Merry Christmas!

Christmas is finally here, and I was so excited!  I did sleep in pretty well, which made Mommy and Daddy very happy.  But when I came in their room I was ready to go downstairs and see what Santa brought!  I got my Santa hat and headed on down.

Look, Santa ate the brownie!  But I said he must be a sloppy eater because he left some crumbs behind.  Mommy and Daddy said he was probably just in a hurry to get to another kid's house.

The very first present I wanted to open was the one from Santa. I knew right away exactly which one it was, because I had looked at all the other presents so much the last few days and weeks that I knew which ones had been there last night.  When I opened it up, it was a pillow pet, the unicorn one I wanted just like Shobhana's!  That's what I asked Santa for last week, and he remembered! 

Later I opened another pillow pet, this one was a ladybug from Mommy and Daddy, so I was super excited that I now have two!  That means I can have one at school for naptime and one at home too.

I got a lot of other nice presents as well.  Here is a fun doggy purse from Grandma Bunny.

And I got a Christmas Barbie doll from Grandma and Papa Roslewski.  I could see what it was as I started to open the package!

I got some super cozy pajamas from Mommy.

Daddy gave me a great picture frame that says "Daddy's Little Girl" and has a cute picture of him holding me in my Snow White dress.  I love this picture and had him hang it up next to my bed so I could always see it!

I also gave him a picture frame so he could take it into work.  It says "My heart belongs to Daddy" and has a picture from all the way back on his birthday last year where I'm giving him a big hug but can't quite get my eyes off the giant chocolate cake we're going to have!

I really had a great time opening up presents!  I even slowed down a little so that Mommy and Daddy could open theirs, too.  I really liked picking up the presents and bringing them to the right person.  Since I can read their names on the presents now, it was easy!

Merry Christmas!

Fun Saturday and Christmas Eve!

Today was a really fun day with Mommy and Daddy.  They had bought an XBox Kinect figuring it would see a lot of use and give us some exercise during the cold Ohio winter.  So today Daddy finally set it up!  I really learned fast how to play the games by moving my hands and feet and jumping around.  A lot!  Mommy is feeling really sick, so she didn't play, but Daddy sure did, and worked up a sweat too.  We had a fun time riding down rapids together, racing each other and getting worn out.  I jumped almost non stop!  Poor Daddy, he even twisted his back during one of the games!

We went to Sam's Club next, and I got to see Santa again.  There was no line this time either, so I got to sit in his sleigh and talk with him for a long time.  I told him some secrets again, and when Daddy told me it was time to go, I walked a little bit away, turned around and with a big smile on my face, waved and yelled "Goodbye, Santa!"  He waved back and I looked like the happiest girl ever!  Daddy thought it was absolutely adorable, and got a little choked up when he thought of how fast I'm growing up.

After dinner Daddy played some Christmas carols on the piano, and then we read "Twas the Night Before Christmas".  It was almost time to go to bed, but there was one last thing we needed to do first - put something out for Santa!  Think he'll like a little brownie?  I bet he will!

I got in bed and let Mommy and Daddy know that I was going to fall asleep right away - and to prove it, I started snoring right after they got done giving me hugs and kisses.  I want Santa to come - I am so excited!



Counting the days until Christmas, almost there!

Ever since December 1st I have been reliably moving the candy cane on my calendar forward one day at a time, getting ever closer to Christmas.  Every morning it's the first thing I do when I come down the stairs.  I definitely don't need Mommy or Daddy to remind me of this duty!

I am so excited it's almost Christmas, it's all I've been talking about for weeks!

Picture with Santa!

I got my picture taken with Santa tonight!  He was at Sam's Club and there was no line, so I even got to talk with him for a long time.  I told him what I want for Christmas, but when Daddy asked what I told Santa, I said, "I can't tell you, it's a SECRET!"  Only Santa and I know what it is!

