying like the first night. I tossed and turned until about 4:15 am---mommy fell asleep again sitting on the floor next to the couch---So when she woke up it was 5:04 am and went to bed and I woke back up before the alarm went off at 6:20 am--I was very warm and we watched cartoons when I started coughing and then............threw up (in the sink) good reaction for mommy!! I popped out of it fast and we went down to breakfast about 7:30--I ate english muffin and wanted apple juice but mommy said NO just water!! I ate cereal and the rest of my mufin when we came back from daddy's training!! I watched NEMO and we went to storytime again!!! I wore my new jumpy tights today and boy can I jump high in stripes!!! I asked to take a nap----Slept from 11:50 am to 2:15 pm. My mom even laid down for half an hour----should have been longer!! Tonight we went to get daddy and went to FRYS (electronic) and then to dinner at Chillis-----I asked the waitress for a booster seat please without even being told to. (I have noticed G talks to strangers more readily than turning her head away now she can talk better) She talked to the housekeeper and the lady at the front desk she gave a wave tooo!! As soon as we left the front desk Gretchen turns to me and says-THATS A NICE LADY!! (funny because I have really been working on her saying hi or even looking at people when they talk to her) She almost made it through dinner but clung onto my neck and wanted to be held---ugh!! Daddy has been kicked out of the room about 8:30-9:00 pm (ha ha) so it will be dark and QUIET for her to go to sleep---well tonight daddy went to a movie----of course G stalled and stalled tonight--I have to go potty, I want to see daddy, I want to watch tv, read me another book!! Finally at 9:45 pm she fell asleep :) Daddy and Mommy sat in bed and read with flashlights--OH the life of parenthood!!! She had a hard night all the way around woke up 4 times---only once crying--daddy warmed the bottle---I thought it she was getting sick and very warm again--that was not the reason---and I still have no reason--but am looking forward to a night at HOME--where she sleeps through the night again!! Friday morning daddy left us at the hotel and went to his last couple hours of training---G said DADDY GO TO SCHOOL WITH MACKY (MACK) tooo cute!! Thursday morning we ate breakfast with Mack and G just sat and listened to daddy and Mack talk---when I came back from getting her food she whispered to me---can I talk now!! (How polite this time) HA! The morning went fast and for some reason when she wears her "pink deer jammies"--she NEVER wants to take the top off the next morning--cries and grabs it to keep it on--so guess what she wore it all day with pink stretch pants!! This is the 2nd time I figured it won't hurt to wear her top!! We had an uneventful trip home--which was good! Rainy most of the way and got home at 3:30 pm!

Action Shots......

CAN'T CATCH ME I AM THE GINGERBREAD GIRL!!!

MOM REALLY PLEASE STOP TAKING PHOTOS!! She took the camera and said I will put it back for you---now is that a clue or what??
Ready for the cabin and let's build a snowman!!!
SHHHHH mommy I am reading my Snow book that I earned at the library in the month of November!!
This is the best shot I will let you have of my new plaid skirt and pink shoes!! Mommy taught Children's Church for 3 and 4 year olds--and I was AWESOME!!! I love playing with my friends!!

I LOVE YOU BABY AND IF IT'S QUITE ALRIGHT I LOVE YOU BABY!
Gretchen and daddy sing this song with a spoon as a microphone at dinner the past week--all I can do is laugh!! They both close their eyes and get into it--but these are the only two lines they sing! And I had to start setting the table with microphones!!!
My best impression of a Heffalump!!!
Aren't I just like DORA now!!! I am a BIG KID NOW!!!
Just washed my bike and taking bear for a ride!!!
My new ballet skirt from great aunt Patti--I love dancing and twirling in this pretty pink skirt!!

My new game I say DADDY SAY SEE ME!! Then we say I have no idea where she went......she smiles and stays very quiet and THEN..........................
She says in a cute little voice...............HERE I AM.....and gives a wave!!
Another new thing is a million times a day..GOODBYE I AM GOING SHOPPING!!! SEE YA TOMORROW!! When asked who or what she is shopping for she always says PRESENTS FOR PAPA OR any other family member--ahhhhh!
Waiting up for daddy after not seeing him for two days!!! I am so tired and can barely stand up. My eyes are on Heffalump and determined to stay awake!!
If I get closer to MY TV maybe mom will not take any more pictures!

Super Long Saturday..........

