Vera's First Concert

This past weekend we headed to Sea World for one of their "Just For Kids" free concerts. Vera has very sophisticated music taste...Kids Praise volumes 1 & 2, Fresh Beat Band, and Laurie Berkner. As luck would have it, Mrs Laurie was playing the kids concert so we jumped at the chance. 

Watching Mrs. Laurie sing with Daddy. 

Charlie having a snack during the performance 

Clapping along to the hit song "Pig on Her Head"

Here she is singing said song, and yes, that is a pig on her head. 

Hey you kids, get off the stage! Veve and Charly jumped on stage after the concert was over and were quickly reprimanded. 

Vera wanted nothing to do with the giant Elmo. If only cousin Karcie  were here to see this

Elmo was very patient, but this was the best we could do. 

Daily Life

Sometimes I forget just how awesome going through everyday life with Vera can be. Below are just some pictures off my phone that I snapped when she made me smile.

This was the first time I ever embarrassed her. I was singing to the music and dancing and she said "No Mom" and then buried her head in her hands. I received the serious stink eye when I continued to dance, and she moved to the other side of the gym. Boy is she going to really be embarrassed of me when she's a teenager. 

Just playing tea with her animals. She's so sweet and feeds each one of them individually

Playing in her "home"

Rainy day activities are the best. Here we are trying to stack cheerios on pieces of spaghetti. Don't judge; she loved it and it kept her busy for almost an entire hour 

The first time we did not have a serious melt down when the doctor came into the room to examine her.  I believe it's due to the fact that Vera has a doctors kit and forces all the neighbors to be her patients. 

Playing and talking with her friends at the park

Hilarious. She did not want to share the swings with anyone else  This is also a good example of Vera picking out her own clothes and hair bow. Whatever. 

Making sure that I cooked every single noodle to her liking. She refused to eat ones that she could not slurp up. 

Video Time

We take lots of little videos of Ve, but they never seem to make it on the blog. Here are a few of our favorites for your viewing enjoyment. 

Vera decided to go honey badger on the leaves. No idea why. 

Dang is she fast or what?

She sure does love her Daddy

We've been working on our sneaky, spy skills lately 

Outtakes

These are the random shots Matthew took with his iphone while the Terry family was here for a visit. He didn't get them to me in time for them to be included in various posts, but I thought they were worthy of the blog nonetheless. What did we ever do before smart phones? 

Matthew and his girls waiting for the train

Hilarious! I wonder what Kamdyn was trying to get Vera to do?

Just hanging out at the playground with her "K"

Swingin' with Uncle Richard

Out for a nice, quiet breakfast

Ruthie and Matthew at the Magic Kingdom

Hand in hand

This one is my personal favorite. Shooting the evil aliens on the Buzz Lightyear ride. Matthew has his game face  on

Our Mini Snow White

For Christmas Vera received a few amazing dress up outfits from her friend Charly. Today we decided to let her wear one to Disney instead of just around the house and to Publix.

Riding the teacups with Daddy is much better when you're dressed up as Snow White

Just taking in the show

Mommy and her little Snow White

And then we went to meet the princesses.

Giving Cinderella a reluctant hug. 

Twirling is a princess skill that Veve has definitely mastered; Cindy helped perfect it here

Just us girls, dancing 

Overwhelmed by the beauty and grandeur of it all , Vera busts out her holy cow face

Listening very closely to what princess Aurora says

Getting another lesson on proper twirl etiquette 

And then Ve decided to show off  her twirl

"I really am Snow White. See it has my picture right here". 

Having a nice princess discussion with Rapunzel 

If you ever want to feel like a massive giant, go stand next to this girl. Gees.
It was a great Sunday afternoon with our  princess!

Tutu the Pink, Sparkly, Teddy Bear

For Vera's birthday Mrs. Pam and Mr Wonderful gave her a Build-a-Bear gift certificate. With all the commotion of the holidays we haven't had a chance to go until today. It was every little girls dream store. 

Vera and Mrs. Pam picking out her bear. I would have never guessed that Vera would go straight for the light pink, girly bear, but once she made her decision she stuck with it. I think I was secretly hoping for rainbow or camo bear, but Vera is a little girl who knows that she wants. She must get that determination from her Daddy.

Vera decided to add a giggle box to her bear, and every time she squeezes her hand, the bear makes a sweet little giggle

Stepping on the peddle to help add the stuffing and give the bear life

Every newly born bear needs a bath and a good brushing, amiright? Somewhat ironic since she screams like a banshee when I attempt to comb her own hair. 

After cleaning the bear up and choosing a few key accessories, we had to sit down at the computer to name our new friend.  Vera went to town on the computer and was just having a blast! She couldn't really even be bothered to look up for a camera shot. Due to the pink sparkle shoes, a hot pink microphone, and the fluffy pink tutu, we decided to name the bear "Tutu the Pink Sparkly Teddy Bear". It's official because it is on her birth certificate. 

Giving Tutu a kiss. Thank you for my bear; I love her!
She carried Tutu all around the mall, the neighborhood, and even attempted bath time with her. No such luck though. Matthew did cave and let Ve sleep with her, please see below.                

Our night with Mama Lucy

When the rest of the gang headed back to Magic Kingdom, Mama Lucy and I took care of Vera and Karcie. I have to admit, missing the magic Kingdom bummed me out at first, but watching Mama Lucy play with her granddaughters was truly better than any ride at Disney. They all put on fancy shoes and marched around the house to kick off the evenings activities. 

All dressed up with Mama Lucy! Karcie refused to wear a princess dress

Getting a snuggle

And then we got messy. We painted and played with Play-dough; Mama Lucy made a caterpillar

After Karcie went to sleep. Mama Lucy decided to put the creepy crawler on Vera. 

Just relaxing and watching The Creature from the Black Lagoon together. It was a wonderful night with a wonderful great grandma! We love you Mama Lucy!

A Rainy Start to the Magic

Of all the days for it to be overcast and misty,it had to be the day we went to Magic Kingdom. On the positive side, it kept the crowds to a minimum and lines were not long. We got a little later start then the rest of the gang, but we ended up getting a free ride to Cinderella's castle in one of the old time cars.

Aunt Kathy and Vera all ponchoed up and enjoying the ride

Vera and Uncle Jim on the teacups, her personal favorite. She had so much fun spinning and going fast  that she made Uncle Jim ride it twice!

Veve, Matthew, Uncle Jim, and Aunt Kathy all jumped down the rabbit hole and took a picture with Alice

Kamdyn and Alice

And then it was parade time!

Getting up and getting loud at the "Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It" parade

All of us enthusiastically waving at Mickey and Minnie

Cousins dancing to the music

Shaking her tail feather with Donald Duck

Vera and me dancing with Frozone from The Incredibles. Sadly, no one ever wants to dance with him. The tight blue spandex perhaps?

Kimberly and Kamdyn taking a break from the dancing and parade for a shot in front of the castle. 

It was a rainy day, but still a great time at the Magic Kingdom when you're with family!