Tiny Tots

Dear Maizy,

We signed you up for the cutest class, Tiny Tots, at Central City Recreation Center in Salt Lake.  I was having the hardest time finding a class for you that was offered on the weekends.  I am finding out that a lot of places don't cater towards working parents.  

Anyway, I found this class and it was perfect, it exceeded all my expectations.  The gym was nice and new.  There were no ghetto parents or kids and the staff was awesome. 

The first class we were a few minutes late too but you and I had a great time!! They gave each kid a ball and you were to kick it softly but you liked to kick it as far as possible so there I was chasing the ball around - a good work out was had by all. Then at almost every class they pulled out the parachute where we all hold on to it and wave it around and then at one point all the kids run underneath it, this was by far your favorite thing.  

You made me so proud at each and every class. Not only are you beautiful, smart and have a super contagious laugh and smile you are really coordinated, athletic and tough!!  You rocked it!

There were a few kids that would typically cry or complain but you never did, in fact, you were quite quiet at each class.  You were just busy taking it all in and focused on what you were doing.  

The class taught you teamwork, listening to a teacher, following instruction, interacting with other children and taking turns.  

The first class was just you and I.

The second class Grandma Shelly came and watched for a minute as we were doing something after.  They gave you a t-shirt at this session. This is the class where I hit a dad in the side of the face and a child on top of the head with a ball - YIKES!!  They also have a little obstacle course that you are a rockstar at!! 

The third class was just you and me babe.  Then after we went to visit Aunt JoLynne and she stressed to me that she wanted to come see you at your next class.



The fourth and last class daddy came with us!  Woo hoo!!  Then Aunt JoLynne showed up just in time to see you get your awesome award.  I was the proudest parent in the room.  You brought tears to my eyes when they called your name and you walked up there to receive your trophy and certificate.  You deserved every bit of that award for your enthusiasm, participation, rockstar abilities, best smile, friendliness, kindness and just all around awesome kid!  The teachers always beamed when they saw you.  You and daddy were so cute together.  you LOVED having him there.  

It's been a few weeks since the class has ended but you still talk about it, which assures me that you enjoyed it and had a great time.  The next class isn't until August and that is going to be a crazy month for us, so we'll have to figure out something.  I just know you make me so proud.  I love watching you grow and learn and am so blessed to be your mom.

I love you!!

Love,
Mommy

Ultrasound

Dear Maizy,

One night when Aunt Jennifer was working she offered for us to go to her hospital and play on the ultrasound machine so we could get a peak at your sibling.  We got there kind of late since Aunt Jenn didn't get to work until 7ish anyway.  We got there and wouldn't you know it three women came in to have babies, so Aunt Jenn couldn't play with us, but she was able to wheel in the ultrasound machine into our room to play with.  

We had the best time looking at the baby, it was moving like crazy but I still wasn't able to feel it.    you had a blast doing the ultrasound too!  You always say and reminded us "I'm a great doctor!"

You are sure this baby is a boy!  You have been calling him your brother from day 1.  

I know you'll continue to be the best big sister EVER!!  Your sibling is a lucky little person.

It was getting late and you were getting tired, so we didn't stay too long.

Thanks for being such an amazing little girl and blessing me as your mom!

I love you!

Love,
mommy

Big Girl Bed

Dear Maizy,

Bed time has been an issue in our household for a long time and especially since the time you could climb out of your crib.  

You are a night owl and fight tooth and nail falling asleep.  Well we were going to get you a big bed but with our Hawaii vacation coming up I decided to put it on hold for now, so we transformed your bed into a "big girl bed" just for you!!

Daddy sleeps in there most nights with you for a couple of reasons.  1) The heater vent is right there so he stays warm all night. 2) You will stay in your bed all night rather than come climb into ours.  

I have never been a fan of your sleeping habits and was getting quite worried.  I especially got worried when one morning you woke up with dark circles and bags under your eyes! Aaaahhhh!!  I called your awesome doctor.  She recommended melatonin.  That stuff works pretty well.  We give you your "tummy medicine", as we call it, at night.  You are great about taking it since it tastes good.  It takes about 30 minutes to hit you then it makes you act kind of drunk.  I love it though because some nights you will fall asleep while I am rocking you in the rocking chair and holding you.  Then we put you in your won bed but it's not too long before you come and climb into bed with us.  This bed time thing has been the most challenging thing with you - other than that you are a breeze so I guess I kind of don't mind.  Sleep is for the birds! Plus I feel like I can sympathize.  I was a night owl growing up and your father and I are definitely ones on the weekend.  

I love you my sweet girl!

Love,
mommy

Winter Time Fun

Dear Maizy,

This has been a long, super cold winter for all of us.  You ask if we can go to the park all the time.  I get it - you just want to be outside.  Well it's been really cold and quite miserable.  Well the Sunday after our weekend at the hotel it was actually quite sunny and I was feeling pretty good, so we got in the car with nowhere to go.  I love when we do this.  We got on the highway and headed north.  I drove and sometimes I really despise driving because I can't sight see - well I can but it's not safe.

Anyway, we were up near Ogden and see saw a park that looked nice so we got off the highway trying to find it and we found something even cooler.  We came across a dinosaur park, it was closed, but there was a walking trail around it and a beautiful river, so we got out of the car and walked around.  It felt tremendous to just be out, in the sun and to be walking. 

