The Year We Were No Longer Afraid of Santa

While Rob and I were in Haiti, my sister took Adriana to see Santa at her office. He comes there every year and it is such a great setting to see him in. It isn't the busy, chaotic nightmare that seeing the mall Santa is. We love it!

I was really sad not to go this year, especially since in year's past Adriana has been less than a fan of sitting with the fat man in a red suit. But this year she was so excited. And apparently just went right up to him and sat on his lap. We wrote a letter to Santa before I left and she gave it to him and had quite a discussion.

Yesterday we were in Petco to get something for the fish and they had Santa there for people to get their pet's pictures taken with him, and she went right up to him and sat in his lap. Rob and I were in shock.

She is growing up so fast. And this year, Christmas is already so much fun. She has changed so much over the past couple months and some of her fears have seemed to go away. Even though we don't see daily changes, like we did when she was a baby, there is definite changes subtly coming. It is a joy to watch and we are lucky to be the parents of such an amazing, caring, happy kid.

Back to School

We are back in preschool! Last week Adriana started her 2nd year of preschool. She was pretty nervous at first but I think she had a good first day.

That afternoon we made delicious chocolate rainbow cupcakes that were mixed and decorated completely by Adriana. We had so much fun and they actually were quite delicious. (although they did fall apart easily as somebody forgot to follow the high altitude directions)

It was a great first day and I am excited for this year!

This last Friday she actually told me that she was so excited to go to school! That has never happened. So I am pretty glad. I hope we keep this positive momentum going forward.

I can write my name!

Here is Adriana's official first writing of her name all by herself. She is growing up!

4th of July - Blues Traveler Concert

Before we had Adriana, Rob and I spent every 4th of July at Red Rocks seeing the Blues Traveler in concert. I love them and converted Rob to a fan and made him love them too. It isn't a bad time, they play great music, you can see the entire Denver metro area and can watch the fireworks light up the sky all over the city. It is a pretty great way to spend the holiday.

We haven't been since 2006 and have spent the last few holidays in Steamboat with my sister and her family. (which I love and really missed doing this year). We were not able to do that trip this summer, so we decided that we would give Red Rocks a try. There is a lot of thought that goes into taking a 3 year old to a concert. I have judged many parents in the past for bringing kids to concerts. I mean, they are loud, often have lots of not so legal things going on, and well, it just seems like a bad parenting move. But we talked ourselves into it. First, because it is Red Rocks and it is outdoors. Second, we decided we would sit at the top of the ampitheater. It actually isn't too loud up there and being outdoors, we figured it would be ok for her ears. And all the other reasons, we just talked ourselves into it because we could walk around with her and she would be so excited to see the fireworks all over the sky.

Adriana has been to see Yo Gabba Gabba live but this was technically her 1st real concert. First concert at 3 years of age, pretty good deal. It was only a matter of time with us as her parents. She loves music and loves to dance and I am really excited and hope she will have the love for music and concerts through her life that Rob and I do.

She did great. Our friend Oscar was with us and that provided her with even more entertainment. And actually we had about 5 other 3 year olds at the show around us. We sat at the very top and she could see all the fireworks over the city. She danced and had so much fun. She loved running around and being outside and was so fascinated with the big red rocks. In fact she named one Alligator. Still not sure why.

She lasted until about 10 and then told me she was tired and fell asleep in my lap. We stayed about another hour while she slept on me and then we headed home.

It was a great way to spend the 4th. And a future concert lover was born.

Renaissance Festival

The summer of fun continues!

This year we took Adriana to the Renaissance Festival for the first time. It was Rob's first time too. I had been once before so I kind of knew what to expect. It is always an interesting trip and great place to people watch. We had a lot of fun and Adriana loved it. She got to ride a llama, an elephant, got her arm painted, went through a hay maze (which she was way better of getting out of than her Daddy) watched a jousting match and visited a dungeon museum. Just another normal summer day.

Summertime...and we're living easy

Some of my favorite shots from the summer. We have spent most of it playing with friends and at the pool. It has been perfect.

Our first Field Day

I tend to think that at 3, the first milestones don't come as much, but as always I am wrong. This year Adriana participated in her first field day at school. I am going to admit I was very excited for it. I love field day, find it so entertaining and 3 year olds running around trying to be organized, did not disappoint.

She had a blast! And they really had everything under control. I was quite impressed. And another reason I have such admiration for teachers. They have a patience and organization that I do not seem to come close to possessing.

Since she is in school on Monday and Friday (and the only preschool class that does) she was able to get to enjoy in field day twice. I can't even begin to adequately describe her excitement to go back on Friday when she found out they would yet again get to play. They ended the day with popsicles and a bounce house. Pretty much the highlight of the school year.

Just to add to the excitement, my Grandma was in town during field day week and was able to come see Adriana in action. Not only did this excite (and distract) Adriana, but my grandma was pretty happy too.