The Big Day... Christmas!

On Christmas morning, Vita actually slept a little bit late... all the way to 6am. When she finally woke up, she saw that Santa had come and left presents under the tree. Vita went right for the presents and started unwrapping. Ernie and I sat in our pajamas eating gingerbread and drinking coffee and watching the joy unfold. Although this was technically Vita's third Christmas, she didn't really understand much about it before so somehow this felt new and exciting, like our very first Christmas, and it was so so so much fun! We didn't get good pictures because we had to use the flash, and because Vita was too busy looking at the new toys to be bothered with looking at the camera. So you'll have to take our word on it... that she was beyond thrilled. However, we didn't always get the reaction we were hoping for. Like in the picture below, she's not really looking at her new bike, she's much more interested in the piece of take in her hand. The bike is still a little big for her, so we're going to re-introduce it in a couple of months. Here's a picture of Vita with her new dollhouse, which she loves.

And finally, Vita in her new home-made play kitchen.

Twas The Night Before Christmas, 2009

It's the night before Christmas, and while Vita sleeps in her Christmas pajamas on her Christmas pillow, Ernie and I are sipping limoncello and getting everything ready. Presents are under the tree (and tucked behind the chair). Underneath that unassuming white sheet is a very sweet dollhouse that we think Vita will LOVE. Vita is also getting her very first bike! Also, tomorrow morning we are unveiling Vita's new play kitchen for the first time. Vita did see it briefly, but then Ernie swapped out the legs, painted it, added the burners, and lots of the other details. It's beautiful!! The finishing touch for the new play kitchen are the pots and pans that Mema Joan played with as a little girl, which she sent to us recently. Ernie did such a wonderful job building the play kitchen that it inspired me to dust off the sewing machine and try my hand at making Vita an apron, dishtowel, potholder and oven mitt. Considering that these are the first things I have EVER sewn, I'm really happy with how they turned out... flaws and all. I'm so excited for Vita to wake up! In the mean time, while have been eagerly awaiting Christmas morning, we've had a few other fun activities as well. Vita's preschool put on a little Christmas sing along for the parents. It was great! Well, you can just imagine... it was like herding cats! Vita, who is the youngest member of the preschool (having recently transitioned from the infant room) got to stand right in the very front of the three rows of kids. However, she tended to turn her back to the parents and face the other kids, and she wandered off and started playing with toys about a dozen times during the 20 minute show. In this picture, I like how Vita is the only one smiling and everyone else looks like they are giving hard looks. She loved playing with the maracas! Then, we bundled up and went to Gilroy Gardens holiday lights event, where they open the park up in the evening for rides, a fireworks show and other fun events. The merry-go-round was still Vita's favorite thing.

And the race cars were a close second. Look ma, no hands! What a daredevil.

That's it for now. We'll be sure to take lots of pictures on Christmas morning as Vita discovers all the presents under the tree. Hope you are are having a happy and magical holiday season! XO, Jenny

Getting Into Christmas

We are really getting into Christmas over here. As soon as Vita's birthday was over, we got the tree, hung the stockings, put up the lights, and started decorating the house. Today we put on a pretty Christmas dress and attempted to take some cute holiday pictures by the tree. Unfortunately we're both very stubborn, and Vita refused to keep still and I refused to use a flash (being that I love natural light). So the results are a bit blurry, but they are still sweet. Christmas is so much fun with a kid! We're having a hard time waiting to give Vita her presents. Since it was a cold and rainy day today, we brought out the construction paper, paint, glitter, glue, pipe cleaners, egg cartons, and all kinds of fun art supplies to make some ornaments for the tree. Vita painted some pretty bell ornaments all by herself, but her favorite part was sprinkling on the glitter. Vita was so proud to present her dad with an ornament she made just for him. Afterwards it was time to clean up. Vita is a really good helper. While we were making ornaments, Ernie was working on Vita's play kitchen. It's almost done! In fact, we brought it in the house and Vita LOVES it. We'll get some pictures of it soon, but I didn't manage to capture that before Vita read her bedtime books (twas the night before Christmas) and fell asleep on her Christmas pillow. Good night.

TWO!!

On Friday, Vita turned two years old! Although I took the day off work, I brought Vita in to daycare for a short day because I knew all the kids would sing and make a big deal out of her birthday and I didn't want her to miss out on that. When I came to pick Vita up at 10 am, she was having so much fun she didn't want to come home!

Little did she know that when she returned home, she would find that the house was decorated with streamers and balloons, and that a party hat and presents were waiting for her. As soon as she walked in she yelled "HAT" "BALLOONS" "BIRTHDAY"!

And the balloons were so much fun it took her a little while to notice the brand new unwrapped Tonka dump truck just waiting to be played with.

Soon, Grandpa Bob and Mema Joan arrived for dinner... followed immediately by cake! I love Vita's face in the soft lighting of this picture.

Vita did her best to blow out the candles but needed just a little help with that part.

After dinner Vita opened up more presents. The next day, we headed to the San Jose Children's Museum, which was lots of fun. I thought most of it would be for older kids, but really it's perfect for toddlers.

Look at Vita's smile in the mirror.

In the bubble room, I think Ernie had more fun than Vita.

I'm glad that Vita does not seem to share my fear of heights.

Back at home, we changed into clean clothes and got ready to go out for sushi. While we were at the restaurant, Vita was getting antsy so I took her over to where a jazz band was playing. Vita was moving along to the music and having a great time. I asked Vita if she was dancing and she said "I'm rocking out, mom." I don't think Vita appreciated an interruption in her story time with Mema. Later on, there were even more presents... as Santa came a little early. Vita loves this ladybug towel, and insisted on sleeping in it last night.

All in all, it was a great birthday and a wonderful visit with Grandpa Bob and Mema Joan.

And Vita didn't want to say goodbye, so we had lots of last minute hugs and kisses.