Christmas songs

We have learned that I have a really good memory for song lyrics, and I LOVE to sing!  Since it's Christmas time, I had Daddy sang "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" a few times.  Then later, he found me singing it to myself, with only a few mistakes.  He was pretty amazed!

I also have had a lot of fun learning some new "color" songs at school.  I've been coming home with a new song practically every day this week.

My favorite one has to be "Pink", to the tune of "Jingle Bells":

COTTON CANDY, FAT PINK PIGS,

GIRLS WITH SOCKS AND BOWS

P-I-N-K, P-I-N-K THAT IS HOW IT GOES

BUBBLE GUM, VALENTINES

THESE ARE ALL PINK TOO

PINK ICING AND PINK BALLOONS

WE CAN SPELL, CAN YOU?  YES!

I like to substitute "Love Hearts" for "Valentines".  I told Mommy and Daddy it's because I love them so much!

Saw the Dentist today!

I got to see the dentist again today, since it has been almost 6 months since my last checkup.  Daddy picked me up from school before lunch and we headed on down there.  The hygenist was very nice and she showed me all the different tools she was going to use and explained everything before she did it.  Daddy even learned some things!  I was really great as she checked and cleaned my teeth.

When the dentist came in, he was very nice just like last time.  He took a good look at the two grown-up teeth that I have now, and then found 4 more teeth that are a little bit loose!  He didn't think they'd be falling out before Christmas, but it does look like the tooth fairy will be pretty busy in the next few months.

I also got my first x-rays, and I did great holding the bite-wings in place.  I was very interested to see what my teeth looked like.  You can even see my 6-year molars in the back, they just haven't poked up through the gum line yet!

When we finished with the dentist, it was time for lunch, so we met Mommy at Logan's Roadhouse and I got to show her my shiny clean teeth and my x-rays.  It was a good day!

New books from Grandma!

I got a package from Grandma Roslewski today!  And she said I was "most definitely" allowed to open it immediately, not to wait until Christmas!  When I did, I saw it was three books that Daddy loved when he was my age - "The Monster At The End Of This Book", "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", and "Frosty the Snowman".  Of course, right away I wanted Daddy to read them all to me.  So he did, and I loved it!

Shobhana's birthday party

Today Shobhana invited us over for her 4th birthday party, and we went to "Bounce U", a fun place full of bounce houses!  It's a pretty sad day, too, because this is the last time I'll see Shobhana before she moves to New York.  Her and her mom will be moving there so they can finally be with her dad.  I know how much I missed Daddy when he was gone last week, so I'm happy that Shobhana is going to get to live with him, but I'm still sad to see her go.  She and I have been great friends and always played a lot together at preschool.

We got there a little early and had to wait a few minutes, but that was okay because we got to play on the toys in the front!  I took Shobhana on a little drive.

When they let us into the play area, it was reserved just for us!  There were only about 15 kids at the party, so we got to do everythign over and over again.  I really liked the slides!

I got to play with my friend Avery a lot too.

And do you know what was even more fun?  Almost all of the inflatables there were made extra strong so that adults could go on them too.  Which meant that Daddy could play with me!  Mommy couldn't do much playing because of her shoulder, but she did try a litte.

We had a great time playing, and then it was time for dinner (pizza), birthday cake and presents!  Too soon it was over, and I gave Shobhana a big hug before we left.  I'll miss her!

 



Mommy's birthday!

Daddy and I let Mommy sleep in late today, since it's her birthday!  Then when she woke up we got to sing to her, too. 

Grandma and Papa Roslewski had sent a package to Mommy, with Grandma instructing me that I was NOT to let Mommy open her presents until her birthday.  I was really good about that, and reminded Mommy often!  When she did open it, in addition to her presents, there were some Christmas decorations that Daddy had made when he was a kid.  I decided to hang them right up on the tree!

That afternoon, we had lots of friends over, and that meant lots of kids!  Zoe and Mia, Alex and Tori were there, and Shobhana came later.  We got to play a lot and even decorated some cookies!

