Look out American Idol!

Riley loves watching shows like The X Factor and American Idol. Yes, those shows come on past her bedtime, but sometimes we do let her stay up for an extra 30 minutes to watch them. She thinks she has stayed up to watch the whole thing and we all go to bed happy.

American Idol just started their new season and while I was convincing myself I wouldn't watch this year, I once again found myself sitting in front of the TV watching it! While Riley watched a little bit of the show with me, she informed me that if she were to ever try out for The X Factor or American Idol she would sing "Whip My Hair" by Willow Smith.

For those of you unfamiliar with the song, you're lucky! Those who are familiar, my apologies, as it is an extremely obnoxious song!!! Riley received a Kids Bop CD from Santa and that song happens to be on it. Well, she REALLY likes the song...and loves to "whip her hair" while singing.

Here is Riley "trying out" for American Idol. Of course you know she's going to Hollywood!!

Sunday Morning Breakfast

Last Sunday was a snowy, cold morning. So what's the best way to brighten up a snowy, cold day??? Start it off with an awesome and delicious breakfast!! Riley and I decided to break out the waffle iron and make some chocolate chip Belgian waffles. One may ask, just how do you make such a yummy treat. Here are Riley's steps to a great Sunday Morning Breakfast:

1. Gather all ingredients you will need to make the breakfast AND if you're a kid, gather one adult!


2. Follow the directions on the back of the Bisquick box. For waffles you need 2 cups of the Bisquick mix, oil and one egg. Make the adult do the hard work of measuring, while you, the cute and adorable child just gets to dump all the ingredients in!

3. Mix until the batter is smooth.

4. Pour desired amount of chocolate chips into the smooth batter. Make sure an adult helps otherwise if it were up to this adorable and cute kid, there would be TONS of chocolate chips in there!!

5. Dump chips and mix!

6. You must get an adult to complete the next step!! Pour some batter on a HOT waffle iron and wait for the green light to tell you the waffle is ready.

7. Again please get an adult! Take the finished waffle off the iron and place on a plate.

8. Put lots of yummy, sugary syrup on waffle and sprinkle with powdered sugar!

9. Have your adult cut up waffle and pour a glass of milk. Your job is almost complete - all you have to do to finish is EAT!!!

And that ladies and gentlemen is how you have a yummy delicious Sunday Morning Breakfast!!

Kindness Counts!

This past November Childtime teamed up with Sprout and began their Kindness Counts campaign. So the teachers in the Toddler, Pre-School and Pre-K classes decided to get the children to recognize what a kind act is, acknowledge when a kind act is done and to promote overall kindness.

Riley's teacher, Ms. Jess, decided to make a Kindness Counts paper link chain. Each time a friend in the class did something that was kind, that child earned a link in the chain. The goal was to get the chain to reach the other side of the classroom. I have to tell you, it has been exciting as a parent to go in each day and see where the chain was that day, I can only imagine what the children thought about it.

Today was the celebration for the Kindness Counts Campaign. It was so sweet to see a gym full of toddlers, pre-schoolers and pre-kindergartners all being recognized for their Acts of Kindness. Each child received a certificate for participating in the campaign. Miss Nikki handed out the certificates, while Miss Missi shared at least one act of kindness the child showed. Riley's act shared was that she used kind words with her friends.

Riley also shared during the ceremony that one of her other acts of kindness was that she shared Beagle (her classroom's stuffed animal puppy) with her friends. Riley informed me that she learned from the Kindness Campaign "that I can really share."

The best picture I could get of Riley receiving the certificate - she ran up and back so fast!!

We're so proud and look forward to continuing to recognize Riley's kind acts at home!

Why Hello 2012!

Happy New Year

to All!!!

Ringing in the New Year was an absolute blast this year. We hosted our families to help us bring in 2012. It was a great night filled with good food, lots of drinks and the best company you could ask for.

We wish everyone the happiest and healthiest 2012!!! Cheers to what we hope will be another fabulous year!!!

A Year in Pictures - 2011

Another year has gone by and what a fantastic year it was!! While the beginning of the year carried in with an extremely harsh winter, the end of the year is exiting with a rather mild one (of course, no complaints here). So many wonderful things have happened this year and we could not happier that 2011 was as awesome as it was. Here is a quick year in pics (with a few words).

January 2011

A harsh and snowy winter, but we took complete advantage of it and did a lot of playing in the snow making snow angels, throwing snowballs and riding in the sled!

February 2011

Riley went to her very first concert - Justin Roberts of course! She even got to meet him!! It was an awesome experience for all of us.

March 2011

What a month!! Riley officially was potty trained this month. It feels like it was so long ago that we dealt with diapers. We're all very happy to be out of this stage!

April 2011

Easter was so much fun this year...Riley was more into it than ever. Great memories!!

May 2011

Riley's first trip to Sesame Place. She had a blast!! We also saw Justin Roberts in concert there (twice) and he played her favorite song!!

June 2011

Riley spent a lot of time out in the sun and in the pool. She also watched her cousin Keira in her very first dance recital and helped celebrate Keira's 4th birthday at Tumble Bee with all of Keira's friends. Good times!!

July 2011

Riley took a day trip to Buffalo and Niagara Falls. She had so much fun. She also learned how to swim on her own in the pool (with her swimmies of course).

August 2011

Happy 3rd Birthday to Riley!!! We did not have the usual big family party but we did have a small princess party for our little princess! She also moved officially to the Pre-School room at daycare. Big moves this month!!

September 2011

We closed on our new home 9/30/11! It was a HUGE accomplishment for us. Riley was so helpful with the move. She loves her new home, and we do too!

October 2011

We moved into our home on 10/7/11. We adjusted pretty quickly - we were definitely made for this house!! Halloween was a fun occasion - especially having the opportunity to trick-or-treat in our very own neighborhood!!

November 2011

We spent time in November unpacking boxes (yes, still) and getting ready for Thanksgiving. We also spent time outside as it was an unusually warm November. Riley loves that we have a big tree that has tons of leaves on it. She loved jumping into and throwing the leaves!

December 2011

We had a wonderful Christmas - Riley was spoiled by EVERYONE!

We are looking forward to tonight as it is the perfect way to end such a great year. Everyone is coming to our house for a New Year's Eve celebration. It will be awesome to ring in 2012 with the people we love the most. We cannot wait to see what 2012 has to offer us.

We wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year! See you all in 2012!!!

Hold me closer Tiny Dancer

Riley loves watching The X Factor - even more she loves dancing to the songs they sing. She is so my child!!

They say, Goodnight Olivia...

Tonight before bed one of the stories that Riley wanted me to read was Olivia. On the show Olivia, sometimes at the end when her mother or father is putting her to sleep she sings a cute little song about how she can't sleep because "there is still so much to do" (of course she is talking about playing). Tonight Riley sang me her version of how the song goes.

Here are the actual words:

"They say Good night, Olivia, your big day is through".
But how can I sleep, there is still so much to do?
It looks like I'm tucked in tight snug in my bed,
But tomorrow is chasing today through my head.
Will I climb the highest mountaintop,
Or will I paint my masterpiece?

Go ride a bronco in the rodeo
Or wow the crowd on my trapeze?
Princess, doctor, author, astronaut,
From jungles dark to oceans deep.
I'll do anything go anywhere
Just don't ask me to go to sleeeeeeep...
There's still so much to do!

As I was uploading this video, I went into Riley's room to check on her. I found her fast asleep with her Olivia book open on her belly! So cute!!