Happy New Year

Dear Baby Bird,

Today our vacation ended, and so did 2014.

Daddy took this photo of us before everyone left to go back home.

We had a party at home with dancing to celebrate the start of 2015.

 

Love,
Mom

Grandma's Birthday

Dear Baby Bird,
Today we spent a lot of time at the water park, visited the arcade, celebrated Grandma's birthday, and had fun in the hotel room.

When it was time for bed, you had your choice of who would read to you. You chose Justin, and read all the books you had brought along.

 

All that reading of the same books helped you really learn the stories! I took this video of you reading "The Napping House" by Audrey Wood.

Love,

Mom

 

Gingerbread House

Dear Baby Bird,

Part of the reason we are all on vacation together is to celebrate Grandma's 65th birthday.
Today she took us for a treat in a real gingerbread house. The whole thing is made from crackers and candy and frosting and pretzels and.... it's really cool!

I tried to order chocolate milk for you, but you looked right at the waitress and requested a strawberry milkshake, how could I refuse?

Love,
Mom

Great Wolf Getaway

Dear Baby Bird,

We are on a family getaway to Great Wolf Lodge with Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Karina and Uncle Jake, and mom's cousins, Trevor and Annie (and Justin).

So far we've enjoyed looking around the hotel at all the fun things we're going to in the next few days!

 You have your own section of the hotel room, and you love bringing someone there to read books, play games, or watch Daniel Tiger.

Love,
Mom

Cozy Day of Playing

Dear Baby Bird,

We got to spend today just playing with all of your new toys.

You made us a lot of coffee.....

 You and brother slayed dragons and chased monsters, and even pretended to be Thorin and Dwalin chasing Orcs (Mom got the new Hobbit movie and brother was using it as inspiration)

So many new costumes to use our imagination!

And some slot cars, just like Daddy remembers playing with his Brother. They are really fun!



Love,
Mom

Christmas Day

Dear Baby Bird,
Merry Christmas! Santa came last night and left a lot of presents in our house.

You found your favorite one right away: a police bike! You didn't want to open any others, and if you did, you stayed on your bike to open them.

 You took your combine and bus into your sled and had a lot of fun.

 While Brother opened all of his presents right away, you took your time through out the morning, opening a few and then playing with them.

 You got a knight's armor and shield and sword, so we spent a lot of time fighting dragons (or being dragons)!

You decided this helmet would be good for a police officer.

And then you got Sheriff Woody, because he had a holster just like you.

 In the afternoon, Grandma and Grandpa arrived and brought you one last present: a kitchen. You helped build it, then spent a lot of time making us treats.

It was a very wonderful Christmas Day.
Love,
Mom

Jingle Bells

Dear Baby Bird,

This is my favorite video of you from Christmas:

It's definitely your favorite song! And any house where you can run in a circle is a hit.
Love,
Mom

Christmas Eve

Dear Baby Bird,

We spent today at Grandma and Grandpa's house. You were such a great helper getting things ready! You hung ornaments

 Placed the angel on top of the tree

Helped fold napkins and set the table.

We enjoyed a delicious meal (Daddy tried to take a photo of us all.... he got you and the food, at least!)

We took a family photo, doesn't everyone look great?!

After your nap, we went to church. When we got there, they asked if you would like to be a sheep in their play.

You were really excited to wear the costume, and even though you were a little shy about it, you went up front with the other kids who were being sheep. We were so proud of you.

Back home for some soup and cookies and presents.

We thought you'd fall asleep on the way home, but you were much too excited! We put out cookies and milk for Santa, and off to bed you went.
See you in the morning.
Love,
Mom

Playing with Nana

Dear Baby Bird,

You sure kept your Nana busy during her visit! Early in the morning you started playing with your new toys....

 ...and kept playing right until bedtime, then picked up again the next morning!

We took Nana to see the Country Springs light display, you really liked all the lights, and then the train display inside.

Love,
Mom

Holiday Domes

Dear Baby Bird,

This weekend, your Nana came to visit for 2 nights.

We all went to the Milwaukee Domes.

They were decorated for the holiday season.

 

 

We saw brilliant tropical flowers and wildlife (snail hanging off an iris).

Love,
Daddy

Gifts and Visits

Dear Baby Bird,

Today some of your cousins came to bring Nana to stay with us for a few days.

You tried hard to wait for them, but you were definitely excited.

Not only was it fun to see them, but you also got to open presents, which was definitely a highlight.

You dug deep deep deep into the bag to find the last of the presents.

Best of all, you got to spend some special time with your godfather, cousin Ryan.

 It sure has been fun celebrating the holidays with you this year!

Love,
Mom

Advent Gloria

Dear Baby Bird,

Today was a special day at church. Our family was invited to light the advent candle at the beginning of worship. Brother did a great job reading his part, and you helped me to light 4 candles... which means it is almost time for Christmas!

We took advantage of being dressed so nicely and having a tree available, and took a family photo.

 Then you and dad had some fun taking pictures.

 

The service was also special because Grandma and Grandpa were guests in the choir, and they sang Vivaldi's Gloria. It was so neat to hear the instruments and singers do such a great job. We sat close to the front so you could have a good view of it all.

Love,
Mom