"Smile for the camera"

Dani has learned to smile for the camera, but sometimes it looks a little exhaggerated.

This is more what her typical smiles are like.

Still has curls

Lately Dani's hair has been quite straight with the dry weather here and how long her hair is getting. On occasion, however, I can get it to curl after her bath. I love that she lets me play with it still.

Graham Cracker Houses 2009

We made our graham cracker houses a little later this year than previous years. We had trouble trying to be more creative than last year. This is what we ended up with.

A nativity set A lighthouse with a boat and gummy bear sailor

Daniella's sayings

Dani decided that baby Jesus was hungry and needed to eat some of her sandwich.

A week ago on Sunday (20th) I was running late for sacrament meeting because of my primary duties. Dani was a little upset that I wasn't there yet. Nana was visiting and she decided to bribe Dani with chocolates to be reverent for the prayer. Dani was reverent during the prayer but as soon as it was over she shouted out "AMEN! MORE CHOCOLATE!".
This Sunday she did something similar, but it was in anticipation for the sacrament. We had already been served the bread and right after the next prayer she yells "AMEN! WATER NOW!" At least I know she likes being there.

On the way home from a birthday dinner last Monday, Dani was patting her Daddy's hand saying pat-a-cake. So Dad decided to help her finish the rhyme.

Dad: Pat-a-cake pat-a-cake, bakers man. Bake me a _

Dani: -cake. fast you can-

Dad: Pat it and-

Dani: roll it. mark it with D and throw it in the kitchen and bake cookies!

Christmas Party

Our Ward had a fun Ward Christmas party this weekend. We started by visiting Santa in the foyer. Though Dani was terrified of him again this year, she still talks about the gift he gave her.

Then we moved on to the gym to find a table. While waiting to eat there was a small room just to the side of the gym labelled "Santa's workshop" for kids to make graham cracker houses, or structures out of candy and toothpicks. We made a toothpick square and Dani ate it quickly.

Then everyone was invited to get their food and eat at the individually decorated tables. After everyone went to get their food the Primary kids sang, then an singing group, and then a dancing group performed excerpts from the nutcracker. Dani even tried to copy the motions by waving her arms and tapping her feet.

Afterwards a few people from the ward performed a couple special musical numbers. After the performances Dani decided to dance on stage like the "dancers" and "papa bear". It was nice to have such a child friendly party. She loved it and still talks about the dancers and the big bear.

Funny Saying

When Dani is going potty she says she is "pottleing". Then last night as we were walking to the car Dani saw a man smoking and then said "This man . . ." (she thought for a second and continued) "foggle-ing". We learned about fog about a month ago, I'm not sure I want to teach her about smoke.

Processing through play

The last few months Dani's play has been a representation of what she is learning. A couple weeks after Halloween (Nov 16) the nativity set was arranged as below. The wise men on the right are "trick or treating" and the angel is flying in an airplane to Texas. I have no idea what the cougar is doing or why Mary is walking away, this is just how she left it when she had to go to bed.


Then last night Dani was playing with her baby doll, Barbara. We overheard her saying "Bahbwah pee potty" and then a few seconds later using her comb and saying "wipe bahmin" and adding "Ahhh!" as if Barbara felt better.
I particularly thought it was funny how she created Barbara's toilet with the coaster holder and Tupperware. It is somewhat similar to Dani's little potty with a bowl that can be emptied.
For those who may wonder, no, I never did wipe her bottom with a comb and we are unfortunately not flying to Texas soon. Those were just part of Dani's creative additions.