What is it?

Lately, there is just something so different about Maya. Some people have said it is the new hair style (piggy tails), other people say it is her height, others tell me it is her wonderful vocabulary, others say it is the way I dress her. Whatever it might be, let me tell you that our little girl is growing up and growing up FAST. The truth is, our little Maya isn't a baby anymore, but an amazing toddler!

The other day, we went to a really fun school playground and she and I had the best time together.We always have a great time together, but for some reason, this time was different...

It was so fun to see her get on and off this bus. When she went in and sat down, she said, "bye bye mommy." OMG, i was thinking to myself, it really won't be long until she gets on a "real" school bus for school!

Of course, you can't forget that she loves bark chips! A good day at a playground wouldn't be complete without putting bark chips in or on something.

When she was all done hanging out in the bus, she said, "all done bus." Even though she looks so serious, it is a great picture of her piggy tails.

This is her newest trick....she loves hanging from bars. Daddy helps her hang from really tall bars, and I always find "ones that will work, you know, ones that are not too tall!" I think this is a really cute picture of her; the diaper showing, her belly button, and having her head back.

Her strength is amazing! After she got down, she said, "more bars" and pulled herself up again.

She is definitely NOT afraid of heights! She had never seen or been on this and when she saw it, she said, "up here?" As she took two steps up, she said, "momma up?" Of course, I was right behind her.

She was so proud of herself!

After she climbed up, she went down the "big girl slide." She climbed up and went down the slide at least eight times. I was exhausted just watching her!

Maya thought it was funny that these go around in circles. She saw some big kids stand on these, but when I told her that she was too small, she looked at me, and said, "Maya's turn." I watched what she was going to do. Sure enough, she sat on one of the seats and fell off. She got up and then started doing this.

She was very interested that the other one was moving too.

Then Maya started to push faster. After a few minutes, she walked away and said, "Maya done." I bet her arms were tired!

This was one of my favorite pictures..we went down a slide together and I took this picture as I followed her down.

We love this face...

Now Maya can get on these little rocking animals all by herself. When she wants to get up, she says, "Maya up" and when she wants to get off, she will say, "Maya down."

If you look closely, you can see Maya's legs behind the rock wall. I was watching her to see where she was running to and she ended up here. I said, "where is Maya?" and she replied back, "here momma." I said, "where, I don't see you?"

Maya peeked around the corner and said, "here momma!"

It was now time for the "big kids toys!" I was so nervous in letting her climb all the way up to the top of the structure by herself (at the top it is open, which I am always afraid that she might not watch where she is going and accidently fall off). But for some reason today, I just felt like she could do it without me being right behind her.

As she was climbing, I heard her saying, "Maya up, be careful."

Getting ready to come down. As soon as she sat down, I heard her say, "ok, ready, set, go."

On her way down. I was so relieved at this point!

Check out her adorable face!

When she got off the slide, she said, "ta da, Maya good job."

As she came running over to the bench she said, "more snacks." She was one tired, and hungry girl.

When it was time to leave, I said, "let's go." She turned around and said, "Maya walk on balance beam." The whole way back to the car, Maya walked along the curb (aka-balance beam). It took a little longer, but Maya was happy. I have learned that if Maya is happy, then I am too!

After watching Maya today, I have come to some conclusions of my own....What I have learned is that Maya IS growing up and is a very happy, curious and adventuresome individual who loves to play hard, explore and experiment. She loves to watch and then imitate other children and is certainly NOT afraid of trying something new!