Addison's birthday party

Last weekend I was invited to Addison's birthday party at Gymco, the same place where I had my birthday party. Here, my other friend Ella and I are posing with Addison, the birthday girl, in the middle.

Then, we got to play in the gym, and it was just as fun as always. Hoping to get invited to another party very soon. What did you ask? If I am the life of the party? Well, I don't know, but I hear my mom say I'm a social butterfly, that's something similar, right?

Chicago trip

Right after Christmas mom, dad and I took a trip to Chicago. I LOVE Chicago and was so excited about the trip that I could hardly wait. Above you can see the view from our hotel. Very pretty.

We stayed at the W hotel. I know the letter w now.

We decided to have breakfast at Lou Mitchell's as usual. Pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, and fried potatoes. Yum!

Then we went to the Museum of Science and Industry. They had a really great exhibit on Christmas Trees from around the world.

They also have really good ice cream in their ice-cream parlor. Yum again! Next, there was an exhibition about Dr. Seuss, which I really enjoyed, although I thought I was going to meet The Cat in the Hat or, even better, the Grinch(!), but no such luck.

OK, I just have to say it again: I LOVE Chicago! I think I might be destined to live in a city. It's so pretty!

Lastly, we went to see a play, Pinkalicious, a musical about a girl who just wants to eat pink cupcakes all day long. I think I would kind of like that too....I actually got to meet the stars after the show to get their autographs.

Outside the theatre mom and and I posed so that daddy could take another picture. I saw sad to be going back home. But, once home, it was actually quite nice to sleep in my own bed.

I know it's already middle of January, but I haven't had a chance to tell you all about my Christmas before. We had a really beautiful tree this year. Mom and I decorated it together. We also had a little white wooden tree on our dining room table that we bought this summer when we were in Stockholm.

In my room I had little candle holders and Santa figurines that mom had when she was a little girl. 

In mom's and dad's bedroom we had a large Tomte (Swedish Santa) and a beautiful candleholder that my mom got from her mom.

And, I just have to show you my little Christmas village again, that was on top of my bookshelf. 

But best of all, Santa came to our house on Christmas Eve. He was a bit smaller than I had expected and his coat was black, not red (I asked my mom why and she said maybe he had to wash it), but he was cool nevertheless. We had a Very Merry Christmas! What about you?

Lucia and Advent

This week on Tuesday it was December 13, the day of Lucia! Lucia is celebrated in Sweden. She is the queen of light that comes with gingerbread cookies and "lussebullar" to everyone, and she sings beautifully. My aunt Sara had sent me the Lucia crown and outfit and I was so excited that I had tried it on every night for about a week before the day of Lucia. 

Once I was dressed up, mom and I went over to Iris' house and sang the Lucia song for her and her parents. I also sang "Staffan var en stalledräng" all by myself. We also brought gingerbread cookies and lussebullar with us. 

In my room I have a little Christmas city that is placed on top of my bookshelf. It's just the right height for me. 

It's advent now, and every day I get to take a present from the advent calendar. Today I got an ornament kit. Mom and I made Santa ornaments in the afternoon. 

Cookie-making and Zach's birthday party

Last weekend I was invited to our neighbors' house to decorate cookies. My friend Iris (to the right) and her cousin Ella (left) and I got 3 little bowls with icing in green, white and pink. We were all good at decorating. I think I did at least 6 cookies. 

Iris mom, Stacey, was giving us tools and new cookies all the time. She is so nice. 

Here are some of the cookies we decorated with icing and sprinkles (lots and lots of sprinkles!!).

Then it was time to go to Zach's birthday party. Mom says I'm starting to have a busier social calendar than her and dad.

The party was really fun! Here I'm jumping in the bouncy tent that Zach's parents had rented for the party.

Zach's dad also showed us a few games. In this game we were passing the bag from one person to another.

My birthday party

On December 3rd I had my birthday party. It was a couple of weeks after my actual birthday but I wanted to have it at a gym (Gymco) and it wasn't available on my birthday. All my friends loved playing with me and the teacher in the gym! Here I am balancing. I'm very good at that!

Balancing again, this time with pom-poms. Following right behind me is my friend Charlotte. She is good at balancing too.

After the gym it was time for some snacks and then cake. I got a paper princess crown from the gym teacher and I felt very special.

All my friends also enjoyed the meal.

Then it was time for presents. I got so many gifts! Games, small Disney Princess Dolls, puzzles, and much more! It was a very memorable day.

Thanksgiving

Yesterday was Thanksgiving. I had to tell mom and dad all the things we HAD to have on the table. I had learnt exactly what you should eat at Thanksgiving at my daycare, but since mom and dad are not originally from the States they seemed to keep on forgetting some of the stuff! We had to go back to the store an extra time to pick up the cornbread. Now, what Thanksgiving would it be without cornbread? Dad made a really nice turkey for us. And mom made mashed potatoes. We didn't have sweet potatoes though. I know that's sort of a requirement, but hey, since mom's Swedish mash tastes better I made an exception here.

Now, what would you two do without me, mom and dad? 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!