Happy 70th Grammy!

We made the trek up to Truro, Mass., to celebrate Grammy's 70th birthday.  While she knew all of the family was coming up for the big event, Beverly didn't realize a larger affair had been planned with friends and neighbors.  The weekend was very fun, albeit too fast, but it was good to spend time with the family, something we don't get to do enough since we don't live in the same place.  Happy 70th!

The guest of honor

Picking veggie's in FaFa's garden

Swimming at the beach - the water was so clear!

Playing with Ty and Lars at Moby Dick's restaurant -
can you tell these curly-headed blondies are related??

Olivia was hostess with the mostess, serving drinks and food,
and even making the bacon-wrapped scallops!

One guest knew her way to the kids hearts - she came bearing munchkins!

Grammy's girls

Grammy and her "baby"

Red, White & Blue & Snacks, too!

We celebrated the 4th of July at an Atlanta Braves game.  It was Anna's first real baseball experience (however, according to Jason she's not truly indoctrinated because she has not been to Fenway yet). 

We pumped Anna up for the game by listing all of the activities that would happen at the game including singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame, watching the baseball players, seeing silly mascots, and because it was the 4th, fireworks!  Oh, and we also hinted at the fun, junky food she would get to eat.  My perspective on going to games or other sporting events is to go crazy with the food - go big or go home.  So to that end, (dietitian/nutrition-focused friends please avert your eyes from the following), Anna happily enjoyed: Dippin Dots (x2), a hot dog, french fries, cotton candy, and a Sprite.

Needless to say between the snacks and entertainment we all had a great time.  Anna loved the game and eagerly asked several times when she could go out on the field to play.  After the game we were treated to a mini-concert by a 70s cover band while we waited for it to get dark enough for the fireworks spectacular.  The concert was a hit and Anna and I danced to the cheesy tunes.

But finally it was time for the fireworks.  The last time Anna was around fireworks she was not a fan and would scream/cry after each boom.  So I was a little unsure of how she would react this time.  I'm happy to report she was enthralled by the fireworks and still talks about them today.

All in all, we had a great 4th (even if our tummies were a little sore the next day...)!

Let's Go to the Movies!

Anyone who knows me, knows going to the movies is one of my favorite things to do. I love everything about it – the big screen, the previews, popcorn, spending 2+ hours wrapped in a imaginary world. I just love it. The "Let's go to the movies" song from Annie always plays in my head each time I'm heading to see a show...

I've been very excited – and hesitant – about taking Anna to the movies. I wanted to make sure she was able to sit through a movie because nothing would make me more frustrated to have to leave in the middle of a movie.

So, back in January When I heard that Toy Story 3 was coming out in May, I started prepping for that to be Anna's first movie theater experience. It perfect for me because the Toy Story series holds a special place in my heart. I remember seeing the first two movies in the theater with my family and watching them countless times at home with my brother and sister. Also, I am still convinced that toys have a life of their own when we're not looking so I've always been fascinated by the concept the movie.

To get her ready for the movie, I slowly started introducing the Toy Story characters and the first movie. Well, my little dear didn't need a slow introduct – she latched on immediately and fell in love with Woody, Buzz and the rest of the gang (especially Slinky Dog and Alien). Unfortunately this did mean that Jason and I have been subjected to more viewings of Toy Story than we care to count.

By the time May rolled around, Anna was psyched up and I was confident she could make it through the movie. She did not disappoint. With Alien in tow, she happily scarfed down lots of popcorn and tuned into the adventures of the movie.

She made it through almost the whole movie. With about 15 minutes left she decided she jumped off Jason's lap and announced, "I'm ready to go back to my house now." We were able to convince her to sit for the remainder of the movie and when it ended she had changed her mind and didn't want to go home yet...fickle two-year-olds. After getting her out of the theater, she got an extra bonus – "meeting" the Alvin & the Chipmunks. I guess the theater hadn't gotten rid of those props yet.

The upside to my "operation Toy Story endeavor is I believe she is going to be a girl after my own heart because she constantly asks when she can back to the "movie e-a-ter".

The downside? Now she is OBSESSED with all things Toy Story and as you can imagine, the Disney marketing team left no stone unturned. Just yesterday we were at the post office and there were posters and life-size cut outs of the characters. I don't quite get the connection, but Anna is now a fan of the post office...so I guess the marketing fairies know what they are doing...

Pure Magic

So, a little late to be blogging about our visit to Disney (from over one month ago!), but here are the details, nonetheless...