After hanging out of the sun roof for a minute you were anxious to hit the pavement.  We had a blast making snowballs, throwing them at each other, kicking the snowballs, throwing snow into the river, looking through the fence into the dinosaur park, chasing each other, getting a closer look into the river and just being together.  We were all permagrin.

After working up an appetite we went over to the gift shop and restaurant across the way to see what it was all about.  The gift shop was pretty neat.  The cashier LOVED you!  She picked you up and carried you around the store showing you everything.  We ended up buying you a pink rock that you wanted to go throw in the river.  Then we went and ate in the Greenery Room (I think that's what it's called).  The food was pretty tasty. While we were there an elderly man walking in to sit at a table near us winked at you, you got shy so you turned into me then he got right up behind you and started talking, you turned around and hit him square in the nose.  Aaaaahhh!!  I didn't know what to do.  I was proud of you for doing what you did and protecting your own space.  I just wasn't sure if I should apologize but he was in the wrong.  Gosh girl!  You have the reflexes of a cat!!  This always happens to you and especially with old people.  They always get right up in your face. 

We left shortly after that and got back in the car and headed home, not before stopping at the store and getting drinks and treats for the ride back.

Thanks for a wonderful, wonderful day!  It felt superb getting out and walking around and even though it was cold the sunshine was nice!!

Never a dull moment with my sweet girl!

We love you SO much!

Love,

mommy

Mommy's Lil' Artist

Dear Maizy,

Since we had such a fast paced weekend at the hotel you were still in go, go, go mode.  You relaxed for a few then you were ready to be entertained again, so we got out the new finger paints you got for Valentine's Day. 

You truly are a great artist. 

See................................

I put this masterpiece up on my office wall.  I cherish it each and every day that I see it.  You make me one proud mama!!

I love you!

Love,
mommy

Valentine's Weekend

Dear  Maizy,

We had a fun filled Valentine's/Daddy's Birthday weekend!!  Grandma Shelly got us a room at the Staybridge Suites for 2 nights!! We chose to stay at this hotel because they have an awesome indoor swimming pool and you have been asking to go swimming AND they also have a kitchen in the room.  Nice!  That way we can stick with our Valentine's tradition of a steak and lobster dinner.  YUM!!  

Our festivities began on Friday February 15th.  I came home from work a few hours early, daddy dropped you and I off at the hospital for my doctor's appointment while he went grocery shopping for the weekend.  Grandma Shelly met us at the hospital, so she could entertain you during my appointment.  My appointment was brief.  Then us girls went up to Grandma Donker's to exchange our Valentine's gifts and holy crap did you get spoiled!!!  I felt totally inadequate giving the Grandma's a nice bracelet and Aunt Laurie a DVD when in return we got money, gift cards, you got outfits, candy, a princess tent, toys, books and movies. Valentine's should truly not be this way.  After a few hours of being at Grandma's and playing daddy came and picked us up and to the hotel we went. Woo hoo!!

We checked in, jumped on the bed and got you ready for some swimming action.  Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling well, so I didn't swim but I watched you and daddy.  We decided to get you arm floaties instead of your life jacket and it was the right thing to do.  You are an       Ah-Mazing swimmer!  Seriously!!  You are really good at listening to daddy and doing what he says - kick your legs, paddle your arms, don't drink the water and even taught you how to float on your back.  The only thing that makes me nervous is you have no fear!  Yikes!  But you are a smart girl and know what to do.  I really want you to have swimming lessons this summer.  Dad insists on teaching you.  I know he's a great teacher, but learning from someone that is certified to teach lessons can't be a bad thing, so I guess we'll see.

Look at you!  You got your floaties on and you were off! 

You and daddy swam for a little while, then came back to the room where you played in the tub and got all clean.  The chlorine in the pool was strong!!  I could barely breathe just watching you guys.  I forgot to bring any bath toys, so you played with some new bowls that mommy and daddy gave your for Valentine's Day. Anyway, after your bath we ate a late dinner of daddies yummy sandwiches - we were saving our fancy dinner for the next night.  

After dinner we watched cartoons.  You asked if you could stand in the drawer to watch t.v.  I said no, but daddy said yes.  I was overruled.  

We slept in a little bit Saturday morning.  You and daddy went and got breakfast at the hotel's breakfast buffet.  We just lounged around, then Grandma Shelly came and brought us lunch then  we all walked down to the pool to watch you swim.  I packed a swimsuit for myself but it was too big and uncomfortable, so I couldn't and didn't really want to swim but wanted to swim with you - I was torn, so I didn't. 

After swimming we all came back to the room and crashed, it was nice!  We slept for like 3 hours.  We woke up and dad started cooking our yummy dinner.  Our room got really smoky so we had to open all the windows and we undid the fire detectors because we were afraid they were going to go off.  Our room smelled divine!!! We imagined the neighbors and anyone that passed by in the hall were drooling!

Look at this yummy, yummy dinner!  

Dinner was SO good.  You liked the steak "bacon", but you weren't a fan of the lobster.  We also had really yummy rolls, salad and ice creams from the hotel gift shop for dinner!  We had a fabulous dinner and weekend.  

Checking out of a hotel is always crazy and stressful and kind of sad that the party's over.  Well we packed up and headed home, it was nice to be home again.

We all just relaxed and took it easy to get ready for our crazy week ahead.  Check you and dad out relaxing!

Thanks for a very memorable and fun weekend!

Love you with all my heart!

Love,
mommy