Our Little Skier

In the above video, Little Miss put her skis on for the very first time. She did great! If anything, I think the helmet weighed her down or at least threw off her sense of balance. We only stayed out a short time and stopped when she wasn't having fun anymore (coincidentally right after she fell).  My dad spent time with her and we all went out to watch (Husband, Mom, Aunt and Uncle).  She'll be zooming down the hill in no time!

Christmas Concert

Little Miss had her first Christmas concert at school. It seemed like the longest morning ever and we were home by 10AM. We got to school so Little Miss could be fitted with wings and a halo.  Then, we all took our seats.  Both sets of grandparents were there as well as her cousin.  The 4-year-olds performed the Nativity.  The little ones were seated along the front of the stage.  The photo below is when Little Miss realized we were seated right behind her.  After, the 3-year-olds took the stage.  They sang a couple of songs.  Little Miss was in the back so it was very difficult to see her.  We all retreated to the classroom where the kids got a snack and we watched a video of the school year up to this point.  It was a lot of fun and really adorable to see the kids perform.

O, (Little) Christmas Tree

As I mentioned before, Little Miss wanted her own Christmas tree.  Well, we finally decorated it.  It is above.  She was truly upset that it had no star so this week, she colored some paper, I cut it into the shape of a star and affixed it to the top of her tree.  She was so thrilled.


Last week, we finally got around to decorating our big tree.  I gave a shopping bag of 3-4 ornaments and told Little Miss to put the bag of ornaments on the tree.  She had been putting ornaments on her tree so I knew she was capable of hanging ornaments from the tree.  I turned the corner and saw the sight below:

I can't complain. She did exactly as she was asked.

Weekend Update - December

I've been bad about the weekend updates.  During the second week in December, we hit a snag with our lights so the tree that we got in November still wasn't decorated.  So, the second week in December was spent trying to get lights to no avail.  Little Miss and I spent the weekend running errands and using every bathroom in northern Virginia. Small child = small bladder. Then, a friend and I went to see The Social Network. It was a fun evening.


Last weekend, Little Miss and I ran some errands including the library. She loves books and her favorites are any book about Max and Ruby. I believe she thinks the library is just filled with Max and Ruby books. It's been a fun month. The two of us have spent a lot of time together, and this month, she's become much more talkative and even more outgoing than usual. It's nice to see. (Don't get me wrong, she's still unbelievable independent - read as stubborn - but she can be really sweet on occasion.)

Mint-Chocolate Brownies

I made these Mint-Chocolate Brownies last night. Most of the ingredients I had already except the chocolate. Yes, I even had the peppermint patties. Anyway, the recipe is very easy. The trick is to wait an obscene amount of time for the brownies to cool. The first time I did not do this and the peppermint patties ooze all over the place. Last night, I cooled for maybe an hour and the middles were still warm, but I had to go to bed. Also, it calls for 25 mini peppermint patties. I've never made this with more than 18-20 and even with 20, I had to squeeze them in there. They came out pretty moist and delicious if I do say so myself.


Mint-Chocolate Brownies


Ingredients:
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for pan
8 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
25 small (1 1/2 inch) peppermint patties


Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on all sides; butter foil. Set aside.
2. Place chocolate and butter in a medium heatproof bowl set over (not in) a saucepan of gently simmering water. Stir occasionally just until melted, 4 to 5 minutes.
3. Remove from heat. Whisk in sugar and salt until smooth; whisk in eggs. Gently whisk in flour and cocoa powder just until smooth (do not overmix).
4. Spread 1/3 of batter in prepared pan. Arrange peppermint patties on batter in a single layer, leaving a narrow border on all sides. Top with remaining batter, and smooth surface. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs attached, 45 to 55 minutes.
5. Cool completely in pan. Use foil to lift from pan; peel off foil and discard. Cut into 16 squares (4 rows by 4 rows).

Jingle Bells

Little Miss has been practicing some songs for her winter concert at school next week. She's been singing Jingle Bells, Silent Night, and This Little Light of Mine. Jingle Bells is the one she knows the best and sings the most. So, last night, she was cooperative enough to sing it for my camera.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I know it's after Thanksgiving, but I didn't make this discovery until Thanksgiving. We talked a lot about Thanksgiving before the holiday, but you don't wish people a Happy Thanksgiving until that day and the day is crazy and flies by so quickly. Little Miss has totally been switching her compound words around. She always had words that were tricky for her (like banana and doggy), but she corrects herself over time. That is why I had to video tape her (hm, record her, I guess as there's no actual video tape involved) because, by next year, her speech will probably correct itself. Anyway, without further ado, below is a video of Little Miss saying "Happy Thanksgiving" her way.

