Happy Birthday To Our Littlest Princess

I can't believe that it's been a month since I posted. There is no real excuse except that I've been very busy, working a lot more than I like, and this spring's allergy season almost killed me. It took several trips to the Nurse Practitioner and the minor emergency clinic along with numerous changes in my allergy medicine to finally find something that works.

In the last month Our Littlest Princess had her second birthday. We celebrated twice. Once at dinner last time Katy and the Princesses were in Corpus Christi, which was actually the day after her birthday. Our Friday night dinner group went to dinner at Johnny Careno's. At the end of the meal, both Princesses were treated to a bowl of ice cream with whipped cream and a cherry on top. We all sang Happy Birthday and she just loved it.

The next weekend, we went to San Antonio to celebrate with a small family party at The Purple Garlic. It was the first time that most of the grandparents could make it at the same time. (We missed you Nonnie Carla.) We had dinner on the patio and the girls played in the giant sandbox while the adults enjoyed some adult beverages and sat and talked.

After dinner we gathered around the table and sang Happy Birthday as Princess J beamed and basked in the attention. Just as she stepped up to blow out the candle, a gust of wind blew it out. Four-year-old Princess E immediately said "She just used the force." We all laughed hilariously. Yes, we are all nerds!

Here are a few more photos from our little party. The red bouncy toy was one of her gifts from her Omi and Pa-Pa who are Travis' dad and step-mom. It was a huge hit. Several other kids tried to take it with them from the sandbox. The next day, Princess J carried it around like a stuffed animal.

It's hard to believe that Our Little Princesses are 2 and 4 now. Princess E is already able to print her name (and her sister's name) and is beginning to read. Princess J is trying potty training on her own. She wants to wear big girl undies instead of a diaper. She will put them on over her diaper. If you're not paying attention, she will take her own diaper off. Their personalities are vastly different. It is a lot of fun watching them grow up together.

I have several posts that will be coming out soon. I will be working four days this week and one day next week. After that ... summer vacation! I should have done this teacher thing 30 years ago.

Thank Heaven for Little Girls

One of my favorite songs is Maurice Chevalier's rendition of Thank Heaven for Little Girls from the movie Gigi. I think of it often when I think about Our Little Princess and Her Highness. It is especially fresh in my mind today. Our Little Princess is three years old today and she is growing up in the most delightful way.

We spent the weekend in San Antonio celebrating with her.

Saturday was a cool, misty, and at times rainy day. Her birthday party was held at the Kiddie Park on Broadway near Breckenridge Park in San Antonio. The Kiddie Park has been there since 1925. The carousel has been there since 1918. The best thing about the Kiddie Park is that it's only for little kids. There are no scary rides or roller coasters, just a few rides geared for small children. I remember going there as a child. It has not changed substantially in the past 50 years.

We watched the weather and were hopeful that the rain would clear in time for the party at noon. There was a slight break, but it misted off an on most of the time we were there and it rained for short periods of time.

All three grandmothers were there. I was so busy taking pictures that I didn't get a photo of myself with the birthday girl. Katy did manage to snap this picture of me.

I know you're waiting for an update on the birthday cake. As it turned out, Omi made the cake. It was a Rapunzel doll cake from the movie Tangled. It was beautiful and, since Omi actually lives in San Antonio, it was great for me that she volunteered to take care of it. She also brought some beautiful cupcakes which made serving the little ones quick and easy. The quick and easy part turned out to be a very good thing.

 The rain/mist stopped for short periods and the kids did get to ride the rides.

Then more clouds rolled in and we decided to eat the pizza, blow out the candles, and serve the cake as quickly as possible. We almost made it too ... almost. But everybody pitched in and held the umbrellas over the kids while they ate.

Then the rain started in earnest and we grabbed the presents and headed to the cars. She had to open her gifts at home, but it was like extending the party ... and it was warm and dry.

Sunday dawned with blue skies and bright sunshine. Wouldn't you know it!

Happy Birthday, Princess! You are growing up in the most delightful way. Grams and Pop-Pop love you more than you can even imagine!

