eternally chaotic

Exciting times are ahead for Violet.  She is being moved to a new classroom in daycare.  Her current and previous classes focused mainly on keeping her busy and slowly introducing her to various activities like music, artwork, playtime, social interaction, etc…  Her new class, Toddler-2, is the first that introduces a specific daily schedule focused on both playing and learning.  The various activities that she will be a part of every day, versus every so often, include: puppets, reading circle, interactive music, sensory and art projects, nursery rhymes, flash cards, and English and Spanish language comprehension.

There is still plenty of play time for her as well as nap time (not that she ever actually takes a nap…) and having been through this routine once before with Piper, this is when Violet will start learning about and making friends with her classmates.  The previous classes didn’t really offer a setting to get to know either the other kids or the parents, except at various holiday parties or special events hosted by Crème.  It was around the beginning of T2 with Piper that we started to get to know and even build some friendships with other parents of kids in the same class.  (more…)

Piper and Violet spent this past weekend playing with Whitley, Cassidy, and Riley.  Well mainly it was Piper doing the playing and Violet getting dressed up and chased around by the older girls while they called her Ursula.

Saturday was a play date with the Thompson’s and girls spent the afternoon playing at their house.  The main game was obviously “I want to be <insert princess name here>” dressup where each of the girls picked an outfit and various accessories, chased each other around, grouped up and chased Violet and Riley, got bored with dressup and played with toys.  At some point Zana turned on some music, I think she said it was Hewy Lewis, a favorite of Whitley’s rock and roll selection, and all the kids started dancing.  I wish one of us would have had a camera to catch a few pictures of them dancing together.  All in all Saturday was a lot of fun. (more…)

Before Piper was born Missy and I wanted to do something special for her that would last for a lifetime and be something she could share with her kids.  Missy found that the Atlanta Aquarium, when being built, took in donations by allowing the public to invest in a “Fish Scale” that would be displayed prominently on a large digital wall.  The Fish Scales are about the size of a hand and we had Pipers name and birth date inscribed on hers.  Every time we have been back to the aquarium we always take a minute to find her personalized scale.

Violet arrived after the aquarium was built so we have been on the lookout for something similar to honor her with as well.  Missy found that the Duluth town center was repaving their sound stage and much of the funding was found in donations from the public.  In turn for the donation the donor was able to inscribe something onto the brick.  This was the perfect opportunity for us.  During the Fall Festival we purchased a brick with Violet’s name and birth date on it.

Since the work on the square has been ongoing we weren’t sure when the brick might get placed so that we could see it.  Recently I stopped in and found that it had been installed.

Christmas is always fun and has been more than ever as the Girls start learning about giving and receiving gifts…  Who am I kidding!!! Piper couldn’t contain herself to start tearing into presents.  Piper seemed just the right age for starting to really grok opening gifts and watching others do the same.  Violet was a fast learner as well (and had a good teacher in her older sister) and didn’t waste any time tearing off paper and claiming what was hers.

The big gift this year for the girls was a train table.  Complete with all the trimmings this table took nearly two full hours for three adults to assemble and “test”.  It was much to big to wrap so we just put it in the middle of the living room floor with a big bow on it.  Both girls saw it the instant they came into the room and after a moment of asking “did santa bring that for us” they dug in and starting driving trains – a good distraction while coffee and cinnamon rolls were made.  I think for a short while they even…dare I say it…shared!  (more…)

Piper and Violet were delighted to see Mamma and Pappa for Christmas.  We prepped Piper for about a week prior to get her worked up and anticipating them coming to town to celebrate Christmas with us.  Each year since the we have had the girls they have been in town, insisting on spoiling them moreso than they already are.

Mom and Dad whisked the girls away for a few fun filled days either running around town or looking at the various creatures in the aquarium.  Piper absolutely loves going to the aquarium and Violet is just at the right age where she is, for the most part, easy to manage with an extra pair of hands.

Christmas Eve we spent building a gingerbread house that we never did actually end up eating.  Violet certainly got her fill of the candy though.  Every two or three pieces that made it onto the house were eventually picked off and deposited into her mouth.  (more…)