When it came time for the dessert, I was very excited.  Instead of the "big chocolate cake" that we usually get for Mommy's birthday, she saw a sale at Cold Stone and we had ice cream pies!  We put one candle in each one and I helped her blow them out.   

We sure had a great day and too soon, it was time for everybody to leave.  Earlier, I had helped Daddy put out luminaires so our guests could see where to walk.  I think they looked super pretty!



Mommy got to open her presents early

Mommy's birthday may not be until tomorrow, but Daddy and I couldn't wait to give her her presents.  We tried to wait until tomorrow, but just were too excited (especially Daddy)!

So today when she got home from work, we decided to let her open them up.  I gave her a Christmas ornament with a picture of me in it.  She really liked it!

Daddy had been really sneaky and took her car to work yesterday.  He got a coworker to help him, and dropped the car off to get a remote starter installed so Mommy could be warmer this winter.  Mommy had no idea, and was super surprised!

Movie with Shobhana

Today is my best friend Shobhana's birthday, she is 4 today, just like me!  She's having a party on Sunday, but today I got to go to a movie with her and her mom.  Daddy and Mommy got to have a date by themselves!  Daddy took me straight to the movie after school and we had a great time.  I even got to have popcorn and a drink!  We watched a silly movie about dancing penguins called "Happy Feet 2".  I didn't really watch much of it, but Shobhana and I had a great time anyway.

When we got back home, I had a present to give to Shobhana.  I helped her unwrap it right away!

I gave her some nail polish, sparkly headbands and a watch that helps you learn to tell time.  The fun part was, I got the same headbands and watch, so we could wear the same things!

She had to leave right afterward, as it was getting pretty late.  I was sad to see he go, but we sure had a fun time tonight!

When Daddy came to bed, he came in to give me a kiss like he always does.  He found me cuddled up with his teddy bear and thought it was super cute!

Daddy's home!

Daddy came home tonight!  He came up to the front door and rang the doorbell.  I was with Mommy in the kitchen, and when I heard the bell I looked at the front door and saw Daddy looking through the window.  I yelled "Daddy!" and ran as fast as I could with a big smile on my face to open the door for him.  I jumped in his arms and gave him a big hug.  I am so happy he's home!

He said that if it's nice tomorrow, he'll put up some Christmas lights outside, and I can help!

Daddy's going to Oklahoma today

Daddy is going to Oklahoma City this week for work, and I've already told him many times how much I'm going to miss him.  He'll be back on Friday, and Mommy and I are going to have a good time all by ourselves!

Decorating the Christmas tree!

I love decorating the Christmas tree, and today we got to do it!  Before Mommy and Daddy got up, I had gone downstairs and cleaned up all my toys from the family room.  I even moved some things out of the way to make room for the tree.  I went and got Daddy up, and we put up the tree.  When Mommy came down, she was pretty surprised the tree already up and the room nice and neat!  They were very proud of me!  She said we would decorate it after church.  So we did! 

Daddy brought all the boxed up from the basement, and in one of the first ones was a Santa doll that Mommy has had for a long time.  I gave it a super big hug!

Then we got to work.  I quickly found "my" Santa hat so I could be in the right mood.  It was fun seeing all of our ornaments again.

I let Mommy or Daddy get the high branches, but we still ended up with a lot more down low than up high.  Daddy commented that every year, the ornaments make their way higher up the tree!

Once we had all the ornaments on, Daddy got out the angel and I got to put her on the top.  He didn't have to tell me how to put her on this year!

After we put on the angel, Daddy found another box with all the garland.  Ooh, fun!  I took right to this while Mommy and Daddy were in another room, and had a great time stringing it up my way!  Mommy made a few adjustments once I was done.

We also put up some other decorations around the house, so it looks very festive.  Daddy leaves for Oklahoma City for a week tomorrow, but when he gets back we'll put some lights up outside.  Then we'll really be ready.  I'm already so excited that Santa's coming, I keep telling Mommy and Daddy that I can't wait!

