Enjoying last of warm January weather at the park, Movers and Shakers class and "Fine Print" Culture Kids class @ CAM

 Tuesday was warm for January so Audrey and I took a long walk around the neighborhood.  We ran into Patty at Hair on the Hill, then Frank and Dianne coming out of the Grill before we made it to the bank.  After the bank we walked to Paula's to drop off a letter and then ran into Sue Z reading a book on her front porch and chatted a while.  Then we hiked up the hill past the Playhouse to our neighborhood playground.  Although Audrey talked about the slide she would not go down by herself this day.  She was tired from walking so much and asked to be carried home.

  Having fun at Miss Kelly's Movers and Shakers class on Wednesday.  Note the pink mittens.

 Once again with the mittens.  This time at Culture Kids "Fine Print" class at the art museum this morning.  After Miss Elissa read the book Art by Patrick McDonnell we took the tour with Miss Regina.  The tour focused on patterns and textures.  Audrey was narrating the experience, repeating "follow Miss Regina" and repeating comments she heard.... including "good to see you" (something she overheard) which made the adults laugh.

 I love the art museum's classes.  Last night Audrey pulled out the translucent color papers she received at Wee Wednesday last month and showed us that "yellow and blue make green".  We are happy that this seems fun for her as well.

 A snack was offered after the tour and before the art project.  I am so pleased it seems Audrey has finally mastered the juice box (ie. doesn't squeeze the juice and mess with the straw.)  And I'm also sure this is a skill I certainly could have encourage her to learn earlier but it wasn't that important to me.

 The art project was something called a monoprint.  According to the paperwork CAM gave us about ways to integrate art project at home..."a traditional monoprint incorporates painting as well as printmaking and results in one of a kind print transferred from the printing plate, or matrix, to a piece of paper."  For today's project however the children used crayons to color a small piece of sandpaper and then Miss Elissa ironed it on to a piece of paper.  Below is Audrey's monoprint.

 And also her 1st art project to be displayed on the refridgerator.  I thought it was interesting that there appear to be 3 houses close together near the top of the print.

 Afterwards we went to lunch @ CAM cafe.  Fortunately Miss A can entertain herself shaking the sugar packets.

 She had mac n cheese.  I think she is going through another growth spurt because it is amazing how much she is eatting again.

 And it was during this meal she discoverd just how much she loves potato chips.

Learning how to use her camera, choosing her clothes and "That is interesting"...

 Last night after dinner Miss A asked for us to put her tutu on.  She is getting better at taking pictures with the camera she received for Christmas.

 In the picture above she is imitating me taking a vertical picture of her.

 Just cute.

 Loving her tutu.

 This morning after breakfast Miss A noticed the the CNY dragon banner hanging on our pantry door was floating out due to the furnace kicking on.  She asked why this was happening and after we explained she "that is interesting".  Her tone of voice and the comprehension impressed both John and myself.

 This morning she also chose this outfit and quite proudly said "I choose clothes".  She pointed out the pink roses to me as we were coming downstairs to breakfast.  The sunglasses were another choice she made today.  We went to Target to get a pair for her as we lost her other pair and she can't stand it when I wear mine.  I was secretly happy she picked this pair over the others ... barbie, hello kitty, etc.

 Rock star!

 Wearing her new glasses to color before lunch.

Miss Kelly's Movers & Shakers class, dinner @ Susie Wong's and haircut @ Hair on the Hill

 Miss Kelly's Movers and Shakers class resumed this past Wednesday.  In the picture above Miss A was pointing out the "purple R" to me.  I'm loving the descriptions she is adding to her observations these days.  Also note her signature attire of wearing mittens inside.

 The weather was exceptionally warm Thursday so we took a walk around the neighborhood.  This included trip to our neighborhood dry cleaners and Bow Tie Cafe.  I had the little red silk coat she we bought in Guanzhou and she wore until recently cleaned.  We plan to have it framed in a shadow box.

 Friday we opted for dinner at Susie Wong's rather than our neighborhood grill.  We wanted to pick up a catering menu as we are planning a Chinese New Years party at the end of this month.

  The food was really good and true to form Miss A was an excellent diner.  She adores attention which the staff was only too happy to provide.

  Saturday afternoon we had an appointment at the salon up the street to get Miss A's bangs trimmed.  Sue, the stylist, was so incredibly sweet she brought stuffed animals and let Audrey choose one to take home.  She chose a panda and then showed Sue how to sign "panda" (make a "p" and circle your eye to show it's markings.) Coincidentally one of our neighbors had an appointment following A's and we had a blast hanging with them.  Patti, our neighbor, brought her dog Boo who provided loads of entertainment too. So our 15 minute bang appointment turned into hanging at the salon for 2 hours.

 We love our fun neighborhood!

Coffee Emporium and attempted visit to the Aquarium

 John had the day off today.  So we started the day with a trip to Coffee Emporium.  Miss A is looking particularly happy in the above picture and she really was enthusiastic about the snow. It lightly snowed all day today, but no accumulation. 

 At Coffee Emporium.

 Baba's scone was yummy.

  Here she is offering me the crunchy vegan thing I bought for her.  Not that she isn't completely generous as she offered me some of Baba's yummy scone too.

  Audrey the "hipster" at the downtown coffee shop.

  The super cool "science experiment" coffee maker we bought today at Cafe Emporium and the real reason we headed there this morning.  We still have to buy the butane to actually use it.

We were headed to the aquarium after the coffee shop when I got a call that one of my tenants front windows had mysteriously been broken.  So no trip to aquarium and $180 bummer but at least it wasn't frozen pipe or no heat.  There is a little freak out about the broken window but could be as innocent as someone trying to throw something in their trash can and missing.  Doesn't appear to be a break in attempt. So we had to hang in the neighborhood in order to wait for and pay the repairman.  In the end we saw friends, Audrey learned a cool bowling game at Crowley's and we had an early dinner at The Next Chapter.

Counting to 10

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.