Snow!!

Yeah snow!! It's snowing again in NoVA today, and since I've already been through this once before, I decided to venture out while it was still snowing.



Daddy was nice enough to show me all the fun things we can do in the snow. Here we are catching the falling snow.


After a couple minutes of pretending to be scared of the snow on the ground, I mustered up enough courage to stand in the snow on my own. Once my feet hit the deck, it was game on for all sorts of new experiences.


First stop...a taste test. Brrr. Daddy, this most certainly does NOT taste like ice cream. It's just cold without any of the yumminess.



Second stop...snow angels...



As you were, Daddy. Let's not get too carried away. You just got me to stand alone in this stuff. Now you want me to lie down in it? Have you not learned anything about little girls in the last two and a half years?

Let's move on...

Oooo. There's snow on my chair. Perhaps I should clean it off.

Wow. There's some on this table, too.

Go away snow. I like a clean tables everywhere except inside the house.

Okay, Daddy. Now that I'm done dusting off all the furniture on the deck and realize that it didn't kill me, perhaps I will try to make my own little snow angel. Can I get a little help getting down there?

(Unfortunately, we don't have a good picture of her reaction to having snow land on her face. Use your imagination and insert unhappy Diana here.)

Perhaps we should go back to cleaning off snow from the furniture. Before I can do that, however, I've got to help Mother Nature dirty up this table a little faster. Ah, much better.

What a fun morning in the snow!!

I can't wait until this afternoon when I can go back outside again.

Tough Negotiations

Diana: Hey there, Mommy and Daddy. I've been doing this whole pee pee and poo poo on the potty thing for almost two full weeks now. I've started to become a good producer for you. I show up on time to the potty almost every time. I work hard. I even agree to go on road trips for no extra pay. I think it's time we have a talk about a raise. This 1 M for a pee pee and 2 for a poopie just ain't cuttin' it anymore. What do you say about about 2 Ms for a pee pee and 4 for a poopie with a 3 M bonus at the end of every successful week without a lost time accident?

Mom and Dad: Not a chance.

Diana: I thought you might say that. That's why I've been doing some shopping around for alternative employment. It would appear that there is a great new company I've discovered called Grandparents, Inc that have a great benefits package. They offer lots of hugs, kisses, stories, cookies, and play time, without any of the regular paternal nagging you offer. And, they offer the better bonusses for potty production...

... a BIG PINK EMEEE!!

Mom and Dad: Wow, Diana. As you can tell by our uncontrollable laughter, we are truly impressed by the creativity of the personnel department of the Steger Division of Grandparents, Inc. However, I think you may have misinterpreted the contents of this box. You see, there's something else in the box. It's a note from the managers. Would you like us to read it to you?

Diana: Hang on. There's a note? I didn't see a note. Sure. I guess you can read it to me. I'm sure it's Oma and Grandpa's formal offer of employment. Details, I'm sure.

Mom and Dad: The note says, "Diana, we're so proud of you! We love you. **Now be sure to be a good listener for Mommy and Daddy. They're always right.**" (Thank goodness two year olds can't read, and parents are good at adding text when appropriate.)

Diana: Hang on. There's no employment offer in there?

Mom and Dad: Nope. Sorry. While I'm sure they'd love for you to work for them, the best part about Grandparents, Inc is that they only hire temporary workers. It would appear you're stuck with us for a while.

Diana: Oh. That's no fun. So does this mean that I'm not going to get a raise?

Mom and Dad: That's right. No raise. However, you do get to play with your big pink M any time you'd like.

Diana: Okay. I'll take what I can get. Thanks, Oma and Grandpa.

Two things to avoid with a 2 year old

Parents really should have support groups. If they did, I bet we wouldn't keep making these silly mistakes. For all those parents of children under 18 months, be warned. They start getting really smart, independent, and demanding really quickly. If at all possible, try avoiding the following two situations.

1) If you're planning on doing a donut run in the morning:
- Don't tell your two year old about your plan.
If you're foolish enough to do tell her about it:
- Don't dress her in her donut PJs.


If you do, you may have an extended bedtime routine as she continually feels the need to ensure that you know exactly what type of donut she wants.

"Daaadyyyy....Daaaadyyyy..." (Daddy walks upstairs) "What's wrong, Diana?" "This donut."

Fortunately for Daddy, he has a good memory for the truly important things in life.

The second situation to avoid with 2 year olds is a simple phrase:

2) "Smile."

"Daddy, I don't smile on command. My smile on command is about as good as your 'someone's going to bite me' smile on command. Now let me eat my donut."

Mmmm.

Sprinkles really do make me smile.

Milkin' the System

Let me tell you how proud I am of my little girl. She is so well trained at using the potty that she has started milking the system.


After going pee pee around 5:35 and receiving her 1 pink M&M as a reward, she quickly showed her displeasure that she didn't get the extra "I love you M" that Daddy usually gives her after a successful pee pee on the potty when Mommy isn't home. Then she realized that there is another, more effective way to get more Ms than just throwing a tantrum.



She went back into the bathroom and went pee pee again at 5:37...

...and then again at 5:38. Ha! 3 Ms in as many minutes. I'll show you, Daddy.

Good reasoning

As all older siblings have asked at one point or another, why do parents have a second child when the first is so perfect? I now have the answer...

The first one got too heavy to keep pushing in the jogging stroller. At 30 pounds, Diana's not nearly as fun to take on runs anymore. However, she is pretty cute in her little running suit.

Cara will be a welcome relief in about a year when Diana gets up to 35 lbs and Cara is tipping the scales at only 20.

Ready for church...in style

Diana's fashion advice for 2010...

Barbie sunglasses are right for any occasion. This way, only Jesus will be able to recognize me at church.



Let's go, Daddy. I'm tired of waiting. I've got things to do today, like watch the Packers.



Whew. Who knew 24 degrees would be so unpleasant? Perhaps I should wear my jacket.

Go Pack Go!!

Random Christmas Pictures

Daddy is feeling a little lazy this evening. Apparently my playing wore him out today, so there isn't any commentary to the assortment of Christmas photos below. I hope you enjoy the pictures anyway.

STOP TICKLING ME, AUNTIE WEWE!!

Happy New Year, everyone.