Do Little Girls Say "Yah Mule?"

How's my best girl?
You had a very busy weekend! Each year, Daddy does an amazing job of cooking for a fundraising dinner around Valentine's Day. This year, we helped welcome over 40 people to support Evidence Ministries. They are a full-time ministry devoted to helping Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons understand true biblical Christianity, and often help them transition out of their faiths to a bible based church. Keith and Becky are very bold in their faith, and often endure lots of criticism and ugliness even though they themselves are very kindhearted and humble people. We were honored to be able to donate about $750 to them this past weekend. Your Grammy even came to do a ton of the cooking and was a humongous help. She left on Sunday afternoon exhausted and is looking forward to coming back when she can do more hanging out!

The timing actually worked out well since your Grandpa and Gigi were coming to San Antonio for the stock show again this year. Even though your uncles don't show pigs anymore, they love to help out their friends and family! You were very excited to go with Grandpa on Saturday afternoon to the stock show and see Brighlon's pig Andrew. I am sorry we don't have cute pictures of you like we did last year! Everyone said you were very well-behaved and had tons of fun. We were very thankful that we knew you were in good hands so we could spend the day cooking and getting ready for the dinner.

And then Sunday night, Uncle Jordan and Savtah came to stay with us. It feels like we get to see them on a regular basis, but it is mostly for doctor's visits for Jordan. I know they are starting to get worn out with the long drive so often, so maybe we need to do a better job of planning some fun things to do together so we can still enjoy it like a family trip. It still amazes me that your Uncle Jordan is growing into a (very tall with big feet) teenage boy, but that is still so sweet and gentle with you. Every time they head back home, you ask to see "Jornan" for at least a few days afterwards.

Since I am behind in your monthly posts, I want to play a little catchup! You are still doing great at "school." Your teachers say that you are getting better at interactive play with your friends and it only rarely dissolves into fights. You did have a bit of an incident in the last few weeks where you totally smacked another boy in your class for taking your toy. While we do want you to have courage to stand up for yourself (and you apparently really clocked the poor kid) we hope you will continue to have a sweet and gentle spirit. You bring home great pictures you have colored (you apparently press down really hard and make huge strokes with your crayons... a very determined artist!) and never cry or fuss when we drop you off. Most days, you don't even look back once you are in the room with your friends. I have to snatch you back for a hug and kiss!

You have fallen in love with Mommy and Daddy's big shower. You used to hate the feeling of water hitting you, but for some reason you think it is super fun all of a sudden. You look so funny standing there leaning into the water and laughing. You like to stomp your feet and splash, and you are never ready to get out. Personally, I would stick with the bathtub because you have toys in there, but every once in a while we let you use the big open shower. And yes, Mommy and Daddy usually end up soaked from trying to help you while still clothed.

I noticed the other day that we seem to have permanently retired your high chair. We ordered you a cool foamy booster seat so you can sit at the big table, but most of the time you like to sit on your knees at our little kitchen table. You are still a pretty messy eater because you like to pick things up instead of using utensils, but we are working on it. Nice manners is definitely one of Mommy's goals for you. I have laughed alot watching you eat pizza lately. You turn it sideways and eat off all the toppings (biting it like corn on the cob) and only occasionally eat the crust. You still stick with just milk, water, or juice to drink and were definitely not a fan of carbonated soda when I let you try some Sprite one weekend at a birthday party.

Your favorite toys of the moment are your building blocks set, Henry the rabbit, and Ruby the babydoll. You have seen bits and pieces of the movie Toy Story, which made me think about the day long from now when you will no longer be interested in these toys. I am glad you are still happy to have something soft to love on and carry around.

Funniest quote of late - While riding Daddy's back like a horse, you yelled out "Yah, mule!" He thought it was hysterical, and I lamented that your teachers at daycare must think we are total rednecks sometimes.

New favorite song - Grammy sings "How Many Kisses Have You Got, Little Cameron" to you and you love it. Now we have to sing it every night before bed along with Twinkle Twinkle and You Are My Sunshine. I'll take slobbery kisses for as long as I can get 'em.

And I just noticed this morning that some of your 24 month pants look ridiculously short on you. Apparently I need to start packing up clothes again! Makes sense because you somehow got to be 27 months old without me noticing....

Love you,
Mama