Anoka Tree

Yesterday I got a call at work from my mom that my dad wasn't feeling well and they had called the Ambulance to come get him and take him to the hospital.  He had a heart attack 20 years ago and it seemed very similar to that.  The ambulance took him to Mercy hospital because they have a great cardiology department there.  I left work a bit early and met them.

By the time I got there, he was feeling better and they weren't really sure whether or not he had another heart attack.  Even today they still don't know but are keeping him in the hospital for some additional tests.

Aaron and Esme met us at the hospital and after awhile we decided to get a bite to eat.  We went to Anoka and parked right next to this -

Downtown Anoka has this delightful tree decorated for Christmas.  Esme thought it was the most beautiful tree she had ever seen.  It really was pretty spectacular, especially with a little help from Instagram.

Anyway, we'll know more Monday about how Dad's doing after his tests.  Then hopefully he can get back home and recover in his own space.  My guess is that they'll probably tell him to eat vegetables, lots and lots of them... :)

Writing to Santa

Today Esme wrote a letter to Santa.  I hope he can deliver!

In the top two pictures you may see a little brown horse on the table.  That is Sneeze and Esme just got him today a few hours before she wrote her letter.  She wanted him to be a friend to her other horse at home. That horse has never had a name, but she decided that she wanted the new one to be Sneeze and the one at home to be Hachoo.  How sweet is that?!?  After she mailed her letter, we went upstairs and looked at Christmas ornaments/decorations because they were on sale.  We found a lot of cute ornaments and even some flannel sheets since we were in the home department.  But we lost Sneeze.  We didn't realize it until we were in another store and by the time we got back we couldn't find him.  Esme was really sad.  But we told her that since Sneeze was lost in the Christmas area of the store, maybe Santa found him and could bring him home.  So now I had better go get a new Sneeze so Santa really can deliver! :)

Funny Toes

A couple of months ago Esme was sitting on the sofa watching television and playing with her feet.  I looked over and watched what she was doing because she was being very deliberate.  Finally I asked her what she was doing.

"Mom, I'm making my toes like yours!"  

yay...

Half Birthday

Esme got to celebrate her half birthday at preschool today.  Who knew that they do this for summer birthday kids?  Not me!

We're supposed to send a treat.  It has to be prepackaged.  I just assumed food so I sent fruit chewies for her that were in the shape of Tinkerbell.  Some other mom sent sunglasses.  The kind that are in the party favor area of the store for kid's birthdays.  What a great idea!  Maybe something that I should have thought of, yes???  Maybe next year!

It snowed a little bit today...

Preschool Christmas Party

Today was Esme's preschool Christmas party.  I wasn't sure if the kids would be dressed up or not, so I decided to have her wear her Christmas dress.  I figured she doesn't get to wear it that many times so why not.  Plus, I would rather have her be the only person overdressed than to show up with everyday clothes and have everyone else in their dress up clothes.  So here was her outfit.

oops!

better!

When we got there, there were a lot of fun things for kids to do.  Each room had different activities.  Gym time

There were a lot of different art projects.

We dressed up like elves.

 And she got a tattoo.

Finally, Santa and Mrs. Claus visited.

Esme was going to tell him that she wanted a Pink Princess Scooter but at the last minute she decided to tell him that she wanted a toy restaurant.  We're not really sure what that means exactly so we'll have to investigate a little more.

She had a great time.  And she looked beautiful in her dress!

Here's a picture of Esme in her favorite sundress.  She would wear this dress every day if we'd let her.  Here it is amended for winter with leggings and long sleeves.