The Tin Man

The past few times we've gone to the park, Paprika has run over to the War Memorial to spend some time with the statue of the soldier. She thinks he's a real person, just like the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz. He has a tear on his face, and everytime Paprika sees that, she says to me, "So sad! So sad!" and tries to wipe the tear off his face. She hugs and kisses him over and over again to try to make him feel better. She would stand there all day comforting him if I would let her.

Usually after about twenty minutes, I tell her it's time to go, and then she gets really upset, so I let her stay a few more minutes. She never wants to leave. She is truly concerned for him, and wants so desperately to make him feel better, even though she never can. Paprika's humanity and compassion is so beautiful. She teaches me how to grow and become a better person each day I'm with her. I'm so grateful to be her mom.

Chasing Bubbles!

Paprika and I had a fantastic day at the park today. I brought our new bubble blowing machine with us, and she had a wonderful time chasing bubbles! Paprika goes crazy for bubbles. When we were at the park on Wednesday, we met a baby there who had a bubble blowing machine. Paprika wanted to play for hours, and has been talking about it ever since. So, last night we went by Target and got Paprika her very own bubble blower. She's so excited about it!

Here's a short video. The sound you hear in the background is the bubble machine making noise. If it looks like she's having a lot of fun, that's because she is!

Paprika On Easter Morning!

Here is a video of Paprika coming downstairs to find her basket on Easter morning!

Happy Easter!

We had a wonderful Easter, capping off our wonderful week with Mr. Mustard at home. On Wednesday, we had Paprika's 19 month check-up. She was 33.5 inches tall (90%), and weighed 25.5 pounds (60%). The doctor was in awe of Paprika's vocabulary and how advanced she is. She asked how many words Paprika is saying- and then Paprika just started talking, which answered her question. Paprika said, "Time to go bye-bye now!" "Where's socks?" (We had taken her socks off for the appointment). The doctor just about fell over at everything Paprika was saying, and went around and told all the nurses in the office how amazing Paprika is. They were all just raving about her. It was a little bit like being with a celebrity.

Paprika continues to want to use the potty and went #1 yesterday on her own. It's more of a novelty for her than anything else. She likes the sound the potty makes (it's called a "Royal Potty"- so it makes music when you go), so that gives her an incentive.

We had a wonderful Easter Weekend. Yesterday, our neighbors had a huge Easter Egg Hunt at their house. Paprika went last year, too. This year, she was ready to hunt eggs and got quite a few in her little basket.

Today we had a family day and just spent time together the three of us at a botanical garden. Paprika was dressed in her Easter dress, and she got LOTS of attention. People were asking if they could take her picture, and one photographer just started snapping pictures of her. Again, it was a little bit like being with a celebrity. Am I noticing a pattern here?

I have lots of pictures to post from this week, and possibly a video, too!

A Birthday Party!

Today was Isabella's birthday- she turned two years old! We went to her birthday party and had great fun. Isabella received the "Rose Petal Cottage" for her birthday, and Paprika LOVED it! She spent over an hour playing house inside of it with Isabella.