Grandpa

Dear Grandpa,

I'm so glad you had a chance to meet Laura this December.  It was so important to me to make that trip up to Vermont, despite the crazy weather.  I can't tell you how much it meant for me to see Laura with her great-grandfather.  You were such a wonderful Grandpa for me - the only one I ever knew.  Laura won't remember meeting you, but I will.  I will always cherish that last visit. 

I remember you "trapping" me on your lap when I was a toddler, and never letting me go.  I laughed till I cried every time you did it. 

I remember visiting you and Grandma in Wallkill, where I got to drink grape juice which was never allowed at home.  I still love purple grape juice, and am sad it's not longer sold in that glass bottle.

I remember eating "wait-and-see" every night for dessert.  For the longest time, I thought that was an actual dessert, something one could order at a bakery.  I think it was usually pie and ice cream, but it was always delicious.

I remember the smell of your studio, when I went out to watch you paint.  The pungent oils made my eyes water while I stared, mesmerized, at your works.  You were always so patient at explaining how you painted, why you painted, and what you painted.

I remember going out to Wyoming to celebrate your fifty years of marriage with Grandma.  Fifty years.  It was a big number to me back then - and is still such a big number now.

Just yesterday, I was thinking about how you and Grandma came to be married.  So in love, you defied your parents wishes and eloped nearly seventy-one years ago.  Amazing, that just yesterday I was reflecting on your seventy-one years of love.

I will miss you and Grandma, but am happy knowing you are together again.

Happy Easter!

What a weekend!  When I got home from school on Wednesday, my Grammy and Grampy were on the front porch with lots of stuff from Super Grammy's house!  Madness ensued, as they started bringing sideboards, tables, pictures and teacups into the house.  I sat in my highchair and directed traffic.  The house looks great, thanks to my keen eye for decorating.

On Thursday, I took Grammy and Grampy to Mom's work.  I showed them around a bit.

Caution: Baby at work!

 After a few hours of hard work, we went to the National Zoo for some fresh air.  It was a beautiful day for a walk in the beautiful zoo.  After Mom got creeped out by the birds, we headed over to the Great Cats.  The huge tiger yawned and showed us his enormous teeth.  Right next door, we saw several big lions pacing for their dinner.  I loved watching the baby lions jump all over the mommy.  I took notes.

I want to play with the tiger!

In case we hadn't had a busy enough day, we finished Thursday evening with a few frames of bowling for Daddy's work!  I had trouble lifting the ball, but was quite intriqued.

Strike!

On Friday, Grammy and Grampy took me to Sherwood Gardens to see the tulips.  I wore my best frock (in honor of the royal wedding, of course), and had great fun exploring the flower beds.

Peekaboo!

Time for tea!

Saturday morning, I hopped in the car with Mom and Dad to drive to Pennsylvania to see my other Grandma and Grandpa! I saw some more tulips outside Church on Easter Sunday.  I looked really pretty in my fancy Easter dress!

Can I eat this?

 I changed into some cooler clothes after church, and had a great time playing with all my aunts and uncles.

Happy Easter!

 I'm not sure why the cheery eggs can open, but I sure did enjoy picking them all up and putting them in my basket!

I'm a very good Easter egg hunter

What happens at Grandma's stays at Grandma's

My usual paparazzi was strangely absent this weekend.  Mommy left after work on Thursday to go to New York with Auntie Maria, Auntie Liz and some friends for wine tasting.  I guess it was some sort of way to celebrate the bride-to-be Auntie Liz before the wedding.  Daddy had a similar trip to Philly for Uncle Vin.  Since Mommy and Daddy were off being busy with the aunts and uncles, Riesling and I jetted off to Grandma and Grandpa's for the weekend.

We had a blast!  Four dogs for me to torment play with - I was in heaven.  As was Ries.  She was so happy to have some other doggies to play with.  She ran and pounced and wrestled and had a great time. 

Grandma took me to a baby shower (though I didn't get very clean at that shower), where I was crowned with a fancy tiara and matching purse.  I've known for a long time that I'm a princess; it's nice to be recognized as such.  We also went to church this morning.  There were really big leaves for me to play with!  I borrowed a truck from the little boy down the pew, and played very nicely with one of the sisters.  It was a blast. 

After church, Mommy came to Grandma's to get me!  I was SO excited to see her, but obviously started asking after daddy.  A girl has her priorities.  We finally got back to our house - and Daddy was on the porch waiting for us!  I think it's safe to say Mommy and Daddy both had wonderful weekends too.  I'm just not exactly sure what they did or why it had to be so far away from me.

