Mercy's First Haircut

I've been putting barrettes in Mercy's hair for about a year now. She's always been a good sport about having her hair done, even asking for pigtails or a ponytail and sitting still for them. However, we finally reached a point where the front became unruly and I just couldn't stand Mercy peering at me through scraggly clumps of hair anymore, so I took her to get some bangs. She did really well. It may have helped that I went first and got some bangs of my own, and that we talked about what it would be like beforehand. Her favorite part seemed to be seeing herself in the big mirror. At some point we'll need to cut the back, too, but we're just not ready to lose her little waves yet! (SS)

Ice Skating!

Well, it turns out they make ice skates in toddler sizes. Who knew? Mercy and I had a chance to go ice skating and she loved it. I think it would have been WAY more fun for her if I could stand up on skates myself, but oh well. I held both her hands and we teetered our way part way around the rink, and then enjoyed watching the other kids. I wanted her to know what ice skating was so she would have a reference when we watched the Olympics. She loves describing her experience (how COLD it was, how ice skaters go "like this" and imitates them in her socks on the wood floor, and how the Zamboni goes round and round). She's so much more coordinated than I am, though. I bet if I had given her 10 more minutes on the ice she would have figured out how to do a double axle on her own. (SS)

Mee-see and Mar-ree

Mercy loves to spend time with her BFF Amara. They're really cute together, especially when they hug and hold hands. Mercy pronounces her own name like "Mee-see" and calls Amara "Mar-ree" (rhymes with starry). Mercy always wants us to tell her a story about the adventures of Mercy and Amara and we made up a song about them, too. In November Mercy and Amara and their mommies took a trip to the Noah's Ark exhibit at the Skirball Cultural Center (a museum) in L.A. They were a little scared at first, but then had fun playing with everything. The whole exhibit is interactive and has all kinds of stuff for kids to do. We'll take them again when they're a little bit older and they might enjoy it even more. Mee-see and Mar-ree have many more fun adventures ahead of them. (SS)

Knott's

Mercy took her first trip to Knott's Berry Farm with Mommy, Grandma, Grandpa, and cousin Ben. She wasn't sure what to think about such a big Snoopy!

Grandma was a good sport to go on the rides with her.

She finally gave in to her nap, but was too stubborn to lie down and fell asleep like this:

The Apple of My Eye

We went on a family outing to Oak Glen and visited some apple orchards.

A man at one of the apple stands gave Mercy a little bitty apple just her size. We brought home a bag of King Davids. Delicious!

Off To The Races

On Saturday we had a fun outing and extended-family get-together at the Santa Anita Race Track. Mercy enjoyed watching the horses, eating ice cream, and playing with cousins. Great day! (SS)

Saying Grace

Every night at the dinner table we say a prayer to thank God for supplying our needs and some other things. Sometimes we forget but mid way through the meal Mercy reminds us by reaching out for both of our hands. In either case we close our prayer with an "Amen" which Mercy echoes with a sincere "Elmo". Sometimes she likes to pray two or three times a meal. I think I'm learning that there is more to pray for than just your food and what comes to mind in 30 seconds.