{ajm}

One of your favorite things to do every week is dance class. You LOVE Ms. Howell and are thrilled each Monday morning when I announce it's time to go.

The fairy circle dance is improving dramatically.

Practicing the elephant walk. Second position (wide legs) and your arm up for the elephant trunk.

Looking for birds with your pretend binoculars

rhythm sticks: I wonder how Ms. Howell feels about impersonating the pied piper?

time for a big hug!!

One of the blogs I read on a regular basis, {A} written by Ali Edwards, inspired me to start playing around yesterday. And in a ridiculously short amount of time, I had this layout of our recent trip to HB. I thought I'd share. Mostly I am already tired of the carousel pic at the top of the blog. oh, and she is the reason I have had holiday albums for the past two years.

Mallory girl–You and I have had two really good days in a row. I feel the need to record them so I can remember when things get challenging. We went shopping and rode the carousel twice you were so good. Once you chose a horse and the next time you chose a tea cup (your words.)

In the past two days we have played games and worked puzzles, read LOTS of books, worked with Play-doh, sorted dry pasta, practiced pouring beans, cleaned bathrooms, watched Dora, Diego, and Little Einsteins.  Your speech is EXPLODING, you say more words every day. Words I did not know you knew. And all this has been at the end of seven days without the DVD player in the car. I didn't put it back in the car after we returned from California. It's been great spending car time talking and singing together.

You are also singing more. LOTS more. You sing "Jesus Loves Me" and "Jesus Loves the Little Children" and the "clean up" song. You are singing "Let's Go Fly a Kite," also known as "Jane & Michael". And you loved movie night when we watched Mary Poppins. You call it, "Poppins." I am thankful that Peter, Wendy, Michael, John and Tink have some compititon for discussion time.

I should also mention that in addition to the singing, you are "reading" books. Your favorites to recite are by Sandra Boynton. Specifically Blue Hat, Green Hat. You can read the whole thing to us and have the last 5 nights in a row. It's hilarious to listen to you repeat the same "silly turkey sayings" I add to the book. 

Having Valentine's Day on a Saturday is such a treat. We have gotten to spend the day hanging out, being together. It started with our special Saturday waffles and special Mallory + Daddy time.

high fives x2

fun Dora cards with stickers

the greatest Lion card from OK cousins

a few goodies for Mallory

goodies from Ben & an amazing cookie cake from a super sweet brother-in-law

The best part, the ABSOLUTE best part, spending the day with my sweet family.

2009: first annual Valentine's Party. I chose to counter my winter blahs with a super fun party.

lots of paper lanterns

foam craft butterflies and cheesy love houses

sweet friends

lots of sweet friends

LOTS of cupcakes, two shades of pink icing, sprinkles, M&Ms, & sweethearts.

sugar high anyone??

Seems like a great time for a group picture 🙂

We had a wonderful time. I hope all the little girls and their moms had as much fun as Mallory & I.