Thanksgiving Crafts

Continuing with my goal to celebrate the holidays more, here are our Thanksgiving crafts. 

We started with pilgrim ships

And ended with turkeys

I also did some crafts of my own. About 2 months ago my aunt Diane sent me my grandmother's left over yarn. She told me that she hoped I would make something as beautiful as my grandmother would have made. I think that's a hard standard to reach but here's my collection so far.

I found this free pattern online. After putting it together I realized why it was free. The pattern was awful! I took most of the jacket out and put it back together using my own small expertise. Turns out the sleeves fit great but the shirt part is a little big. The hat I made to their specifications and it's too a little to small. The scarf I just tried to finish up all the rest of the pink yarn. But ta-da! 

A hat I made - too big for little Rebe now but she will grow into it. Hopefully. If not, I can use it.

A little poncho. This was my mom-in-law's pattern. I wanted it to be just the blue green but didn't have enough. The goal is to get rid of yarn so I ended up using a kind of matching pink. 

Trip to the Mall

Saturday Don needed to do a little shopping. He talked me and Rebe into going with him. We ended up at the mall. It was quite an experience for Rebekah. So much to look at! Especially with all the Christmas decorations! I took a few pictures. By the way, Rebekah's hair is very fine. Even if I wet it down and hair spray it, it will not stay. It's in the 3rd stage of the french braid - 4th is when I take it out and start all over. Just FYI. 

We found a chocolate place that was giving free samples of their soft serve ice cream. Rebe needed a taste. Don was brave enough to let her eat it on his shoulders.

On the way out we saw a Sees Candies shop. I had to get one piece. And yes, I let Rebe sample.

(Yes, I know there is ice cream stains on her shirt. And yes, I know her hair is way past the 4th stage.)

Before we got out of Sees Candies, the lady behind the counter thought Rebe was so cute she needed more sugar in her life. She gave her a big sucker. Rebekah smiled SO big! I couldn't say no. So, I told her she could have a few licks and then we would put it away until after dinner. (Hair has reached stage 5 - also known as the just wash it please stage.)

Putting it away I got a little on my fingers. Wow. It's a good sucker. And I don't even like suckers!

The next morning after Rebekah woke up and we had our morning snuggle, Rebekah looked at me and say, "I just remembered! I had dinner. Can I have my sucker back now?" She was not happy but seemed to understand when I said no suckers for breakfast.

So Proud

My little girl had her 3 year old check up with Dr. Tighe on Friday. Knowing that she most likely would have to get a flu shot I prepared by talking about it ahead of time and suggesting I would be there to hold her hand and perhaps a sticker would come afterwards. I even told her about my flu shot experience a month or so ago. However, this was not enough. Rebekah was certain she did not want a shot.
For days she continued to discuss it: I don't want a flu shot, or I'm nervous about a shot, or just plain I don't want to go to the doctors. The moment to leave for the dr's finally came and she wasn't moving. Grandma said she would come with if that would help. Rebekah said it would. So we all drove to the doctors office.
The whole way down Rebe continued: I'm nervous, I don't want, etc and so on. I finally said, "Let's tell Dr. Tighe your concerns and maybe there's something she can do to help."
We got into the waiting room and she got nervous again. When Dr. Tighe came she greeted Rebekah with a friendly hello and you've grown so much, etc. "Dr. Tighe," Rebekah interrupted. "Yes," Dr. Tighe replied. Rebekah continued, "Um... I'm nervous about the flu shot." Dr. Tighe responded by reflecting back Rebe's statement. Rebekah added, "I don't want to get a shot." Dr. Tighe looked at Rebekah and said, "Do you have wheezing or any asthma?" Rebekah looked at me and I shook my head. "No," Rebekah replied. Dr. Tighe continued by telling Rebekah that she could get a spray in the nose rather than the shot if she chooses. "Would that be okay," she asked. Rebekah said no. Then I of course suggested that it was either the shot - a pinch on the arm - or the spray - in the nose like I sometimes do at home. She had to choose.  After much though Rebe says, "Um... I'll take the spray."
The whole time I keep thinking she just turned three. What a remarkable mind my little one has!
The rest of the appointment went well. Dr. Tighe referred all the questions to my Rebekah and Rebekah answered like a little grown up. At one point Dr. Tighe asked Rebekah if she was a little girl or a little boy. Rebekah confidently answered, "I'm a BIG girl." And she truly is.

