Sit...Uh...Stand N' Spin

Since Anna's birthday is only a month before Christmas, Stan and I (well, Santa Claus) decided to get her a few things for when she is a little older. Most of the things we have not taken out of the boxes yet (she still has birthday things she has not opened yet too!) but we did open her Sit N' Spin. We opened it because really Stan and I wanted to look at it since it seems we both loved them as kids. This one is musical so it really peaked our interest. Anyway, the Sit N' Spin is open but Anna cannot work it by herself. We sit her on it and spin her but she really has her own way of using the toy. Usually when we sit her on it she becomes irritated and insists on standing on it. She actually has pretty good balance on it and she thinks she is pretty funny!

Climbing on

Keeping her balance

Looking quite proud of herself
(probably because I don't usually let her do it)

New Stance

This has been Anna's new favorite stance lately. She loves to look between her legs with her head on the ground. A few times she has even grabbed for things behind her while putting her arms between her legs. She thinks it is funny when you get down on the floor behind her and look at her from the opposite way or when you get in the same position next to her!

Starting position...

Going up!

A view from behind (no pun intended) =).

Snack Trap

Another one of Annalise's new favorite things is her Snack Trap. Even if there is not any Cheerios in it, she still likes to carry it around with her. I am really liking the Snack Trap too because unless she has it upside down and is shaking it like crazy (which she does sometimes) nothing comes out of it!!!! Here are some pictures of her when I was trying to get a picture of her with her it.

She was in the center but then backed up at the last minute......

...and then ran in front of me and hid behind the couch arm.

I kept calling her name and she finally backed up and gave me a look like this!

I then kept telling her to "Show Mama the SnackTrap" and this is what I got!

More 7th Gradisms

Well I mentioned before that I have the best job because I am guaranteed to have at least one good laugh a day. Two stand out to me this week.......

I have this sweater the I don't really know how to describe it, but it is fitting at the bottom but kinda baggy at the top and and in the arms. It also has a cowl neck. Anyway, I really like the sweater and I wore it the other day. One of my students said to me "Mrs. Hess, it looks like you have on a Snuggie". Ummmmmm.........what do you say to that? Thanks? Considering the student who made the comment, it was not made to be rude, it just honestly reminded him of a Snuggie. I do have to say that while everytime I look at that sweater I laugh, I do have a new view of my SnuggieSweater!

The second thing was while we were watching a video on Forensics. They were talking about video camaras and mentioned the year 1979 for something or other. One student looked at me and said "Did they even have camaras in 1979?". Yah.....life working with kids who were born in 1997.

A Taste of Nice Weather...

...well for January anyway. The other day it the temperature made its way into the upper 30's and the sun was shining so we took the oppurtunity to take Annalise for her first walk in her new wagon. She loved it! We have "practiced" enough in the family room that she finally stays seated in it. Can't wait for spring to come!

Annalise and I.....Stan didn't tell me that I was in the picture or I would have looked at the camara!

Riding along

Stan taking a turn

Lovin' it

My...I mean Anna's Water Bottle

Lately Anna has taken a real liking to this stupid water bottle. I take it to work with me each day. When Annalise and I get home we have a regular routine that we follow and one thing that we do is unpack the bags from the day. She rushes to get to that bottle and then walks around with it for quite awhile each day. She will walk off with it and find her toys and put the bottle right next to her and start playing. She will move it from place to place with her and will periodically try to drink from it. If you try to take it when she is looking she gets upset so I usually have to sneak it away from her. I don't really know why we spend so much on toys for her when the things she seems to like most are not toys!

The lovely water bottle

Trying to drink from it.

Carrying it over to put it next to her toys to start playing.
Of course the water bottle has to stay in her sight at all times!

Christmas at Grandpa's

In the beginning of January we had one last Christmas celebration at Stan's dad's house.

Opening one of her gifts

Helping Aunt Lisa open a gift

and helping cousin Samantha open a gift

and helping Sylvia open gift....she is very helpful isn't she??

Bailey likes to help open gifts too!

Stan opening a gift

Hannah "combing" Anna's hair with Anna's toy comb from her purse.

Lisa pulling out Michell's tooth with our new fireplace tongs (are they even called tongs??)

Annalise getting a little attention from her cousins.
This picture cracks me up.

Anna in her new wagon that she got from Grandpa and Sylvia.
She loves we. We pull her around in the family room and I cannot wait to take her for a walk in it in the spring!

Cousin Hannah and Annalise in the wagon

Anna and cousin Jen

Stan with his dad and two sisters