Frick Park

A couple of Friday's ago, Vivian and I met the usual gang at the playground at Frick Park and went for a hike and lunch. It was a lovely way to spend the morning.



We stopped at a little creek. The kids enjoyed throwing in rocks.



Lunch at Lulu's

Donner ist laut!

We had our first thunderstorm of the season a couple of weeks ago. In the middle of the night. Vivian woke up at the first few claps of thunder and was rather excited and wanted to watch at the window. I was able to convince her she'd see just as much from her bed and she went back to bed. A few minutes later, the thunderstorm moved right overhead. Flashes of lightning and loud claps of thunder got Vivian out of bed again and into ours. Where she proceeded to sit up and cheer and shout at each thunder "Daddy, thunder!!!!". She took the German sentence "Donner ist laut (Thunder is noisy)" away from the experience and has been casually throwing it into conversation at random times ever since.

We've had two thunderstorms since then. Both in the afternoon, toward the end of nap time. Both found all three of us either sitting in bed, cheering at the thunder, or huddled on the inside of the sliding doors in the living room, doing the same. Apparently, watching thunder is a family sport!

While Will and I are VERY glad that she is excited rather than frightened by thunderstorms, and we could not stop laughing at her enthusiasm that first night, I am hoping it will diminish over time. I don't think I can take this on the many nights during the summer where I anticipate us getting thunderstorms. Especially when you throw the already existing sleep-deprivation caused by a newborn baby into the mix come August ...

Hair ... Again

Hairstyle appears to be a big deal at the moment. Especially "tonytails" as Vivian calls them. The more, the better!

Like Father, Like Daughter

This one's from back in February. We must've had a warm day? Even though there's snow in the background? I like the (unplanned) matching white T-shirt look. Don't remember what Vivian did that resulted in the red mark on the head ...

Hippy Girl

Hair

Vivian is showing off her latest hair-style.

Interactions

I have no photos today, but I wanted to start writing down some of the things that Vivian does (or doesn't do, as the case may be) even if I don't have the photos to prove anything.

I enjoyed on Sunday how she is interacting with people of all ages. At the playground, she started playing with a little girl (a little older than her) ... they chased each other around, followed each other onto the play equipment, etc.

Later that evening, Toni came over for dinner and as we were sitting outside, soaking in the warm sunshine, chatting, Vivian pulled up a chair and sat down and joined the conversation. It helped that she found a very patient and responsive listener in Toni. But it still was too cute.

Earlier that day (also sitting outside), I had my feet up on one chair while reclining in the other, and Vivian decided she needed to do the same. She actually sat there with me a for a few minutes, just relaxing.

And lastly, the stories. It is very fun to have her come home from a friend's house (like today) or spot me when I get home from work, and just run up to me and blurt out all these experiences and stories and things she needs to get off her chest right now! I can't wait for the day where I can actually understand most of what she is telling me!

Easter 2010

When I told Vivian Saturday evening that I thought the Easter Bunny might come overnight and hide some eggs, she broke out in almost hysterical giggles in anticipation. Luckily, that didn't prevent her from falling asleep at a normal time, though. Whew!

We had to leave early Sunday morning to go to church (Will was providing the flowers for the services), so we had planned to look for the eggs after church. Of course, Vivian managed to spot a couple already before we managed to get out of the door.

Little did we know that the Easter Bunny had come to church, too, so Vivian got to participate in an Easter Egg Hunt there, as well.

At home, the bunny had hidden a couple of eggs outside, and the rest in the living room, together with some colorful markers, playdoh and a cuddly bunny rabbit. The eggs were filled with chocolate eggs, jelly beans and a couple even had some quarters in them!



I tried to get Vivian outside afterwards to do a "proper" photo, but for almost every shot she did an exaggerated "cheese" (with full goofy facial expression), was checking out the contents of her basket or was busy chewing on jelly beans, so it was not easy. And with hindsight (now that I looked at the photos), the sun probably made her squint a bit, too. Ooops.

Sing-Along With Vivian

Actually, better not sing along. She'd just give you a stern look and say "My singing!".

"The ABC Song" (abridged)


"If you're happy and you know it" and "Happy Birthday" (medley)


"Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" (and you don't even have to clap at the end)

Coloring Easter Eggs

Marina called it correctly ... we'd be coloring the kids more than the eggs. But it was a fun event. And, miraculously, none of the dye got spilled on the floor! And the eggs turned out pretty colorful, too!

Fun Day Out

Um. Yes. It's been a while. Sorry. We are all well.

Today was a fun day ... Daddy off from work and beautiful sunny weather.

We started the day by skyping with Omi and Grosspapa (who is finally back home - yay!) and then went for a walk in Bird Park. The entire time we were there, Vivian kept asking "Where park?". Our answer of it being all around her didn't seem to satisfy her...


Later, we went and had ice cream at "Scoops" on Beverly Road. Yummy! And messy!



Then, we rounded the day out with some play in the sand box and hot dogs on the deck. What a great start to the Easter weekend!