Our Lil' Lovebug: November 2010

Dear Gracie,

It is only a few more weeks until you are going to be turning 3. Time just keeps flying by! The next thing I will know is that you will be telling me about a new boy at school or that we need to go buy you make up. Right now, those things seem worlds away, but in reality those events are just right around the corner.

These days you are a whirlwind of giggles, chatter, and happiness. You are constantly on the go. Gone are the days where you would sit quietly enjoying your toys, now there are noises everywhere. You still like to cuddle, but not for the long moments you used to just a couple of months ago. It seems like my cuddle bug only appears on evenings where I let you stay up late.

You are a smart little girl who can already count to 20 with out skipping a single number, knows a number of rhymes and silly songs, and has an imagination filled with princesses and babies. You love to talk and tell stories. Playing outside or at the park is your favorite thing to do. You love books, singing, music, and dancing.

I am so proud of you. You are a very delightful little girl. Mommy and Daddy love you very much. You have been a joy over the last (almost) three years. We can’t wait to see what the years to come bring! Happy Almost Birthday Gracie! We love you!

Have you ever had that feeling that you are going in the same direction over and over again and then as you’re looking out you keep seeing things going by again and again and again as if you were on a twirl-a-whirl? That is seriously how I have been feeling for about a week. I have had about 4 major whirlwinds since then all good mind you, but just enough going on that when I sit down on the computer, I am so exhausted I can’t keep my thoughts from scattering. This of course meant I could not type a coherent blog so I just waited to find the chance to do so. Now, I sit here, over a week later, at my desk making myself concentrate. I have to tell you, I have a new respect for single moms; you never get a moment to yourself. By the time you do, your so tired all you want to do is sleep! I am thankful that I only have to do this for a few more weeks (well, at least until the next time Matt has to leave!) Anyway, on to the whirlwinds:

Whirlwind #1: Preschool Class

Yes, you read that right. Gracie has officially transitioned into the preschool class at the daycare. She has been ready for it for awhile honestly. I, however, was not (still not) ready for yet another reality that she is growing up before my eyes. I am proud of her. They told me on Thursday that she was going into the new room on Monday. My friend Jamie was with me, she kept wondering when the freak out would come…I am still in denial!

Come Monday, I pick her up in her new classroom and there is my shining star all smiles and loving every minute of it. Lately it has been a challenge to get her to leave school. She loves her teachers, friends, and all the fun activities. Tuesday I went to drop her off in her old classroom because they are supposed to go through a week of transition. Well, as you might have guessed, Gracie did such a fabulous job; they only did one day of transition. I am glad I have such an easy going child. That has backfired on me and did in this case. Here I am thinking I have a week to get ready for the new classroom…nope, she is officially a “preschooler.” It is bittersweet. It is so exciting to see her learn things and to see how much she is developing. Her vocabulary is through the roof, she learns new things daily, and she is such a helper. On the flip side, I have to steal kisses and cuddles. She is way to busy to bother with those anymore. She does seem to make up for it at bedtime.

Whirlwind #2: My Mom Visits

The last time I left you my mom was flying in on Thursday. Well, she made it in safe and sound. Honestly, after I picked her up from the airport I was so overwhelmed with all the preschool talk I just wanted to go home and rest! However we had a lot of fun activities planned for the trip. Gracie was sure excited about Grandma Beth coming for a visit. We have been talking a lot about family since we are going to be going home in a few weeks to visit. It was a fun visit. It was nice to have some girl time and have someone to go with me all over the place. Which leads me to:

Whirlwind #3: Gracie’s 1st REAL Haircut

It was time. I was so glad to see the rat tail go when I cut her hair a couple of months ago, but that lead to realizing that all of her hair was somewhat uneven. I was just so sad to see all that baby hair go, but as I said it was time. I was a little nervous to see how she would do, sometimes around strangers she can’t take it and wants me to be right there. Once again, Gracie surprised me. She sat like a perfect little angel, watching cartoons and eating a sucker while the nice lady in the cute bumble bee costume cut her hair. I love it how it turned out. We gave her a little bit of bangs and just evened out the rest. I think all of her darling curls are going to fall out as her hair gets longer but so did mine so I guess I expected it.

Whirlwind #4: Halloween 2010

My mom loves Halloween. She has always gotten into the spirit of seeing kids dressed up and handing out candy. Saturday we decided to take a drive to Old Mesilla and eat at my favorite resturant up there called La Posta. It has been around since the late 1800’s when most of the west still was developing. They have the best taco’s I have ever eaten! Then we headed up to Las Cruces to go the pumpkin patch. I know, I know, we are so late on going. As a matter of fact the pumpkins we bought are still sitting on my table. I am trying to decide if I want to leave them there for decoration or use them for a recipe. Ha! But we had a fabulous time. They had a lot of farm activities that was geared towards Gracie’s age. I have a ton of pictures so let’s just get to them!

After the pumpkin patch extravaganza, we went to the outlet mall to shop. Gracie made out like a bandit and I got some cute clothes too. It was nice to have a shopping partner and someone to keep an eye on Miss Gracie when she thought it was necessary to run all over!

Sunday we headed to a different mall to do some trick or treating…yeah, it was so busy my head was spinning. I thought it would be a nice safe place to take Gracie and it was, but not good for a my patience. We just decided to go see Jamie and Wes to show off Gracie’s cute costume. We also stopped by Quantrice’s house (a friend from work) and her daughter Quaniah took Gracie up and down the street actually door to door. Gracie sure thought she was the biggest little 2 ¾ year old on that street! Ha! Quaniah loves her so much and Gracie feels the same way. Here are some more pictures of our adorable Minnie Mouse (Mickey Mouse according to Gracie!)

Well, I think I have finally got you all caught up. This weekend is going to be a nice slow going weekend. The only thing I have planned is going out to dinner with Jamie while Gracie goes and plays with Quantrice and Quaniah. She already has a list of stuff she wants to take with her! It’s a good thing Quaniah being a 12 year old loves being around little girls! She is going to be playing a lot of dolls and dress up!

Lastly, here is a quick video of Gracie. Her favorite book has always been “Dance Me Daddy.” Well, we have been reading it every night before bedtime and she has learned some it. It is just so sweet to hear her voice quoting the book:

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