Daily Ada: 31 December 12

 Here's a mixture of Ada's experiences from the trip so far...

 

In the park with Pa

 

 Xmas dinner

 

 Reading a new book with cousin John

 Hanging out with the cousins and puppies

 Playing with cousin Danielle

Group hug!

Hiking around the 'hood

Daily Ada: 27 December 12

Daily Ada: 26 December 12 - First Snow!

Ada's first Christmas Day. And it's white! In Texas! (Food and gift opening to follow...)

Daily Ada: 23 December 12

Daily life in Texas.

Ada's Christmas #1

This weekend, since we're not going to be over here for real Christmas, we had a "fake" one. Friday was Christmas Eve, Saturday was Christmas and Sunday was Boxing Day. Ada of course had a great time and was really starting to get the hang of opening presents. I think she'll be all ready to go for when real Christmas rolls around, and by her birthday she'll be a pro.

Opening a present from the stocking

Ada loves satsumas

But not as much as she loves Harry the Dog

With Grandad

Getting into the swing of things

In the car that lives at Brean

Notice I'm the one at the table waiting for things to start

Daily Ada: 10 December 12

This was her bed when I got her up in the morning. Yes, that is a USB stick. And no, neither Mark nor I have any idea how it got there!

Maybe is already taking after her pseudo-namesake, Ada Lovelace...

Happy birthday, Nanny!

(A few days late but these photo shoots require careful preparation...)

Daily Ada: 3 December 12

This one is for Julie - heavy on the pink!

Daily Ada: 29 November12

Ada finally made it to her very first soft play place. It was really quiet with only three other kids, who were in other sections, so I had to demonstrate the kind of things you can do, to get her started. She seemed to like it. And then she found the kids' air hockey table, which she really liked. Like father, like daughter!

Daily Ada: 27 November 12

Helping with the Christmas tree.

Daily Ada: 26 November 12

We discovered a bean dip Ada really likes. She basically just licks it off anything it is put on.

Daily Ada: 25 November 12

Monthly Mark: Movember!

If you haven't heard of Movember, but have been wondering why it seems like every man around you is growing weird facial hair, you now have a reason to find out more. Mark is participating in the international charity drive phenomenon (it started in Australia), which is Movember, where men grow moustaches to raise awareness of men's health in general and of prostate cancer specifically.

You can find out more at the Movember Wikipedia page, or the official "Movember World Wide" site.

Mark is doing it alongside other members of his team at work. Mark is staying above the fray of competitiveness (which seems to always happen with these things) by not publicizing it too much, or raising any money. But if you want to give, you can, via Mark's "mobro" site.

And here is the progression. The thing is that you have to start clean shaven on November 1st.

Ada seems OK with it. She doesn't like when he wears hats or glasses, but seems to be OK with facial hair.

First Thanksgiving.

We had Ada's first Thanksgiving today! Since I don't work on Thursdays, and Mark was working from home, we were able to have a pretty close approximation of Thanksgiving at Ada's normal dinner time. Ada had a fever all day, but was a trooper and still seemed to enjoy herself, though she didn't eat as much as she normally might have done.

And then of course we introduced her to the obligatory lying on the couch afterwards!

Daily Ada: 17 November 12

This is Ada's Diwali latern, which she decorated at nursery. It was also her opportunity to check out the regular camera, while I took pictures on my phone.

Daily Ada: 16 November 12

Sometimes, it takes a rice cake to get things done.

Daily Ada: 15 November 12

We now have a system for Skype, which involves setting the iPad on a cookbook stand on the dining table and a small table in front of that for Ada to hold onto.
So when things go into place, Ada knows what's coming. But sometimes I set things up before Mimi and Pa are ready, and Ada stands there, waiting patiently for them to "arrive."

Happy birthday, Mommy!

Yes, Jenny, I did receive a birthday cookie this year!