Happy Birthday Daddy!

Daddy celebrated his 32nd birthday last night (one night early due to his work schedule.) Alena helped me make a mint cake with chocolate frosting by Daddy's request. All Alena could talk about all day was the mint cake. Needless to say, she was not disappointed, especially when it was paired with chocolate ice cream! There were a lot of candles on the cake--fortunately there were two little helpers on hand to get the job done.

Daddy wasn't allowed to even help unwrap his gift. Oh well. Earlier he asked Alena what it was and she replied "shirt." Yes, it was a shirt. Alena is also sporting her new Hello Kitty nightgown, which she feels is much superior to the one piece pjs that she is used to. She sometimes refers to it as a "nap dress."

Here she is

Ok, here is the new 'do. Alena was an excellent toddler waiting for her haircut and sat very still while she got it cut. She looked down when she was supposed to and was rewarded with some pretzels and a balloon. She is excited to get it cut again but said she doesn't want to get it washed (that seemed a little too scary).

Getting ready for the haircut.

Missing mullet. This is the first time Alena hasn't sported her famous mullet. She looks very grown up now. This picture doesn't show it, but she has one curl in her hair in the back that makes her look like a wood duck.

Alena was too busy putting away silverware to pose for pictures.

What is Alena up to today?

Here is a video of Alena telling everyone what she is up to. I don't have any good pictures yet but I'll get a couple after she wakes up from her nap.

Valentine's Day treats for Mommy

Alena is cooking up something very tasty for Mommy to eat when she gets home! And look how cute she looks in her Valentine's jumper Grandma Diane sewed for her. Daddy and Alena had a lot of fun today at Kinder-music class. We sang, played with music sticks, hoops, and a parachute - whoa! Alena turned on the charm and got a free slice of cheese at Hy-Vee today (Mr. Cheese wasn't even working).

Snow day

What do you do when you get almost a foot of snow? Send Daddy outside to dig out the cars, hang out in pajamas, and cook.

Looking for good recipes

Alena rolled up some sushi. She and the cats really like imitation crab. Alena calls it "ham." Maybe a Finn-icky ham lover would even like it. Yes, there was rice stuck all over the kitchen after this.

It wasn't all fun and games, though. Alena cleaned the bottom half of the tv with her new dusting mitten...

...and scrubbed out the sink after supper.