Hello all, what a busy summer I've had so far. I finished my first year of school, which concluded with an art show where I got to display all my paintings and sculptures. I'm actually still going to my school for summer camp, which is a lot like school but I get to play outside and play in the water a lot more. Still can't swim yet, but I'm getting lessons so I'll be learning this summer, which should make Mommy & Daddy feel much better. Oh yeah, I'm also doing ballet -- I told you I was busy!

For Memorial Day, I went with my family to Virginia for a wedding and had a great time being outside in the beautiful weather. I've been taking weekend trips to Southampton a lot too to get a break from the city. But maybe my favorite trip so far was my visit to Sesame Place! Mommy & Daddy took me and I had so much fun -- I played in the water, went on some rides, and the best part was meeting Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Zoe, Grover, and Cookie Monster! Needless to say, I've been asking to go back every day since.

Did I mention that I've graduated from a crib to a big girl bed? OK, it's actually the same crib with a piece removed, but still, I can get in and out all by myself.

Here's a video of me meeting Elmo at Sesame Place:



I also got to meet Super Grover...



...and Zoe...



...and played in the water.



Proud to be in a big girl bed!



My first ballet lesson -- I'm just warming up.

Hi everybody! I've had an active past few months as usual filled with trips, shows, and school. Mommy, Daddy, and I visited our friends Dan & Debbie in Arizona where it was nice and warm. I got to play outside a lot and go for nice long walks. We also went to the farm at Stone Barns, where I got to see lots of animals. I've also gotten to go to lots of shows that I keep talking about all the time -- Elmo Live, Dora the Explorer, and Tom Chapin to name a few. I keep asking Mommy & Daddy to bring me back to see the shows again but they've all apparently left town already.

School is going great, I really enjoy it. I'm learning about butterflies, and I had my first art show where my class got to display all of our paintings and sculptures that we've been working so hard on.

I'll be taking another trip soon to Virginia to go to a wedding so that should be fun -- I'll make sure to post some more pictures when I get back.

Here's Daddy, Debbie, Dan, and I on Pinnacle Peak in Arizona:



Arizona has red rocks -- cool!



I'm all ready for the Elmo show!



My cousin Ellie came for a sleepover one night and we had lots of fun.



Here's Daddy, me, and lots of chickens.

Did I mention that Mommy, Daddy, and I went to Philadelphia after Christmas for a few days? I got to go to the Please Touch Museum and The Academy of Natural Sciences and had lots of fun. When we got back, we had a little get-together with our friends in our building for New Year's Eve, which included a screening of my new favorite movie, "The Snowman."

Nope, I'm not sick of my Elmo Live yet!



On the carousel with Mommy in Philadelphia.



I'm confused...



I'm lost in the supermarket at the Please Touch Museum, but at least I found crackers.



Lia, Sydney, and I are deeply engaged in "The Snowman" at the moment...

Another long delay, sorry about that but I'm a busy little girl! Thanksgiving in Antigua was fun even though the mosquitoes ate me up. I saw lots of family around Christmas time and got some great presents, including a talking Elmo! I also got my first haircut, which didn't go so well because I screamed the whole time.

School is going great, I've been learning about dinosaurs, dancing, and making my own Play-Doh. I've had my ABC's down for a while and I'm working on counting too -- I can count in English and French! Another big development is that I'm learning to go "pee-pee on the potty" like a big girl. It's a work in progress but I'm always proud of myself when I do it.

I have a lot of pictures to share so I'll only post a few now and more very soon.

On the beach with Mommy!



I love warm weather so I can show off my beachwear.



Enjoying the holidays with Mommy & Daddy.



I understand Christmas better this time -- gimme my gifts!



Elmo Live!! OMG!!

Wow, sorry for taking so long to update my blog! Needless to say, it's been a pretty busy time of year loaded with school, playdates, birthday parties, and Halloween. School is going well, I'm pretty much used to saying goodbye to Mommy or Daddy when they drop me off. It helps that I've got great teachers and classmates for new friends.

Halloween was so much better this year than last year, now that I really understand the trick-or-treating thing. This year, I dressed up as a ladybug and trick-or-treated all over my building. I just wish that I could say "Trick or Treat" any time of year to get the free candy!

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. I'm spending my with family in Antigua -- I'm there right now on the beach! Don't worry, I'll post pictures when I get back.

Here I am in my ladybug Halloween outfit with Grandma Peck.