On a whole different subject, I just got a message from Katy that Her Highness took her first steps today. She's 10 months old. Look out world -- here she comes! You can tell in this photo that she was just about ready to walk this weekend.

And, by the way, doesn't my hair look terrific. My next-door neighbor's granddaughter, Kandyce, cut it for the first time. She's finishing up at the Aveda Institute in Corpus Christi. I still think of her as a little girl, but I think she has a very bright future. She's really good at cutting hair.

She Thinks I Can Do Anything

Grams reads a lot of blogs ... probably way too many. I have more than 100 blogs in my reader. There are about 15 of them that I always read and I have come to consider many of the bloggers friends, even though I've never met them in real life. The rest of them I scan and read if I'm interested.

One that I read every day is Cake Wrecks. It doesn't require a lot of reading, it's mostly pictures. It caught my interest because it features cakes by professional decorators that have gone horribly wrong.  They include misspelled words, misunderstood instructions, baby shower cakes that require cutting into a baby (think Steel Magnolias and the red-velvet armadillo groom's cake), and strips of bacon that look like poop. (Just to mention a few.)

Photo credit

Six days a week their posts feature a hilarious assortment of god-awful cakes which make me laugh. But on Sundays the feature is called "Sunday Sweets." Every Sunday they have the most beautiful collection of cakes. They are amazing, cute, beautiful, fancy, plain, and some of them are actually feats of engineering. I adore them. It's what keeps me coming back for more.

At this point I should mention that I am a Wilton certified cake decorator. I've never worked professionally, but I have taken the classes. When my kids were little I often baked and sold decorated cakes for friends and friends of friends. I took the classes when I was on maternity leave with our first baby, realizing that I would spend the next 20 or so years making birthday cakes. I've never regretted taking the classes. Being able to decorate cakes and cookies has saved me a lot of money over the past 30 years. I'm a pretty good decorator, but not anywhere near the level of the decorators featured on Sunday Sweets.

Last time we were in San Antonio, I was perusing my Google reader on Sunday morning, when Our Little Princess noticed the cakes I was looking at. She climbed up on my lap and we spent quite a while looking at beautiful cakes. She was quite entertained and it held her attention for a long time considering that she's not yet three years old. I thought it was a fun way to spend some time with her and didn't really think very much more about it.

Our Little Princess will be celebrating her third birthday in February. She and her mom have been working on plans for her birthday party. She absolutely adores the movie Tangled and all things related to Rapunzel. They have decided to use Tangled as the theme for her birthday party. As part of the discussion Katy asked her if she wanted a Tangled birthday cake. She replied that she did indeed want a Tangled cake and she wanted Grams to make it for her because she wants one exactly like the one Grams has in her computer.

These are the cakes she wants. Aren't they beautiful. I don't even have any idea how one would start to make Rapunzel's tower, as featured in the photo on the right. I know how the Rapunzel doll is made, but I do not have that kind of artistic ability.

Photos from Cake Wrecks

These cakes are so far beyond my limited decorating abilities that it's not even funny. What is funny is that she actually thinks I can do anything. I hope that lasts a while. Even if I can't live up to her expectations, it feels good that she thinks I've got skills.

Happy Birthday Baby Boy

Thirty years ago today we welcomed our bouncing baby boy. Nicholas Patrick Valenta joined our family early in the morning on November 23, 1981. He came into the world in a big way, weighing in at 10 pounds 5 ounces, and he's been larger than life ever since. He embraces life at full tilt and has never lost his childlike enthusiasm for fun.

I love the book Love You Forever by Robert Munsch. It always makes me think of Nick. I gave him this book when he left for college. We both cried.

"I'll love you forever 
I'll love you for always
As long as I'm living
My baby you'll be."

Happy Birthday, Baby Boy! 

The Princess At Two

Our Little Princess with Omi blowing out the candles

Our Little Princess turned two years old last week. We celebrated her birthday with a family lunch at Willie's in San Antonio. Grams made Foofa cupcakes. The cupcakes were pink with a daisy on top. Somehow I didn't get a good picture of them. The original plan was to sit outside and let the little ones enjoy the big sandbox, but it turned out to be a rainy day. We had fun anyway and she didn't even know the difference.  We spent time visiting with family and her other grandparents and enjoyed watching her open presents. Her Omi and Pa-pa were there. We drove up from Corpus Christi and spent the weekend. Uncle Nick came from Houston. Aunt B and Eric came too. It was a small party, but we had big fun!

