Driving with Elmo

The other night we went to Toys R' Us where they had an Elmo car to drive. As soon as Lexi saw Elmo, she wanted to drive with him. When the ride ended she said, "More? More money?" and pointed to the coin slot. 

Happy Birthday!

Lexi wanted to open her present from Grandma Susan first.

Grandma Susan gave Lexi a beautiful duvet cover for her bed. She loved it so much that even after Matt had put it away in her room, she dragged it back out to the living room to lie down in it again!

Nanny & Pop-pop Elliott gave Lexi a tricycle for her birthday this year. She just totally loves it. She is trying to understand the concept of pedaling, and steering is hard to do while concentrating on keeping her feet on the pedals, but she just adores the bike and is constantly saying "Bike! Park!" and pushing it around the apartment. The trike also came with a long handle that we can attach to the back so we can push her without bending over and breaking our backs. We took it off at the park, though, because she wants to just get off and push it rather than learn how to pedal it on her own. Once the handle is not an option, she is more willing to try and ride- and is somewhat successful, too! Thanks Nanny and Pop!

Grandma & Grandpa Cope sent Lexi a huge Gund bear. They had already given her a little bear/blanket that looks just like this one, so Lexi fell right in love with this animal because it was so familiar. She likes to cuddle up with it, since it's just her size.

Jessica & Jon Horey came to Lexi's little party and gave her a My Little Pony complete with necklace, hair clip and brush. She loves brushing the pony's hair.

There is a neighbor in our building who we have been friendly with since we moved in. He has a big black dog that Lexi has always liked. The other day we brought him some fudge (for Christmas) and he gave us a gift for Lexi and said it was for her birthday. Needless to say I was astounded that he remembered her birthday, since I don't even recall ever having that conversation with him. It was so nice of him to get something for her! So here she is playing the piano from Michael. I think it is one of her favorite toys now.

We didn't really get a good picture of Lexi blowing out the candles. She blew them out so quickly we hardly realized she had done it. Then she said, "More?!" and so we obliged, letting her ultimately blow the candles out 5 more times! Does that make her 10 years old?

Click here for more pictures from Lexi's birthday.

Ranks of Snowmen

Since Lexi's birthday fell on a Sunday this year, I made some cupcakes for her to take to nursery. Here they are, all lined up and ready to march! I can't take all the credit for these. I got the idea from Martha Stewart.

Mom & Dad visited nursery during snack time to sing to Lexi and watch her eat her cake.

Pop-pop and Lexi are pals. They play with soldiers and build together.

Another big pal of Lexi's is my cousin Steven.

BINGO

Bingo is a tradition in my family. We love to play for little prizes like breath mints or chapstick. Here Lexi is learning the ropes from Steve and Nanny Elliott.

Peter's been in the Phillipines for the past 2 Christmases, so he was the Bingo caller this year since he hasn't played in a while.

Lexi got very excited anytime someone called BINGO.

Christmas Day

We spent Christmas Day at my grandparents home in Millwood, NY. Here are the Portlock girls holding our beautiful glass balls that Uncle Bruce sent us. They were handcrafted in New Orleans at the Rosetree Glass Studio and Gallery (and presumably purchased post-Hurricane Katrina). We all love them so much. Lexi was making everyone nervous while she walked around with it saying "Ball. Ball." We were afraid she was going to throw it! We were finally able to coax her into putting it away until we got back to NYC and hung it in our living room window.

Click here and here for all our Christmas pictures.

Pop-pop playing Santa in a Pepsi-blue Santa hat.

There was lots of snow in Elmira during our visit, although it was not too terribly cold. Here is Lexi coming home from church in the new sweater Grandma Cope made for her.

Christmas Morning

We spent Christmas morning with Grandma Susan, Aunt Allie and Uncle Topher. Lexi got a talking Yoda doll & light saber in her stocking. Nanny Susan gave her some Yankee pajamas to wear this year, too. Very appropriate since we live right across the river from Yankee Stadium!

Lexi also got a bunch of animals in her stocking.