A Call From Santa

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

This morning, I participated in a Thanksgiving tradition: I watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with my mom and dad. There were tons of giant cartoon character balloons and dancers and singers. It was awesome! I loved it. And do you know the best part? I discovered Santa Claus. Yep. Mom's been telling me about him for a couple of weeks, but today I saw him. At first I called him Boompa (and one of his elves Shvia), but Mom explained that he's not Boompa--that he is sort of like Boompa, but that Santa is magical and loves well-behaved children so much that he brings them all presents on Christmas. This Santa guy sounds really cool! I was so excited about him that Mom thought it was time for me to call him. Apparently Mom has an "in" with the guy, so she called him up. Here is some video of that phone call. (Please forgive the following: #1. My mom's appearance. It was her promise to herself that she remain in her PJs all day today; bird hair, glasses, giant sweatshirt and all. #2. The dumb video camera. It cut off the first video. Santa's bringing Mom a new one for Christmas).

Favorite Book

If you have ever looked at my profile, you'll know that one of my favorite books (for as long as Mom and Dad have been reading to me...which is like...forever) is "Moo Baa La La La," by Sandra Boynton. For a while now, when my mom asks me what book I would like to read, I say "Moo," meaning this book. I love it when she sings the pigs' part. But now I've heard it so many times, I can practically read it myself! Check it out:

Boompa and Shvia

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, my Aunt Sofia (or as I like to call her: Shvia) came to visit me. Grandpa (aka Boompa) came up for a couple of days too! I have missed them both so much that everyday since they've been gone, I pick up the phone and pretend to call them. Here are some pictures Shvia took during their visit.

My new favorite game: Riding the Mommy horse.



Ready for the Ivy League. Columbia is an obvious choice because the blue brings out my eyes.



Me and Boompa giving our "pretty smiles" for the camera.



Me and Boompa heading out for the day.



I can't wait to see my Boompa and Shvia at Christmas!

A Dinner Miracle

Yesterday morning, Aunt Sofia (aka Shvia) and Grandpa (aka Boom-pa) flew back to Tennessee. (More about my visit with them to come!) Daddy comes home tonight, so Mom thought she would treat herself to a special night at home alone(since I go to bed at 8) with junk food and reality tv. We were out running errands when she saw a Wendy's and got a craving for a cheeseburger. She ordered a happy meal for me, thinking I would be the happiest kid in the world when I looked inside that Snoopy bag to find chicken nuggets. Yeah...not so much. We got home, sat at the table, and Mom excitedly put the chicken nuggets in front of me. I immediately picked them up and put them back in the bag. She tried convincing me that I liked chicken nuggets and that I should try one, but I refused. She then did the unimaginable. She offered me the thing she likes me to have the least: a french fry. I nibbled the end, then put it back on my plate. She asked me what I wanted to eat, so I turned in my seat, pointed at the fridge and said "boo-ber!" That's right folks! No chicken nuggets for me! Instead I ate almost an entire pint of blueberries! Mom sure can't complain about that!

"Pretty" Smile

Mom: "Hey Poki, smile for the camera!"

Poki:

Boo! I mean...Gobble Gobble!

Mom, Aunt Sofia and I made a new decoration for our front door to replace the ghosts from Halloween. As you can see, Mom and Sofia got a little into it. I just wanted to play with tape.

Now when I go to the front door, I still say "boo!" Mom keeps trying to teach me to say "gobble! gobble!" but so far I just say "Ticky! Boo! Gob Gob!" Hey--that's a start!

Aunt Sofia's Here!

Aunt Sofia is visiting for the week and we are all so excited! She actually wants to spend time with me alone, which is great because my mom has been buried beneath a pile of her students' papers. (In addition to the fact that she may or may not be addicted to My Farm on facebook...long story). Aunt Sofia has been taking me up to the park to play and chasing me around the house and reading me books and singing with me--you know, all my favorite things. She has even been giving me Russian lessons. I'm doing pretty well too!



As you all know (unless you've already begun hibernating), it's Fall. The leaves have all gone through their various stages of color change and now they're on the ground. I know I sound all melancholy (What? I know what that word means), but really, what happens when the leaves are on the ground? The best part about Fall, that's what! Playing in giant piles of leaves! I've never done that before! Remember people, last Fall I was still just a tiny baby. Now I'm a toddler and I can play in some leaves! That's basically what Sofia and I do when we go to the park. It's seriously fun, and of course, I look seriously cute doing it. Big surprise.





Check back throughout the week--we'll have lots more to post!

Song and Dance Man, Part II

Remember the other day when I told you that I have been singing the words to songs? (To refresh your memory click here). Well my mom has finally caught some of those songs on video. There are a few...and they are sort of long...but I think well worth watching! Enjoy!

A Breakthrough...? Let's not jinx it.

Tonight, when mom was lifting me out of the bath, I looked at her and said "pee pee." She asked, "Do you need to pee pee?" I walked over to the potty, sat down and pee peed. Now, I haven't wanted to say anything (because I only like to report good news), but all this week, while I have still sat on the potty a couple of times a day, I haven't done anything but sit. Mom thought the novelty had worn off--but tonight, I told my mom I needed to pee pee! Mom isn't getting her hopes up or anything, but she is super proud of me. She even gave me a special reward: a piece of chocolate! Yay me!

Aunt La La

Hey guys. I have a little present for you guys: a new president! Cool, huh? You're welcome.

I'm actually writing today to ask for your help. My Aunt La La (Mom's sister, and really, best friend) has been going through a bizarre and stressful last couple of months. She has had some health issues that aren't being resolved as well or as quickly as we would hope. She posted a detailed message today on her blog in hopes that someone out there might be able to shed some light on the situation, or even just say: "You know, I've experienced something like that to..." It would be great if you guys could check it out and see for yourselves. Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated!

Much love to you all--especially Aunt La La.

Song and Dance Man

I have recently reached a pretty friggin' adorable milestone, if I do say so myself. I have started singing actual songs! Not just saying "do da do da." I sing "Dem Bones," as you saw in a previous post, and as of this morning, I sing "Five Little Monkeys." So far I just sing "Monkey! Jump!" and then pat my head and shake my finger, but it's obvious what I am singing. I also dance the "Hokey Pokey" and along to "When Your Happy and You Know It." My mom is doing her best to catch these on film, but so far I clam up when I see the camera...or else I get totally distracted, like this:



Oh well! Hopefully you'll see it soon!

Busted!

My mom is sick, so Daddy let her sleep in this morning. After my breakfast, unbeknownst to Mom, I had my first candy bar. When she woke up and saw the chocolate all over my shirt, Dad said excitedly, "Don't worry--I got it on video!" When she asked him to be more specific, he realized she didn't exactly approve of my eating an entire candy bar (although it was one of those mini candy bars), so he said, "He just ripped open the wrapper and stuck it in his mouth before I could get it away from him!" Uh huh...well, he should have remembered exactly what he caught on video when he told that little fib, because this is what Mom found later:







Busted, Dad!