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Meredith's First Haircut

Meredith had her first haircut today. She did great. We went to a Kid's Hair Salon called Doodle Doos. It is filled with toys and activities to get the kids involved and comfortable. When Meredith's turn came up, they let her pick out a movie to watch during her cut - she picked Cars (apparently an unusual choice for the girls at Doodle Doos - Go Meredith). They asked her is she wanted to sit in the train chair, the boat chair or the salon chair - she chose the train. While she was getting her hair cut they painted her nails - glittery silver. Then they styled her hair with pink flower clips and glitter. When she was finished they gave her some bubbles, a sticker and a lollipop. Then when we checked out they gave me a copy of a picture they took during the haircut and a little box with some of her hair clippings. Overall, I think it was a fantastic experience. Meredith was a pro and her hair looks great.

Trip to the Beach!

Meredith went to the beach this Sunday. She had a chance to help build her first sand castle. She played along with a bunch of other kids and she played in the water all by herself. She has a great time.

Bingo Prize!

Last Saturday our neighborhood hosted a Beach Blanket Bingo Program for the families in the neighborhood. We had a chance to play in the playground, have a family picnic, play bingo and watch BOLT on a big screen. During the Bingo game Meredith won and was able to pick one of the many prizes they had available for kids and she picked out this hula hoop. The hoop has become Meredith's new favorite toy companion. I have been whacked in the head more times than I can count since Saturday - but she does love it.

Earth Day Gardening at School

We had a great time planting some very pretty flowers, playing in the dirt and watching the other kids. Then we had a little mishap - a young girl across from us lost control of her shovel and we were covered in dirt from hair to neck - including in our eyes, nose and mouth. Lots of fun!

Making a Bird Feeder.

Making a bird feeder with Daddy was very successful. Pine cones, peanut butter, bird seed, and string made a great bird feeder. Except we think that they ended up being deer feeders.

Multi-tasking!

Breakfast on the go and recycling. She is such a big girl I want to cry.

Easter Egg Picking - Not really hunting!

Family Afternoon at the Playground

Meredith flew a kite with her Daddy for the first time. She loves the swings now. She can swing forever, without stop. We had a great time - the weather was perfect.

Going Campin'?

Hello Kitty Rocks!

Meredith's New Hat

Our Camera was Abducted by Aliens!

Last weekend we realized that we had no idea where our camera was. We turned the house upside down looking for the camera. After hours we determined that our camera had been abducted by aliens. Since then our camera was returned, but it will never be the same emotionally again. We will work hard to update the blog this weekend. Thank you for your patience.

Love, Kio

Future Photographer?

Meredith has been curious about the camera since she could hold up her hands. Over the past year Meredith started asking for the camera to take pictures as part of her daily routine. This past Christmas Santa was kind enough to drop a camera off at her Abi and Abu's house. Ever since Meredith has been taking pictures regularly. Here are some of the picture from Meredith's first attempts at photography. In a few weeks I will post some from the second round and you can help me marvel at her creative brilliance.

Weekend with Daddy!

Meredith and Daddy took their first SOLO trip this past weekend. They hit the road and traveled far to visit their Mimi and Papa - and they encountered a weekend full of adventure.

Their weekend included a trip to Pappy's Strawberry Patch where they were able to pick fresh stawberries right off the vine(?).

That is A LOT of Yummy Strawberries.

During the weekend Meredith had a chance to visit her Uncle Lance's firestation and see a fire truck up close and personal. (Meredith loves fire trucks.)

The weekend was topped off by a trip to a very active butterfly garden. There, Meredith has a chance get up close and personal with some beautiful butteflies and she was surrounded by flowers - which she loves to smell.

First Day of School!

Walking into school with DaDa on the first day.

Standing in the School entrance waiting to find her classroom.


Meredith's first day of school was this past Monday - January 12th. It went really well. We had no idea what to expect or how she would deal with it. Ryan and I went and dropped her off together. We got there right at 8am and the place was a little nuts - which I am sure is normal for early Monday morning. My heart was beating out of my chest I just did not know what to do or how to feel. But I could not let any of that show because I did not want to upset Meredith. She was a little hesitant at firsthand her eyes were bigger than saucers in her face. We all walked together to the classroom where the kids meet in the morning before they got to their own classrooms. Her teacher was not there and she did not let go of my hand. Ryan said goodbye to her so he could go to work and she said goodbye no problem.

I stayed and we just watched kids come in and the teacher in charge take role and keep the kids calm until Meredith's teacher got there. When her teacher came into the room she came over to Meredith and engaged her right away. She went with her and left me behind without looking back. I stayed in the room for a good 10 minutes just watching she did great. Then I said good bye and watched from outside the room she just kept sitting at the table with her teacher working on some puzzles. No tears. I, on the other hand, cried all the way out of the school and all the way to the house. I went back to the school at 10:30am to see how she was doing. I was worried that she might be have been too tired to finish her time, but she was out in the playground having a great time. I watched for a while and left her - I came back after lunch to pick her up and she was waiting for me calmly at the table - we came home and she took a nice long nap.

Of course she has a cold already - but that in itself is good so she can build up her immunities before she starts kindergarten. So Meredith is doing great. She seems to really like her school and she is adjusting great. She went every day this week. I am still a nervous wreck and I am pretty sure that Ryan is the same. I guess that in the next few weeks we will see how everything works out.

My only regret is that I did not get a chance to take more pictures, but she would not let me. She told me very clearly, EVERY time I tried - "No pictures MaMa."