Six More Weeks of Winter?!

When Ainsley heard that Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter, she responded, "Oh, no!" But she still enjoyed the local festivities surrounding Groundhog Day. 

At Big Girl School, Ainsley made a fun little groundhog paper toy that pokes through his hole to look for his shadow.

We also went to Groundhog Fun Day at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. They had various animal pelts to touch and stations throughout the museum to learn more about each animal, such as how to identify their tracks.

Balancing an eagle in the Discovery Center

There were several groundhog crafts & activities, too, such as digging and tunneling like a groundhog, and we even got a souvenir picture taken:

Ainsley & Mommy with "Lake Erie Eddie"

Later in the afternoon, we attended a presentation with Lake Erie Eddie, the local groundhog. As a Pennsylvania girl, I was a bit suspicious of this Northeast Ohio "Phil wannabe," but Eddie turned out to be OK. In addition to Eddie, they brought out a skunk and a nine-month-old porcupine. It's not very often you get to see these animals so close up! Fun day at the museum!

Eddie himself

Winter Fun

There's always a lot going on leading up to Christmas, but what can we do after Christmas? Well, we've found plenty of ways to keep busy during this cold winter weather. Below are a few highlights of what we've been up to since the holidays.

Camping at the Natural History Museum

A few days before Christmas, Ainsley & I had a girls' day at the Natural History Museum. There was a Smokey Bear exhibit, and Ainsley wanted to "go camping" the entire time we were there. She said we had to wear camper hats so everyone would know we were camping.

In the tent

Roasting marshmallows

Camping girls

First Movie

On December 26, we took Ainsley to see her very first movie in a movie theater - Disney's Frozen. We figured it would be a good choice, since she loves all her Disney princess movies. This turned out to be no exception! She loved the movie and was mesmerized the entire time! 

On most days now, she can be found pretending to be Queen Elsa and singing her song, "Let It Go." We already have the Frozen soundtrack, and Ainsley keeps asking when the movie will be released on DVD. Good thing I pre-ordered it, so it will be in our mailbox at the first possible moment!

Ainsley & Kitty at the movies

December Days at the Zoo

Before the really cold weather set in, we enjoyed December Days at the Zoo. Most of the animals were out, and Christmas music played over the outdoor speakers. I was particularly moved by the bull elephant, who stood swaying gently in time with "O Holy Night." To watch such a magnificent beast "dancing" to this holiest of songs almost brought a tear to my eye. Truly, all God's creatures...

Ainsley made a pine cone craft to hang outside for the birds

Enjoying the "oldies" music playing on the
zoo tram.

Happy New Year!

At Big Girl School, Ainsley made a 2014 hat, 2014 banners, and a noise maker to shake at midnight on New Year's Eve. After we got home from a fun New Year's Eve party with friends, we rang in 2014 at "midnight" -- which was actually 11 p.m. (good thing Ainsley can't tell time yet). There was no way we were going to deprive this sweet princess of the celebratory moment she was so looking forward to...

Snow Days

There sure has been a lot of snow so far this winter, so we're having some fun with all the white stuff! We made snow angels, built snow castles and even found some rabbit tracks in our yard.

"Snow blowing" the driveway

Disney On Ice

Since Ainsley loves all things Disney, we decided to take her to Disney On Ice again this year. This year's program featured various celebrations, from an un-birthday party with the Mad Hatter to a Valentine's Day dance with all of the princesses. Daddy's favorite was the Halloween Party with the villians (Captain Hook, Cruella de Vil, Jafar, and more!). It was a great way to spend a cold January afternoon with our favorite Disney friends!

Visit with Aunt Liz

Aunt Liz invited us to join her for a Sleeping Beauty Tea at the Beck Center, where she takes dance classes. We dined on cookies, tea and punch, and made a princess crown to take home. Then we watched the young ballet students put on a Sleeping Beauty ballet. Afterward, the children were invited to learn part of the dance. 

Ainsley really enjoyed watching all the ballerinas in their beautiful costumes. She's been doing her dance moves ever since; maybe those long legs of hers will end up on a stage someday!

Hanging with Rocky at Aunt Liz's house before the event

Practicing ballet with Aunt Liz afterward

Ainsley's Christmas Portraits

Since she was born, we've had Ainsley's picture taken every six months - at Christmas and at her birthday each year. She used to change so much between sessions, but now I've noticed that the changes aren't quite so drastic. She has truly left the "baby" stage and become a little girl! Here are some of the photos from December ... Ainsley at Three-and-a-Half!

Our family by the "fire"

Reading a Christmas story

Our snow princess

One of my favorites

A devious look....

We were going for artistic - "gently touching an
ornament."  Ainsley had a more dramatic pose in mind!

Ainsley and her best pal, Kitty