Montessori Anyone?

Since Eva went back to daycare 4 weeks ago we've noticed something; sass.  She is sassier and more defiant than ever and I can't decide if it's the daycare/kids she's around or just her age... or me!  My best friend Katie suggested Montessori school for Eva, since she's pretty independent and go-with-the-flow, so I did a quick Google search and sure enough, there is a pretty decent Montessori school right on my way to work.  In addition to the curriculum, it would actually save us money.  Right now we pay for full time daycare, even though I only work part time and Jason only has 2 classes.

So does IMPROVED CURRICULUM + LESS MONEY = OBVIOUS GOOD CHOICE?

I'd really like to think so, but I'm afraid moving her will cause stress.  And what about my precious alone time after work to run errands, stop by church, go tanning, get dinner ready!?  Decisons, decisions...

Build-A-Bear

We took Eva to Build-A-Bear for the first time and my test was if was could pass by the store without her asking to go in, then we wouldn't go.  We made it 98% of the way past the store front when her eyes lit up and she said "I wanna go in der mama!"  So in we went, and the fun began. 

She picked out a panda bear and despite much encouraging to name him something Chinese, such as Po or Ling-Ling, she picked "Baby Panda."  She's an original one I tell ya.

The madness begins

Explaing the computer to Baba

Picking out Baby Panda's heart

Pushing the lever to fill Baby Panda with stuffing

Help from Baba

Crossing her fingers to make sure his "surgery" goes well!

Eva paying the bill

Camp Snoopy

I know that the amusement park in the center of the Mall of America is now actually called "Nickelodeon Universe" but it will forever be Camp Snoopy to me.  We took Eva on lots of rides and she loved all of them except the merry-go-round.  I tried to put her one of the horses and she had a meltdown and wanted to sit in the stationary bench type thing that specifically said it was for handicapped kids...

Examining her ride ticket

Waiting in line like a big girl

Trying to ease her nerves on the merry-go-round

Swiper the Fox ride

It was actually ridiculously fun!

Driving the bus

She was a bigger fan of this merry-go-round...

On the train with Baba!

Choo choo

Baba Turns 39!

Okay, okay so Baba didn't really 39.  However, if you actually know her, you know her real age... and if you don't, then you don't need to.  Simple enough :-) But today was her birthday so we celebrated by doing a girls' day at the Mall of America.  It was a great time and other than Eva sassing back a few times (we have yet to determine if this is from going back to daycare or the fact the she is almost 3...) it was damn near perfect.

We did so much that I'm going to split it up into multiple posts because I'm afraid I might otherwise jam the interwebz with my papparazzi worthy number of photos.

Admiring the Victoria Secret lotions

Jewelry shopping

Matching BFFs!

Burning off energy in the Women's Department

Cat nap in the greatest stroller ever

Admiring the fish in the shoe department

Trying on shoes- she was a natural!

"Why of course you may assist me, sales woman."

Benihana

Jason and I went on a triple date last night to Benihana's.  It's a Japanese (teppanyaki) steakhouse in Maple Grove and it's sooooo yummy.  We went with Maria & Jimmy and Tina & Tim; our other friends Matt & Erin had to cancel last minute because their 3 year old had pneumonia- poor thing.  The night was a lot of fun, even with Jason (after not eating half of the items that come with the dinners, such as salad and vegetables) that it was a nice "snack."

And this picture would have been cute, if Jason was actually looking at the camera!

Blog Shout Out

For those of you who don't know, my bff Maria is ridiculously witty and has her own blog.  I recommend checking it out!

http://youdonttellmemybusiness.blogspot.com/

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day 2011 everyone!  Eva had a party at school and now has more candy than she can count.  Daddy also got gifts for "his Valentines" :-)

Eva got a Dora dress, ballet slippers and princess accessories kit and Mommy got a gift card for clothes (much better than Jason trying to shop for my clothes!) and books!  Probably a bad idea for him to give me even more books because now I'll have my nose buried in them for weeks.

Love my husband!

Card she made at school!

Roses for his girls!

Daddy helping put on her ballet slippers