Jan Misc

Jam session with Rebekah's friend Grayson

Laundry day (post laundry) :D

Princess party

Getting ready for dance in her "Courtney boots"

Apparently this is what I look like when I chase after Rebekah 

(She took this picture)

Feet in the snow - she's getting so big!

Daddy's Night Off

Don is ridiculously busy again. Work, school, and church take his days and nights, and yet he still finds time to spend some quality time with his little girl. Rebekah enjoys every minute. 

She loves playing dress up

But the best is the dance party that comes after the dress up. Love those moves.

Photo Shoot

Rebekah has been sick and we've been stuck inside. I was running out of things to do. So one day I got out my nice new computer, lovingly purchased by my thoughtful husband, and tried out the photo booth app. Here's our reel:

Rebekah really liked the mirror image

We had much fun playing around with it

A few days later she was still recovering and since I am the mom and will get everything my daughter has, I wasn't well either. So we opted for another photo shoot:

Rebe loved the dizzy birds

the nose twirl was quite amusing

Love struck

Then it was time for the mirror again

After much trial and MUCH error...

Here's our roller coaster shot

(Still don't know quite how to work this one - if any of you all know, feel free to instruct.)

Our artsy shot

Think this was called "hologram"

The good news is Rebekah is much better and I think I'm on the recovery side of things as well. And, hey! Cool pictures to show for it!

Dancing with Grandma

Mom has been gone from home for the past month and Rebekah has noticed. She misses her grandma. Ever so often, mom comes back to visit - mainly to play with Rebekah. At one point grandma and Frank came back and Rebekah very lovingly told me to go upstairs. 

The same day I taught a piano lesson. When I came upstairs this is what I found: 

I had to have it down for posterity. Half way through the dance I think Rebekah reminds me she remembers my favorite color is orange. And then at the end, Rebe falls on her knees and asks grandma to do the same. Good stuff.

We are so blessed to have mom with us. Rebekah has such a wonderful relationship with her grandma.  

Snow

First snow storm this year. I shoveled and Rebekah played.

Then it got cold. Very cold. Too cold to play outside. 

But then one day it got warm enough and everything started melting. I promised Rebe we would make a snow man, so.... 

Our finished product

Then we got her sand toys and had some fun. Until she realized sitting on snow makes one's bum cold.

Children's Museum

For Christmas my mother got a children's museum membership for me and Rebekah. I waited until after the holidays before I considered going. Then it got cold. Really cold. However one morning I woke up and knew it was the day. We were going. Just me, Rebekah, and Don's less than accurate GPS: sure to be a great adventure.

We got there with no real issues except for my great anxiety. I can only imagine how people live that don't feel anxious about things. But I digress. Back to the children's museum. 

Rebe was really excited. We went to the Muncie children's museum a while back and she loved it. The Indianapolis museum is as big as they say. We didn't see everything but we saw a lot. 

First we saw the dinosaurs. Rebekah looked but wasn't too interested. I think they were a little on the big and scary side. 

But she did find an old style phone that she found interesting. 

And trains. There were trains. And tunnels too to make the experience complete.

Then she found this plastic glass art to build. We were there for quite a while.

She found the race car and wanted to try it out.

Then we walked into a place called "Playscape."

There was a little climbing involved.

And much sand.

We found the music room

and made much music.

But we were never too far away from the sand.

After Playscape, she wanted to go back to build more glass art. She really like that and we were there for quite a while. Then it was time for lunch. She ate well but the whole time she had her eye on this bouncy toy right outside of the gift shop.

Ridin' Giraffe!

She had much fun.

We decided to do "one more thing" before we made our way home. Next stop: China

For a little grocery shopping:

Never met a more beautiful or sweeter cashier. 

After the store there were baby pandas to feed.

Then it was time to go. There's my little girl running down the hall by herself. 

(This is where I wonder why I can't get her to sleep without me being more than a foot away from her. Seriously, why doesn't that independence transfer!)

The only way I could get her out of there was with the promise that we would come again soon. What a wonderful gift! So good for Rebekah and it was nice for me too. I loved seeing the art work and the education aspect of the exhibits was awesome for me as well as her. So nice mom. Thanks!

My Sunbeam

It happened. Somehow it happened. I remember the day Rebekah first started nursery. It took us so long for her to actually willingly go to class. Now it was time to take her to primary. My little girl is now a Sunbeam! And she's excited about it too!

Her first Sunday went well. She found me at the piano and showed me the picture she colored in her class. Then she headed right back to her class. The next week she went right to her seat. My friend Kelly, who is also the primary president, asked her to give the closing prayer. I saw them talking but didn't know what was being said. I actually worried that she did something not appropriate or something. However I then heard Rebekah say, "No, I can do it myself!" After that happened Kelly came back and told me what was going on. I was a little nervous about what she might say - she has a tendency to pray for interesting things or even break into song at times. 

When it was her turn one of the presidency went up as if to help Rebekah. Rebekah turned to her and said, "No, I'm going to do it myself!" and wouldn't start until she moved back a few steps. She then said a wonderful little prayer. Started "Our Heavenly Father," continued on with what she was grateful for, then kind of broke into a little song but nothing to big, then finished in Jesus name. I was so proud of her. 

I went right up to the podium where Rebe still was and told her. She smiled and then took my hand and said, "Now, let's find that dad." We found him in his office. I told Rebekah again how proud I was of her. She then gave me her sticker for participating. "Don't you want to keep it," I asked? "You can have it mama. I'll get another one next time I participate in primary." 

On the way home I was thinking how blessed I am to have my sweet little girl. I wanted to remember the date. It was then I realized the day was also my daddy's birthday. What a wonderful way to remember!

Paul

The greatly anticipated Paul finally arrived. Rebekah could hardly contain her excitement! As soon as he stepped in the door Rebe latched on.

She couldn't wait to give him the present she picked out. It actually got a smile out of him! Yay for Rebekah!

During his visit we went to Steak & Shake together. Rebe loved siting next to Paul. Just wanted to be by him all the time.

Then I got sick. But I rallied eventually. Just in time for New Years Eve! Rebekah and I had a New Years Eve ride. 

Ridin' Doggie!

Paul tried not to get his picture taken, but grandma prevailed. 

Paul also bought Rebekah a gift on his last day. 

A Doc McStuffins coloring book!

Then Rebe enjoyed a nice cuddly pretend nap with daddy.

Then grandma prevailed again with the camera. 

And again....

And then it was my turn.

Paul would leave the next morning early before Rebekah woke up. There were tears she was so sad. She still talks about him. I love how much she loves so completely. 

Happy New Year everyone! Can't wait to see what the year will bring!

Dec Misc

Rebe's dance classs

New book sent from Miss Sherry

Chocolate face

Helping mama clean