Circus Fun

Last weekend, we took Mia to the Barnum & Bailey Circus at JPJ. We got there early and they let us walk around on the floor where some of the performers were jumping rope, etc. She got her picture taken with one of them - and Mia wouldn't take her eyes off of the lady.

During the show, she got to see tigers, elephants, dogs, trapeze artists and funny people riding bikes. (But, no clowns! Maybe because so many people - even adults - find clowns creepy?) I think her favorite part was during the half-time break when she found some confetti on the floor. Kids were throwing it in the air and Mia joined in on the fun.

We went with some of our neighbors - luckily. It was a two-hour show; that's two full hours sitting in assigned seats with a busy 19-month-old. She was great for the first 30 minutes. And, then all she wanted to do was go sit with Brian and Jeanie (our neighbors). I held her off for about 15 minutes because they have an infant and a 3-year-old, so it wasn't like they needed a 19-month-old on their laps. But, Mia insisted and eventually screamed out, which caused the lady in front of us to give us a dirty look. So, I let her crawl across a couple sitting between us to get to Brian and Jeanie. And, what do you know, she was perfectly content for the rest of the show. I mean, didn't move or anything! I would glance down and see her pointing to the elephants or tigers. And, she would look down at us and wave from time to time. But, I'd motion for her to come back and sit with us, and she'd shake her head "no." So, I just gave up trying. (In the one picture, you can see her sitting on Brian's lap. Brian's poor 3-year old is sitting beside him - couldn't sit on daddy's lap because of Mia!)

Maybe Next Year

Mia went to see Santa twice last week. Both visits turned out pretty much how we expected. The week before the first visit, I tried to prep her by continuously showing her the picture from last year of her sitting on Santa's lap. And, we really talked him up on the car ride to the mall. She was completely fine with him standing in line. And, when I walked her up to him, she was waving her hand back and forth telling him a big 'ol story. But, then I asked her if she wanted to sit on his lap so I could take a picture and she said, "NO!" I didn't push her - I think it's mean when parents throw a screaming child in Santa's lap just to get a picture. (For those of you who have done this, you're MEAN :) So, I sat on Santa's lap with her. Must admit - felt a little weird. And, also felt like we were there forever because the mall picture ladies kept trying to get Mia to smile, but she just kept giving them the stone cold stare.

This past Saturday, Santa visited our neighborhood clubhouse. We decided to take Mia to see him again - plus, they had hot chocolate and cookies, so who could resist? I thought she'd be more willing to go up to him this time seeing how she and mommy survived the last visit, but as soon as we walked in the room, she clung to my neck and wouldn't even look at him. I did talk her into going up with me - AGAIN. We took a quick picture (not posted because I'm making a face that looks like I have no neck) and then Santa gave Mia a candy cane, so she warmed up to him a bit and would actually stand alone in the room with him as long as she was 50 feet away. We decided to go get some cookies and hot chocolate in the other room, but Mia kept wanting to peek in on Santa. Some lady took it upon herself to try to get Mia to sit on Santa's lap (apparently the lady didn't see the first attempt), although none of her tricks worked. The lady even gave the coveted "kitty" blanket to Santa. Santa hugged kitty and put kitty on his lap (see pics above), but Mia stuck to her guns. She'd just stand back and point and wave to him. Probably saying, "hey! he has kitty!" Despite giving Santa her kitty, Mia really liked the lady. She even gave her a big hug when we left and got a big "awww" from the room.

I bet she likes Santa on Christmas morning when she sees the new kitchen he's bringing her! Maybe she'll remember the toys and sit on his lap next year...

Stroller Ride

I love this picture of Mia and her friend. This is Mia's doll stroller but the kids thought it would be great fun to take turns pushing each other in it. Actually, they weren't really taking turns - we would physically have to remove Mia from the stroller so her friend could have a turn riding in it. She only wanted to ride - not push. So, we ended up hiding the stroller eventually because it was causing major tantrums. Of course, Mia is extremely happy in this picture because she was riding!

I'm A Big Kid Now

Mia surprises us with something new every day, it seems. She's growing up so fast. She's still pretty good about going potty. When she does go in her diaper, she says "I peed." I'm always impressed with her use of past tense. Yesterday I asked where her baby was, and she said "Ummmm, I don't know." She has started doing that now - saying "ummm" when you ask her something. "Mia, do you want milk or juice?" "Ummm...juice." Like she has to take a moment to think about it. She sings every song on her Kindermusik CDs and her Barney DVD. She may not get every word, but she'll mouth them and sing the words she does know - right on beat. I've got to get a video of her doing this - it's so funny. When we take her to the store, she has to hold the money/debit card and give it to the sales clerk. At bathtime, she makes a beard on her face out of her bath bubbles and even closes her mouth so I don't have to get on her for eating bubbles anymore. Today, I picked her up from Nana's house and my hands were full. So, I asked if she could walk with me to the car. And she did! Didn't veer off and try to eat mulch or anything! She looked like such a big girl doing that. And, the latest is that she wants to sit in a regular chair - not her high chair - for meals. Here's a pic of her at our house. The only thing is that she's not quite an expert on getting food from her plate to her mouth without spilling, so it makes an even bigger mess without the tray there. But I certainly don't want to hinder the independent spirit, so I let her win that battle - except with cereal or yogurt. As I re-read what I've wrote, the "it's the small things..." cliche comes to mind. Which is totally true at this age.