While we were there for the weekend, Uncle Nick helped her Dad set up her "big girl's bed." They took down the toddler bed and re-assembled it in their room putting the parts back together to make it a crib again. She wasn't too interested in it, I think because of the excitement of her big girl's bed. She slept in her bed the first night it was up with no argument and no problem.

Then her mom called me on Monday and described this conversation that took place after we left. It began when she noticed that the crib is now set up in Mommy and Daddy's room.

Princess says to Mommy, "My bed."
Mommy replies, "No, you have a new bed. This bed is for the new baby."
Princess says, "I baby."
Mommy replies, "No, you're a big girl."
Princess, "No, I baby."
Mommy, "Well, if you're a baby, you can't do big girl things any more. Baby's don't take bubble baths. Baby's don't get to play on the big kids' playground. And you'll have to go back to the baby's classroom at school so you won't be able to play with your friends at school."
Princess, "I big girl."

At two years old, she's fearless! She's not afraid of the dark. She will climb on anything. We've found her standing on chairs a couple of times. Her mom found her standing atop her chest of drawers/changing table. And, yes, she's fallen a time or two necessitating at least one trip to the emergency room. She loves to scare people. She hides around corners and jumps out and yells "Boo" and then cracks up laughing. She also likes it when you startle her with a boo. She shrieks and then giggles. She and Grandad love to chase each other around the hallway in her house laughing and boo-ing.

She loves Yo Gabba Gabba. In case, like Grams, you don't know what that is, it's a Nickelodeon show featuring host DJ Lance Rock and toy monsters Brobee, the little green one; Muno, the red cyclops; Plex, the robot; Foofa, the pink flower bubble; and Toodee, the blue cat dragon. It's very upbeat with music and dance, and it gets kids on their feet dancing along. It often features well-known musicians and performers. The best things about Yo Gabba Gabba are: 1. it holds her attention, and 2. it's always on. If you can't find it on television, you can play full episodes on the internet.

She loves books and I think she'll be reading well before she starts school. It's not unusual to find her sitting in her room and flipping through her books.

She's a rough-and-tumble girl who will play in the dirt and roll around on the floor with the dogs. But she's still a princess and loves her baby dolls too.

Look how precious she looks in the princess dress that her Aunt Catherine sent for her birthday. And, yes, that's a train set that her parents got her for her birthday.

Be sure you notice the silver shoes. Our Little Princess LOVES shoes and she loves sparkle. And sparkly shoes ... what more could a princess ask for?

At two, she's 35 inches tall. If the old wives' tale is true, that means she'll be 5'10" tall, which is about the same as her mom. She talks quite plainly now and you can actually carry on a conversation with her. And she's not timid. She will tell you what she wants and doesn't want.

She has an independent streak and she's smart. When "Bubbles" is born in about six weeks, she'll be a big sister.

She is so loved by so many people. We're all expecting great things in her future. As a matter of fact, the future's so bright, she's gotta wear shades.

The Princess is One

On Saturday, February 20, Our Little Princess will be one year old. I can't believe a year has gone by already. Here is the story of her first amazing year as she might tell it.

My name is Ezra Allison White. I arrived in the world in San Antonio, Texas around 5 in the afternoon on February 20, 2009. The doctor was very surprised that I weighed a healthy 9 pounds 3 ounces. As you can see, I looked gorgeous as soon as they cleaned me up and let me cuddle up with Mama.


Mama and Daddy were very happy to see me. Okay, I don't know why Mama seemed so tired, I think she must have had a hard day. They were delighted that I was a beautiful, healthy baby girl.


All my grandparents were happy to meet me. Grams and Grandad were over the moon with happiness because I am their first grandchild.


