A Day in the Life of a Monkey

This little monkey was in such a good mood last night!  She immediately went over to the animal cracker container for a snack once we got home.  Of course, she needed several for each hand!

Then the little monkey decided to play shy.

Then it was feeding time at the zoo.  What do monkeys love most?  Macaroni and cheese and strawberries, that's what!

When the zookeeper left the kitchen, the little monkey dumped her bowl of mac and cheese out onto her tray.  Then, the well-trained monkey that she is, helped the zookeeper by putting the food back in the bowl.

After dinner, it was play time in the monkey cage.  Every good monkey likes to read to other monkeys in his/her bed!

Monkeys also like to contemplate their escape plan...thank goodness this particular monkey hasn't been able to escape yet!

Monkey butts also need a breather and help their zookeeper organize changing table shelves!

A day in the life of a monkey is pretty darn busy!

Grama Shelli Comes for a Visit!

This weekend my mom came down for a visit!  We love when we can visit with anyone, especially when we don't have to go anywhere to do it!!!

My mom got down here early on Saturday and we had plans to do some bumming around town.  However, Mya had other ideas and wanted to take a little nap.  My mom didn't mind being a human mattress!  Mya is so snuggly and I love that she still wants to fall asleep on someone.  I cherish those moments because I know that one day it won't be that way.

We had a fantastic weekend!  We played, read books, and hung out.

Mya also really has a thing for shoes.  They don't have to be hers either.  I haven't figured out how to get her to STOP licking other peoples' shoes.  GROSS!!!

Mya also loves to wear her shoes with pajamas...so strange!!  

Grama also shared her orange juice with Mya.  I got Mya her own sippy cup with orange juice, but it just wouldn't do.  She preferred drinking Grama's!

My mom also brought down some mini cupcakes.  It happens to be the perfect size for a one year old!  Looks like Mya has a sweet tooth, just like her mom!

On Sunday morning we all headed for a walk to the park.  I told Mya to get a hat and she chose her winter monkey hat!  I wasn't about to argue with her, so out the door we went!

The swing is Mya's favorite thing about the park.  I think she could stay there for hours.  She completely mellowed out and even closed her eyes...I thought she might actually fall asleep or something!  We did venture down the slide.  Well, Mya ventured down the slide.  When I put her at the top of the slide she scoots her little butt to make herself head down! Talk about independence!  

I seriously love Mya more than words can say.  One small example...

Right before lunch, Mya was really tired and starting to get a little crabby.  I wasn't sure if I was going to get lunch made.  But my little buddy planted herself on the floor and played happily with the measuring cups until I said it was time for lunch.  She hardly made a peep.  I'm very thankful that she finds things that entertain her so that I can also get some things done!

Chillin' in Her Chair

Oh, tiny rocking chair.  What joy you bring a 1 year old!

Mya loves that chair!  She usually makes a beeline for it with a baby doll in tow.  She'll even take a snack with her and plop it on the chair.  It's just the perfect size for a diaper butt!  I'm thrilled that she hasn't really figured out that she can stand on it yet.  Here's hoping she never figures it out...but I have a feeling that Mya is going to be a bit of a daredevil!   

A Walk in the Park!

On Sunday the three of us took a walk to one of the parks around our house.  It was cloudy and a little windy, but it felt nice to be outside!  Mya didn't care about the cold...she enjoyed being nosey in her stroller!

Once we got to the park, we plunked her down in the swings.  I'm pretty sure she could stay there all day long.  I tried to get her out to do something else and she just sat there.  Usually if I come to pick her up, her arms immediately go up in the air like, "Please pick me up!"  No such luck this time.

Once we did get her out of the swing, we let her explore the jungle gym (is that what they're still called?).  She's not afraid to try out something new.  She also did really well (for a 1 year old) walking up the stairs.

Finally it was time to give the slide a shot.  Greg's idea was to put her at the top and just let her go.  I was hesitant and instead of giving me a chance to complain, he let her go.  Don't worry, our daredevil of a child enjoyed every second of her freedom!

LaCrosse Children's Museum

We spent Saturday in LaCrosse.  Our first stop was Buzzard Billy's for a delicious lunch.  Mya gobbled up grilled cheese, french fries, and mandarin oranges.  Yummy!

Then we walked over a few blocks to the Children's Museum, as the weather was gorgeous!  Mya seemed to have fun!  Her favorite place was the toddler's play area that had a slide.  Up and down, up and down.  It was a hit!

Mya even figured out how to climb up the slide the wrong way.  That's my kid...total bad ass!

We moved over to the Kwik Trip store.  Mya got some gas for her hot wheels.

Then she got some groceries.

Then she moseyed over to the weather station and predicted the weather, probably about as good as the meteorologists do on t.v!

Then we hit up the Woosh! exhibit.  You can put in scarves or puffy balls and they get suctioned up and move around in all kinds of tubes.  It was pretty cool!  Mya liked the part when we would put the ball in and a big puff of air would come out.  She'd close her eyes and smile!

It was a fun time for all!  I'm looking forward to this summer and hitting up the Eau Claire Children's Museum too!

Welcome Back, Brewers!

Opening Day 2010...

Mya and I enjoyed the first game of 2010 at home.  She slept through most of it, as I recall.

Fast forward to Opening Day 2011.  She sure isn't the lump of a baby who just ate and slept!  (Now we can't keep her down!)  And give the kid a break...I took this picture at 6 a.m.  Who is photo ready at that hour?

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model?

Well, I've been on a roll.  We're getting ready for swimsuit season by trying on all of her swimsuits.

From the front, she looks like she's been working out (maybe)...

...and then we see the side profile and it looks like she's eaten about 10 Big Macs or something!  (In her defense, she did just polish off a big bowl of mac and cheese)!

Mya was perfectly content hanging out in her swimsuit.  But, her little hands and feet started getting cold and so it was decided to get her into her jammies.  Such a funny kid!