Emma Claire Ice Skating

Emma Claire is learning to skate this winter. Brad has tried with her in past winters, but this year she is ready and starting to get the hang of it. Brad has been taking her out to the parks to practice (her new favorite thing is to "skate under the lights" - which she had originally envisioned to be "Tangled" style floating lanterns in the clouds "mommy, the lights were not in the clouds, they are on sticks", she said the first time they went at night).

Emma Claire is taking skating lessons at Parade Stadium on Saturday mornings.

The first day, they were divided into three groups based on skill level (did they march across the ice, did they try, did they do nothing). I think Emma Claire is in the middle group. She is improving and developing confidence. Yesterday, they were given a stuffed animal (hers was a mouse) and practiced tossing it a few feet in front of them, marching to it and picking it up. Emma Claire did it without falling once.

The biggest struggle for her is the ice skates themselves "they are too tight!", "they're bothering me", "my feet hurt!". Once we get through that battle, she really enjoys being on the ice.

The Bickersons: Don't try to tell Arnold this music is too hard.

The Bickersons: Don't try to tell Arnold this music is too hard.

Arnold Update

Arnold is nearing his 18 month birthday, and has transitioned from baby to little boy seemingly overnight. Words are coming along slowly. He talks a lot, however, not in many words we can understand, although Emma Claire carries on long conversations with him. She understands Arnold. He is very loud and vocal. Just in the past week, he has added a few new words... Truck, dog (up to this point, he was saying "woof-woof" for dog), re-re (for both Rudy and Sophie), nana (for any fruit), please and nose. He is good at mama, dad-dy and uh-oh. I love hearing his little voice say words.

Arnold continues exude happiness. He wakes up every morning with a smile on his face and makes us laugh all day. Arnold is a lover and gives lots of hugs, especially to Emma Claire.

Arnold just does. If it seems like fun to dive off the couch face first, Arnold will just do it (and has more than once). He is into climbing, jumping, whacking things with his golf clubs, playing with balls, running, "Terry Tate-ing" with daddy (that is for another post) and playing with (tormenting) the dogs.

Arnold loves school and, now in the toddler room, is becoming more independent. He sits at tables for meals, walks in lines to the playground, is learning to tolerate all the snow gear, and is napping on a cot. Emma Claire loves to see Arnold on the playground. She looks out for Arnold and gives him lots of attention.

Arnold makes us happy every day.

My Best, Best Buddy

Emma Claire:

"You're my best best friend, Arnold...

I love you, Arnold...I don't ever want you to get lost in the woods or a monster to swallow you."

Christmas

Hope all of your Christmas wishes came true...

American Girls 2011

Three very luck and happy girls... Diane treated the cousins to our annual American Girls Christmas outing this weekend. We had lunch at the bistro with the dolls, dropped them off at the spa for hairstyling and then shopped.

Emma Claire chose a matching outfit for herself and Rosie - a fuzzy bunny robe and bunny slippers. Since that day, she has worn her robe and bunny slippers every night.

Thank you to Grandee for another special trip to what is a little girls paradise.

Arnold Slays Dragon