Snow Bunny

Tonight's weather forecast calls for the lows to be in the teens. It's very chilly. Gracie begged to keep her new swimsuit on all day. I figured it couldn't hurt, it's warm inside!

You get what you get, and you don't pitch a fit!

Here are a few pics of Gracie pitching a fit. I know I'm terrible for posting these, but it was very comical. Ron and I were cracking up laughing because she was making such a fuss over nothing. The title to this posting is what Gracie said her teacher tells them when they don't get their way... "You get what you get, and you don't pitch a fit!" It's too funny to hear Gracie say it.

Play-Dough Time!

Thank you Nanny Rhonda for all the neat play-dough stuff! Gracie plays with this at least once a day.

The Smurfs and The Snorks!

Gracie has discovered the Smurfs and the Snorks! Can you believe they are still playing these cartoons on TV? I remember watching these as a kid, back in the early 80's. Okay, I'm really showing my age. We had to start TVo ing these because she loves them so much. Do you remember the Smurf's nemesis? GARGAMEL and his cat ASREAL. I don't remember the Snorks as well, but Ron does. I guess it played a few years later :>)

SNAP!!!

Gracie has been trying to snap her fingers. After many days of practice, she finally was able to make a sound. One night I asked her to show me again and she tried, but there was no sound that came out when she rubbed her fingers together. She shrugged her shoulders and said "I must have run out of power!" I laughed so hard. She has since redeemed herself and can pull off a full snap.

The next "American Idol"

Okay, I'm ashamed to admit it........I'm addicted to American Idol. Gracie has no choice but to watch it with me. She surprised Ron and I when she got up with her play microphone and started singing like the contestants. Of course, she wouldn't let me take a picture of her with the play microphone, but I snapped this one of her using her broom. It was too funny! She would even close her eyes and really get into it.

Monster in a Cave

Gracie loves to pull all of the pillows, blankets and comforters off our bed to make a "cave". She hides and screams for us to come and find her.

Dancing Queen

I happened to catch Gracie dancing on the stairs and was able to snap a few pictures before she realized what I was doing. It was a rare moment.

Cupcakes!

Last weekend Ron was craving cupcakes. Gracie was more than willing to help bake them (and lick the spoon)!

Georgia Aquarium

The Georgia Aquarium is Awesome! We liked it so much last year that we decided to buy annual passes for 2007. Sunday we made our first trip of the year. It was pretty packed. But we got to walk right in and didn't have to reserve a time.......one of the perks of being an annual member. Below are a few pics of our visit. In one of the caves at the aquarium. I didn't realize how old I was until I tried to climb through on my knees!

The Piranha tank wasn't as frightening as I thought it would be. They looked pretty harmless, but of course they didn't open their mouths so that we could see their teeth.

Here is a picture of the beluga whales. They are beautiful. Gasper, one of the four whales at the aquarium had to be euthanized a few weeks ago because he was suffering from a bone disease. I told Gracie this a couple nights ago and she was very sad. I told her "don't worry, we'll still get to see Ralph the Whale Shark". The next morning, the first thing I heard on the radio was "Ralph, the whale shark died suddenly last night". I was shocked. This was a tragic month for the aquarium, but they are looking at the positive side of Ralph's death......it will give marine biologists the chance to study the mysterious species more in depth. They are going to perform a necropsy (marine autoposy) to find out the cause of death. The other 3 whales seem to be doing fine.

Here is one of the Whale Sharks. They are huge. They can grow up to 66 feet long!

This is not a very good picture, but it is of the African Penguins. I could sit at that exhibit all day long and not get bored. They are so cute!

There were plenty of tanks where the kids could touch what was on display. Gracie was not so brave. She would roll up her sleeves and stick her fingertips in the water and that was it!Then she found a tube maze!!!!!
She was pretty aggravated with the picture taking.

My Little Helper

Saturday was "clean the house day". Anytime Gracie sees a mop, a broom, or a vacuum cleaner she wants to help. I let her help me mop the bathroom floor. Ron went out on the roof and took off the Christmas lights.....wouldn't want to get a nasty letter from the HOA.

Pottery Barn Kids

I made the mistake of brining Gracie into Pottery Barn Kids. She was fascinated with the kitchen set. Needless to say, I had a hard time getting her to leave. Notice, she had the apron on and all!

Pink Pig, Again

One of our shopping trips was to Lenox Mall, where Gracie remembered the Pink Pig. Of course, she wanted to ride it again. Sarah and LeLe got to enjoy it too!

Surprise Visitors!!!!

The Friday after Christmas I got an awesome surprise. I had worked late that night, for a Friday, and got home around 7:30. We ate dinner, Gracie played and then we settled down for the night. Several times during the evening I noticed that the front porch light was on. The first time I just took it off. The second time, I asked Ron why he kept putting the porch light on. He said he thought that he had turned it off. So, I went upstairs and was watching TV while Ron stayed downstairs to play his new X-box. Around 11:30 I heard a knock on the door. I jumped out of bed and was scared because I couldn't imagine who would be at our door that late at night. Ron went to open the door and he told me he had a surprise for me......it was my sister, my mom and my two nieces. I couldn't believe it....I kept saying "Shut Up". I even pinched myself a few times. That morning, on a whim, they decided to make the long drive to come and see us. It was the best surprise ever! They stayed until Tuesday and the time flew by. We went shopping, to the movies and of course to Chuck E. Cheese. Above are some pictures from our visit.