First Day of Preschool

Addie started preschool at Forty Carrots in Sarasota in early December 2012.  At age 3-1/2, she was ready to try something new, and she was familiar with Forty Carrots from some other programs she did as a toddler. She is in Ms. Debbie and Ms. Jan's class with 14 other 3- and 4-year-olds. She enjoys school most days, but it was a bit overwhelming at first being in a room with so many other kids. She really loves the playground - recess and snack are her favorite times of the day!  She also loves Show and Share days. Here are some pictures from her first day of school and in her classroom.

For the Love of Disney

Addie has always been a huge fan of Disney stories and characters. One of her favorite things to do at age 3 is to pretend to be characters. Everyday when I get home from work, we have to decide who I am going to be for the evening...Cinderella, Belle, Simba, Nemo - you name it. Whether a princess or an animal, I have played just about every character. We'll carry on all night role playing. She absolutely loves acting out stories and pretending to be characters.

This all started shortly after our first trip to Disney. I took her to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom a few times when she was 2, and then in August 2012 I purchased annual passes so we could drive up for day trips. We probably go to Disney an average of once per month, and she absolutely loves it every time! She goes on some of the rides, but her favorite thing to do is to meet the characters. She will wait in line for as long as she needs to just for that one minute of talking to a character. She also loves the parades! Right now her favorite rides are Dumbo, Astro Orbiter, Small World, Magic Carpets, and Spinning Tea Cups at Magic Kingdom, and the African Safari and Triceratops Spin at Animal Kingdom. She also loves the Bear Country Jamboree at Magic Kingdom.

We went to Disney with our friends Teresa and Ellie a few times, including one overnight "slumber party" at a Disney hotel. We got adjoining rooms and the girls absolutely loved it! We plan to do that again in April when Teresa and Ellie come to Florida for a visit (they recently moved to Texas).

I have hundreds of Disney pictures but decided to post just a few!

 

Waldorf Little Seedlings Fun

Addie and I attended the Waldorf "Little Seedlings" parent/child group once a week for a little more than a year. We always looked forward to Friday mornings when we gathered with friends, played outside, baked bread, and shared songs and stories. I identify with the Waldorf method of teaching and parenting, and the Sarasota Waldorf school taught me so much.  Addie really enjoyed the puppetry, songs, and baking bread. She also discovered one of her all-time favorite snacks - sliced apples with butter and cinnamon.

We attended our last Little Seedlings in October 2012.  Addie was too old to continue in the class, but we will always remember our fun times at Waldorf!

Our Little Flamingo - Happy Halloween 2012!

Addie decided to be a flamingo for Halloween this year, and she looked so precious in her little pink costume! She definitely had the knack for trick-or-treating this year and was not at all hesitant to knock on doors. She made people smile with her loud "trick-or-treats" and "thank yous" all night long. We also had some special dinner fun - candy corn quesadillas. The adults thought they were delicious - Addie just liked the chips!

Addie also was able to celebrate Halloween with her friends at a party earlier in the day. She had fun playing at the park with Ellie and Kenley and brought home lots of yummy treats!

The week before we attended the Waldorf Halloween Journey - Addie always loves the journey, especially the elaborate puppet show.

Addie the Flower Girl

During our trip to South Dakota in August/September, we spent a weekend at Camp Lakodia near Madison, SD.  One of my best friends from high school, Nora Schaefer, got married on September 1st.  I was a co-maid-of-honor, and Addie was one of the flower girls.

Addie was the most precious flower girl. She played the part beautifully, throwing her petals with a flourish and doing a little twirl down the aisle. She was supposed to sit by Jay in the audience during the ceremony, but she went back and forth between Jay and I.  Nora's 2-year-old son, Carter, was the ring bearer, and he didn't sit still either, so luckily it was a very kid-friendly wedding!

We all had fun at the wedding dance, and Addie was so excited to "stay up late and dance all night."

Trip to Missouri and South Dakota - 2012

We took our annual summer trip to visit Grandpa Pat at Lake of the Ozarks, MO in August. We had a great time again this year with Grandpa, Auntie Jen, Adam, Kellie, Jordan, and Mary. We spent some time on the water in the new ski boat and the pontoon. Addie "learned to swim" all by herself with a life jacket on - she was pretty proud of herself! We also made homemade ice cream and enjoyed some good meals on the grill. This year we had a bit of rain so we also spent a day at the outlet mall and at the arcade and shops next to the dam.

After Lake of the Ozarks, we road with Grandpa up to his house in Macon to spend a night. We had fun going through all of Jennie's old stuffed animals and other trinkets from high school. Addie was excited to come home with a few "new" old toys.

Then Grandpa gave us a ride up to South Dakota to spend a week at Grandma Kristi's house. Addie loved petting and feeding the horses, and of course had all their names memorized and could tell them apart after the first day. She didn't want to ride a horse this year, but she says she will ride one when she is 5 :)

Grandma Kristi took her to the zoo in Sioux Falls, and we had a fun night at Darci and Clay's house. Addie just loves playing with Ivy and Paisley!

We also spent some time with Grandma Dorothy and the Baumberger clan.  Markell and Julie hosted a picnic at their house in Garretson, and Addie had fun playing and swimming with all of her cousins.

It was a wonderful trip, but as always, we were ready to get home.  Two weeks on the road is a long time for anyone, especially a 3-year-old.  Addie was such a trooper though!  She really is a great little traveler, and Jay and I can't wait to take her on our next vacation!