New Hampshire Mini Vacation!

This past weekend we went to NH with Val, Martin, and the kiddos. On Saturday we spent the day at Story Land and the kids had a blast. Well, except for the occasional melt-downs while waiting in lines, and the few minor time-outs that were given. Eliza loved the antique cars, the swan boat ride, and seeing Cinderella! Though she wasn't so impressed with Cinderella's looks (see above post). She also LOVED seeing Mother Goose, the Big Bad Wolf, and Mr. McGregor's Garden. We had great weather for Story Land. On Sunday we went to Clarke's Trading Post on the way home. Eliza was very anxious about the train ride where you saw "Wolfman". This guy IS scary, so I can see her point. From the first second that Wolfman started yelling at the train and shooting his gun, she was petrified. She was screaming and crying and would not let me unblock her ears. She continued to yell "Let me off this train!" "Let me off this train!" "Don't open my ears!!!". Every time Wolfman started to come near the train, I had to have Andy give me a heads up about which side he was on so that I would force her head in the opposite direction. The poor kid was having panic attacks. When we got off the train she said that she didn't like it because "Wolfman just kept staring at me and blowing smoke in my face."

It was a busy, fun, and exhausting weekend!

Martha's Vineyard '09

This post is so late but better late than never? We had a blast in MV again this summer, staying at the house that my dad rented. It was especially great to see family that we don't get to see too often! Eliza had a blast on the beach having "noodle fights" with Grampy and stuffing her face with snacks. She would get bored every 20 minutes or so and beg to leave the beach, but then find something to interest her for the next 20 minutes. We've learned she is extremely scared of seagulls and has no shame in screaming at the top of her lungs when one is within 100 feet of her. She also had her first mini-golf experience, as well as got to see what "Taco Night" is all about. We had a blast watching the sunset at Menemsha Beach and of course we had to take her on the carousel a few times.

The joke of the week told by Eliza? "Knock Knock!" "Who's There?" "Martha's." "Martha's who?" "Martha's Vineyard!" We can't wait to go back next summer!

Tuesday's Talk Time

I'm going to try to start listing some hilarious/sweet little quotes from Eliza on Tuesdays because she does say some of the funniest things we have ever heard, but then I forget them soon after. So if I make a mental note to jot it down and then list a few on Tuesdays, I'll have them to look back on and to share with all of you! So keep posted on future Tuesdays.....

Can you say jinxed??

Yeah, I guess I completely jinxed myself by writing about her great first night of sleep in the toddler bed. Last night (3:50am to be exact) I was awoken to a soft whispered "Hi Mom, I'm scared." right in my face. And then again at 3:59, and 4:07. As much as I wanted to pull her into the bed with us and snuggle with her to sleep, we decided to put her right back into bed, explain that we are right down the hall, tuck her in, and tell her to wait until the sun comes up to get out of bed. At 4:12 I thought I heard something again so I quietly got out of bed and looked out of the room and there she was, standing in the hall just staring at me, sucking on her binky. Got to admit, just a tad creepy! Then again at 4:20 she got out and Daddy met her in the hall and brought her back to bed where she finally fell asleep. I was awoken at 7:00 to her little face next to mine whispering "Mommy, the sun is up now!" :)

No More Crib!

Well, more like a crib converted to a toddler bed with a bed rail on it-that makes it pretty much still a crib except for the 5 inches of space where she can get in and out herself! Last night was her first night and she was very, very excited. Before she went to sleep we told her that when she woke up (at the crack of dawn as she usually does) she could get out of bed on her own and get some books and get back into her bed to read, or go to her table and color, but she shouldn't scream for us or come in and wake us up just yet. She agreed to this. :)

This morning at about 7:15 I heard some rustling around but wasn't sure if she was really awake yet and didn't want to wake her if not. I went and peeked into her room and there she was, sitting on her bed reading a book and sucking on that binky of course. Oh yeah, in the dark. I forgot about that part, that she can't turn on the light herself! Ha ha. Well, she had listened to us and it was the cutest thing to see. That didn't last longer than a minute from me catching her because then she had to get out of course. Fingers crossed that tonight and from now on it will be just as easy!?

Time For A Trip

Since it's that time of the year (Kelly Family vacay to Martha's Vineyard!), I had to look back at my chubby cheeked baby girl from two years ago on her first Vineyard trip. She was about 9 months old. Can't wait to get some new pictures from her third trip over! Watch out Martha's Vineyard, Eliza is about to step onto your island. :)

Did You Know?

Did you know that at two and a half, you can transform from "baby" to "big girl" within hours, or even minutes? I've recently found this out.

At this age if you refuse to sleep without your binky, it's ok because you are still a "baby". But when that sleep is up, you better believe said "baby" can become a "big girl" faster than you can say "Map!" or "Backpack!" if there's something he or she wants. Eliza is adamant that she is still a "tiny baby" when she wants that darn binky. She lets us know that it is ok because of this fact. However, if she wants candy, wants to watch a movie, listen to hip hop, use my camera, use scissors, use the phone, not use her stroller, or not sit in a grocery cart, instantly she is a "big girl".

"I don't WANT to go in my stroller! I can walk! I am a big girl!"
"I thought you were a tiny baby Eliza? You told me that before your nap so you could have your binky."
"Well, when it's time to go to sleep, I'm still a tiny baby. But right now I am a big girl so I want to walk!"