Winter 2011 has been grim, but we have a secret weapon...

Remember this...?

Ugh.

Ahhhh!

Hello, Florida, old friend.

Turn that surly upside down -

I swear, we were all instantly transformed into more joyful people

the moment our toes hit the sand and surf.

Little FISH, showing off mad swimming skills.

Brought to you by Foss Swim School and

the above/beyond efforts of Teachers Allyson and Beth back in MN!!

Pool vs. Beach?

BOTH.

 Happiest 4yr old on the planet.

Beach style - as always, Helen working her look.

Shout out to our good friend Cari Lee for showing me

the wisdom of the long-sleeved rash guard.

We didn't actually have the entire beach to ourselves

 but ya really wouldn't know it from any of our pix.

Simply a little slice of heaven.

Sunset on our last night...back to the cold and snow.

However, we've been fortified for the final push.

See ya next year, Anna Maria Island!



Chinese New Year 2011 - Year of the Rabbit

Showing a dash o' 'tude with her love-child style.

(Families with children from Asia CNY event)



There's a smile!

Happy New Year

dear friends and family!

The Get-Up

Party hat

Leopard vest

Stickers

Bug rainboots

Pajamas

Helen's ready for bed!



Look at those faces!



Happy New Year's Day/Night 2011!!

Miss Lily (5), Miss Helen (4) and Miss Muriel (5)
Yangxi Sisters



Summer's end

Clutier (IA) Days - can't wait for the parade to start.

Littles sifting for coins ("Moneys!!") in tons of sawdust.





Ahhh! Nothing like a cone to cool a girl off
after a tough day of small town Iowa festivities.





OKOBOJI 2010!!!

Helen and cousin Chelsea about to do some boating on East Lake.





Photographic evidence of Helen...





enjoying the boat! Super YAY!

(There'd been some, ummm, difficulties in the past.)





First day of Ballet Class - September 2010


(A little anxious at first, but came around quickly.)
Is there anything cuter than a tiny tot in ballet garb?

Rest of May, June and some of July - SURPRISE!

May wedding in Ames - dance TONIGHT!

Fred & Tom's new backyard - loverly.

First day of summer preschool with bestest friend, Giancarlo

(he, with the Donny Osmond smile).

Helen and Paige, Round One, taffy.

Helen and Paige, Round Two, DQ Dilly Bar.

Families with Children from Asia

2010 Dragon Boat team

Photo Finish - we won (!) and placed 8th overall.

FCA! FCA! FCA!

MN Zoo last weekend with our travel group.

(We missed you AGAIN, Texas!)

Averie and Helen, included because H is smiling here...

...but not here with Mary Ellen and Averie, our travel group buddies.
Not sure what that face is about but my guess = hot and tired.

Spring has sprung

Knows a thing or two re: personal style.

For your entertainment...and BOOM, right into the svc door!

Florida, you may not be as beautiful as California, but we love you anyhoo

Having arrived in Tampa, the Navigators check the map while the Captain secures the vehicle.

First morning in Tampa - there's chewing going on here.

Looking about 8 years old, no?

Getting ready for the pool - practicing (WITH goggles, of course) her stroke.

Busch Gardens photo op.

Hard to say if this girl could love her dad more.

First time, EVER, willing to ride alone...

...and digging it!

Helen was an inch too short for the Rhino Rally so

we satisfied our sense of adventure with this photo op.

First evening on Anna Maria Island - Helen and me scoping out the beautiful beach.

Perfecting jumping on one foot - she REALLY gets that other leg up there.

Sunset and about to scout for sand dollars.

The whole gang! 

(S/S/S  - back by popular demand!)

Contemplating world peace or what to have for a snack ?

Couple of days before Easter, Helen and her dad built this sweet bunny on the beach.

If anyone is interested in helping us finance the purchase of the house in the background...

call me, ok? 

Always working her look!

All heading down to the beach for our last sunset together.

Had a great time, Anna Maria!  Thanks for the memories, see ya soon.

This is what Helen does...or a day in the life of a 3 yr old

...makes the best of a cold snowy day...

...models a super cute fleece hat making craft at FCC Chinese New Year...

...visits the Midtown Global Market for Wee Wednesday events...

...hangs with BFF Lily...

...and mugs for mom's cellphone camera!

  

7:30 am  Wakes up, I go in her room to open the shades, say "good morning" - that kind of thing. 

Says, "I wanted Daddy to come get me."

8:00 am  Asks "Where are we going today?"   I tell her, replies "That sounds like a good plan."

10:00 am  Playground or open gym, screams "Don't look at me KID!!!!!" at every kid who looks in her direction.

12:00 am  I bonk my elbow on the car door, gives me a tight hug to "heal" me.

12:30 pm  Picks her nose and wipes the booger on my shirt.

12:45 pm  Steals my napkin and throws it on the floor.  Eats all of my Mandarin orange slices. 

1:30 pm  Snuggles in the comfy chair with me for books before naptime, LOTS of kisses. I pretend I'm chomping on her neck, says "Why am I SO delicious?!"

3:30 pm  Everytime I say "she", yells "HE!!!". 

Everytime I say "her", yells "HIM!!! 

Everytime I say "Helen", yells "I'm not Helen, I'm Quincy (or Pablo, or Annie, or...)!!!"

4:30 pm  Says "You are my heart, my life, Mommy"

5:00 - 7:15 pm  Yells "HE!!!", "HIM!!!", and "I'm not Helen!!!" some more.  Refuses to eat dinner.

7:30 pm  Jumps around on her bed and giggles before getting changed into jammies, having "Naked Time!!!"

8:00 pm  Family group hug with various stuffed animals, says "Thanks for a nice day, Mommy."

It's a pretty wonderful, hilariously aggrivating, awesome way to spend the day.  I feel so blessed every minute of the time we spend together - even when I'm answering "WHY?" for the 100th time or wiping boogers off my shirt.  Thank you, Helen, for a nice day.