Merry Christmas

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas! Enjoy time spent with your loved ones.

Getting into the Spirit Part 2---NO!

Ok, I'll just go ahead and post two posts in one night!!

Last weekend we had a huge snowstorm here. We got 22.5 inches (official report) of "no" (AKA snow--still working our s blends here)!!! The kids helped shovel and really liked finding "noballs" AKA huge chunks of snow. We didn't get to do any sledding because they are getting a sled for Christmas and I was scared to lose them in the 22 inches or at the very least have their boots come off. Imagine the tears. They did not like getting snowflakes in their eyes at all! We had enough tears between that and the frustration of trying to use mittens and the shovel. I'm inventing mittens with grippers on them---probably already invented but now I'm on the search for them.

Anyway, all this snow has helped get me into the holiday spirit. Baking is done. Buying is done. Just have a bit of wrapping left to do and then I can relax and enjoy Christmas through my kid's eyes. I can't wait for their reactions!!

"No!"

Bundled and ready to go.

Getting into the Spirit

Hey there! Miss us????

A month almost gone already.....We've had a few illnesses this month, but I think we are on the mend now. We'll know for sure tomorrow. One of the viruses Kaylie had pushed her white blood count really low, so we are having a recheck tomorrow to see if they have gone up. Googling low white blood count is not comforting but I am sure it has gone back up because she is acting herself again. Aside from that we've been getting into the holiday spirit around here.

They had a visit with Santa...they didn't cry but they didn't smile either...no surprise there. I can't believe I paid money for this picture with a crooked belted Santa and non smiling/looking kids.

Helped daddy hang the lights...

Made a gingerbread house,

Helped Mommy bake. Ryan was more interested in eating the cookies than decorating.

Decorated the tree, which they were really into helping with. After one day of constantly touching it, they have left it alone for the most part.

and had their holiday picture taken.

This didn't go over so well. Kaylie cried as usual (in her defense she was at the start of her virus fighting) and refused to get up on the platform. Whenever we have tried to go to a photo studio this is what happens so we have invested in our own camera/studio equipment. Bob just didn't have the time to do it this year so it is what it is. Just an okay picture. Note: Don't try to print this picture. It is a picture of a picture--not good quality.

Thanksgiving 2009

We had a very nice Thanksgiving. We stopped at Grandma & Pop-Pop's house to visit with them and have a little to eat. We saw cousin Hunter, Aunt Cindy, & Uncle Frank too. Then we headed over to Aunt Amy's for a delicious dinner and dessert. They played the day away with their cousins and managed to get through it without a nap. Unfortunately I didn't take many pictures that day and those I did take came out blurry. I'm very thankful for the family we have.

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing everyone a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

Before I Forget

Before I forget, I want to remember that Ryan peed on the potty last night for the first time and he did it again tonight! The first time, he did jump off after starting like he didn't know what was going on and then finished peeing on the floor. He was so cute and even clapped for himself. Tonight it was in the bowl. No such luck for Kaylie, but she really wants to. We'll just keep trying but I was sure it would be the other way around.
I've just been putting them on the potty right before bathtime to see what happens. So far 2 for 2 with Ryan. Maybe it's the wrong time for Kaylie. I figure they are naked already and they can go right into the tub after. My kids just want to run around naked at any other time I try and then it is a battle getting them dressed again so I've taken a baby step here. We'll see what develops.

On Being Almost 2 1/2

We are 3 weeks away from turning 2 1/2...

In some ways it has gotten easier--they play by themselves more which allows me to get some things done. They also have started playing WITH each other. This of course leads to MANY, MANY fights that have to be broken up/settled by me. I must admit I lose my patience with this very quickly. Why is it that when I was teaching I had all the patience in the world, but with my two children that patience flies out the window as soon as the fighting starts? I know they are toddlers and have a lot to learn about the world and it is my job to teach/model how to share and take turns. It's not so easy to do with 2 toddlers screaming, "Me! Me! Me! It's all about me!" from every pore in their body. There is no reasoning to be had.

I think things have gotten a bit better because they have started speaking more too. And yes, I have even seen more sharing and I praise that like it's nobody's business believe me. They are beginning to put together 3-4 word phrases now. I see their vocabulary growing by the day and I just love how they pronounce words. No matter how many times you might say it to them the correct way, blankets were still "mankets" according to Ryan. But we have now graduated to "bankets"--some progress. Magnets=maggots, DV=TV, and I won't bother going into what fork sounds like. I just love the way they pronounce things.

They know their shapes, colors, and we are almost counting to 10 correctly. They can identify letters and numbers. How proud was I when Kaylie pointed to a stop sign and said, "Stop." I know I sound like that Noggin (now known as Nick Jr.) commercial but it's true! Noggin is a kid's TV channel for those that don't know and the parent on there says that her daughter pointed to a stop sign and said octagon. I've one upped you lady---my child can read! Just kidding, although we think Kaylie recognizes her name and Ryan's when written on the Magnadoodle.

They love to ask for something and then change their mind and then change their mind back to the original thing they ask for and then switch again. You get the picture. Again, my patience is tried.

Kaylie loves to do anything art related. She loves Dora, dolls, puzzles, and playing dress up. They enjoy the crafts they do at story time.

Ryan has gotten into cars and trains little bit. He likes running them down the car ramp. He will now play with his Thomas set for some time without dismantling it in .2 seconds.

They still enjoy playing outside, going to the playground and walks. I am dreading the colder months when we are cooped up.

They climb into their carseats and booster seats now. We are a lot better on stairs but I still like to shadow them. We have had a few tumbles.

They can jump and actually "get air."

They've become pretty picky eaters and aren't willing to try new things if it doesn't fit the bill. One area we need to work on.

