My little musician

This morning Annabelle composed, wrote down, and sang five songs for me on the piano. Here are the titles she gave to the songs:

1. Baby take a bath
2. Baby, don't fly up in the air!
3. Baby have milky
4. Baby, go to bed!
5. Sun, break the windows!

Her interest in the piano grows. Several times she has asked me to show her how to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, so I point to the notes one at a time as she bangs out the melody. It's a slow process, but she loves it and sings along at the top of her lungs. Sometimes she forgets to keep looking at the keys while she sings and gets lost. It's pretty hilarious.

On Friday, after singing Twinkle Twinkle, she paused. Then she looked at me very carefully and asked me to show her how to play the alphabet song. Ah! Yes! It is the exact same tune! It was a wonderful to watch her in that moment as she figured it out all on her own.

Sharing Christmas

We drove down to San Francisco for Christmas this year. It was Annabelle's first Christmas filled with the magic of the season. Santa was a star player and the anticipation on Christmas Eve loomed large. Christmas morning came fast and early! About fifteen minutes before 6am Annabelle came into our room and said confidently, "Mom! I'm going downstairs to unwrap all my gifts from Santa!" It was all I could do to stumble out of bed and grab the camera. Dave woke up his parents and we all watched Annabelle's excitement and wonder through blurry, sleepy eyes.

I don't think I have ever celebrated Christmas in the dark before.

Her new shopping cart, complete with vegetables.



It was a little too early for all of us...


Her first candy! A Christmas morning lollipop.


A little nativity set that I found at a local antique store, and her new doll Zoe in the background. (More on Zoe to come!)

Aunt Kate and Uncle Nate showed up later in the day...


Just before Christmas dinner.