An Adventure Science Center adventure

Richard took Jane to the Adventure Science Center last Saturday. Although it was a little loud and Jane had her fingers in her ears most of the time, she still enjoyed running around and pushing lots of buttons, and going down a giant intestine slide that makes a delightful digestive noise each time you go down. Here they are having a blast (pun sort of intended).

Fluffy white snow

It was fun while it lasted!  

Two years old

Happy Birthday, Jane!

Well, after two years I still haven't figured out how to work out the whole Christmas/Birthday situation. Poor girl is definitely overshadowed by the former festivities. She did great, though, and was such a good sport with our humble celebration (not that she knew the difference, of course). It was sweet and simple: a little lunch at home with Fancy, who came to town, and some chocolate chip cookies that Jane helped make that morning.

Another great smile by Jane

Jane was so funny blowing out the candles. The first time, she was sad that they went out. I guess she didn't remember from last year when she turned one... oh well. Anyway, once she realized that we could relight them and do it again, that made her day. This video shows times number six and seven, I think. You can tell that the "Happy Birthday" is lacking enthusiasm at this point.

Let me know if y'all have any ideas about making December 26 a special day. I am considering playing up the half birthday in June...  Either way, we sure are happy she was born!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

This is what Jane does when you
ask her to smile. Nice, hunh?

Although the commercial world started gearing up for the big day in October, we're going on about ten days of Christmas spirit in our house now!

Trimming the tree

Trimming her nose

E.T. phone home...

Placing candy on gingerbread house

Removing candy and licking the icing

Ta da!

Jane had her Christmas program at school today. They wrote a script based on the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? So it went like this: 

"Angels, Angels, what do you see?" 

"I see shepherds looking at me." 

Then the shepherds would come on and be asked what they see, and they'd cue the next group, etc. It was pretty cute! Here is an overview of the manger scene once everyone had been herded on stage. Jane's class is dressed as sheep on the bottom left (stage right... any theater geeks reading this?). 

Fashionistas, take note:
turtleneck tucked in to ruffle bootie leggings.

Jane brought this home from school today:

I can't even think of a caption... it's just awesome.

Please stand still

Can you please stand still and let me take your picture?

Ok, I'll be still, but I'm not going to enjoy it.  

Thanksgiving and such

Happy Thanksgiving!

This year we headed up to Monteagle, TN to spend Thanksgiving with Richard's family.  We had a wonderful time, and Jane especially enjoyed visiting with the Memphis Cowans.  

Everyone cooperated to take this cute pic.
Are they really all looking at the camera AND smiling??

Cowan and Walt are all boy, but they were SO great with Jane.
She loved watching them run around and play.

S'mores!

On Saturday we drove up to a gorgeous overlook on Sewanee's campus and hiked along the perimeter trail.  

Jane was surprisingly content in her first
baby back pack experience.

Catching water dripping off the rocks.

And I had to add this picture of the costume Jane made (with a fair amount of teacher assistance) at school.  Parents were not invited, but apparently each kid dressed up as a different Native American and had a little parade.  Jane was "Gentle Snowflake." 

Halloween Fun

Happy Halloween!

As you probably gathered from my last post, Jane was a ballerina for Halloween. We already had the skirt, so we borrowed some shoes (Thanks, Lillian!) and voila! Easiest costume ever.  

Already learning to be on point.
(Trying to pet Nickel is a good incentive.)

Our motley crew of Trick-or-Treaters

Thanks for bringing the wagon, Davies!
Our candy success rate was only about one in five houses,
but we were determined to bring Trick-or-Treating back
to our sleepy, elderly neighborhood.

Richard threw a hat and lasso on top of clothes he was
already wearing to make a pretty convincing cowboy.

Here is another costume idea I was going to try. I had this little coat that I thought sort of looked like something an old lady would wear, so my friend suggested the Queen Mother. Isn't that clever? Anyway, this is as close as I got. The hat and purse did not stay on long enough for a picture, let alone a night of Trick-or-Treating. I guess it was just too many accessories for a toddler.

That's supposed to be a Corgi dog... Nice try, right?