Annika is 17 months old today. She is almost a year and a half. Wow. Actually, that reminds me to go make her an 18 month picture appointment. And what is she going to wear? Must start thinking of those things...

Annika has become attached to her baby Violet. Yes, we've named her doll. It's just easier. Besides, baby Violet has purple clothing. Anyway, baby Violet now comes with us wherever we go.

Saturday night we went to a book and wine party. It was a casual evening at a friends house where you bring any books or movies you want to get rid of and exchange them with the offerings of the other guests. I think it's a cool concept. These friends have a three year old little boy so there was lots of toys for Annika to play with. There was also climbing, falling and jumping to do. There was climbing and standing on the end tables, climbing on the folding chair to look over the railing down to the next floor (hello heart attack!), falling down the stairs (half flight, caught herself half way down - must pay attention little one!), and jumping on E's bed and then falling off on her face on the floor. So, Annika had a pretty good time. She made herself right at home. That was sarcasm if you didn't catch it. Annika did have fun though. The stairs incident didn't even phase her, neither did the bed one. She's just such a little climber and daredevil! Lisa was there with her family and she asked if we were going to put Annika in gymnastics. Kris and I have talked about what activities to enroll Annika in when she's a bit older. We figured we'd start with gymnastics and dance since Annika seems to love both. I looked into it a bit more last night and there is a gymnastics gym in the south metro (of course it's the opposite corner of the south metro but whatever) that has a toddler and parent class. It's for 2-3 year olds and they have class during the day or on Saturday mornings. I think we may have to look into that more for the fall. I also need to see if I can find a gym closer to home. Hmm, more things to think about.

Sunday was a lazy day in our house. We didn't leave the house once. We just played and took naps and then watched the Super Bowl. It was a wonderful day.

Last night Auntie Krystle came over to scrapbook. I was trying to clean the house a bit so Krystle was playing with Annika. Annika decided that even though there was no music on (except maybe background music from the tv?) that she was going to dance. What a little dance, dance, dance machine Annika is. She used the entryway tile floor as a stage and just boogied on down for quite a while. Krystle couldn't help but laugh and clap and play along which of course only egged Annika on even more. Annika is such a little clown. Sometimes it takes all my strength not to go scoop her up and smother her with kisses.