I am liking this stage now that they are talking. There is a little give and take now. One of the first conversations that I can remember having with Ryan went like this:

Me: What do you want for dinner?
Ryan: Waffles!
Me: Waffles?! Really, for dinner?
Ryan: Yes, (then thinks). How 'bout chicken nug-gets?
Me: Ok
Ryan: (tilts head and thinks) How 'bout bacon?
Ryan: (tilts head) How 'bout crackers?
Ryan: (tilts head) How 'bout 'ghetti?
Ryan: (tilts head) How 'bout apples?

You get the idea. Cutest. thing. ever.

2 1/2 is challenging and just plain enjoyable at the same time. I am trying to enjoy every minute, even through the tough days. I know I am blessed to have two healthy babies and I treasure each day.

Fall Things

I can't believe how fast time is going.

We've still been enjoying getting outside to play as much as we can despite the weather getting colder. I have some good neighbors. Two different ones gave us a Fisher Price Power Wheels ride on. Come to find out these things sell for $75 each. SCORE! Ryan had a hard time figuring out that he has to keep the button pushed in to go. He wanted to get off and just push the thing.

The kids helped me bake chocolate chip cookies for the first time. It actually wasn't too bad. But if I wasn't right on top of them, the dough would have been flying. Our ideas of keeping the stuff in the bowl is not the same.

The kids decorated a Rice Krispies haunted house. This was the first year I saw something like this in the store. I thought it was a cute thing to do, but honestly the marshmallow stuff they included was super sweet. I would have preferred to use marshmallows in the bag. I ended up throwing the thing out after one taste. Next year, I will just make it from scratch. The kids really liked decorating their houses and I have already picked up a gingerbread house kit for Christmas. Can't wait.

Happy Halloween!

Kaylie and Ryan went trick or treating as Tinkerbell & Peter Pan this year. I have to say I think they were the cutest Tinkerbell and Peter Pan ever! We lucked out and had decent weather in our neck of the woods, while the rest of the state pretty much had rain. The rain didn't come to us until dinner time so we got a few hours outside. They did great going from house to house. At the first house, the people were outside so they just took a piece from the bucket but were apprehensive about it. The next house, we rang the bell and Ryan walked right into the house. It was so funny. By the next house, they got the hang of it and Ryan wanted to ring the doorbells after that. We just did our block and took care of the trick or treaters that came to our house. We get a lot of kids in our neighborhood and it is always nice to see all the creative costumes. The only downside is that the kids know what candy is now. I mean they have had some here and there but now I am having battles with Kaylie who wants to eat candy for breakfast. It seems her sweet tooth has been turned on.

Grandma came to help.

On their way to get candy.






I also took them to Bob's work the day before.


ETA(Edited to add): I made Ryan's hat. I do not remember anything from 7th & 8th grade Home Ec. so using a sewing machine was out of the question. It was stapled and the feather and flaps were hot glued. Hey, it worked and maybe some day I will learn how to use the machine I have collecting dust in the basement.

Pictures! Pictures!

Some pictures of things we have done this month.

Painting pumpkins on a really windy day= an activity that did not last long at all! And using washable paint means that the rain will wash it off too.



Princess in training-- although I think her training phase is complete! :)

I took out this old floor mat I used to have around when they were rolling and cruising around. They loved it! They loved pulling the pieces out and putting them back in. It was a new found toy.

Crib visit by Kaylie. She loves when I let her put all the stuffed animals they own in Ryan's crib. Ryan not so much. He was like, "What are you doing to MY crib?"

Picking pinecones in our backyard. Yeah, this was a mess. Who would have thought? Turns out the pinecones were sticky, sticky, sticky! BTW, baby oil helps get it off of skin and hand sanitizer helped get it out of their fleece jackets. Some good tips to remember there!

We've been going to the library for story time. They have it two days a week and have been making crafts. This made me realize that we need more practice using glue. I suppose learning to cut with (VERY DULL) scissors is in the near future for them too. Ryan has a hard time sitting at story time and this story time is interspersed with songs and movement too. It's not like they have to sit the whole time. He would rather wander around. Thankfully it is an enclosed room. We are working on it. Some days are better than others. Kaylie is the shyest girl you have ever seen. She takes a long time to warm up. I'm actually beginning to worry about what she will be like when it is time to leave me for preschool. It will just break my heart.

Mommy has gotten brave and started taking them to playgrounds that aren't fenced in! Can you believe it? The ones we have gone to have been very far from the road and lots of space to run around and next to no one there. That helps a lot! They pretty much just climb the play structure anyway. Now getting them back in the car when it is time to go is another whole issue.

In one of my posts I was hoping to take them on the carousel myself. Well, I did that too! No pictures of it but I did it and it went just fine. They did give me a frequent carousel rider card so I guess that means I have to do it again.

Well that's all I can think of for now. Looking forward to Halloween.

Pumpkin Picking

A few weeks ago, (yes it's been that long...I am sadly losing steam with this blogging thing) we took Ryan & Kaylie to Burjan's Farm for pumpkin picking. It has become a tradition now. They have gone for the last 3 years. This year they enjoyed their first hayride and got to pick their very own pumpkin. They enjoyed the toddler maze and sitting on the old tractor. It was a great day to go and I am glad we decided to go when we did, because we have been having horrible weather here.

Looking at all the pre-picked pumpkins.

On the old time tractor

In the toddler maze

On the hayride

Kaylie with Mommy

Ryan protected by his older cousin.


Oh, ok I'll slide over here.

In the patch, they kept tripping over all the vines. Every few steps, Ryan especially, was down and crying. Oh joy!

Back with the pumpkins. (They got 3 little ones. They had to be able to carry them.)


Here we are in 2007

2008

This year....and still no one looks or smiles.