WHEW! Lee worked through last night and its 7pm on Saturday and still working on all the down powerlines in Walla Walla. Gretchen did not understand where daddy was--she knows he is at work but her little mind can not comphrend two days without her daddy!! To tell you the truth it was a long day with a two year old--especially when she refused a NAP for two hours and was so tired could not even function by five--I let her go swimming--bathing suit and all and we blew bubbles!! At 4:30 she climbed up on our bed and laid down with the cat--maybe because I made it a big deal the cat was being good taking a nap and she was being naughty!! I hear this dialog with the cat---You are good meow... you sleep on mommy's pillow and are not naughty! I will take a nap with you--lies down and tells me to turn out the light and close the door. haha!! The cat has been very very naughty lately crying and demanding attention when I put G to bed and has even woke her up in the morning! Gretchen was playing in the tub for about an hour when MELTDOWN HIT!!!(no nap--no daddy) Let me tell you---I was on the phone and she did not want to get out of the tub--she was exausted--her BIG BLACK EYES were glassy and she could not even cry----I got off the phone ---held her in the towel to calm her down and put her jammies on and made her dinner. She laid down on the couch and was asleep at 6:30 pm-----now my prayer is she sleeps until 6:30 am!!! We will see --but for now I am sitting enjoying my evening (with the spoiled cat on my lap)(watching COPS--because thats what we always watch Saturday night)(and writing about Gretchen--ha! Do you think I could find something to do fun for me--like scrapbook --they would be Gretchen's photos too ) (not complaining one bit!!) But do you see a pattern ...... Oh---a mother's attention is always needed----NO IDEA when my working husband will be home!!!

WELL.............9:30 pm--I hear a voice from the top of the stairs-Mommy can I watch Heffalump--I did let her watch it and gave her a graham cracker--Lee called and said he woul be home by 11--sooo we waited for daddy-she was sooo tired and asked to go to bed a few minutes before he got home--I thought it would be easy to put her back to bed--but the cat came in 3 times! Then daddy took a shower(she hears all)---and she tossed and turned until 1 am!!! Lee left (Sun am) at 6am to go back to WW and "G" heard daddy leave---so she will hopefully be tired for NAP--one could only hope!! The day was long.......................

McDonalds with friends!

Gretchen and mommy met Stephanie and Emma (16 months) and Corinne and her three boys Zaq (7), Quinn (3) and Cooper (almost two) at McDonalds today!! Gretchen loved her friends and talked about it all day! She told me later she had hamburger and cheese and a SMALL FRIES!!! No idea she knew it was a small fry!!! We also had taken swimming lessons in August with Emma and Cooper! This afternoon we went grocery shopping and G took a ride in the big car---she told Nana on the phone tonight mommy drives fast and I laughed!! She played so good this evening with her airplane, house and bus and little people and daddy is still working on the powerlines in Walla Walla windstorm was 78 mph winds!!! He will work through the night----Gretchie did not understand why daddy was not home!! I took no pic at McDonalds today and even had my camera in my purse. Mommy found the book Stand back said the elephant I am going to sneeze..........which she made me read three times---I love this book--obviously she did too!!! I have so many children's books from my classroom---and I love to watch G read books!!!

In the Name of the Hundred Acre Woods......

Gretchen thinks she lives in the Hundred Acre Woods like Winnie the Pooh and Friends!! I think I have seen the TIGGER movie every day this past month! She has memeorized it and the Heffalump movie. She now goes around saying In the name of the Hundred Acre Woods I capture you.................(its darling!!) That is the part where they try to capture the heffalump. Roo (baby kangaroo) tries to fly and bounce like Tigger--so Gretchen tries to stand on one foot tooo!! Its so cute---the photos don't do the act justice----She also has a heffalump impression---I will have to video tape.

Saturday 1/5--we had to return our movies to the library and we took our books back also--we are going to be gone next week so it was easier! Gretchen carried her two Pooh videos into the library and put them up on the desk! We then went over to the shelf---Guess What ??? Heffalump was there! Wed. we left the library in tears because it was not on the shelf--as I explained another child was watching it and we would check another day--she dried her tears and said OK MOMMY!! The expression on her face when she saw the movie was sooo priceless as she said yeah and walked immediately to the counter to check it out!! We found more pooh books and even a Heffalump BOOK!!! She told Amma on the phone later Mommy was so Excited!!! G--stood there and read the whole book.