Last post of 2011

Since Christmas this is Audrey's typical AM attire ... rain boots, tutu and pj's.

 Wednesday we went to Hyde Park library to return books and thinking we could attend Miss Kelly's Movers and Shakers class.  Sadly no class.  In the picture above Audrey is looking standing next to the library's koi fish pond.  Notice she is still wearing her mittens even inside. 

Wednesday after her nap, Audrey, Paula, Anna and I went shopping on Main Street downtown.  Below Audrey is standing with Paula at the counter at one of our favorite shops, Park and Vine.

Thursday morning some friends and their children came to visit.  Below is Lisa S, her daughter and Audrey.  Katie and Audrey were interested in watching The Jungle Book while we ordered takeout from Teak.

 Not a great picture but it does show A's cute pig tails.

Friday morning we went shopping with Paula again as she is still on holiday break until Monday.  First we stopped at this really cool coffee shop downtown so Paula could get some muffins.  I am seriously thinking about buying this really cool vacuum coffee maker.  It looks like a science experiment gadget.  AND makes better coffee than drip and we could make coffee at the table.  I think at $79 it is rather reasonable too.  The only downside is it doesn't make a lot of coffee.

But it is way easier than this stove top kind that we used to use.

We next went to Bellevue and had brunch in the window at Avenue Brew.

 Yum.

Baba and A at Paula's happy hour party Friday night.  I had a facial spa appointment Friday afternoon (birthday present) so I met them there. 
Audrey and Sue Z at the party.

  Once again Audrey was the only child at a party.  We only stayed until 6:30 as we needed to get home for her bath but she was very comfortable.  As an only child she most likely will always be comfortable around adults. 

Christmas 2011

 Miss Audrey in her tutu, rain boots carrying her drum set at Christmas Eve celebration at my parents house. 

  Earlier this week ... yeah for Miss A not pulling the pigtails out of her hair.  She requests them often but then won't leave them in.

 Fortunately before Saturday's family Christmas celebration with my family Miss A took a good nap.  Something new when she is away from home but possibly she is getting comfortable with sleeping at  Mom-mom and Granddad's home.

  Goofing with baba while we are waiting for family to arrive.

  Audrey and her cousin Ben hugging before the gift exchange began. 

  Audrey loved the tutu, drum set and rain boots she received at this exchange.

She is also possibly the least shy member of this family

 One of my favorite pictures ... Uncle Tom re-tying her tutu with her "manket" on his shoulder.

 

 After the presents had been opened the basket riding started. 

  Miss A thoroughly enjoyed her cousin Mason (whom she calls "Ma Ma") pushing her around the living room and through my parents hallway.  She felt confident enough to ask him to slow down for people to applaud her riding in the basket.  Total ham.

 Sunday morning John and I woke up early to assemble this piano for Audrey from her grandparents.

  It is really a great size for her and she seems to really enjoy it even if it is meant for 3+ year old.  It will be a while before she tries to use the color codes and song book.

  Wearing the tutu for breakfast.

  Drawing after breakfast.  We believe she will be right handed.

  The Montessori style fabric numbers my sister's family gave her hanging in her bedroom.  We also have some suggestions of games to play using these numbers. 

 Re-assembling the piano at home.

 Audrey's Christmas dinner at home was spaghetti.

 While John and I had salmon, cream cheese, crackers and salami before we opened our presents in our stockings. 

  Miss Audrey discovered a new love of cream cheese.  This picture also shows how exhausted she was from this week of celebrating.  She went to bed early tonight as she was rubbing her eyes and putting her 2 fingers in her mouth immediately after dinner.

Christmas pagent, parties, Wee Wednesday @ CAM and Luminary night

 Audrey and John brushing their teeth before we headed off to Pilgrim church.

  After a bit of a struggle we got Miss A to put on her "new" (she received this @ family shower in February from my 2nd cousin Carol) coat and hat that are 2-3T and just a little big.   Audrey is crazy about the hat though.

 With Aunt Paula before the service started.

  Audrey enthusiastically applauded and said "Yeah" loud and long to the first song sung however she was not in the mood to be quiet after that so we went downstairs early in the service.

  To hang with the pageant performers of whom Audrey would not wear a costume to participate this year.

  Our sweet church includes dogs in the pageant.  This tradition goes back to 2007 (I think) when one of our more colorful, definitely legendary parishioners made bring your dog to church an acceptable practice.  Oh how we all miss Shad O'Shea who passed away 2 years ago.

Mindy, the ministers daughter in law, carrying her dog 12 year old Rosie (dressed as an angel). 

 Kaye's golden was a camel.

  Miss A relaxing at Aunt Paula's open house party after church this past Sunday. 

 This is such a blurry picture but I included it as we were lucky to run in to Statz and Molly on Luminary night.

  A horribly blurry picture again but the best one I have of Jen on stilts ushering in Santa and Mrs Claus (aka Reg and Charlotte H) on Luminary night in Mt Adams.

  Santa and Mrs Claus.  Miss A mouth dropped when Santa recognized her by name.

  Warming up a bit at the cellar before we headed to Martha and David B.'s Luminary open house.  In this picture Miss A is checking out the karaoke setup.

 At Martha and David's party.  It is really is a shame Miss A is so shy. 

  We went to the Grill one time this week for dinner.  Audrey's favorite waiter was working and we gave him a card.  He bought her ice cream.

  We also attended Wee Wednesday this week at the Art Museum.  Here she just got her passport book sticker.

 Unfortunately we lost this sticker book soon after this picture was taken.

 At the first station learning about snowflakes.

 At the next station and again Miss A's outgoing personality on display. 

  She particularly liked the felt board and the docent recommended I take her to the interactive kids area to play afterwards.

 At this station she got to choose a snowball to bring home.  But more importantly she said thank you to the docent without prompting.

  Audrey having fun in the Kids interactive playroom before lunch.

  She choose her coloring subject and dabbled with glue sticks for the first time.

 Audrey's first lunch at the Cincinnati Art Museum, in the Castellini room.  Mac and cheese and chicken fingers.

 Oh beautiful Cincinnati Art Museum at Christmas.

  Just 9 years ago John and I had our wedding reception right here.

 Tonight we made a few slice and bake chocolate chip cookies after dinner.  We explained the use of oven mitts to Audrey.

Baba and Miss A "playing possum" after dinner tonight.