Sand-ta Claus

After taking an impromptu dip in the ocean wearing her Christmas dress, we decided to change Caitlin into her new swimsuit so she could splash around before nap time.

Instead she discovered the bag of props we hadn't gotten to yet.

Notice she seems rather dry...

and covered in sand.

She loves her SAND-ta Claus!

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Hosted by Cecily and Lolli



Such a Doll

Caitlin is such a doll she decided to try the stroller Nana bought her for her dollies.



Her doll, Jingle, and Elmo each got to take a turn riding along on her lap.



Of course so did the empty snack bowl. This is her "thinking" face.



It is also her "I need more cheese crackers" face. We see this one a lot!



Such a silly girl!

Ice, Ice, Baby!

Caitlin LOVES ice cubes. She has been known to dive into my glass of water to retrieve the ice cubes if I am not quick enough to catch her first. Once we got the Sand and Water Table up and running we decided to let her have her fun.



I think it gives new meaning to 'ice fishing'!



Yummy ice!



I'm not sure she even noticed that there was sand to play with...

We'll be doing this again soon, I'm sure!

Caitlin, Jingle, and Grandma

Caitlin was given a copy of Jingle All the Way for her birthday. She typically only reads board books, so I wasn't so sure how this was going to work. My fears were unfounded. The Irishman and I have loved reading out the key phrases and seeing how Jingle answers. (And yes, Jingle can understand an Irish brogue!) Caitlin carries him around all over the house.



We stopped at Hallmark on Friday and I saw a sign advertising a free iPhone/iPad app to match the book.

I added it to my classroom iPad and let Caitlin and Grandma try it out.

It was a hit. That is one content little girl!



No this is not a sponsored post...I just felt the need to explain the photos. I do however think this is the best free app I've tried in a long time! I even went out and bought a "Jingle" for my classroom. Today during reading groups my kids get to record the story on the iPad to work on their fluency. They can't wait to try it!

An Ocean of Thankfulness

We ourselves feel that

what we are doing

is just a drop in the ocean.

But the ocean would be less

because of that missing drop.

-Mother Teresa

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Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?

Ready For My Close Up

Christmas Cards are Coming

Christmas cards are coming,



Caitlin's Grandma is in town,

so we're off to the beach



to track the perfect picture down!



My favorite after-Thanksgiving purchase was my long-awaited birthday camera. I still haven't figured out any most of the features, but we tested it out at the beach today in our first attempt to take the perfect Christmas card photo. So far the only final product is a new blog header, but we have some ideas for the cards in the works. Until then we are making the most of my mom's visit and wishing the Thanksgiving break could last longer!

Thanksgiving Training

We are big after-Thanksgiving shoppers. I guess some of our habits have rubbed off on Caitlin. She went straight for the ads this morning.

I am pretty sure she is rubbing in the fact that she got to the Target ad before I did today.



"Please can I come, too?"

"What do you mean I have to nap first?"

Daddy and Elmo...it doesn't get better than this!

It has been a lovely lazy morning, but we have to start showering and baking the side dishes we are bringing to my grandparents house. Yummy!

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!