Zoe and Mia came over today!

Zoe and Mia's parents needed to go to Columbus this morning, so they had asked if we minded if Zoe and Mia came over to play.  Of course I didn't mind!  They were over pretty early and we ate breakfast together.  Then it was just nonstop play until after lunch when their parents came back.  We played dress-up, bounced on couch cushions and made forts out of them, played in the basement, and just had a great time.  And I even did pretty well when it was time for them to leave, not fussing too much.  I want them to come over again soon!

I love writing letters!

I've been really practicing writing my letters, and I love to do it.  I will just go get a piece of paper, and ask Mommy or Daddy how to spell something.  It doesn't matter what, I'll just look at something in the room or outside and ask how to spell it - wall, shelf, chocolate, helicopter, anything!  Then I'll write it down as they tell me the letters.  Sometimes I don't even want their help, I just write down a bunch of letters by myself.  They don't spell anything, but I think it's super fun just to write them.  I even said one time, "I just can't stop writing!"

I really have a good time with it and really proud of myself when I remember how to write one of the lesser-used letters, like "Z".  I'm getting lots better!

Thanksgiving dinner

Today is Thanksgiving and we were invited over to the Racz's house.  I was very excited to go over and had been talking about it all week.  I couldn't wait to see Zoe and Mia again!  When we got there, we played oiutside until dinner was ready.  They even have a rope tied to a tree!   I had lots of fun swinging on it, and even hanging upside down to scare Mommy.

When we were called inside, there was lots of food for us to choose from.  Mommy and Daddy have been trying to get me to try new foods, and so I turkey, mashed potatos, stuffing, and vegetables. 

I wasn't real sure if I was going to like the turkey, but as I said afterward, "I didn't think I would like the turkey, but then I tried it, and I LOVED it!" Hopefully I'll keep trying new things and find more foods I like. In fact, I ate everything on my plate, and even did it at a reasonable speed without Mommy or Daddy having to remind me to finish eating. They were super happy and proud of me!

After dinner we got to play some more, until it was time for dessert - and it was even Zoe and Mia's Daddy's birthday!  So we got to sing to him, and then had Red Velvet cake.  I told Mommy and Daddy that I didn't really like the icing part too much, but I did like the red cake part.  Of course, I had eaten the whole piece anyway!

We had a great time, and although I was a little sad to leave, I knew that they are coming over to our house on Saturday, so that's not too far away!

Is 7 a high number?

Today as we were sitting eating dinner, I looked at my placemat and saw the number 7.  I've been very interested lately in what numbers are "high" numbers, so I asked Daddy, "Is 7 a high number?"

He said, "Well, it depends.  It's a higher number than your age, so it's a high number to you.  But how old am I?"

I said "37".

He said, "So to my age it's a much lower number."

To which I began to reply, "And it's a much, much, much..."

He tried to save me by interrupting "Don't say what I think you're going to say!"

But I didn't get the hint, and kept going, "...much, much smaller number to Mommy's age!"

Mommy said, "Thanks, Pumpkin."  Daddy just put his head in his hands.  What??

"Mommy, look at that!"

Today Mommy decided to make some smoothies, which to Daddy and me means we get to sneak lots of whip cream! Of course I like it when Daddy squirts it right into my mouth, but we have to make sure Mommy’s not looking first. So Daddy came up with a clever new way of getting Mommy to look away. As we were sitting at the table, he said “Mommy, look at that strange bird out the window!” Mommy turned and looked, but I didn’t quite understand at first, until he held the whip cream up right in front of my face. Then I caught on really quick! From then on, Daddy didn’t have to say anything, because I came up with my own things to get her to look at!

My first attempt was “Mommy, look at that white thing on Mr. Bill’s porch (our neighbor)!” But I got better each time. My next try was “Mommy, look at the elephant on Mr. Bill’s roof!” And the last one was “Mommy, look at the camel on the ceiling!” I think she might have been a little bit suspicious by this time, and she caught us on the last one when Daddy had a little too much whip cream in his mouth. Silly Daddy! I’m sure she’ll forget by next time, though, so we’ll get to trick her again!

