Austen was more interested in conversing with Santa rather then taking a photo with him. Conversation topics included self-introductions, explaining a picture she drew for Santa and what Austen wanted for Christmas.
While Mama is completely bowled over by colds, Austen seems to fight off the same virus in a matter of days, and it barely slows her down.
It was Austen and Erin’s year to join Emma on Auntie Heather’s annual trip to the Nutcracker. Davinder, Lucinda, Zack, Janet and Eric were also in attendance. All three little girls did amazing, mesmerized as they watched the children dancing, the ballerina princesses spinning, the Christmas tree growing and the mice running around after the soldiers. Mommy was so impressed.
The amazing three year olds, Austen and Erin, sat still in their seats the entire show. Austen was excited from the start, anticipating princesses and the Nutcracker, whom she’d see at the Metuchen tree lighting ceremony. Next to Lucinda, Austen say in Emma’s arms, sharing a seat, and reminded everyone “Shhhh, you can’t talk during the show,” as she, Emma and Erin shared a container of gummy bears. There was some whispering between the girls but only about what was going on on stage. “Wow, the tree is getting taller and taller,” said Austen, in an excited whisper. “When are the mice coming?” asked Erin, who’d been told what to expect. It was a joy just to watch the three little faces propped on the banister (Auntie Heather got us really good second tier seats). Their wide eyes were infectious.
Austen watches Curious George every day. She likes to communicate in monkey talk: “Ooo Ooo Ooo, Ahh, Ahh, Ahh” and pointing. And often she’s inspired by what happened in the current episode. If George picks apples, Austen wants to pick apples. If George rides a bike, Austen wants to ride her bike. If George goes to the beach and builds a sand castle, Austen tells us she wants to go to the beach (in December).
This year, we went to Aunt Tittoo & Uncle Teji’s house to join their annual Thanksgiving celebration, followed by a more traditional turkey dinner at home.
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| From Hey Diddle Diddle |
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Often when Dada is trying to get Austen moving (she’s often poky about putting her clothes on, or going downstairs to the car), he’ll say, “Let’s do it, baby!”
Of late she responds to being called a baby with a reminder of her upcoming sister status. “I’m not a baby! I’m a sister.”
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| From I’m a big sister |
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Austen can dress herself head to toe and is very proud of herself when she does so. Shirt, underwear, pants, socks and shoes. “I did it all by my big girl self.”
When in a hyped up, overexcited mood, she still has a tendency to refuse to help get herself dress, squirming around and ‘playing’ instead of cooperating with dressings. Mommy is overheard using many threats: no princess videos, etc.. However, Austen seems to be, for the most part, over the fighting and kicking stage when getting dressed. Of course, all bets are off if she’s overly tired; in which case she’ll fight you over ANYTHING because her rebellious, independent side goes haywire. Mommy and Dada love the way Austen appreciates her own appearance now — not in a vain sense but in a “I want to do it” sense. Just yesterday she checked out her new hat the mirror at a coffee shop and seemed quite taken. The striped, pink hat became “goat ears.” For Halloween, Austen was thrilled with her princess, flower fairy and chicken outfits. Looking at herself in the mirror inspired her to keep the outfit on, even when it wasn’t 100% comfy.Since Austen’s been watching a lot of princess stories (Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella), she’s starting talking about the princes (noting their names, pointing them out when she sees them).
One day while Mommy and Austen were about to get out of the car to go eat lunch at a restaurant in town, Austen noticed Mommy’s diamond ring, and Mommy told her about how Dada gave it to her when they decided to get married. “You know how all the princesses get married to a prince at the end of the story … Well, Dada is my prince.” Austen was furious. “No!!!!! Dada is my prince, not yours.” Mommy tried to offer to share but Austen wasn’t having it. After Austen calmed down (days later) she asked “Who’s my prince?” Mommy tried to convince Austen that, when she’s older, she can choose her own prince, if she wants to.