Although we were on vacation for 10+ days, our one-day stop at Disney World definitely stole the show for Anna. She is still asking when it will be her turn to go back to Mickey's house and she will regale anyone who asks her with the highlights from the day. I am amazed by the minute details she remembers and spouts off.

Here are her favorite things to tell people:

"We rode Dumbo but the first time the purple one was broken and we couldn't go up and down. So then we rode the orange one."

"Snow White was scary." (the ride - and it was the first one we went on, which didn't give me high hopes for the rest of the day - but all turned out ok)

"I saw Woody in the parade."

"Buzz Lightyear walks like this..." [picture an imitation here]

"I like Mickey's house - I'm going back soon."

I don't care what people say about Disney - there is clearly some magic working there.

Surprise Visit

You may recall Cruz and James, Anna's two boypals.  About a year ago James (& his family) moved away (boo!!!)  so the threesome was no longer.  We still see Cruz on a regular basis and last week we were very excited to recieve a call and surprise visit from James and his new baby sister Annie while they were in Atlanta for a very brief trip.  Seeing the three of them together again brought back so many memories of them being tiny babies — we marveled at how much they have grown and changed (the biggest change seems to be on the hair front!).  We hope to see Mr. James again soon (does anyone else think he looks just like Macauly Culkin circa Home Alone??).

Picnic Time for Anna Bear

I've learned that you can't tell a two-year-old anything—because they will remember exactly what you said and needle and needle you about what might have been an offhand idea, suggestion, comment, etc.

Which is how I found myself packing a picnic lunch for Anna and I today. Apparently I mentioned going on a picnic at the park at some point in the last few weeks and she has asked everyday if it's time for the picnic yet. And, we often sing the Picnic Time for Teddy Bears song, so I guess the idea has been top of mind for her.

Today she batted her big blues at me and said, "Mommy, maybe we could do something fun today like a picnic at the park maybe."  Having no other plans, I couldn't deny her. The one fly in the ointment? Rain. It has been iffy weather here these last two weeks and I just knew that if we packed up and headed to the park we would be greeted with a downpour. So, I convinced Anna that a backyard picnic was ideal for today.

For the picnic I decided to break out a new treat – Kool-Aid! Last weekend on a big grocery excursion Anna was "helping" and picked up two of the little packets (she goes for what's at her eye level...). The Kool-Aid pitcher mascot made her laugh and I thought, "Hey, it's summer. Let's get the good stuff."

I started questioning the idea as Anna helped me pour in the 1 cup of sugar the drink called for, envisioning a naptime battle with a sugar-charged toddler on my hands. But, too far too back out now. As you can imagine, it was a hit—especially when she discovered her tounge turned purple.

While it didn't rain, I am glad we didn't pack up and head to the park.  About 7 minutes into the picnic (after cup 1 of Kool-Aid had been consumed), Anna proclaimed it was "too hot to be outside," got up and went back in the house.

It was much nicer inside...

Jobs, Probably

Last night as we were reading bedtime stories, Anna and I got off on a tangent about what happens when you grow up. We were reading a book wherein you say goodnight to all the baby animals and I was curious if Anna knew what a kitten or puppy or bunny becomes when they "grew up". Her answer: "They probably get a job or something maybe."

I almost died laughing (on the inside of course). It will never cease to amaze me how perceptive 2-year-olds can be. After explaining that puppies grow up to be dogs and kittens become cats (a fact Anna doubts because she can't fathom Tope ever having been a kitten–her exact words were, "Mama you just being silly. Tope is never a baby cat."), I asked Anna what she would be when she grows up. A mere seven months ago her goal was to be stinky. Last month she expanded on that and said she wanted to be a trash truck (this was said while she was watching the trash cans be emptied one morning…but she stuck with it for a week or so).

Her response last night was, "I think I'll go to work like mommy. Probably it will be fun on the computer."

Then she thought for a minute and added, "But I'll work in the hotel like daddy. And I'll probably have surprises maybe. Like popsicles probably. It will be fun or something.". (Why does Jason's job seem more fun?!?)

As you might be able to tell, Anna is currently testing the words "probably", "something", and "maybe", and everything is "fun". Her vocabulary cracks me up – and surprises me on a daily basis. While on vacation she overheard someone say "dude" and will now drop it in to a conversation along with the occasional "awesome".

Anyways, I told her that if she can find a job where popsicles are a perk she should take it.

For me this exchange was further proof that you can't stop them from growing up.