And here's my alternate Halloween costume -- do you like my ballerina pose?



My friend Matteo had a ball pit at his birthday party -- fun!



Having a drink with my friend Lia -- cheers!



Hanging with Sydney. Aren't we cute?

It's been an eventful end to the summer for me.  After a small birthday party with my family, I had a bigger party for all of my friends.  I loved the Elmo theme so much the first time, I had to do it again.  Thanks again to everyone for coming and for the great presents!

More importantly, of course, I had my first day of school last week!  I'm officially a pre-school student at Columbus Pre-School a few blocks away.  I only go twice a week for a few hours, but that still counts.  My teacher Gena is very nice and I'm getting to know my classmates.  I know the school pretty well because I've been taking gym classes there for the summer, so I'm a pro.  Check out this video and you'll see what I'm talking about:

My birthday cakes look too nice to eat...well, almost.

On the see-saw with my friend Lia.

On my way to my first day of school!

I hope school is always this fun!

Playing (I mean learning) at school.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!  Can you believe that it's been 2 whole years since I was born?  I started at 3 lbs 5 oz, only 16.75 inches tall.  Now I'm 24 lbs, 32 inches tall, and still growing.  I had a little backyard gathering with Mommy's side of the family to celebrate, and I'll have a party with my friends in a couple of weeks too -- I love parties!  Thanks to everyone for the gifts, cards, and birthday wishes!

Can you guess what my party theme is?

Me + Cousin Jessie + Radio Flyer + Elmo balloon = Fun!

Les bulles!  (Bubbles!)

That's my Elmo cake -- don't even think about it, Lola.

OK, Mommy & Daddy, enough pictures, I want to eat my cake!

Well hello again!  It's August, so you know what's coming up, right?  Soon, I'll have my birthday -- the sequel!  In the meantime, I'm just enjoying my summer like everyone else.  I actually went to a birthday party for my cousin Jesse last month.  There was an inflatable castle for jumping, lots of food, and (my personal favorite) a big Elmo too.

New words keep coming out of my mouth, I can't stop them.  They're getting longer too -- I even know some 4-syllable words like "helicopter."  I'm also loving my gymnastics class, where I practice my "tuck and roll", "pike", and "straddle."  My other new hobby is going to the local outdoor markets, where I love to look at and sample food like fruit and bread.  Did I mention that I like to pick out my own clothes too?

Pondering...

Doudou and Dora!

This is not an illusion -- our heads actually look the same size!

Heading out for a stroll on my tricycle...

A lovely day for a bike ride.

Happy July everyone!  It's a busy holiday time for me -- first there's Independence Day on July 4th, and then Bastille Day on July 14th.  Enjoying your summer?  I'm spending lots of time outside doing things like "running", "jumping", and going on the "swings," not to mention that I like doing some things "tout seul" or by my-"self."  I'm a real quick learner so I know lots of words that you can almost have a regular conversation with me now if you can believe that.

Poppa took some pictures of me, Mommy, and Daddy, hope you like them.

Also, here's another video of me and Mommy as we put on our "maquillage" (makeup):

Hot fun in the summertime! Now that it's not cold anymore, I get to do much more fun stuff outside. The local playgrounds are my favorite haunts, but I'm trying out the occasional zoo. I can deal with the smaller animals, but some of the bigger ones look better in books than they do in person.

I "graduated" from my gym class by giving a performance with my classmates. I even got a certificate for my effort! My soon-to-be new school has a gym in it so that's where I'm taking my classes now -- I'm going to love school!

Walking on the lilypads at the zoo with Mommy.

My friend Lia and I -- so happy together!

I swear I don't know how those marker drawings got on the walls...

Part of my big performance in gym class!

No animals or small children were hurt during this somersault.

Bonjour tout le monde!  As you can see, I just can't stop learning words in French and English.  Every morning, I say hello to the cars, buses, trucks, and even the bicycles.  Some of my hobbies of the moment are collecting "cailloux" (rocks), drawing with "markers" and "craie" (chalk), and blowing "bubbles."  I can even put together the occasional (short) sentence, like "Dada eats pizza" and "I see you."

I've been loving the warmer weather, spending plenty of time outside at playgrounds and parks.  I'm much better at climbing around and going down slides all by myself too.

Crayons make me happy.

Isn't this how everyone sleeps?

Having fun with Grandma Peck.

"Ball!"

Dada can be so silly.