There is something missing

There is something missing from this goofy picture of my lovely daughter. Friday she came home from school all happy that her bottom tooth became very loose after eating an apple at snack-time. I really thought it would fall out over the weekend but she babied it and it stuck around.

Tuesday she came out of class with her tooth leaning out of her mouth onto her bottom lip. It grossed me out on so many different levels. So yesterday while she was practicing piano I went in and grabbed a wash cloth and got it wet with cold water and came out and asked to see her tooth. She asked why I had a washcloth and I told her because teeth can be slippery. I guess she didn't quite figure out what I was planning. After I pulled her tooth out she looked at me and asked what I did because it felt strange. That is when I showed her the tooth in my hand. She gasped and shrieked about how I had pulled her tooth but said it didn't hurt. I still wonder what she thought I was going to do?

Anyhow the tooth fairy visited and left her a gold one dollar coin for her cute little tooth. This was Jaida's first tooth to come out. After all the agony and sleepless nights we went through while she was a teething baby I was a tiny bit sad to see it go.

Snow

We have had a couple of snow storms this winter. The first only dropped a couple of inches of snow. This last one left us with nearly a foot of shimmery powder snow and Jaida a day off school. The kids and Raven had a lot of fun running around in it. The best part is that it will be nearly 70 degrees here this weekend.

A picture of my beautiful girl.

A little concert

Jaida has been doing very well keeping up with her piano practice lately. She really seems to love playing and holding mini concerts for us. This last Sunday at church Jaida even played a song for the adult choir and then played it again at youth choir practice and all the kids sang the lyrics as she played. Best of all she is reading music! She still has a few issues working out tempo (which is why you hear her counting on the video but she is getting it).

The Professor's Rest


The Playroom Surprise


De colores


Here is a link to what De colores should sound like and the lyrics. Jaida learned the last two parts of the song this weekend and is now working on getting the tempo down. We are so proud of her!

Christmas with the cousins

We spent the Saturday after the holiday with my family so the cousins could exchange gifts. The kids had a really great time.

Jaida playing magnetic dress-up dolls with cousin Mattie

The cousins ... Jaida (holding little cousin Ryli), Mattie and Jaxon

Christmas fun

Jaida is such a fun kid. Mostly because she really has this uncanny ability to temper her excitement .... most of the time. I think I have written before about the fact that it is hard to get Jaida really excited about something in advance. She just isn't that kind of kid. All of her responses are very measured and exact and well pragmatic for lack of a better term. However, every now and again the little kid sneaks out and she just can't hide her excitement. I love these times with her ... mostly because they are so rare (and difficult to achieve)!

Holiday silliness

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Originally uploaded by gias_kids.

I love these two SO much!

Our gorgeous girl

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Originally uploaded by gias_kids.

She makes my heart flutter a little bit.

Oh Christmas Tree

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Originally uploaded by gias_kids.

It took some time on a frigid December afternoon but we finally found the perfect tree.

As far as Jaida is concerned

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Originally uploaded by gias_kids.

this is THE Santa. All of the other mall Santas are simply Santa helpers. He certainly looks and acts the part so who am I to argue. Jaida decided that since there are SO many girls and boys that Santa has to remember that she would write him a note for him to keep as a reminder. After he finished reading her note he folded it neatly and placed it in his vest pocket for safe keeping.

Happy Holidays

Our BIG Girl

This is Jaida's school picture from Kindergarten ...