2007, A Look Back part 2

The second half of 2007 was highlighted by Maya getting a brand new, bigger room. Maya got to survey her knew home before we moved in, and she got to pick the room that she wanted to be hers. She also got to pick the color that her room would be painted. A lot of thought had to go into this selection of room color. However, Maya's initial choice of orange was turned down by her parents, and she was given a choice of colors too choose from. She finally settled on yellow, which was also the color of her old room.

Maya also moved out of her crib in her new room. The crib had served its purpose, Maya moved on to a nice toddler bed (it is less than a foot off the ground). It wont be too long before she outgrows this bed.

She enjoys her new neighborhood, "her park" in the neighborhood and the pool. In August, Maya started pre-school, she really likes it and has learned a lot of new things:

The Pledge of Allegance
My Country 'Tis of Thee
The Lord's Army (her school is church affiliated)
A wide variety of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas songs
Watercolors

She has also been selected as the line leader on several occasions.

In December Maya went to the Christmas service of her new church, she could not see the Nativity program going on from her seat so Maya just walked down the isle to get a better look. She "had to see the baby Jesus."

2007 was a great year, many new firsts and Maya keeps growing and growing.

2008 is looking good....Maya will hit the beach for the first time (in the summer).

Growing Up

I have written before about the heart melting factor with Maya. Im sure this is true with all toddlers, certain things they do or say just make your day. You will never forget them, and they will be a part of your memory of her forever, even when she grows up.

Speaking of growing up, Maya is really into the book, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. It is a classic story about a boy and a tree, there are lots of moral tales and "meanings" that I have read about the book. The little boy in the book gets grows up and gets older in the book, and eventually is an old man by the end.

One night after reading the book Maya says, "Daddy, when I get grow up I want to get knocked down so I can stay little." I was confused about what she meant by "knocked down" so I asked her. She said that she doesn't want to be a big person, she wants to stay a little girl. Of course, in my head I am thinking, "if there was a way that you could stop growing now and just be the adorably cute and wonderful, innocent person you are that would be great!"

Im sure that I am not the first parent to wish that their kids could just not grow up. It is just an amazing thing when you watch them develop and see how innocent they are, and how you dont want that to be "spoiled". It has been a fascinating three years watching her from a baby grow into this little independent person. She is very honest too, that is a good thing.

She also told me that night that when she does grow up, she wants to be a mermaid, like Ariel.

THREE

Maya turned three yesterday. Her Birthday week celebration started last Saturday with a trip to see Go Diego Go! Live. She had a great time and it was really a good show. It was just like watching an episode of the show, just in person. Maya danced and sang and really got into it. There was also a special guest appearance by Diego's famous cousin, Dora the Explorer. The show was followed by a birthday dinner of cheese pizza and ice cream with a candle.

On her actual birthday, Maya got to wear a crown at her school, and she was the line leader for the day. The highlight of the school day was Maya giving a book reading to her class and teachers. She read from Ian Falconer's Olivia collection, Olivia forms a Band. Word has it her teachers were quite impressed as Maya read the entire book to the class.

She opened some but not all of her presents that night, she got some more books to add to her library. A second birthday dinner was held at the fine dining establishment known as Wendy's. Grandma and Papa were present at this dinner. Maya chose the restaurant, even though other options were suggested. A plea for mexican food or pizza was quickly shot down. "But I want Wendy's", repeated over and over pretty much sealed the deal. She had the kids meal, and for the very first time ever had a frosty. She had the vanilla frosty, since she doesn't like chocolate.

There is still more to come. Another Maya Birthday bash is planned for this weekend. This will take place at Maya's home. Where more presents will be opened and more fun will be had, and there will be cake.

You cant just limit Maya's birthday celebration to one day, it is an event!