See! I'm doing better already!

Today Anna had grapefruit for the first time. It's not a fruit I normally think to buy, but with a thin selection during the winter season the citrus fruits tend to stand out more. She's been asking for grapefruit for two days and today I finally gave in and reminded her time and time again "I don't think you're going to like this...I'm NOT putting sugar on it for you" but she loved it! LOVED IT! At least for the first 10 bites or so (I was amazed she made it that far), but it's not uncommon for her to nibble for a bit and come back to it later. We'll see what happens.

Our 'practice deployment' has gone well so far. She didn't freak out when we left daddy at the airport yesterday morning...and she didn't freak out the second time we had to say goodbye when we had to go get the car key from him. Two thumbs up on that one. We skyped with Brian this morning then I updated Skype and now I have to figure out where my contacts list went to! Overall we've had some pretty positive deployment moments.

Anna should be brushing her teeth, instead I found her doing flash cards on my phone!


Kyla and "Beez"


Passed out on her birthday


BLUE BLUE BLUE - THEY'RE ALL BLUUUUUUUUUUUE


Wearing mommy's shoes

My new years resolution is to be a better blogger.

Or at least post more photos of our kid. Less typing and more photos of Anna. It's hard to believe two years ago we were in the middle of a deployment and I was less than 24 hours away from popping out the joy of our lives. I can't imagine my life without her...well actually I can. It happens from 8-3 everyday, I like to call it German Kindergarten! ;) But seriously, yes, seriously, she is the light of my life and no matter what - not even crazy toddler tantrums can change that.

We've had a 3 week break from German kindergarten. Yes, 3 weeks! Christmas break is no joke around here! I mean for goodness sakes they celebrate Christmas for 3 days! So we took some time to work on potty training. As some of you know, Anna has been very interested in the potty for some time, but going to school 5 days a week didn't leave us a lot of time to concentrate on that. Well, we're not 100% ready to send her to school in "big girl panties" but we've made huge strides. Much of what is holding us back is the ability for Anna to get on and off the potty by herself with pants around her ankles. She's doing REALLY well sitting on the big girl potty by herself (and she'll sit there for 20+ minutes by herself) and staying dry all night. We've had some poo-poo in the potty and lots of pee-pee. I think we're well on our way and I'm curious to see what her teachers at school have to say. We've gone with the ditch diapers all together and deal with the "accidents" as they come method. Don't get me wrong, we've had our fair share of accidents, but it's a work in progress! Today we left the house for 4 hours without any accidents and when we got home she went pee pee on the potty. Such a big girl!

2012 will bring lots of change to the Smit household. Brian is leaving us for 6 weeks to head back to the states for work and then later this year back to Afghanistan. Lots of time without daddy makes for a miserable two year old. Pray for mommy...or send wine.



A birthday party sneak peak! Ice cream!


Another party sneak peak!


Liiiitttle Peeeeooople




Trains! Not just for boys!


Awesome new puzzle from cousin Noah, Auntie Blair and Uncle Jeff!


Let's go for a riiiide!


Yeah mom, I'm gonna take a nap here.




KYLA! OFF MY BLANKET! (Actually she was just saying "Mom, STUCK, LA-LA-LA (Kyla) OFF")

Busy November

We started out the month of November with a short trip to the states for my papaw's funeral. It was a short 3 days in Virginia, but we got to visit with family and friends and celebrate the life of a wonderful man.

I'm not even sure I turned my camera on during the three days we were in Virginia. I did take a few photos with my iPhone.

Brian and I got home just in time for me to turn around and head to London for the weekend with two of my girlfriends, Erica and Erika. Brian and Anna hung out in Ansbach for the weekend doing all kinds of awesome daddy-daughter things.

I never expected London to celebrate Veteran's Day the way we do in the US. I, of course, see why they do, but I guess, I just didn't know what to think or don't ever recall in our travels being in a country during such a holiday. The day we arrived (Thursday) we noticed lots wearing red poppy flowers on their coats, dresses and shirts. On Friday, EVERYONE was wearing them! We had to know what was going on. Thankfully we were in an English speaking country! Once we found out it was Armistice Day, we had to have poppy flowers for ourselves! Think of the poppy as England's version of a yellow ribbon, only prettier. Sorry US, but yellow ribbons don't compare with beautiful red poppy flowers as far as looks are concerned. Don't get me wrong I do love what the yellow ribbon symbolizes.

First thing Friday we headed over to the Tower of London. Our tour guide was one of the wonderful Yeoman Warders. He told us stories about the Tower of London and also talked about what it's like to live in the Tower of London complex with his family. We ended the tour at 11AM - just in time for the two minute moment of silence, which happened all over London. We caught it on Friday and Sunday (when we were at the airport getting ready to leave). I'm sure it happened on Saturday too, but I don't know where we were...maybe on a subway.


After the TOL we headed to Starbucks for a pick-me-up and the off to Westminster Abby where people were able to place poppy crosses in remembrance of those who fought in WWI, WWII, Iraq and Afghanistan.


London Bridge in the fog


Our Yeoman Warder guide


Tower of London


London Bridge, again


Big Ben


Peace protestors


Crosses placed for unknown soldiers at Westminster Abbey




Army Air Corps


Poppy Wreath


Tribute to those who've lost their lives in Afghanistan


Westminster Abbey (from the North side)



British tree at Harrods


Wicked!







While I was in London, Brian and Anna participated in the lantern festival in our town. In school all the kids made lanterns and one evening all the parents went to school to decorate the lanterns as fish. (The theme was fish this year.
Other lanterns - before they became fish


Anna's lantern


After it became a fish


Eating a pear on the flight to the states


Playing with magnets at Nen's house


Playing with 'Little People' at Nen's house

a day in the yard