McCall Winter Carnival

Headed to the mountains to see the snow sculptures today. Last year I noticed that I am lots happier when I am able to take little trips and get out of town even if its just for a day. So that's the goal this year, little trips once a month. The adventures of Lucy and Mom.
I was a little bummed when I had to get both of my fan belts, and a headlight replaced and it cost a bit more then I was hopping. I almost said lets bag it and stay home, but I am so glad we went. We left a foggy Boise behind us and found the sunshine just over the hill. I immediately felt the lift of home stresses. What a difference the sun can make!
Lucy had such a good time! We played in the snow, and learned that we need to be better prepared next year. Stopped for a burger and ice cream. Walked around town a couple times to see all the sculptures and went for a pony ride. Well Lucy went for a pony ride. Her first one all by herself! I don't think she ever stopped singing or talking all day, and it only took 10 minutes in the car for her to pass out...while singing. 

February

Some how January uneventfully slipped by. I won't complain. Its been nice to be home and do things around the house.
Lucy continues to be the sunshine in my day.
She loves to go to work with me. I'm not really sure why. She sits and colors and sings. She'll tell a client they are beautiful every now and then and keep herself busy.
She is getting better at paying attention in dance class and earned her second ticket! The week after she kept sitting on the floor and during a potty brake I asked her what was up and she told me she just loved sitting in the sun because it keeps her so warm... I told her dancing would do the same thing. 
She loves to color, dress up Frank and play pretend anything. She asked me for a phone the other day, like the one on a movie. I couldn't help but think, and so it begins. The phone battle is on!

Lucy Quotes:
me: Why are you SO cute?
Lucy: Because you're beautiful!

Lucy: "on mom! You're growing so big!"

I realize its a little short this month. 
What more can I say, Lucy is amazing. I am excited to watch her grow, the past few years have flown by. She gets to be more and more fun. She is such a spoiled little thing, but I can't help it. She is easy to take in public, she does the chores I ask her to do, putting her dishes and silver wear away when the dishwasher is clean, She puts her folded laundry away after I fold it, she remembers to feed Frank, She puts her toys away when she's done playing and when she forgets and I remind her she doesn't complain, instead she sing the clean up song and put them away. She ask questions and keeps me on my toes, She always wants to be with me and under my feet with a hundred and one questions and a blanket attached to "Princess Frank". She doesn't ask for much, mostly cuddles and tickles. I can't believe how blessed I am to have her. It's hard to believe how quickly everything is always changing and growing with her. I'm glad she is what makes me stop and enjoy the small moments in life.

January

Happy 2016!
Wow another year gone and a new one to shape!
Last month was a little crazy! 
I went to Miami for my last race of 2015. It was a needed vacation away from it all.
Lucy had her first dance recital! She was a mouse in the nutcracker... the cutest little mouse of all if you ask me. I think she had a little stage fright but is excited to dance on stage again.
We made Christmas cookies, decorated a ginger bread house and made all sorts of ornaments or the tree. She is a crafty little girl. It has been fun teaching her carols, I think her favorite is Rudolph and she even does the little echo parts when she sings. 
Lucy has memorized my phone number and her address and we are now working on a scripture. I don't know how long that will take but I think its a good thing for both of us.
Seems like if she isn't talking she is singing these days. Songs she knows or songs she makes up. It doesn't matter. 
She has also been insistent on asking me to please have "a baby come out of my tummy, because it will be so cute and she will dress it and cuddle with it". Originally she asked me if I would get sick and have a baby. Not sure which is better. I keep telling her I don't think she knows what she's asking for. Crazy kid
She got a microphone for Christmas from the Solomon's, it keeps her pretty happy and loud. I asked her and showed her how to turn the volume down and she asked me how everyone was going to hear her. She was then asked to say prayer in primary, on the way to church we were talking about it and she asked me if I brought her microphone, I told her they would have one she could use, to put her worries to rest. 

Christmas

Since we split the holidays, Lucy and I celebrated Christmas eve. I told Lucy that Santa was going to come to our house a day earlier and then he would stop by her Papa's house the next night.

We made cookies and she went to bed... and played and talked to me, asking me for hugs or kisses until about 11:00 when I told her Santa was going to fly over our house if she didn't go. to. sleep.! 

The next morning she woke up around 9 and found her stocking while I was in the bathroom. When I came out she said Santa hadn't brought her Power Ponies. But was thrilled he brought a Rudolph. I told her to look harder because I was sure Santa brought her those ponies when she spotted them next to the fire place. 

I will say this little girl was spoiled this year! We played and played. 

