We ventured out to Hogle Zoo today to see the new Rocky Shores exhibit with Jami and Alex. Alex brought all his bears to meet Rizzo.
New candidate for Toddler Animal Prom? I believe so.
Nora and Hazel love Dawn and Bill so much.
Here’s what Hazel is best at right now: sitting, spitting, and smiling. These pictures fortunately captured all three.
When I took these photos of Hazel this afternoon, I couldn’t help but think of this set of Nora. They’re about the same age, and in the same spot in our backyard. How did I get so lucky to have two such amazing girls?
Hazel doesn’t let a little temporary sun blindness get her down.
Don’t let that slight foam of drool on her chin distract you from her awesome (if one-handed) So Big performance.
At Sarah’s request, we have Nora doing a short sample of her Applejack impression. You know, Applejack? The My Little Pony? You don’t know her? I guess you don’t have a four-year-old girl.
Girliest bike, girliest dress, girliest helmet, bestiest girl.
Hazel, do you want to…no? Really? Okay then.
Yup, Hazel says “mama.” Best baby ever.
This year, Nora’s preschool teacher, Miss Terry, focused on one kid per week, helping the class learn all about that child’s favorite things. On the last day of the week, everybody comes prepared to say something they like about him or her, family is invited to come and do the same, and it all gets written on a big poster. It’s adorable and silly and touching, and there are pictures of me crying to prove it.
Here are the details from Nora’s poster.
Favorite number: 1000
Favorite shape: triangle
Favorite planet: Saturn
Favorite color: black
Favorite animal: zebra
Favorite movie: My Little Pony
Favorite book: In a Dark, Dark Room
Favorite activity at school: markers
Favorite treat: bubble gum
Favorite place: home
Favorite season: winter
What she wants to be when she grows up: ballerina, astronaut, and chef
Nora: I like how I play with my sister Hazel.
Piper: I like Nora because she’s so silly!
Hendrix: I like Nora because she’s very smart. I like to play animals with her.
Andrew: I like Nora because she is gentle and plays nicely.
Elise: I like that Nora is truthful.
Charlie: I like Nora because she’s kind and smart.
Beka: I like how she paints. I like how smart she is.
Ruby: She’s always ready to play when I ask.
Kai: I like Nora because she is friendly and I had a campfire with her.
Alex: Nora is one of my best friends. She shares her toys with me. I like getting slurpees with Nora. Sometimes we get angry and fight, but we are still always friends.
Zoe: I like Nora because she can be really fun. I like that Nora keeps her chair quiet during snack. I like Nora because she has the best imagination!
Grandsir: I like Nora because she is good at tricking. We like to play tricks on each other. I love Nora’s imagination!
Grandma Alison: I love how funny Nora can be. She is so good at making me laugh. She is hilarious when she does her belly roll!
Dad: Nora is my best friend. I love to play with her and I love the things that she says to me. The other day at McDonalds she was explaining to another child that she couldn’t go really fast down the slide because there was too much friction!
Mom: I love how Nora likes to figure out really big, long, new words to use. I love how big her vocabulary is. I also love that she is very tenderhearted. She’s like me in that way, especially toward her little sister Hazel! I love how sometimes she will cry at the end of a movie because it has a happy ending!
Teacher Terry: I love how Nora thinks outside of the box. She is always thinking of different ways to see things! She makes me laugh with all the cool words she uses.
Nora explains what’s in the birthday picture she drew for Kaeleigh.
My (least) favorite part is the stray hairs she drew near my feet. I asked her if she thinks I’m just shedding hairs all the time, gross-style, and Nora responded, “Yeah, Mom. It’s YOU.” Obviously.