Christmas at Cheryl's House

After we opened all our presents at home we went over to Cheryl's house to do the same with the rest of my family. With Mike's help the three little girls, Mackenzie, Sophia and Arya delivered presents for everyone to open. They were so excited that we got all the presents opened in record time, just about an hour. It did make it hard to see what everyone recieved, but the girls were having too much fun to slow them down much.

We also had lunch over at Cheryl's and played with some of the new gifts. Arya of course had to have her new baby opened and she really liked the new stroller that Sophia got from Santa.

Spoiled, Who Me!

Yes, we went a little overboard on the presents. Arya is fun to buy for. Mommy bought her a bunch of new games and puzzles and books. Daddy bought her Geo Trax and more Geo Trax and yet some more Geo Trax. We'll get some pictures of their different layouts soon. Arya had a great time opening her gifts. She liked ripping off the paper and seeing what was inside. She would ooh and aah over the different gifts. Sometimes saying, "This is just what I wanted!" We had fun watching her in her excitement. She did get tired of opening about 2/3 of the way through her presents, but with a little encouragement we got her to open all of her gifts.

Mesa Southwest Museum

Arya, Mike and I went to the museum on Tuesday the 23rd. Arya has a love, hate relationship with the dinosaurs. She really wants to see them, but they scare her a little bit. We had to go back and see them a few times, but just for a couple of minutes at a time.

She like when we went out and panned for gold. She found a few little pieces with her daddy.

Then we went to look a the old Arizona Jail. I think we have the cutest prisoner ever! It is a nice little museum and Arya is looking forward to going back again.

Arya in the Box

We have gotten many shipments in the past couple of weeks. Some of them in big boxes. Arya thought the boxes were quite fun! One night after we unpacked the presents from a box from Aunt Colleen, Arya played in the box for over an hour. She played in it herself along with putting her babies in it. Why do we spend hundreds on Christmas presents for our kids when they play so well with a plain old brown box.

i-plan

Arya has coined her own new phrase, "i-plan." Whenever we are going to go somewhere or do something we'd asked her if that would be a good idea or we'd ask if it was a good plan. Arya then started saying, "That will be a good i-plan."

Snow Day

We went to Mother Nature's Farm on Saturday. They were having a snow day. They brought in some snow for the kids to play in and sled down a small hill. Arya liked the sledding until snow went down her shirt. She threw a couple of snowballs at her daddy, but then she was done with the cold stuff, not that I blame her. Although I don't mind the snow when it is 60 degrees outside.

Dance Class

Arya and Sophia had an observation day in their dance class this week. It was fun to watch what they do each week in class and they looked really cute. My mom and I made them new red and green Christmas tutus to wear.

Wildlife World Zoo

Arya and her Daddy went to the Wildlife World Zoo on the other side of town on Saturday. They had a great time. They went on the train ride, which goes through an animal area where they saw deer, zebras, ostriches and some other birds. They also got to feed a giraffe, Arya didn't like that it tried to lick her. They saw some lions and tigers pretty close up. The highlight of the trip was feeding the lorikeets. Arya was thrilled when the little birds landed on her arm and she got to feed them apple slices.

Getting Ready for Christmas

Arya has enjoyed getting things ready for Christmas. She has helped put ornaments on the tree, we still are not done and maybe won't be this year. Some is better than none, right?

She also has like to play with the new train she and her daddy bought. It has a bell, a whistle and music that she can control with a remote control.


Arya has also likes to help wrap presents. She is in charge of carrying them and putting them under the tree. She always has to know who they are for and who they are from.