Lydia's Minnie Mouse Party!

Lydia was pretty excited to celebrate her 2nd birthday!  We celebrated a few weeks early, on December 12, to avoid all the holiday madness that accompanies her actual birthday.  And, of course, we had to have a Minnie Mouse party!

All three of Lydia's great-grandmas, her grandparents, and all but one set of uncles/aunts/cousins were able to come to her party.  We enjoyed some supper, and then Lydia thought she needed to open her presents.  Now, after having her birthday and approximately five million Christmas parties, Lydia thinks any present she sees must be for her!

Lydia received lots of fun gifts from her generous family members.  She had lots of little helpers, too!

Dan & I found a stuffed Minnie Mouse and knew it would be a big hit.  I wish I had a recorded her reaction. :)

Too bad it's not a two-seater, Coy!

We enjoyed some delicious Minnie Mouse cupcakes after opening presents, had some more cousin fun, and said goodnight!

Dan didn't have to work on Lydia's birthday, so we enjoyed a birthday breakfast of caramel rolls and opened one more little gift.  Happy birthday, Lydia!

Christmas 2015

It was a busy few weeks with seven Christmas parties in nine days, but we made it!  Although it was a little hectic at times, we feel so blessed to live near all of our family so that we may celebrate this special time with them.

Pretty girl dressed in her Christmas best!

We started off the Christmas gatherings with my Moss family on the 19th.  Lydia loves to play with her new presents and read her new books, but I think she enjoyed playing with her cousins the most.  They had a blast playing with their new flashlights and tackling Grandpa!

We did our own little family party on Christmas Eve day.  Lydia opened her presents before nap so she would get a chance to play with them.

Any type of play food or dishes were a big hit this year, and Lydia really loved the Mickey Mouse cookies that Mommy & Daddy found her.

Lydia was thrilled to get her very own kitchen from Mommy & Daddy, and it has served its purpose well: more independent play for Lydia & more time for Mommy to get her own things done!

Look at that face!

Couldn't resist sharing this "dolled up" little girl!

We went to our home church on Christmas Eve and then traveled to Grandpa & Grandma Moss' church for Christmas morning.  My Grandma Moss, aunt, and Mom have made cookies to share after church for longer than I could remember, so we always like going there and helping out with that.  And maybe enjoying a few cookies, too! :)  After church, we had the extended Moss family gathering, and I completely forgot my camera!  Christmas night, we headed to Dan's family to celebrate, and Lydia loved getting reconnected with her cousins!

All the TC grandkids!

By this point, Lydia was pretty convinced every.single.present was for her.  She also had a few several meltdowns because she couldn't do whatever it is she wanted to do...and I couldn't understand what she was trying to tell me!  All in all, she had a great time.

She might just be the cutest little baker, ever!

On the 26th, we headed off to Great-Grandma Vander Lee's, and I again failed to take many pictures.  We're hoping Grandma TC came through on that for us ;-)

On Sunday, we headed to Dan's extended Ten Clay side at noon, made a pit stop for a nap at Grandpa & Grandma Moss' house, and then headed to the Vermeers at night.  Lydia sat down to decorate about three Christmas cookies with the help of Aunt Karen & Great-Grandma.  Then she had a ball running around the gym with all the other littles.  Needless to say, she was ready for bed that night!

We hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas and may realize all of God's blessings to you in 2016!

Kindermusik!

Starting in September, I have taken Lydia to Kindermusik class every Wednesday morning in Sioux Center.  They offer classes for multiple ages, but Lydia's is for children ages 1-2.  We enjoy 45 minutes of music time and socializing time for Lydia and Mommy!  The teacher, Miss Heidi, is wonderful and takes the time to capture some great pictures.  Here's a few from our first "semester."

Lydia loves to sing the Welcome Song while using the ball...patting, poking, rolling, and bouncing!

We get the opportunity to play many different instruments and learn early concepts such as loud/soft, up/down, and fast/slow, to name a few.

Lydia takes part in large motor activities, such as jumping, stomping, and tippy-toeing to the beat.

We love to go for basket and horsey rides!  Lydia is also learning a bit more sign language in the class.

Pay no attention to my chipmunk face, please!  :-)

Cousin McCoy and second cousin Grady are also in the same class.  McCoy and Lydia often switch mommies.  :-)

At the end of the session, we have quiet/cuddle time.  Sometimes we rock and sing with a stuffed animal, but Lydia loves to swing in the blanket hammock with McCoy!

Almost the whole gang!

 Their class also had a fall party the week of Halloween.  Lydia was pretty proud to be able to wear her butterfly wings!  

A couple of weeks ago, we had a Kindermusik Celebration day!  Daddy and both Grandmas were able to come to Lydia's class to see what she's been doing.  One of her favorites is bubble time!

Keeping the beat with jingle bells

Cousin Merritt and Uncle Craig even got in on the fun!

We're on a small break from now until the end of January, which will probably time out just right for us with all the winter weather we've been having!  We will be very eager to start back up in two months!