CJ's, a very bouncy place

Jim's on vacation this week so Helaina wakes up each morning and asks him "What we do today, Daddy?" This morning Helaina bounced herself into oblivion at CJ's House of Bounce. This place was bigger than the one we've gone to in the past, with more inflatable houses and slides crammed into a small area than you could have believed. She loved the incredibly fast slides, running from one to the next as fast as her little legs would carry her. By the time we were ready to leave (1 hour & 50 minutes later), her legs were getting wobbly, she took a few tumbles on the carpet while running, and she was actually unable to hoist herself up onto one of the slides - she was exhausted. "I love dat bounce house, we go again?" she asked from her carseat on the way home.





We drove through Lights on the Lake the other night. Helaina especially liked the Wizard of Oz display, of course.

I think tomorrow's activity is sledding, for the first time this year. Temperature's supposed to be about 30 tomorrow instead of 10 degrees like it was today. We'll see.....

It's a Christmas miracle...

Helaina had her ears pierced this morning and she was unbelievably excited, brave and fearless! A few months ago she didn't want any part of it: "No, it hurt." Every so often I'd bring it up, she'd say no and I would drop it. Recently she's been saying she wanted her ears pierced and I told her it only hurts for a second (Jim would roll his eyes and scoff at that comment), but still couldn't get her to agree. Jim was the one who finally made it happen. One of Helaina's Christmas gifts from Daddy were 3 pairs of animal earrings from Claire's (pandas, elephants and monkeys). She saw them and declared "I want ears pierced!" We went to the mall this morning and headed to Claire's. Jim filled out the paperwork as Helaina hopped right up into the seat and got prepped. I told her that if she changed her mind at any time we wouldn't do it but she was more than ready - and the 2 lollipops they gave her sealed the deal.

We picked out the earrings, they marked her ears with a purple marker, got the "guns" ready and in place - 1, 2, 3 go and it was over! Helaina looked a bit shocked but Jim and I were clapping and woo-hooing and the girl handed her the mirror immediately so she could see her earrings. Unbelievably, not one tear. I picked her up and held her for a while and she was just fine. 30 seconds later she was running through the mall as if nothing happened.

Give this gal a lollipop (or 2) and she's up for anything.
Shopping, ears pierced, lunch at the mall and a carousel ride - what could be better when you're 3 years old?

For her bravery, I told Helaina that she could pick out one thing in Borders (yah, I know, another toy 2 days after Christmas - yikes). Helaina absolutely loves balloons and we couldn't believe it when she spotted an animal balloon kit, complete with pump, balloons and directions. Helaina's napping now and Daddy's practicing his new craft. I hear him swearing in the other room but I'm not sure if he's swearing at the Giants football game or the balloons, probably both.

A pink doggie for his first attempt. Not bad. Helaina will love it.

Some Christmas pics. Helaina's 1st choice from Santa - her Super Special Friends Kai Lan doll. Big hit.

Kai Lan and Helaina's elephant napping in the new dolly bed.

What should I open next?

A pink keyboard with microphone. This child is too funny. She was singing a song from Yo Gabba Gabba "keep trying, keep trying, don't give up, don't give up" - that's actually Helaina's motto.

The earrings that closed the deal on her ears being pierced.

At Aunt Barbara's house Helaina positioned herself next to the snack table - the beefstick in particular. This child loves beefstick and had more than her fair share.

Didn't take Helaina long to get the gift-opening process down perfectly. Just find that one spot where there's not much tape...

Anna just loves Helaina. She watches Helaina race around the room and smiles at her.

Swim To Me Puppy - 2nd on Helaina's wish list for Christmas this year.

Opening gifts with Josh. Helaina's got a cute furry elephant purse on her arm that Josh got her - anything elephant is a big hit.

Having a little pie with Kai Lan by her side.

Helaina made it a memorable Christmas for Jim and I. The heart on Kai Lan's tummy lights up when Helaina presses a button on the dolls hand. Our hearts light up too with this treasure of a girl we are fortunate enough to call our daughter.

Twas the night before Christmas ...

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse ...

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care ...

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

Last year was our first Christmas with Helaina at home so it was very special - Santa gave Jim and I exactly what we wanted, our precious daughter. Helaina was a bit fearful of Santa last year and although we explained to her the whole Santa-thing, she didn't really get it. Well, what a difference a year makes. She totally gets it this year and is into the holiday - big time.

She brought home this packet of "Magic Reindeer Dust" from school - it's oatmeal mixed with red & green glitter - oatmeal for Santa's reindeer to eat and glitter to attract Santa.

We ventured outside tonight to spread the magic stuff around the yard. Helaina saw a bright star in the sky and Jim asked her if she thought it might be Santa. "Momma, that Santa?" Just maybe, my little believer.

After the oatmeal sprinkling ceremony it was time for Helaina's bath. Jim was downstairs while we were finishing up tub time and suddenly Heidi started barking. Jim came upstairs and told Helaina that Heidi was barking at Santa's elves, who were just in the family room making sure the house was ok for Santa (just like in the Prep & Landing cartoon) and then they left some gifts in her stocking. When Helaina gets VERY excited she starts shrieking and making this high-pitched squealing sound that I think only dogs can hear - it actually hurts my ears. Well, when she heard about the elves, the bath water started splashing and the shrieking began. Needless to say, tub time was over. Wet hair and all, "Yes, Daddy, something in there!"

Gumballs, socks, sunglasses - oh what treasures.

Then it was time to get the flashlight and look up the chimney, making sure it was safe for Santa.

Here's Daddy yelling into the chimney "Santa, this is where you can bring Helaina's Ni Hao Kai Lan doll!" Helaina: "Do again, Daddy."

The cookies that Helaina selected for Santa.

Well, it's 9:30pm and Helaina's asleep in her bed hopefully having sweet dreams. Christmas is especially fun this year because we are seeing it through the eyes of our toddler and it's bringing out the silly kid in both of us. Time for Santa's helpers to put the presents under the tree, eat the cookies and have sweet dreams ourselves. I may not sleep too much tonight - I'm too excited!

Helaina helped me make a dessert this morning. She's a big help in the kitchen, especially when there are beaters to be licked.