Our #1 Problem was #2

As I mentioned, Little Miss potty-trained pretty much overnight.  However, she she had some hesitation with the poo.  She would try, but she would cry and carry on and will herself not to go.  The pediatrician suggested mineral oil to make it easier and, if it was easier, she would be more likely to go.  So, we did that for awhile (and still do).  So, after a couple of weeks, she would go on the potty (as opposed to her pants or in a pull-up), but she would still cry.  During her well-child check up, the doctor said it was perfectly natural especially because she trained so early.  She was more surprised that this was the only issue we've had.  So, we tried to be patient.  As one of our techniques, we created a sticker chart.  She liked the positive reinforcement and, to a lesser extent, a goal.  If she received 10 stickers, she could pick a present.  10 was an even number, but it was also a good way to create a habit of going and not just a phase.  And, in the last 2 weeks, she stopped crying, has no hesitation going at home or in public.  So, on Saturday, we went to the toy store, and she got to pick out a present. 

She first was a little overwhelmed by the toy store (as was I).  Then, she picked a train which wasn't that expensive.  She then saw a train puzzle and put back the train, but I told her she could have both if she wanted.  She ended up getting both and a flashlight.  I kept telling her that they were presents for finishing her sticker chart.  She is still getting stickers if she wants them, but there won't be anymore presents.  The sticker chart still resides on the bathroom door.  She points to it proudly every so often, and she does like to tell people she poos on the potty.  It's nice that she's proud of herself though a little embarrassing that she overshares. 

Weekend Update - 'Tis the Season

Last weekend, Little Miss was a little under the weather, and we pushed her hard. On Saturday, we took portraits with her little cousin. It went relatively well. She gets tired waiting for the proofs and sitting through lunch. She also got to go to the toy store. She fell asleep on the way, but I woke her up because I promised her we'd go. She perked up in the store and then went home for a nap.  I actually had to wake her up after her nap on Saturday because I didn't want her to sleep through dinner or not sleep through the night. She woke up and cuddled (her sign that she's sick). She did eat dinner and pretty much went right to sleep.

On Sunday, we woke up early to go to Breakfast with Santa. Little Miss was a bit sluggish and still not feeling well, but she did perk up once we got there. She split my pancake plate and, I'll admit, she ate most of it. She was really good with Santa and chatted quite a bit with him and Mrs. Claus. I painted her nails dark purple and she showed them off and asked for "presents". She didn't get specific yet so her wants are still attainable. Santa can definitely bring her "presents".

After Breakfast with Santa, she asked to go home and rest. We were supposed to go to a Baby Shower, but Little Miss woke up choking a little from her cold and it panicked her. So, we cuddled some more while she slept for another 2 hours. She woke up a whole new and healthy kid though. I think she felt much better because she managed to give her germs to Husband and me (though he contracted this round of sickness more than I did, but it is his turn). The evening brought dinner, coloring, and a bath. No big plans this week or next weekend though she asked to go back to the library next weekend for more Max and Ruby books so we'll do that. All pictures are from Breakfast with Santa.

Books Read in November 2010

1. Indulgence in Death by J.D. Robb (NOTE: This is part of the Eve/Roarke In Death series. The order can be found here.)
2. Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts (NOTE: This is part of the Brides quartet. The order can be found here.)
3. Nice Girls Don't by Anne O'Connell

I read all of these books in the early part of the month. The later part of the month and the beginning of next month is all book club. This month's book club book is a long one.

Also, a word of note that the last book listed is erotica so don't go checking it out if you're not into that type of thing. It's extremely graphic. If you do like that sort of thing, it was well done for the genre. There was an actual storyline with a touch of romance. I read a few other short stories of the genre which weren't worth listing and didn't even make the calendar in which I record all this information.

I'm hoping to read more next month when I finish the book club book.

Movies Watched in November 2010

1. Due Date
2. The Girl Who Played with Fire
3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

Weekend Update - O Christmas Tree

Last Friday, Little Miss had a restless night which resulted in the two of us sleeping on the couch. We had grand plans to get up early and go to the tree farm. So, we all overslept. We did eventually get up and go to our annual breakfast at IHOP before driving to the tree farm to pick out our tree. We found a tree quickly last year, but it took us awhile this year. It is a nice tree though. Little Miss had a visit with some horses. She looks forward to the horses every year. Last year, a horse kissed her, but this year, she escaped the kissing. We brought our tree home and had leftovers for dinner. I also did some minor decorating for Christmas. It's a small place so I usually just put up some accents instead of making the place look like Christmas threw up all over it.


On Saturday, Little Miss slept in which was a nice treat. We then got up and went to the playground and the library. She took a much-needed nap when we got home and that was pretty much the day once you calculated in bath and bed.


On Sunday, Husband woke up and made Little Miss pancakes. I had one as well before meeting a friend to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1. It was a nice afternoon and a great movie.


I forgot! When Husband went to replace our Christmas lights last week, Little Miss wanted red lights. It was all she would think and talk about. Then, at the tree farm, she wanted a Little Miss-size sapling as our tree. So, we bought her a tree just for her room. It is a table top tree that we decorated with red lights and a few stray ornaments. I wrapped dish towels around the base to be a tree skirt and some gold garland that I used to use as table decoration. She loves it.