Vivian Uses the "Big Kid" Slide!

April 2010

Our little Vivian started going down the little slide (unnasisted) back in March, and now she wants to use the "Big Kid" slides. It all started at the park over by Lenore's house where we had been using the little slide. One day, after about 5 times of going down the little slide, Vivian started pointing over to the bigger slide. I thought it looked too big so I discouraged her from going in that direction. Vivian had her own plans...she began walking then walking faster over to the other playground! We rode the swirly slide together for a handful of times, then Vivian got up the courage to ride the medium-sized slide. I showed her how to go down, then I would wait at the bottom to catch her. She ended up going down the "Big Kid" slide about 6 times that day!

Vivian is 21 Months

Friday, April 9, 2010

Wow, time has really flown! Our little one is approaching the 2 year mark, and already we are seeing so much growth. Some of the things she can do are: read and recite alphabet letters, count to 10 and almost to 20 in scattered order, ask for things she wants like "lala" for leche and "agua, si" and "let's go...shoes!". She likes to brush her teeth and brush her hair and enjoys getting complimented when she wears a pretty outfit or when her hair is done. Her favorite characters are those from Sesame Street particularly Elmo and Ernie. She is still taking a midday nap from around noon to 3:00 p.m. She loves to walk outside and enjoys getting on the slides & swings at the park!

Our Visit to Victorville

Wednesday 4/7/2010 to Friday 4/9/2010

We went to visit John & Kathie at their new home (still under renovation) in Victorville. While we were there, we also got to hang out with Ben's cousin, Tommy, Stephanie and little Reagan. It was fun to see how cousins Vivian and Reaggie got along so well. At one point Vivian leaned over and hugged Reagan and Reagan put her head on Vivi's shoulder...Awww :)

We had dinner at Tommy and Stephy's house two nights in a row, and Benny got to catch up with his "cousin named". We gotta get together with them more often!

Hangin' Out at Norm's Hangar & Hangar 18

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

On the second weekday of my Spring Break Lenore, Ben, Vivi and I went to breakfast at Norm's Hangar; a small diner next to Brackett Air Field. We chose Norm's because Vivian loves to watch the airplanes fly by, she calls them "APEES", and because the diner is right next to the landing strip for the planes! After breakfast, Ben, Vivian and I went to do some rock climbing at Hagar 18 in Upland. While there was no one to belay us up the walls, we got to "hang out" a little and try some of the walls on our own and even watched Vivi climb the stairs sseveral times. I got to go back later and climbed 14 walls in 2 hours...it was definitely a challenging and fun workout!

Easter with the Rowley's

Saturday, April 3, 2010

We celebrated Easter early this year with Ben's and my family. The whole family pitched in with the food: Will made 3 different Kiche, my parents brought the fruit salad, Lenore brought bread, Allison brought a berry dessert and we made a strawberry salad. Cousins Elizabeth, William, Clay and Vivian participated in an egg hunt where Vivi had the Elmo head shaped eggs, Clay had the car eggs and all of the kids had candy suitable for their age. Little Vivi had pastel-colored bunny marshmallows. The boys played crocket before brunch, and after the meal and the egg hunt, everybody just hung out and chatted for a while.

Vivian Meets the Easter Bunny!

The Easter Bunny Photo

April 2010

After Vivian's stint with Mr. Santa Clause, we were a little apprehensive as to how the visit with Mr. Easter Bunny was going to unfold. We introduced Vivian to Mr. Bunny's flower garden first...so far so good...then she saw his "carrot patch" carpet...warming up to the furry creature now...and finally, she noticed some other kids hangin' around the beast. She slowly approached him and within seconds...there was a connection! She offered him her hand, then Ben placed her next to the Bunny and, magically, it was as if they had been long lost friends re-uniting for the first time...Awww :) She started talking to him with enthusiasm and he humored her by talking back. Pretty soon, she did not want to get off of his lap! Ben (daddy) coaxed Vivian and took her in his arms. After taking photos with the Easter Bunny, we roamed the mall together. The highlight of the trip: riding the escalator up and down and up and down several times!