Paprika at 26 Months

Smiley Girl:




Conversations with the Tin Man. Paprika loves sitting and talking to him about all sorts of things. Whenever we go to the park, she always makes a point to get a good visit in with him:





Paprika, singing on top of the picnic tables. She loves to stand and belt out all the songs she knows (hundreds of them!) to anyone who will listen. She dances, too!



She loves to climb and play on the jungle gym with no help from mommy. She's a big girl now!

A Quick One From Today

So, we did get out of the house today. I asked Paprika what she wanted to do and she said, "Disneyland!" Our conversation went like this:

Me: What about the park?

Paprika: No!

Me: What about the train museum?

Paprika: No!

Me: What about the Children's Museum?

Paprika: No!

Me: What about the zoo?

Paprika: No!

Me: What about Disneyland?

Paprika: YES!!!!

So, off we went. Had a great time! Park was basically empty. We rode all the rides many, many, many times. I think we rode the Pinnochio ride (Paprika's current favorite) fourteen times. She cried when I told her we were "all done Pinocchio!"

We also hid on the Teacups ride three times in a row (so we could ride again). There was no line- and I didn't feel like getting off, walking all the way through the line again, just to get back on. After the third time I almost lost my lunch, so that was the last time we rode that one. The picture of her is on the Teacup ride (the second time).

Paprika is really into the scary rides. We rode Pirates of the Carribean twice (stayed on the boat because there was no line). She loves the scary parts of it. Too funny. The reason she loves the Pinocchio ride is because at the end, a big whale with sharp teeth lurches out at you and tries to eat you! That is her favorite thing of all- she gets such a thrill.

Overall, just a perfect day. She even saw the Disney Princesses: Jasmine, Snow White, Mulan, Ariel, and Cinderella. Earlier in the day, she had done a drawing at the Princess Craft area (she colored in picture of the Disney Princesses). When she got to meet them, she was very intent on showing them her drawing and asking them what it's like to live in a castle! They got a kick out of her, I think!

Fire & Ash

You may have heard about the fires raging in Southern California. Thankfully, we are not in harm's way. Thankfully, it looks like we are close to containment on all the fires.

But, they sky! Oh my. We have been stuck inside since Saturday. The air quality is so bad. On Sunday, the Pasadena Marathon (first ever) was cancelled because when you walked outside, you literally could not breathe. Today was better. I am hoping to get out of the house tomorrow with Paprika. She is going STIR-CRAZY inside the house. But her lungs are so sensitive, I can't take her outside when the air is thick with smoke and ash.

She keeps asking to go back to Disneyland. I am so thankful we bought the annual passes. Those are worth their weight in gold!

Wicked!

I forgot to add that Mr. Mustard and I went to see Wicked at the Pantages Theater last night. It was the eight year anniversary of our first date. The show was WONDERFUL! We had amazing seats (16th row, center). We had been wanting to see it forever, and the Los Angeles show is closing in less than two months--for good. So, we knew it was now or never.

Being at the Pantages brought back memories of when we saw the Lion King show there in 2001. Mr. Mustard had a friend who worked the lights, and we got to go backstage and see all the costumes and puppets. Even back then, Mr. Mustard was such an insider! ;-)

This time, we didn't have the hook-up quite like that. But, it was still so much fun. The songs, the music, everything was just perfect.

We sat next to a farmer from eastern Washington state who was at the show with his teenage daughter. He said that he had seen the show on Broadway last year, and that the LA show was so much better. Apparently, the farmer really gets around and knows his Broadway shows! Mr. Mustard wanted to ask him if he farms golden eggs.

So, there you have it. We saw the LA show, which is supposedly even better than the Broadway show (so says the farmer). We had a Wicked time- such a memorable night!

Disneyland Fun Day!

Today, Paprika and I made the trek to "The Happiest Place on Earth" and spent the day with Devon and her daughter, Riley!

The park was practically empty, and we rode so many rides, I can't even tell you which ones we rode and how many times we rode them. Our favorite ones were the Peter Pan ride, the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, the Monsters, Inc. ride, and the Pinocchio ride. We spent the first few hours at Disneyland, then went to California Adventure until it closed down. Then we went back to Disneyland again for even more fun.

The Under The Sea Carousel at California Adventure:



After the carousel ride, we sat front row at a really amazing parade.

The Big Parade at California Adventure:



Paprika was really set on seeing Mickey Mousey (as she calls him). Well- we did- we had a private audience with the big cheese himself...and Paprika wasn't too impressed.

Paprika Meeting Mickey Mouse for the First Time:
(Click on the photo to see Paprika's reaction close-up)



Other than the "Mickey Incident," it was a really perfect day.

Paprika and Riley playing "Ring Around The Rosie!":



Paprika loves Riley so much. They have so much fun together. Riley is one week older than Paprika. She was born on Mr. Mustard and my wedding anniversary (August 9th). Riley is an incredible girl. She was born at 29 weeks, (that's 3 months premature) and fought for her life in the neonatal intensive care for two and a half months. She is really an inspiration, and so are her mommy and daddy.



Riley and Paprika also share a special bond because they are both big sisters to identical twins who are in Heaven. Devon's identical twin sons, Blake and Ethan, were born at 23 weeks in March and passed away in the hosptial due to extreme prematurity.

So, you see, Riley and Paprika have a very special connection and bond. We are so very thankful that our paths have crossed with this wonderful family and that we've become friends.

Weekend At The Park

We spent our whole weekend at the park. Both Saturday and Sunday, we took advantage of the gorgeous weather and soaked up the sun, ran in the grass, and had fun playing the day away.

Lots of fun, running in the grass:



Throwing the ball with Daddy:



Contemplating Life, Climbing a Tree:



Paprika in the Rose Garden:





Daddy and Paprika:



Paprika, worn out, kicking back on the lawn:

Busybodies!

We have been keeping busy this week with lots of trips to the park. Paprika has seemingly boundless energy, so it's best to bring her to the park for a few hours each day and cut her loose.

Mr. Mustard's mom came down on Tuesday to watch Paprika while I ran some errands, which was great! They had fun playing together, I think!

I can't believe we're already into November. This month is particularly hard for us because it's the month we were planning on delivering Vivian and Annemarie. We miss them so much.

We're hanging in there. We still go to our grief group once a month, and then I also have several friends who I meet with who have experienced similar losses. We have a coffee night every two weeks, which is just great. I am very thankful for the women I've met through our loss.

Paprika continues to amaze. She has her own, very independent personality. She is very sweet, and likes to do things for herself. She tells me on a regular basis that she doesn't need my help anymore. She's only two, how can this be? She is pretty funny, a lot to handle, and we love her so!

Travel Town and More!

This past week, we went to lots of fun places. We went to the LA Zoo, Travel Town (pictured), and to the Children's Museum, plus a few trips to the park here and there. Oh, and then there was also that holiday...Halloween! We carved pumpkins- I will have to post pics of that mess later!

Here's Paprika, "All Aboard" on the Kid's Train at Travel Town:



Paprika, taking in the enormity of the trains:



The weather was SO HOT last week, but yesterday, it turned cold- and now, in a snap, we are into Fall. I am glad for the break in the heat and am excited to finally let Paprika wear some of her Fall clothes!