The "Magic Castle"

Today I got to meet up with Shobhana at this new fun place called the Magic Castle!  It has a great big climbing/play area inside with lots of slides and tubes and high places to climb up to.  Shobhana and I ran all around it and got pretty worn out.  But then Daddy even came in and chased us around some more.  It wasn't really made for Daddy-size people, so he was really worn out!

They also have a lot of games to play.  We got to play a bunch of them, and even challenged each other to some air hockey.  Neither of us really understood that you are supposed to try to keep the puck from going in your goal, but we had a great time anyway.

We were there for a couple of hours, and by that time we were getting tired and Mommy and Daddy knew it was time to leave.  But they said we could definitely come back again!

Veteran's Day

As today was Veteran's Day, many local business were offerring specials to military members.  So we all tried to take advantage of as many as we could!  For lunch we went to Texas Roadhouse, where we ate completely for free.  A local car wash was also offerring free washes, so we ended up taking all three of our vehicles through.  It was super fun, and I was so excited each time when the car went into the wash!

After lunch we went to Steak and Shake, where they have "happy hour" specials from 2-4 PM on their milkshakes.  Although it wasn't a Veteran's Day special, we don't often get to go since Mommy and Daddy are at work.  I really liked the milkshake!

We were going to go to another free dinner, but the place we were going to go to was way too crowded, so we just stayed home.  But it was a super fun day being together!

I bumped my head today

I was playing at school today and wasn't looking where I was going as I was running inside (which I know I wasn't supposed to be doiong anyway).  I tripped on the leg of a table and hit my head above my right eye.  It really hurt!  My bruise swelled up fast and there was some blood too.  The teacher called Mommy, and she called Daddy.  A few minutes later, Daddy came over to see how I was doing!  Since it was after 3:00, he asked if I just wanted to go home and maybe have a treat to help me feel better.  Sounded good to me, so we headed out.  I was really good about keeping an ice pack on it most of the way.  As we were driving, Daddy made me an offer I couldn't refuse - would I like to stop by "Ritter's Frozen Custard" on the way home?  Yes! 

Of course I wanted to keep it a secret from Mommy that we had a treat.  I told Daddy, "So Mommy doesn't know we had Ritter's Frozen Custard, I have a plan!"  When he asked what the plan was, I giggled and said, very sneakily, "We'll wipe off our faces!"  I was very proud of my plan!

I ordered a "Kid's Crunch" and Daddy had an "Oreo Glacier".  Since it had rained earlier, the outdoor seats were all wet (they don't have indoor seating).  He suggested we sit in the car, and I could sit in the front passenger seat while we ate.  I thought that was a super big deal!  Once Daddy and I were done with our little date, we headed home, and Mommy was already there.  She guessed where we went!

Although it hurt a little bit this evening, I was back to playing like normal really quickly.  Must have been the frozen custard!

Making a birthday card for Grandma

Thursday is Grandma Roslewski's birthday, so Daddy asked me if I wanted to make a card for her. Yes!  He told me I could decorate it however I wanted.  I started off by writing "Happy Birthday Grandma.  Love, Piper" inside.  Daddy helped me spell some of the words, but didn't have to help me with any of the letters.  Then I got busy decorating it - I drew a rainbow, some flowers, the sun, a picture of me and Mommy and their dog Shadow, and even mountains on the back - a lot of mountains!  But I thought it was a lot of fun to do and I know Grandma liked it!

I even added a few Dora stickers for fun!

First Halloween in Ohio

I was very excited about going out for Halloween this year.  It was our first one in Ohio, and I'm old enough now where I could go to lots of houses!  We were ready to go right at 6 PM.