December

Not sure how another month has passed!
Sometimes it feels like nothing has changed and then there are times when it feels like everything is different.
Lucy has memorized her address. Its super cute to have her recite it. We are working on my phone number. all the 4's and 5's confuse her. I did figure out that she is a visual learner. She had a hard time with the house numbers until I wrote it down. She looked at it and we "read" the numbers and she picked it up almost instantly after that.
She had been very into building tents around the house recently. And has set up the a-frame one I made her in her room and has been sleeping in it for a little over a week. She has also talked about the monsters under the bed coming out to get her... So maybe it keeps her safe from them. Who knows, the child has a great imagination.
We went and saw Santa Clause. It was early, but totally worth it no one behind us meant. She got to sit on his lap and sing a couple nursery rhyme songs with him and talk. He asked her what she wanted for Christmas, she told him My little Pony Power Pony Pack, and he was confused, asked her what it was and she gave a rather detailed description, that it was all 6 of the pony's when they were turned in to super hero's and then Pinkie could zoom, zoom, zoom. It was pretty cute. After wards he gave her a Rudolph the red nose reign deer book and she yells out, I have that movie at my Papa's and My mom's house!
Headed to the aquarium one rainy day. She used to love it, ran around looking at the fish! It hasn't been that long since we were there last, but for some reason it was scary to her. She kept freaking out and hiding behind me telling me that the giant fish were going to get her. I explain several times that the fish can't come out of the tank and had to stay in the water or they would die, though this didn't calm any of her fears, we left 15 mins later...
Thanksgiving was some what uneventful. We were planning on joining everyone in Utah when the bad road reports started to come in. So we settled for a day at home, made pull a parts for breakfast, put up the Christmas tree, watched the Parade and some Christmas movies. I made a little turkey breast and a few sides. The day after I realized that was possibly the only weekend to get to Utah so we rushed around, jumped in the car and drove down. Lucy, Emma and Josh went ice skating. We all went to the Charlie Brown movie and finished that evening with the lights on Temple Square. (it was FREEZING!)
Lucy quotes, I need to write more of these down. Here are just a couple of recent ones-
"unicorns are my favorite animal, did you know that?"
"look how long my arms are! They are to my legs!"
"Jesus is being protected by the fairies!"

November

Novermber, Fall is here.
Last month was a whirl wind! I got to participate in the Spartan World Championships,(as a commoner, so much fun!). Lucy had a birthday party. Visited the pumkin patch.We went to Utah.Watched Frozen on ice And we celebrated Halloween. Not to mention new school pictures. Where to start!
Lucy turned 4 on the 4th! We had a party for her on the 10th. Rented a bounce house, she was thrilled, and invited lots of friends and family. Party was a hit. Birthday girl...acted like all toddler birthday girls, we ate cake, hit a pinata and I believe it was a hit, thanks to the bounce house and My Little Pony accessories .
Made the anual trip to the pumkin patch. I was walking with Lucy and I mentioned going to pick out pumpkins and she asked me if we were going to go with Kimberly like we did "yesterday". I was suprised she remembered that from last year! So I gave Kimberly a call, she and Justin joined us in our pumpkin hunt. I think she was a little over whelmed by the size of the fields of pumpkins and it took her a while and a pit stop in the field to decide, with some help. Which pumpkin we should take home. Though the star of the trip wasn't the pumpkins for th corn pit! I had to drag her out of there! 
We ran down to Utah for Charlie's baby blessing. Got to visit everyone including Dad. Lucy and Luke seem to enjoy playing with each other.
When we got back Lucy had her 4 year wellness check and surpasses expectations...except for memorizing her address and phone number. Which we are working on. I was suprised how quickly she picked up on the address. Our only issue now is getting her to say it in the correct order. While at the Dr. she was bouncing around and playing. The Dr. had a bunch of questions, one being, does she talk in compleate sentences. And I said yes, after all the questions we measured and weighed her. Checked her eyes and then proceeded with the check up. She sat up on the table and proceeded to tell the Dr a long story about her mom and papa and that she has a sister at her papa's house. The Dr. burst out laughing in the middle and said well my warm up time must be over! She talks extreamly well! She was really good about shots. I was a super proud mama.
Had the opportunity to see Frozen on Ice with Crystal and Lily. The girls had a good time. I kept telling Lucy we were going to see Frozen and they were going to play it out in real life on an ice stage and she acted like she understood, and was excited. but then we got there! Oh the wonder of Disney. She was so cute! She was pretty captivated with all of it, I think it was the most still she's ever sat.
Halloween! We were Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Frank was Princess Celecia. First we went to our ward Trunk or treat. Lucy was shy would barely say trick or treat and thank you. After a hot dog and a package of m & m's we moved onto our friends trunk or treat. I think the m & m's kicked in becuase she go the hang of it and quicky started saying trick or treat and thank you very loudly and would then report to me what they had given her. Either chocolate or candy and tell me Halloween was her favorite ever! After that we hit a few houses. The weather was perfect! One house had a few halloween statutes. Lucy was scared, saying mom, hold me! I held her hand and we bravely went to the door and back to the street. A couple houses later we came to one that was elaboratly decorated, there was a body hanging from the ceiling and a lady dressed up as a witch with glowing eyes and green skin. Lucy didn't even blink. Walked right up and said trick or treat! Seriously?! We came home with way too much candy and a very happy Pinkie Pie.
Lucy is so much fun. It's unbelievable how much she grows and learns day to day. She is also free with whats on her mind, it makes me laugh. One of my favorite things is when she's gotten in trouble and a few hours later she tells me all about it and how she wont do it again because of -insert her penalty here- and then she'll say sorry.She sure does love Frank, I love watching her play with him. She will attempt to share things with him as if he was a person, or she likes to tie blankets to his collar to make him a "scape!". He takes all ther loving very well.