Her first BIG Family event

Her first BIG family event...

Tamara has attended many parties since she arrived home.

Numerous Birthday parties for children and adults. Large family dinners, the holidays and of course her Birthday party.

This was her first BIG party.

One of my little cousins got engaged and the family gathered in full force to help Christina and Chris celebrate their love.

Congratulations!

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The Happy Couple

Christina and Chris

Their first dance.

Below.. Tamara watches from the side lines.

She's warming up.

Katie comes by and asks her to dance

These two danced for 4-1/2 hours

They danced

And danced

And danced some more.

and more.

and more.

pretty cute no?

Baba and Dido tried to dance with Tamara

but there was no competing with Katie.

Christina and her Daddy (Uncle Nado) dance in a spot light dance.

Tamara and Daddy dancing.

Never too early to start practicing for her wedding. lol

Traditional Croatian dancing. Things can get a little crazy out there. It was a bit of a challenge keeping Tamara and Katie safe.

Auntie Olga takes matters into her own hands and takes the girls for a spin.

Round and round they go... when they'll stop no one knows.

Good work out Olga? ;o)

Tamara is so wound up.. Daddy tries to dance with her.

Katie cuts in... again. lol

A challenge keeping the girls on the side lines.

They both wanted to be where the action was.

Cousin Amanda dancing with Tamara.

Amanda and her boyfriend Andy dance with the girls.

Christina dances a traditional Croatian line dance with some of her friends.

Another spot light dance for the happy couple.

Time to get a little crazy.

Tamara.. tired .. no nap today.. past her bed time.

Mommy makes her take a break. She pouts for about a minute while she plays with some flowers.

Mommy and Daddy dance with Tamara.

A nice way to round off the evening.

This post is truly challenging Blog Spots limitations. ;o)

I wanted to post all the videos for family who had asked if I would. And give the rest of you an opportunity to experience a Croatian American party. Complete with crazy relatives, music and dance. Sorry no food pictures as it disappeared too quickly. ;o)

Enjoy!

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Wa La a new baby to play with

Wa La a new baby to play with.

Tamara loves babies. Imagine her surprise when one suddenly appeared at our door.

Mommy can we keep it?

Many of you may remember our old neighbor Barbara.

Well she's a proud Grandma these days and came by to show off her new grandson.

What a cutie. Tamara didn't want to let him leave.

When I see Tamara with babies I feel a slight twinge of guilt that she doesn't have a younger sibling. I know she would really enjoy and benefit from having another little one around.

It would also be nice for her to have someone when she's older. I imagine being an only child growing up can't always be easy.

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Mardi Gras at preschool.

Tamara models her mask for me.

She loves her arts and crafts projects.

Loves to dress up.

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As I mentioned before this year was not a very good year for snow and snowmen. While I was out shopping one Saturday Tamara and Daddy were making snowmen in the driveway.
When I returned I found this adorable little snowman family waiting for me.
Tamara was a little disappointed when they disappeared the next day. All she found was a little wet spot. :o(

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New Rain boots. Had to try them on and of course dance in them.

Action shot..lol

First soggy day we had to test them out. Yup.. they work.
She is a cutie!
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Here Kitty Kitty

Here Kitty Kitty

Here Kitty Kitty Kitty... she says now.

I was hoping to capture this on film for you but well.. you know how 4 year olds are.

We'll get it.. sooner or later.

Tamara loves to help so we've given her some chores if you will to give her a sense of responsibility and belonging.

One of the things she likes to do is feed the kitty cats.

~

Below Tamara fills their bowls

She tries to get every last morsel out for them. She's very persistent.

Tamara cuddles with her Fur Real Kitty

What is she thinking?
What does a kitty say?

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A hidden talent perhaps?

A hidden talent perhaps?

Tamara loves her Baby Grand piano. From the first time she sat at the piano on Christmas day she somehow seemed comfortable with it. Knowing what it was and how do use it. Which in it's self was somewhat odd. As any parent of a preschooler will tell you capturing those special little moments is not easy. 4 year olds are often described as having the attention span of a Nat. lol

Below Tamara seems to be writing / composing her own music? Very cute to watch and especially exciting as she is starting to play on her own more often. Yay!

Enjoy!

Pretty cute stuff .. no?

What do you think... Piano lessons in her future?

A hidden talent perhaps?

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Put your dancing shoes on...

Put your dancing shoes on...

Tamara loves to dance and sing. She loves music.

When we heard that there would be dancing at my cousin Christina's engagement party we just had to practice. So Mommy dug up an instructional dance DVD that was designed for weddings. At first Daddy thought I was a little crazy suggesting it but Tamara loved it and practiced for hours with Daddy and I.

Below Tamara puts on her shoes in preparation of her dance lesson.

Go like this Daddy

These two are so cute together. Lots of giggles and they actually did start to get the steps.

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Let's Bowl

Let's Bowl

In February Tamara was invited to a little boys Birthday Party at the Bowling Alley.

Her first off Campus preschool related event. She was excited. Another party Yay!!!

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I have to be honest here.. Mommy doesn't bowl. In fact I haven't tried it in over 20 years. During my BB era.. that would be Before Bruce.. I went bowling on a date. Threw the ball once.. broke 2 nails and said. "Nah... not my sport". You have to keep in mind back in the 80's breaking a nail was a devastating and expensive event.

Anyway Tamara seems to enjoy the sport and since the rails are up for her... Mommy should be able to keep it out of the gutter. ;o) So we will probably take her again on some rainy afternoon.

~

Below Tamara looks for guidance..

"What do I do Mommy?"

"Beats me Baby Girl"

"SO I just throw the ball?"

Tamara sits with her classmates. Time for Pizza.. which she won't eat. She only eats white pizza. Seems to have an issue with tomato sauce? Weird as she likes tomatoes and Ketchup.

Tamara with her little friend.. hug. So cute together.

Most of the girls hug Tamara every day at school. Especially if she leaves before they do. They have actually lined up and waited their turn. Very Sweet!

Tamara picks up the ball while her buddy Zachary plays in the lane next door.

Time for cake

This is Tamara's first attempt at Bowling.

I asked one of the other Moms that actually has bowled the last 20 years to show Tamara what to do. A free lesson. ;o)

A learned something here. Expect the unexpected at all times. Now I know what it feels like to have your heart stop.




Tamara's 2nd throw / roll. I think she's getting it.. don't you?

Zach and Tamara.. side by side bowling their first time together. Notice neither one paid any attention to the ball. Cute stuff.

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So Tamara attended her first preschool Birthday party for a BOY, her first attempt at Bowling.. no broken nails by the way. lol.

I was very impressed by the invitation. Instead of gifts they requested non perishable food for a local food bank. When I asked the Mom about it.. I was curious as I wondered if 4 was too young for the kids to "get that". The mom explained that the Birthday boy was her 3rd child and she has been doing this with her kids for years. So her little 4 year old was very agreeable and excited about doing this to help others.

Way cool... no?

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Oh Crepe

Oh Crepe

Tamara loves crepes or Palacinke as they're called at Babba's House. About a month ago I made some crepes. My parents happen to stop by and Baba (Croatian for Grandma) noticed how much our little girl loves crepes. Now every time we visit them Baba whips up a batch for Tamara. Yummy!

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Below Tamara licks the beaters from the yummy cheese filling Mommy made.

Messy but every lick is worth it.
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Below Tamara and Mommy read together with a Leap Frog book.

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Tamara takes her "barking.. noisy" little puppy for a stroll.

She loves to dress up. Even this day which was to go to the pediatrician.

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