Hannah got a Haircut

Training Wheel Adjustment

Hannah is determined to ride her bike without training wheels. We tried for awhile, but she just doesn't understand how to balance her bike yet. The training wheels went back on and off she went!

One of the sweetest things is to watch her take off on her bike to her Grandma's house. She races off pedaling at full speed, singing and talking to herself. Because she has yet to have had a hard, knee scraping fall, she rides with no fear going as fast as possible. I stand in the driveway watching her until I see her enter Grandma's house, safe and sound.

Hannah and Paul had a Fight

She sure is scrappy, that one! She loves fighting with her Daddy!

Apple Junkie

On Paul's nightstand table you will find an iPad, 2 iPod touches, and an iPhone.

Apple rehab...there's an App for that!

Rockpile Moves

Holly and Hannah rockin' on the rock pile

Fancy Shoes, Multiple Uses

Hannah calls these her "fancy shoes." Which obviously, they are. She clomps around the house in them constantly. The other day I found her wearing them outside stomping on the sidewalk. She explained to me that not only were they her fancy shoes, but they were also her worm killer shoes. It's where fashion and function meet.

Let's Pretend

It seems that nearly every sentence Hannah says starts with these two words. She's very specific about how we pretend. I must do and say certain things, most of which I forget immediately. Usually I'm not needed much at all, except to agree, as in this video. I'm not really sure what is happening here, she is a cheerleader/dancer/jumproper (I think.)

Circus Day at Preschool

She was the most festive clown at preschool. Unfortunately later that day she had a meltdown at Barnes & Noble and I had to carry her out while everyone witnessed the tears of a clown. I used lipstick on her face, 18 hour long lasting lipstick that lasted a lot longer than 18 hours. I believe it was 3 days before it was completely gone!

Happy 4th Birthday, Hannah!

Born 2 months early, Hannah Marie's diaper was almost as big as she was!

Still bald as a cue ball, we celebrated her 1st birthday with friends and family!

By the time her 2nd birthday came around, Hannah was potty trained and talking nonstop!

Hannah started preschool when she was 3 and loved every minute of Ms. Laura's class!

And now, my sweet girl is 4 years old! Everyone says that it flies by, but it truly is amazing how quickly she has grown up! Once so tiny, in the NICU at Vanderbilt Hospital for 6 weeks, now in the 96th percentile for height! I have so much fun with her every day!

Do you see that look? That is me that she is looking at like that! Because I am her Mama, I know that at that exact moment she was feeling unsure of what to do, uncomfortable with all the attention and excited about blowing out the candles!

The Prayers of a 3 Year Old

Night One

Dear God,

Thank you for my family. Thank you for helping me be a good girl. Thank you for being friends with Amen. I like gum. Amen. Thank you.

Night Two

Dear Whistling God,

Thank you for this whistling day. Thank you for whistling Mama and whistling Daddy. I hope you have a good whistling day. Amen.

(This was the day she learned how to whistle. She was a bit obsessed!)

Night Three

Dear God,

Thank you for my family. Thank you for my brains and my skull, and my toes. Amen

Night Four

Dear God,

Thank you for helping me a good girl. I wasn't always good so don't watch me when I'm not good. Thank you God, Thank you Amen.

Night Five

Dear God,

Thank you for my family. Thank you for my white hairded Mama. Thank you for this beautiful day. Amen.

(During this prayer she was rubbing my hair and noticed all my gray roots!)

I Know I Promised

Way back when I promised you no more trampoline videos. But I meant no more videos of the kids on the trampoline. I said nothing about dogs.

I don't know why.

Little Drummer Girl

True Story

I was doing my annual cleaning of files at work. As I was looking through the customer service file I came across this gem from 2003:

Hi!

I have been heren about Barnes & Noble having a room out ther where single people meets and dates. Do you hafto be a member of some club and pay a fee? I am a white male 66 years old and dirt poor. I can find plenty of women for a one night stand. I don't do that. AIDS. I wont just one female at a time to date and maby marriage if we fall in love with each other. I like women that is verry entegelent from the age of 25 to 55. I am a spoler and if she don't treet me right I move on. I love women. I am 1/2 woman my mother was a woman. Ho Ho- a kidder. Ancer this letter if I fit in. Ok

P.S and send all information.

Mr. XXXX XXXX

He even attached an address label with a little snowman on it. I can't help it, I have a soft spot for Mr. XXXX XXXX. I wonder if he is still looking for the right lady.

Cousins

Look at this wild bunch! We had all the cousins together for the first time in 3 years and a wonderful time was had by everyone!!

Gracie, Cassie, Hannah, Paul, Nathaniel

Holly, Lucy, Ezra, Christian, Alek, Jack.

We were only missing Little Paul for the Thanksgiving photo!

Playing Bunny

At the Boddeker Family Christmas Party, Hannah and her cousin Gracie ignored the rough-housing of the boys and spent the evening playing "bunny." This is how you play the game (or so I gathered)

1. One girl is the bunny. You can tell because of the bunny ears on her head.

2. One girl is the vet. You can tell by the way she drags the sick bunny around the room.

3. There are shots involved.

4. Reverse roles frequently.

The Best Part of Baking!

No One's in the Doghouse

Paul made a gorgeous new house for our dogs. He insulated it and made it match our house.

Although it's freezing outside, our sweet puppies have chosen to sleep beside their new house, rather than inside. I said they were sweet, not smart.

I Have Some Things to Say...

Just not enough time to say them. Stay tuned. Please. Don't leave me. I will return. Promise. I have to tell you all about:

Christmas

New Year's Eve

Turning 40

Going back to school

Family time

Funny Hannah things!