we went to the zoo this week to see the lights!  it was COLD!

all bundled up

we saw an owl when we came in, and heard some cranes.  the lights on the lake were really cool.  they were set to music!

swan lake

christmas is super fun!  we have a tree at my house, and i like to look at it.  sometimes i touch the ornaments.

family photo!

i’m not saying much, but my parents have deciphered some of my babbles.

i say, with consistency:

UP
BOOK
BALL

last month i went on my first hayride!  we went to iron’s farm to go apple picking, but the apples weren’t ready yet.   i did get to eat a cinnamon apple donut though!

eating my donut, getting ready for the hayride

we took a ride back to a really big corn maze!  there were six stations where you had to stamp your card.  if you found all six, then you were awarded a free donut!  those donuts were great!  unfortunately, we couldn’t find any.  i had lots of fun running through the maze though.  it did get tiring, and we decided to just use the map to get out of there.

running through the maze

afterward, we got to see animals and run around!  some kids were feeding a llama, so i thought it would be a good idea to get some grass to feed it too.  mommy came over and stopped me though – she said there was a sign that said not to feed the animals.  how was i supposed to know – i can’t read yet!

having fun after the maze

i’ve been busy staying up late this summer.  sleep is for losers!  i’ve also been spending more time with my mommy and daddy, so i really don’t like it when they go away because they should be hanging out with me.  we’ve done a lot this summer together.

i went to the newport pool this summer.  swimming is awesome!  i can stand up and walk around in the baby pool; it comes up almost to my shoulders.  it’s fun to go after toys in the water and splash around.

trying to pull myself out of the water

my bikini has hula girls on it

last week we went to the zoo for $1 admission day.  i got in free of course (because i’m that cool).  we met my friend louis and mommy’s friend molly to look at the animals!  i ate lots of cheez-its and pointed at stuff.  we saw giraffes, bears, rhinoceroses, elephants, and snakes.  it rained on us, but only for a little bit.  i lost my crocodile toy and my khaki hat with flowers on it.  i’m not very good at keeping up with stuff.  i get that from my mom.

exploring the zoo! (before the hat disappeared)

lions

it was a long morning!

every tuesday i go to baby time class at the library.  we sing songs, play with shakies, do lap rhymes, and play with bubbles and balls.  the shakies are the best part.  i love baby time.  it was kind of scary at first, but now i run through the bubbles and even pet mother goose.  next summer i’ll be in a different class.  i hope it’s just as fun!

eating this yogurt is just like eating a popsicle!

i went to some yard sales with mommy a few weeks ago.  i don’t like having to get in and out of my car seat every few minutes, but i got some cool stuff!  i now am the proud owner of a bubble mower, a shopping cart, and a push/ride toy.  i love my new toys!

i love to press the buttons that play the songs on this thing!

school starts in a few weeks.  i get to see my new daycare on saturday… exciting!  hope you’ve had a great summer!

friday was my birthday.  YAY FOR ME!  one year never looked so good.  i had a party yesterday and people came to see me and play with me.  lots of thanks to everyone who ate mommy’s pasta salad and to those who brought me gifts.  i like to play with things!

i know you all are wondering what i got, so here’s my loot:

mamaw and papaw - the woodland climber that you voted for!  i secretly liked it the best too.  i can climb up the ladder and slide down the slide all by myself!  i love standing up in the fort.  i’m so tall.

ma, papa, and danielle – a v-tech nursery rhyme book.  i love books!!! and this one sings to me and i can dance.  it’s awesome!

miss cherry and kadi – this  super cool playskool jungle whack-a-mole thing.  i hit the buttons and jungle animals climb up the trees.  i’m supposed to use a hammer but my hands work better.

merideth and toby – lots of yard sale clothes.  can you belive she got two bags full of clothes for $2.  wow!  mommy loves yard sales.

great aunt shannon and uncle randy – a savings bond and a cool safari puzzle!  i play with it in the living room.  i really like the chunky pieces.

great aunt nelda and uncle reggie – cute outfits!  i like yellow!

many, many thanks to everyone for my gifts!

i got my very own cake, which was very yummy.  i love chocolate, and the icing was very chocolatey!  mom will post pictures soon.

mommy’s friend erin has a mister softee truck.  when we came home from school she was on our street.  what luck!  this meant that i was finally going to get to try ice cream, that is, if my mom didn’t eat it all first.  i was taking a nap inside while mom talked to her friend.  when she came back, she gave me the rest of her cup.  vanilla ice cream is yummy!  only a few more weeks until i get to have some cake…