Stop growing!

Above:Walking to dance class in her funky tights and cool trench!

Inside joke: I tell Frances to stop growing, just for today- tomorrow she can grow a little. She smiles and agrees. Promises to be my baby. An hour or two go by and she laughs and tells me that she is growing! And she is. Somehow she went from 2t this summer to a 4t this fall??!! At three there is very little toddler left. She is such a big girl and very proud of herself. I love her confidence, strength, and even her temper! When Frank and I took her to her first 'on her own' gymnastics class we were worried and wondered if she would cry, if we would need to go in with her. Nothing doing- she waved goodbye and was the first one in line to go to class. Awesome. And later at dance class the same thing! She thinks of gym, dance, and library group as school.

Below: Frank preparing for a nice New England winter by adding a swing to her doorway. Seriously gives me an extra 15-20min of free time each day.

And Now She's Three Years Old

Opening her loot!

A nana sandwhich!

Fun in the sauna...I mean bounce house!

Danielle, Birthday girl, Delaney, Tyler, and Baby Jack Boy (as named by Frances)

Today was the big day and "Baby" Frances is now Three Years Old. We had the party at Nana's house and in my brother's yard. It was a hot and steamy New England Summer's Day, even more so after the Thundershowers that passed through. Appropriately enough it had the feel of a day in Vietnam. The Blow-Up Elephant Bouncy House was a big hit with the kids, as was swimming in the pool during a downpour listening to thunder off in the distance. As it got closer we paraded into Nana's house, soaking wet in bathing suits, and were met with towels at the ready. Swimming in a downpour sure beats grilling in one. The burgers were all over done and two packs of hotdog rolls were soaked. But Crystal and I worked together and got it done. The best part was being with family and friends - and of course the home-made triple-decker strawberry cake with strawberry-creamcheese frosting which was one of Crystal's best ever! So Frances bounced and swam and ate and laughed (and yes cried when it was time to go), she blew out her candles and opened her presents and now she's Three Years Old!

A Green TuTu For Frances

Frances' third birthday is this coming Saturday. On Tuesday morning she received her first gift -it was from her BFF in Oregon and was she ever excited to receive a package in the mail. Maybe we should have known better than to open it BEFORE we left for the grocery store - because Frances insisted on wearing her brand new green TuTu! She was so concerned about crushing it, she would not wear it in the car seat but traveled in her underwear. At the store the usually shy Frances (there is something about being in costume) pirouetted for everyone who complimented her. It was really a lot of fun.

And oh yes - she would have nothing to do with the headband...but it looks great on me!!

The LeGallo's go Boston...er the greater Boston area

And here we are looking for an apartment while at Frank's mom's house. All is well and I am thankful for the slooooow dial up connection. Warning: Do not consume potato chips with dial up Internet service.
I got very sad and teary an hour before landing in the Boston airport and also this past Friday. I miss Oregon. I miss my friends and family!
But no worries- I will be replacing you all with Steak and cheese subs. I will have one for each of you- in fact I am almost there. Seriously- how can Oregon have missed this meaty goodness?Then I will be rejoining the old WW. (Groucho- I will have a cannoli for your family.)
So if you want updates...Frances photos....Massachusetts photos....
then you must leave a comment! I need communication folks. I am allllllllllllllllll alone.

Go Night-Night Papa

Frances has discovered a new game - she wants papa to pretend to go to sleep (in her bed) so she can startle him awake with a loud noise. Her Noisemaker? A metal Curious George teapot filled with coins! She can be very specific in her instructions. She wants papa to lay down, on my back. with my toes pointing up! I hardly fit in her bed so she has agreed to let me sleep on my side - unable to find the words she lies down herself - "like this papa!". Then she makes sure I am comfortable with blanket and pillow and everything is quiet. I can hear her studiously filling the teapot with coins and then - CLANG CLANG CLANG!!. And then papa sits up startled awake - over and over and over again. That's my girl!

Bubblicious

long overdue update!

Frances is growing and learning. At 2.5 she is both fun and exhausting. She is really talking now, in full sentences, making jokes and I can't keep track of the new things she says. She will rub my face and look in my eyes and tell me, "I love you mama". She called frank a 'ketchup face' at dinner time. Someone suggested pizza for lunch and then Frank or I said, "me too", Frances then said "me too" and a second later yelled, "me three!" and cracked her self up!
She has been going to gym class with Frank every week and is doing really well. She still loves Curious George, but barbie movies are fast becoming a new favorite. She changes her dress multiple times throughout and sings and dances along with the characters. Her voice raises, arms go up, head back and eyelids closed as she belts out the lines. Hilarious.
We have been very busy with a two week visit from my Sister and her two kids. Frances loved having big kids to play with. Towards the end half of us were miserable with colds, so we did not have as much fun as we had hoped. Though we still made it to the beach!

Below: Me and my crazy sister Heather making a Frances sandwich.
Below: Frances, Destiny, and Patrick

Below: Destiny and Frances ready to shop!