Through The Years

Birth

6 months

1 year

18 months

2 years

2 1/2 years

3 years

She loves her family and is always asking for Kayla and Paul, Abby and Sam, Claire, Lily and Katie. She continually reminds me that we live so far away and that I should do something about that. She also loves people. Her friends and her friends mommies are talked about constantly. She is always wanting to know who she will play with today. My little extravert is a lot for this introvert to handle, but I'm doing my best to hide my own desires and cater to hers. 

She loves to read, play pretend doctor, build things, and anything to do with construction vehicles and trains are right up her ally. 

If you are eating something Rebe wants to try it. It's the Rebe tax. Half is hers already before you get it out. Sometimes she doesn't like it and you are good but she always needs to try it.

She wants to be where ever the fun is. Right next to you. On your lap. 

Last year I did an interview with her. Thought I'd do the same this year.

Me: What's your favorite thing to eat?

Rebe: Carrots, squeezable fruit, and spaghetti (squeezable fruit is actually baby food with things like spinach and broccoli mixed with apples in a nice clean transportable pouch. I love that she will still eat it. Otherwise it would be no greens for her.)

M: What is your favorite color?

R: Red

M: What is your favorite thing to play with?

R: My magic wand. (I think she likes this because she use to make her cousins disappear and reappear with it. The wonderful cousins would play along and run and hide when she said "abracadabra!")

M: Where is your favorite place to play?

R: My friends house. (She does love her friends.)

M: What is your favorite show to watch?

R: Dora. (Sigh.... the good news is the newer Dora yells less than the older ones. She has also started wanting the "All For One" Dora show. She likes her older girl friends. And, good news again, we have great role models around here!)

M: What is your favorite song to sing?

R: Old MacDonald had a Farm. E I E I OOOOO! (Same answer as last year. Some things never change. Although she really like any song her daddy sings to her.)

M: What is your favorite book?

R: Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site. (Book by Sherry Duskey. Rebekah really loves her construction vehicles.)

I cannot believe she is already three. As I type she is sitting on my bed playing. I know my time is limited - she will notice I'm not playing with her at any moment. I should write paragraphs on how much we love her and how much she means to me, but truth is nothing I write will be even close. She is so special to me. Such a wonderful gift from our Father in Heaven. It is an honor to hear her call me "mama" even if it is at 3 in the morning. 

Turning 3

My little girl turned 3! How did that happen? Wasn't she just born? Sigh....

Rebekah knew she would be turning 3 for some time. She had been waiting patiently. Well, as patiently as a 2 year old could be. The big day finally came close enough to start the cake making. In our little family we make half the batter into cupcakes and put the rest into a smaller cake. The cupcakes we freeze for later.

Rebekah's job is the sprinkles.

She did very well.

Okay, we freeze most of the cupcakes. There is one cupcake that doesn't get frozen for later. 

May I present the traditional pre-birthday cupcake eating:

Getting every sprinkle

Here she is pondering what it will be like to be three.

The day finally came. 

She was waiting in great anticipation. What would her day bring?

First it brought a surprise visit from daddy at reading time!

She sure loves her dad!

Next it brought a trip to the voting booth.

Yay democracy! 

Then it brought a balloon. Yay!

(Rebekah saw this balloon in Don's car. "Look mama! A balloon! A balloon in daddy's car! I see a balloon! There's a balloon in daddy's car!")

A few phone calls from family

(this is actually a conversation with nana)

Then it brought a trip to Recreation Unlimited to play with a friend

There was much fun on the trampoline

Much fun.

She sure loves to climb

Don played a little too

Fun little houses

Found one I liked too. Love a porch with a swing. Maybe when I grow up....

Rebe and her friend Anabel

(and Don's legs....)

Anabel's mom Mary and her little boy Noah enjoyed the swings

So did Rebe

Then Rebe found her dad and shot some hoops too.

Unfortunately it was time for Anabel to leave. They had one last picture before she left.

After Anabel left, I had to take over. Here we are looking for treasure

We left Recreation Unlimited in search of some requested chicken for our little birthday girl. Then we made it home for some much anticipated cake and ice cream. Strawberry cake with strawberry frosting and strawberry ice cream is what she asked for. Well, actually she asked for Neapolitan ice cream. It has chocolate for me, vanilla for Don, and strawberry for Rebekah. My little girl does think of everything.

"Yummy cake"

Happy birthday song

First bite

Then.... 

PRESENTS!

Biggest was first

"Mommy! A train set!"

Boots from nana

M & M's from Frank

A flashlight from mama and daddy

sticker book from nana

And from grandma....

Wait for it....

A TABLET!

So much fun!

Happy birthday to my little Rebekah. Couldn't imagine the last 3 years without you. So glad you are ours.