My paparazzi was back in full force this evening as I played as cutely as possible.

I'm so cute!

I'm good at my shapes!

Daddy & Me

I started my weekend in a very leisurely manner: sleeping in with my dad.  It was a lovely way to start a lovely weekend.

We are so angelic

Saturday morning, Mommy and I hopped in the car with Auntie Maria for a pleasant drive to New Jersey.  I didn't see any new t-shirts when we got there, but I didn't see any really old ones either.  Go figure.  What I did see  was my Uncle Matt and his beautiful bride-to-be, Melissa.  We went to a party just to celebrate their upcoming nuptials!  Melissa got to open lots of presents.  I got to play with those presents - as well as some really awesome wrapping paper.

I'm so happy for you guys!

 When we got home after the shower (where we didn't get wet at all, and there wasn't even any soap or toys), my mom left again to go out with her buddy, my Auntie Guzel.  It's Guzel's birthday this week, and they wanted to celebrate!  I guess they didn't need my help with cake or anything.  It was just as well, because I was very excited for a night with just my dad.  We ate pizza and watched TV and played and had a grand old time.

The next morning was super fun too.  We went downtown and wandered up the street until we found a lacrosse game going on!  We stayed to watch.  I really enjoy my sports.  We had a tasty lunch downtown, and then wandered home.  It was a beautiful day to be outside, so I'm really glad we were able to enjoy it together.

Exhausting

It was a very exhausting weekend, but for all the best reasons.  I am especially glad I got to spend so much time with Daddy Saturday night and Sunday.  Happy birthday, Auntie Guzel!

I can't make this up

Laura's mom here, showing some pictorial proof of some of Laura's latest antics.  Yesterday, Laura spent a good amount of time trying to put a sock on Riesling's foot.  We are so lucky to have a very patient dog as Laura's "big sister."

 So when I got home from work today, I started cracking up when I saw Laura's best friend, Lamb, wearing a pair of size 4 MaryJanes.  I can't make this up - Laura put those shoes on that lamb by herself!

A few hours later (nearing bedtime), Laura decided to give some of her Little People a ride on the horse:


Laura is one smart and imaginative little girl!

Bag Lady

My mom calls me a "bag lady."  She  laughs when she says it, like there is some sort of connotation I'm too little to understand.  I think it's pretty cool to be a bag lady!  I mean, I'm a lady for one and I get lots of bags for another.  I love bags.

Bags are the perfect accessory for every outfit.

I am totally cool: I carry my dog around in my purse.

I even let my bear borrow one of my purses!

March Recap

March 2011:

• Laura takes her books very seriously.  She sits in her fort or on her rocking chair and reads aloud to us.  Most of the pages read, "Yash.  Yash, yash.  Dog!  Yash."  She always nods her head in the affirmative when she says "yash." 
• A few times, Laura has also said "OK," and "Oh yeah."  Nice to know she is so positive!
• Laura loves rocking in her chair.  She can climb onto it by herself, and is very good at making it rock.  Sometimes she gives her friends a ride.
• Laura's favorite friend (at the moment) is Lamb, with Jingle coming in a close second.  And of course, neither friend is machine-washable and both are white.
• Laura just started running, which is hilarious to watch.  Half the time, she is careening forward out of control.  Her legs swing to the sides as she flies by, like those funny lizards who run on water.
• Laura isn't a huge fan of meals these days.  She mostly eats on the go, grabbing a handful of food off our plates on her way to some important toy.
• Laura loves dancing!  She'll dance to just about anything - especially TV commercials.  If it's a fast song, she bounces along.  If it's a slow song, she bends down slowly and sways.  It is hilarious.  I keep trying to catch it on film... one of these days I will!
• Laura loves purses.  She carries at least one wherever she goes.
• Laura's favorite friends are Lamb and Puppy.  She's also pretty keen on a soft, furry little blankie.  But if her favorites aren't around, anyone soft and cuddly will do.  Laura almost always has at least one friend under her arm.Laura has started giving kisses when we ask for one.  She leans her head in, and even makes a smacking noise!
• Laura says "All done!" while making the corresponding sign when she has finished eating or drinking something.  If I ask, "Are you all done?"  She answers "All done!" 
• Laura points to her hair when we ask where it is.  If we ask "where's Mommy's/Riesling's/Daddy's hair?" she will point to it.  What a smarty-pants!