Day 1: Gold Medal Birthday!

Gymnastics.

 

As if there was any question about what would be Ariel's number one. We are having a gymnastics party at the recreation center to celebrate her birthday. 45 minutes for party and 45 minutes to jump on the trampoline, swing on the bars and balance on beams. A good time to be had for sure. And it looks like we'll be signing her up for gymnastics class in June. Sounds like the beginnings of a future Olympian.

 

Day 3: The Princess of Tangles

Ariel used to be the favorite princess in the house, but my daughter's loyalties have shifted to Rapunzel. She loves the soundtrack (as mentioned in "Gimme a Beat" post), the movie, and of course the featured heroine.

She likes to wear my scarf and pretend its her long hair. Eric and I are forced to play the roles of Flynn Rider and Mother Gothel, respectively, and any chance she gets to dress up is a good day. Ariel even has a wig to go along with her dress and looks like a fairy or elf with it on. Cute and strange.

P.S. Honestly, if you have not seen this movie, you are missing out. We'll worth the time to see it.

Day 2: Hola, Amigos!

Yes, she's still into Dora the Explorer and all of the fun that follows. Actually, we're having a Dora themed party for her. Ariel's favorite episode is "Dora saves the Snow Princess," but I couldn't tell you why. Maybe because its a double length episode or that is has a princess in it. Your guess is as good as mine. For Christmas, we bought her a book of Dora stories (that closely follow the TV episodes) and you'll never guess which story is requested 9 times out of 10?

Dora is just good, clean fun and how can one not appreciate that?

P.S I made the dress she is wearing in the picture.

Day 4: Mermaid Ambitions

Once upon a time, there was a girl named Ariel who wanted to be a mermaid. Wait a minute, is that how the story goes?
Recently, we took Ariel to the pool, where we stayed wet and wrinkled for 3 hours!

She would stand at the edge of the pool and throw a toy in water. Then she would jump in and we'd catch her, "swim" her out to the toy and then back to the pool.

 

On one toss, she chucked the toy half way across the pool, I turned to see where it went when she jumped in. And no one was there to catch her. Panicked, I fished her from the bottom and hauled her up. Ariel came up spluttering and laughing. "Mommy, I went under the water. I touched the bottom." So glad only Eric and I were traumatized.

Day 5: Best Auntie Ever

Vicki has got to be Ariel's favorite person, hands down (sorry grandparents). I think they get along so well because they share similar personalities. They like to wrestle and have photo shoots and get dressed up. If all relationships could be so full of life and love.

Thanks Auntie Vicki, bestest auntie ever.

Day 6: Of Books and Worms

Ariel has an insatiable appetite for reading (an inheritance to be proud of). Most days she would rather look through books than watch TV (sweet).

Her tastes vary, but she enjoys books with bears, treats/food, and princesses. Some of the more recent titles gracing her bedside table include "Snoring Beauty" by Bruce Hale, "Bats at the Beach" by Brian Lies, "Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet" by Jane O'Connor.

In any case, we all enjoy the stories at bedtime.

Day 7: Gimme a Beat

If Ariel isn’t going to be the next Olympic gymnast, then perhaps I can mold her into the most adorable Triple Threat ever. Mad singing, acting, and dancing are what will make you Broadway star.
Ariel has quite an ear for music and anything that pleases her, is destined to be repeated at naseum ( I think she gets this from Auntie Vicki who drove the fam crazy in this fashion with N’Sync). Her favorite tune is “Kingdom Dance” from the Tangled soundtrack. It’s got an Irish/Celtic flair with varying tempos and tons of energy.
Her other musical favorite at the moment includes, “I’m Sexy and I know it,” by LMFAO. She calls it “Little Girl Body Song.” Not sure how I feel about any of that.


When we’re driving in the car, she tries her hardest to sing along, even though she doesn’t know the words. Its so cute, it doesn’t matter that she’s off key. But then again, she probably gets that from me.

Day 8: I Spy with my Eagle Eye

Ariel is quite the lover of the I Spy books. And she’s even pretty good at locating items in the books geared toward school aged kids. This is probably why she is so good at the Busy Town Mystery Game. I wouldn’t go toe-to-toe with her in the spying category. It would be embarrassing.

Day 9: Fowl in Need of Anger Management

Angry Birds is another of Auntie’s doings, but Eric has really nurtured this affection for destroying perfectly good bacon. She has the attention span of an older child but with the fierce determination to wreak some havoc. FYI, she doesn’t like to take turns, so get your own screen!

Day 10: Ready, Ready, Ready, Ready to Run

Ariel with Cousin TJ

Since Eric is addicted to running, he feels the need to foster that love in his daughter. Ariel is fond of going out in the running stroller. She enjoys the fresh wind in her face, the sightseeing opportunities from her cushy point of view and the fact that she gets to say “Whee,” like the Maxwell the Geico pig. Its cute when she says it, not so much when daddy does.

She has also physically run in 2 Kids’ Fun Runs (about a quarter mile each). Perhaps the next Olympic distance runner if Daddy has his way.

Day 11: Saaaweet!

Hand in hand with chocolate, Ariel’s sweet tooth is definitely genetic. In fact, despite the fact that she received clothes and toys on Easter, the first thing out of her mouth was, “I got candy!”

 

  

As you can see, candy is never far out of reach.

Day 12: Chocolate Divine

Chocoholic.

Pretty much sums it up. I suppose we had a bigger hand in this than what I’m willing to admit. When we were weaning Aril off her silicone sippy cup in order to switch to a hard tipped cup, she refused her milk. So the concerned mother that I am, made her chocolate milk. Now we can’t get her off the stuff. Who’s the smart one now? M&M’s, Nutella, and True Moo made up the trifecta of this under appreciated food group.

Day 13: Trophy Girl

Our little competitor loves games. She is the Queen of Candyland with an impressive 97% win rate. She is also fabulously good at the Match Game, Disney Princess or Dora edition. (the one with the tiles you turn over and match up). But her favorite game is Busy Town Mysteries Games (a Christmas gift from Auntie Vicki). The characters race to Picnic Island before the pigs eat all the picnic food. Along the way, you have to find clues using little magnifying glasses. Really fun, but a bit time consuming. Ariel is quite the eagle eye.


We are so grateful that she hasn’t figured out that losing is a bad thing. We’ve taught her to say, “Good game” whether she wins or loses.

Day 14: Amen for Jesus Donuts

Once a month our church hosts a meet and greet for the congregation after service. Ariel loves this particular Sunday as she gets to partake in Jesus Donuts — the tastiest, softest, richest delight you could possibly get on holy ground.

In fact, she tends to eat a whole one by herself. It is not uncommon for her to walk into gathering space and check to see if the tables are set up for her special treat. At least she’s cute and not annoying about it.

Day 15: Sugar and Spice and Everything Accessorized

 Ariel is a girl through and through. She will almost always choose skirts or dresses over shorts/pants, manicures are a weekly event and if you’re not accessorized then you’re only half dressed. This includes hair styling flair like bows and head bands. Wow, she sounds so high maintenance! You can’t really fault a girl for wanting to look pretty.

15 Days and Counting...

As we start the official countdown to Ariel’s 3rd birthday, I thought it would be fun to highlight one of Ariel’s favorite things everyday. It’s been awhile since we posted, so enjoy the show!