Auntie Marie and Uncle Nick came to see me as fast as they could get from Houston to San Antonio. I had lots of visitors at the hospital. Some of my new cousins brought me this handmade hat that Uncle Nick is modeling. I have to say that my Uncle Nick is hilarious. He always makes me laugh.


A couple of days later, when I went home for the first time, Daddy took my first portrait and I met Minnie. Minnie watches over me and as soon as I learn to throw the ball, I think she'll really like me. Minnie makes me laugh at least as much as Uncle Nick.


Compared to my former living quarters, my new home seems so big and bright. By the time I was one month old, I was bright-eyed and interested in everything that was going on around me. Mom and Dad made sure my room is beautiful. It's painted a pretty blue color and there are birds that hang right over my bed. I love to sit in my great-grandmother's rocking chair that Daddy painted just for my room.


Mama and Daddy take me lots of places, almost everywhere. There is so much to do and see and they're really good at showing me new things. I know I can depend on them to show me how things work.

In the summer my big sister Mady came to stay. She was very handy to have around and helped Mama and Daddy take care of me. She's a great big sister and I can't wait to see her again. Mady and Daddy let me play video games with them. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to beat them by next summer.


I found my toes but wasn't quite sure what they were for. So I tried out a few different things. For a while I used them to hold my bottle. They also were a pretty good pacifier and kind of tasty. Now that I'm walking I know exactly what they're for. Last Sunday, I got to squish them in the sandbox for the first time. I really liked that!


Grams introduced me to two of her favorite things ... Starbucks and shopping. She loves to take me shopping and make dresses for me, but for some reason she won't let me have any coffee. It sure smells good though.


I must admit, I've had a few issues with my hair, but I think they're finally under control. Aunt B says I need some product. I'm sure she'll help me with it as soon as I get a little bit more hair.


My Mom dresses me quite fashionably. Some days I feel like a Barbie doll. Here are a few samples of my wardrobe. No matter what I wear, Grams thinks I look fabulous! By the way, I chose the tutu myself. I would wear it every day if Mom would let me.


Late in the summer, Mom and Dad took Mady to see Phantom of the Opera in Houston. Noni came too and we stayed with Uncle Nick. Uncle Nick babysat for the first time and it was so much fun. I made a dirty diaper just for him to change. You might notice in the picture that Uncle Nick wore rubber gloves when he changed my diaper. I told you he was hilarious!


My Aunt Catherine and Uncle Chad had a beautiful wedding last fall and I got to go. Grams and Grandad took care of me while Mama, Dad and Mady participated in the wedding. Grams made me this fabulous dress to wear. I think Mom and I looked beautiful.


There was so much to do and so many people to meet. I've already been to Gruene Hall with Uncle Mack, Aunt B and my cousin Eric and his son Jonathan. Uncle Charlie and Aunt Sandy were there too. I met some of my cousins and my great-great aunts and uncles at the Valenta Family Reunion in Corn Hill. My Great-Grandma Ruthie was there too. It was so much fun. But it wasn't all sunshine and roses this year; shortly after the reunion I got sick and had to be hospitalized; but I'm all better now.


On Christmas Eve we went to Great-Grandma Ruthie's house. All of Mom's aunts and uncles and cousins were there. We opened presents with Grams and Grandad on Christmas morning and then we went back to San Antonio and had Christmas Day with Dad's family. Christmas was so much fun. I hope we do it again next year.


Mama and Daddy love music and so do I. When Dad plays his guitar, I accompany him on the hand drum. And I really like singing Itsy-Bitsy Spider with Mama.


As you can see, my first year has been very busy. Mom and Dad had a little birthday party for me last weekend. My Noni came all the way from Louisiana and Grams and Grandad came from Corpus Christi. Of course, Uncle Nicky and Auntie Marie came from Houston. They gave me my first pair of cowboy boots. I ate my first piece of chocolate cake, which I shared with Uncle Nick and Grandad. I got so many new toys and clothes. I especially liked the shredded green paper that was in one of the bags.


So my first year has been fun. I don't know if I'm a "baby genius" or not, but I'm learning a lot and everyone is expecting great things from me. I know whatever happens in my life ... I'm going to be great ... because so many people love and support me, especially Mom and Dad.