December 25, 2009
December 24, 2009
Visions of Sugar Plum Fairies
We look forward to seeing many of the Glistas and Boyans on the Farm this weekend and send well wishes to all the Carrolls, Zubkos, and other friends and family afar. Like her Folky Polish Mrs. Santa dress? I've had that red holly fabric for years - and finally put it to use. Not like I was ever going to make a Christmas quilt.
Maya has been all about Ballerinas this season. I let her happen across the Nutcracker theme and she's run with it. She has the story memorized, has her own Nutcracker doll and a fancy tutu (courtesy of mama's leftover wedding fabric). We put together a full length feature film My First Nutcracker (featuring Lyla & Mino). Here is a link to an excerpt of it at YouTube.
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The full length film is available from Carroll Productions
for $19.95 + S&H.
Just Kidding! As if this wasn't long enough for you! (There actually is a grandparent-length version with extra behind the scenes footage)
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Christmas Morning Update: Too Many Presents!
Maya got tired after opening less than half of them. Maybe we can save some for her birthday next month. But there were some great scores so far.... Thomas & some friends, train table, real wooden kiddie piano, paints, and big girl underwear! Thanks to all the Grandparents for the tremendous Christmas Morning.
December 9, 2009
Why does Papa need an update anyway?
No major updates... here is some minutia (to appease the impatient).
Apparently Maya is becoming quite the swimmer. She has been going to the YMCA with Jeff, and he reports that she can swim solo with only a noodle! I can't wait to see this myself. (Leave it to a dad to not consider that a baby can at any moment easily let go of a lifeline noodle and sink to the bottom - in comparison to a strapped-on floaty.) Last weekend he brought her back kind of bruised up from a jumping incident. But boy does she have fun.
So - while we were at the Dr. to check on that injury, I discovered that she is 34lbs! A little more than I expected.... and well over my recommended lifting maximum. Is it at all reasonable to suggest that a pregnant mom will not pick up her toddler?
Maya is crazy about ballerinas right now. I will post some of her "performances" closer to Christmas. The Nutcracker is playing at a bad time for us (in Kalamazoo) this year - but next year I hope she'll love to go. When she turns 2 in January, she'll finally be old enough to get into some toddler dance classes.
She is beginning to recognize that baby sister is growing in mommy's tummy and pets, talks to and kisses her. She has a 7 month old baby-friend whom she adores and always wants to hold and feed.
OOh... Markers!
We've been waiting out bad weather with lots of coloring, play cooking, and sewing in the basement. Maya is back in cloth diapers and Mama has been experimenting with some homemade contraptions. TONS of thanks to Joy, who lent us plenty of C.D. supplies to get going.
October 22, 2009
Home Ec & Oktoberfest
Maya has been a great kitchen assistant this fall. She loves to spin the apple peeler/slicer to make apple sauce and her favorite "Apple Kips" (chips). She has also helped bake cookies and make her own playdough (below). She is a highly qualified dumper and mixer of ingredients. When we wear Bushia Boyan's aprons she imagines she is in a ballerina tutu.
OKTOBERFEST at the Boyan's
We had a lot of fun visiting Grandpa & Babçia. They had an Oktoberfest and Chili Cook-off in their neighborhood. Mino & Lyla came too. We had lots of fun together on the playground and the Jumpy Jump!
Ready, Set, Go!
September 29, 2009
Beginning of Autumn
We did have a few things going on in September...
First we went up north to spend a night in Traverse City while Jeff was attending a conference. Maya and I tested the pool several time at the Grand Traverse Lodge.
Then we headed to Mackinaw for the weekend.
We did the obligatory activities on Mackinac Island.
Carriage Ride.... check
Butterfly Gardens....check
fudge....check
pasties...check, gag
Last week the Carrolls visited. Maya had so much fun with Aunt "Corntee" and happily played the star of the show for Grandma & Grandpa.
Maya has been so hopped up on horses after Mackinac (a car-less island) & visiting Shipshewana (Amish Country) with the Carrolls.
Now she is constantly announcing to us that "I like Hoses!"
End of the Summer
No - we haven't posted in a while. Sorry fans, but not much has been going on. Its been a lazy last few months. Here are the highlights...
Taking Angela to the farm for Maya's favorite pastime.
