Cailin seems to like Ariel's gifts....

but Ariel seems to like Cailin's gift also!

Morning cookie....

Out early riding around...

As soon as it was light enough outside, they both went out to ride their new toys.

Cailin rode like a big girl. She pressed the button and held on tight.

But she could also be caught riding like this. She'd press the go button and turn around and be looking behind her.

Ariel loved her scooter, this was her favorite gift (at least according to her).

She rode back and forth down the block

She also really liked the license plate

According to her, the digital camera was the second best gift ever.

Christmas Eve

Santa had just arrived and left all the gifts under the tree!

A slap!

......but then a hug!

My Big Girl, Ariel

You are 10 years old, I can't believe you are that old. You are in the 5th grade. This year you got into a new school. A Fundamental School with a tougher, more rigorous curriculum and I was concerned about you moving from the school you were attending since Kindergarten, especially since this was your last year. You seem to have risen to the challenge. You get good grades and have a new best friend, Alicia. You like writing, reading, a drawing. I am tickled when you get mystery novels similar to the ones that I read. I think you will be a artist of some kind, maybe a fashion designer.

You have been doing gymnastics for 5 years now. I remember at 2 & 3 years old you could be found standing on your head, watching television. It seems to come to you naturally! Last year, you swept the gymnastics competition, winning first place in every single event and first place all around. This year you placed first place in every event except for beam, because you stumbled. You still did good though. You won first place all around again!

You love the Cheetah Girls. It gets played so much in the car, that I know the songs too! You are very stubborn, it reminds me sooo much of your Dad. It is uncanny to me how much you look like him too. I see so much of both of us in you. I think you have my personality most. Sort of quiet and reserved. You also have your Dad's determination. You are not swayed easily and I hope that takes you far in life. My desire for you is to grow up and just be happy and successful doing whatever it is that you decide to do. Love you, Mom

My Sweet Little One

Cailin, you are 18 1/2 months old. You have about 12 teeth, 4 jaw teeth have come in, over the last month. Those little suckers are popping through the gum like crazy. They are making you a little cranky. You take 2 naps, one in the morning around 10am, because you are up bright and early at 6, and then one nap late afternoon. You will have a melt down very quickly if you miss them.

Your favorite thing to do is climb. You can be found on top of the dining and living room tables. When I go to get you down, you repeat what I so often tell you when I catch you getting up there, "No, No, No!" We have 3 gates up in the house, blocking you out of the kitchen and bathroom. Because if not you would be found playing in the garbage and toilet! You have a pretty extensive vocabulary. You repeat after everyone in the house. Your favorite show is "Narney" (Barney). Your favorite food is "Nana" (banana).

You are extremely friendly, speaking "hey" or "hi" to almost everyone. You liked to be chased and tickled, and will run under the tables and chairs to get away. You love your sister, with slaps and hugs equally.