As Mommy stayed home to hand out candy, Daddy and I went way down our street, up a side street and all the way back.  I ran almost the whole time between houses.  Daddy couldn't keep up!  I remembered to always be polite and said "thank you" when I got candy.  I even got candy from a fire truck that was in our neighborhood!  Daddy and I were pretty sneaky too - we stopped about half way through and had a little "snack".  I said I wanted to keep it a secret from Mommy, and I did - all the way up until we got home!

On the way back up our street, as we got closer to home, Daddy asked if I wanted to go home or go down another street.  I just wanted to go home, so I could ring the doorbell and say "trick or treat" to Mommy.  She was pretty surprised!  Then Daddy and I sat on the stairs, waited for more kids to show up at our hosue, and ate some of our candy.  What a great night!

Trunk or Treat!

Tonight we went to a "Trunk or Treat" at church, which meant I got to wear my Halloween costume a few days early!  Mommy and Daddy had asked what I wanted to be, and there was no hesitation - I wanted to be a princess, just like last year.  I sure have grown though!  Last year my dress went almost all the way to the floor, but now it just goes to mid-calf.  And I decided to wear the tiara I got at the birthday party last week too!

Update on Mommy and flying with Daddy

After Mommy's surgery on Tuesday, Daddy took the next few days off to help her out, but I still went to preschool. I was a super big help to Mommy each day, got things for her, and even learned how to help put on and take off the sling she has to wear for two weeks.

Every night since I was born, Mommy and Daddy have sung "You are our sunshine" to me in bed. But this week I've often insisted that we go in their room and Daddy and I sing to Mommy! They both thought that was really sweet. I love Mommy and Daddy!

Today Daddy and I went flying to Cincinatti for lunch, which gave Mommy a chance to get some rest.  She took a nice long nap which will hopefully help her get better quickly.  As we were on the airport, someone said to Daddy, "I see you have your copilot there", to which I replied, "I'm his engineer!"  Daddy asked me about this later, and I said I can't be the copilot, because the copilot sits up front like Mommy.  Instead, I'm the engineer.  Well, yes, he thought, Flight Engineers did sit behind the pilots back when airliners had them.  But how did I know that?  We don't know, but now it's settled, I'm his Flight Engineer!

I've also really started to like it when Daddy does "roller coasters" in the air.  He'll go up super steep and then pitch over so that I feel light in my seat.  It's just like a roller coaster and I lift my hands up and scream just like I'm on one!  I keep asking him to do it again and again.  I love flying (one day I told him I made a wish, and that wish was to fly with him in a jet and go upside down - he said we might have to wait on that)!

Kid's festival and doggies in costume!

There was a "Kid's Festival" today down at The Green Town Center, and Daddy and I even picked up Shobhana on our way there (her mom need to get a few other things done)!  We were mostly really good girls for Daddy, and he definitely appreciated it.  They had some big inflatables, unfortunately there were some long line to get in them!

They also had a dog Halloween costume contest going on at the same time, which meant there were lots and lots of dogs around for us to pet.  I always asked their owners very nicely first, and only a couple said that their dogs really weren't good with kids.  We petted so many dogs, Mommy was really sad that she couldn't come!  There sure were a lot of silly dog costumes.  This one has a cowboy riding on his back!

And this one is dressed as one of the "Fruit of the Loom" mascots.

This one was a super big dog!

There was even a parade for all the dogs.  Kids were allowed to walk in it too, so Shobhana and I made sure to get right up front and lead the parade, right behind the wagon with the band in it!

It was a great day, and Daddy managed to not go crazy with us two girls running all over!

Princess Party!

A friend of mine at church had a birthday party this evening.  It was a princess party!  Daddy dropped me off and came back a few hours later.  When he came in, he couldn't find me at first - I wasn't wearing what I came in!  All us girls (about 5 or 6) got dressed up in princess costumes and did our hair and nails too.  Daddy thought I looked absolutely beautiful! 

I had to show Mommy and Daddy how well my dress twirls!