Two and a Half Year Old

I think this picture really represents life with a two and a half year old. She is still an amazing angel, but she does keep us on our toes these days. And as we face the coming milestones of potty training, no more nap times, and hearing our words come right back to us, I realize that she is so much fun--and I'm exhausted!

New School

So there was one traumatizing event toward the end of 2009. Cami was bit on the face at school. Yes, I did use "bit" and "face" all in the same sentence. This was done by one of Cami's favorite friends at school, and one who has bitten her several times before. The incidents before were on her arm or hand, so this time it was a bit more upsetting. I will spare you the pictures of the wound--though it was horrendous and took a week to fully heal. The way her school and teacher handled the whole situation was just not acceptable for any of us in the family, so we had to search and find a new school. This was especially hard for Cami because she loved her school, her teachers and all of her friends there, but Chris and I just couldn't leave her there and feel safe anymore. I was so upset about starting the school search and adjustment all over again, but I knew in the long run, for the safety of Cami and the happiness of her Mommy, it would all be worth it.

We ended up finding a school sent to us from God above! The facility itself is outstanding. Immaculately clean and beautiful. It is like Disneyland! It has a koi pond in the middle of it, and the classrooms all have a Victorian village facade. She travels every half hour to different subjects like Spanish, art, music, yoga, computers, literacy, science and math. How amazing! Plus there is a fabulous outdoor play area and a water park for the warmer months. Oh, and it's just a bit cheaper than her last school. Thank you, Jesus!!

Cami also has to wear a uniform two days a week--which I am fully okay with. She looks so cute in her little dress!

She seems to be making the adjustment well. Each day she seems a little happier, and although she often asks about her old friends (even the biter), she does seem to be talking a lot about a new friend named Peter.

A Trip to the Movies

We finally broke down and took Cami to see her first movie. I was very hesitant to take her because her attention span is not very long, and she rarely sits through more than a whole tv show at home. Regardless, we were on Winter Break and in need of fun activities, so we threw caution to the wind and took her to see Alvin and the Chipmunks. I am not sure if she was more excited about the movie or the candy. She loved it! She was very excited to get there, and even more excited once we sat down. She went back and forth between Mommy and Daddy for most of the film, but she wanted to stay for the whole movie! At the end she was literally dancing down the aisle to the front of the theatre--much to the delight and laughter of everyone in the place. So shy. It was a lot of fun, and now every time we pass by the movie theatre she asks, "When we can we go again?"

Snow Day!

Cami got to experience her first big snowfall this winter--and she LOVED it! Luckily I had purchased her a snow suit the day before the big storm under Gazz's suggestion. It came in quite handy! When I bundled Cami up and took her outside, she was not thrilled. She did not know what to make of the cold, white stuff. But by the time we walked up to Gazz and Poppi's house, she was loving it! She wanted to help all of the neighbors "dig out". She quickly joined in, and even tried some sledding! She had a blast playing with the neighborhood kids, and did not want to come in to warm up at all. Even in the freezing cold, she is still an outdoor girl! How did that happen?!?

Aunt LaLa

Cami is lucky to be loved by such wonderful aunts! Aunt LaLa also visited us for the holidays--all the way from California. She too spoiled her niece this Christmas--as always. She gave Cami all things Dora: Dora books, Dora stickers, Dora jewelry, as well as a few princess things too: princess dresses, and the big hit, princess shoes. Cami loved everything, but I think she loved just spending fun time with Aunt LaLa. No one dances like Aunt LaLa!!

Aunt Jackie

Aunt Jackie paid us a visit just before the holidays. She brought her fiance', Uncle Mikey, her brother, Adam, and lots of gifts for all of us. The Sit-n-Spin was a big hit with Cami! We just love spending time with Aunt Jackie!

Christmas 2009

Just like all of the other holidays, Christmas was especially fun this year. Cami enjoyed the whole process of decorating the tree and house for the holidays. She also fully understood about being a "good girl" so Santa Claus would come and leave presents for her under the tree.

Christmas Eve was delightful as we went to dinner at our favorite restaurant, and Cami was an angel. We even got a surprise visit from Santa on a fire truck that night before bed!

Cam was a bit overwhelmed to wake up Christmas morning and she what a very good girl she had been all year. She didn't even want to tear into each present. Instead she wanted to play with them, one at a time. I think she liked her Dora Dollhouse the best.

Then it was over to Gazz and Poppi's house where Santa had left even more presents for her! Hungry Hungry Hippo was a big hit!

Thanksgiving 2009

We had a lovely Thanksgiving this year. Mom cooked, thankfully, as I am just not ready to take on the task of Turkey Day Dinner. Cami loved the food and looked so cute in her holiday outfit. There was just something in the pictures we took of her that showed how old she is getting. Later we posed for our annual Christmas card photo. Cami was a trooper. She grabbed our necks and squeezed so tight as she said, "CHEESE!"

Halloween 2009

Cami loved Halloween this year. The festivities started with a costume parade at her school. Last year I had to carry her the entire time. This time she did some of it on her own, and the rest with Mommy, though I didn't have to carry her. She loved walking and waving to all of the people along the parade route. When it was all over she even said, "Again!" She looked adorable in her 50s girl costume--though we battled over wearing the glasses--they just made the costume, I thought!!

I think she understood Trick-or-Treating a lot better this year too. She was very into the whole idea of going to people's houses, knocking on their doors, picking a piece of candy (or two), putting them in her pumpkin, and leaving. She enjoyed each step in the process. She also enjoyed eating some of her candy along the way.

When the Trick-or-Treating was over, Cami was happy to answer the door and hand out candy to all of the neighborhood kids. She would happily tell them, "I've got eyeballs!" (She was in charge of handing out the gum that looked like eyeballs). All in all, it was great fun. Chris even got in a "tough guy" costume complete with a full sleeve of tattoos.

The video of Cami in the parade at school is proof that she is, in fact, my daughter. Can you guess why?

Three Holidays, Two Aunts, A BIG Snow Storm, A Trip the the Movies, A New School and a Lolipop

This pretty much sums up the rest of 2009 for the Andersons. Here are the pictures and videos to prove it.