Identifying flora & fauna. Hiking the floating boardwalk at Bishops Bog.
(As we said last year... a must-see for Kalamazoo locals)
Keeping track of our flock of Turkeys. They were boldly heading into front yards.
Spent our only day at Lake Michigan this year with the Boyans.
The water was practically HOT!
Ate our weight in blueberries.
July 22, 2009
Moved!
I hope all of you have received our new address by now. (If not, e-mail me). The week after our vacation we moved (3 miles away) to a larger home in a quiet cul-de-sac. Now we have plenty of space inside & out. Maya likes to scamper up and down the hill in her yard... like the bunnies we see out the window.
Thank you Babçia, Sarah, Beth, Ann, & Katie for entertaining Maya during the box shuffle. She had so much fun with you. It was a tremendous HELP to us!
Our new neighbors....
Maya's bedroom has the best view for spying wildlife! On our 2nd morning here she woke up to 2 bunnies outside her window. Today we watched 3 bluejays and some yet-unidentified yellowish birds taking a bath in a puddle. This evening we came home to find a family of 8 young turkeys with their mother. I was so surprised and thrilled, I think I scared Maya with my enthusiasm while desperately looking for the camera (and new batteries). Later when I asked her if she wanted to see if the turkeys were still there she clung to me and said, "no-no, no-no."
If you know what our old "backyard" was like - you can appreciate my excitement over these common-everyday woodland creatures.
Little Miss also got a trike to go with her new driveway. (The helmet was her idea) She can't actually reach the pedals - but she loves getting pushed around while she holds her feet up.
July 7, 2009
Rock-A-Bye Baby Cruise '09
Ahoy Mateys!
Maya's maiden voyage aboard "Exit Strategy" was a complete success. We cruised the Virgin Islands for a week with Grandpa and Babçia on their 46’ sailboat.
Our itinerary included stops on Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Guana Island, St. John, Jost Van Dyke, and Norman Island. Yes, it was a busy week, but we did fit in lots of snorkeling, beach time, swimming, and some relaxing!
Maya was on her best behavior throughout the adventure. Her favorite feature was the dinghy and zipping her life vest in preparation for boarding it. She jumped in the BIG Ocean and splashed on the beach… ran on the deck with Babçia and spotted turtles floating along side us… helped winch the sails and rub on the sunblock… The cruise lived up to its name and Maya slept like a baby through gentle and rough seas. Can’t wait to do it again!
Captain Maya
Babçia and Papa bring Maya back in the "Lello Dinghy"
Maya and Babçia cruise the deck
Exploring Devil's Bay on Virgin Gorda.... one of the most picturesque beaches.
Rock-A-Bye Baby Cruise pt2
The Rock-A-Bye Baby Cruise
Rock-a-bye baby
on Grandpa's boat
when the wind blows
the boat will float
when the boat rocks
the baby will sleep
and cuddle with Mama
in a big heap
¿El Jefe… o el capitán?
Trim the headsail, Matey!
Maybe if Maya wasn't laughing so much she could enjoy swimming better without the salty aftertaste. She did a lot of jumping, kicking and paddling.
Last night in the islands.
Aye, fancy restaurants are for landlubbers!
June 16, 2009
May 31, 2009
May 2009
Maya was very brave this month!
She goes ZOOOOOOM, super fast down the big slides.
She had her first pony ride!
Her initial response was, "No-no, no-no" but after a lap, she was resolved to stick it out. Maybe if Mama let go of her, she would have held onto the saddle by herself.
She was good buddies with Ga-pa when we visited this weekend. We went to see the animals at Wolf Run Ranch. This is the duckling cage.
Maya hand fed Aunt Geri's goaties ALL BY HERSELF. She picked sweet clover buds for them. YUM
Kickin' it with amiga, Angela, at the park. Leaving the swings is a foolproof recipe for a tantrum.
April 30, 2009
Getting Outside!
Maya is happy working on the farm!
There is a big lawn to mow
and the garden always needs digging.
Baby David and Peggy came to visit. I think they liked checking each other out.
Maya got several fun things at Garage Sales this spring.....like this cool scooter. She is stopping to admire the flowers.
Daddy takes us on fun outings - like feeding the ducks.
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