Dominican Dancing!

One of our favorite ports along our cruise adventure was the Dominican Republic. We took a small boat to a private beach and enjoyed the entire day lounging in the sand and splashing in the waves. Everlee couldn't help showing her enthusiasm and dancing with the locals. At first, she was a little shy but it didn't take her long to show off her rhythm.

Aaaargh!

While on our family cruise, Everlee turned three and was old enough to participate in the "Aquanauts" activity program. This is an area for children to play, create, and use their imagination. Every day is designed around a new theme. Everlee's visit landed her in the middle of "Pirate Night". The counselors dressed the children as pirates, had them decorate their own bandannas, and taught them pirate songs. They scoured the deck, singing their songs, and looking for treasure. Everlee's obsession with pirate's began on this night. Her favorite past time became making pirate faces! Aaaaaargh!

I Am Three!

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Once again we have been fortunate to embark on another family cruise and celebrate Everlee's third birthday sailing the high seas. In fact, Everlee has celebrated every birthday aboard a cruise ship. It makes for quite a birthday celebration. This year, Everlee took great pride in telling and showing everyone around her she was three years old. One night at dinner, Mimi, showed Everlee how to hold up her three fingers. This was an act seen throughout the rest of the cruise and an act she continues to show when asked her age. Everlee especially loved the attention she received at dinner when the staff sang her "Happy Birthday". It is hard to believe our little girl is growing up fast and becoming her own little person.

Dancin' Queens

One has to love impromptu pizza parties. We called a few friends, last minute, and decided to have a pizza/pool party. We had a perfect evening filled with treats and a splash in the pool. Everlee loved the fact her two good friends were able to join the festivities. It is so nice when you love the parents of your child's friends. As the night went on everyone started to get a little goofy and the music started playing. Everlee, Stella, and Kaia ended the evening with their version of what it means to be "Dancin' Queens". No matter the song, they found the beat!

Shining Star

Everlee never hesitates to dance or sing at any given moment. Lately, she has been belting out this song where we can only recognize the word, "You!" Her teachers have even asked us about the famous solo because it seems to be her favorite activity at school while using a wooden block as a microphone. I'm not sure quite how long her career will last in the music field but for now she is a "Shining Star".

"From My Butt"

For the past few months we have been working really hard with Everlee to help her potty train. She has been doing a fabulous job and I'm impressed with her ability to adapt to the new routine. We still have one area to conquer before she can be considered truly "potty trained". Which brings me to my next post, a little gross but very funny.

Tonight, I was in the kitchen getting ready to prepare dinner when Everlee walks in with a ball in her hand. After closer examination, I realize it is a ball of poop. (I tell myself not to panic or cringe). Naturally, I ask Everlee, "Did you poop?" She says, "No." Next logical question being, "Well, where did this poop come from?" Everlee looks at me as if the answer should be obvious. "From my butt!" Enough said.

Waving the White Flag

Everlee has slowly started to show us she (THINKS) she is capable of making her own decisions. Whether or not we know what is best she seems to think she knows what is better. Taking daily naps is a great example. Regardless of the fact that she becomes cranky, grouchy, argumentative, and a ball of tears without a nap, she still thinks she doesn't need it. One day, we decided to just let her "cry it out". There were several minutes of banging on the door, crying out our name, screaming at the top of her lungs, etc. Finally, there was peace and quiet....there was peace and quiet for several hours. When we finally went to wake her up, pleased she had seen the light and realized we knew what was best, we found quite a scene. Everlee made it clear what she thought of our daily naps. I guess after realizing we would not give in, she waved the white flag. She gave in, crawled under her chair, and finally decided to take a nap.