Christmas fun

A million years ago I babysat for a family who did things differently than mine. They didn't own a TV and they made popcorn on the stove top, at the time I thought they were weird. One night the mom left me instructions to have the kids make some wrapping paper. She left a bunch of paint and a roll of brown shipping paper. The kids and I had a blast and I stored that project deep in my memory.

This year I thought the girls were ready to give it a try. I bought stencils and sponge brushes to help out. We all had a great time and I think that painting our own wrapping paper will be a tradition in our house from now on.

There may or may not be some very odd things painted on Grandma and Grandpa's gifts this year. But hey, that's part of the fun.

Even more catch up

We went home for Thanksgiving to celebrate Grandma Hilda's 90- something birthday. They just we found out she has breast cancer, so the family got together for a big to-do.

Leaves! This is the first year my kids have jumped in a leaf pile. Trees don't exist where we lived in CO.

We were home in October for my cousins wedding in Door County but we squeezed in a visit with my Grandma. She thought Ava's baby doll was real and she held her and played with her and talked to her the whole visit. My kids were completely weirded out.

Catch Up

I am so far behind that I need a catch up post (or twelve). The ladies turned 4 on October 4th, G&G were in attendance as well as the Packard clan. The big gifts were baby dolls (Baby Do and Lily Q) and bassinets.

I loved this beard, it's gone now. What does my opinion matter anyway? Please vote the beard back.

G&G with a cooperative child.

Then we have Halloween which was almost a complete loss this year due to the piggy flu.

excused absence

Alright so I've been gone for awhile, but wait, I can explain. I have a doctor's note and one from my parents.

The week before the week of Thanksgiving I was sick as a dog. So sick in fact that I went to the doctor, that's saying something. I got my z-pack and went home to recover and try to get ready to leave for WI. I completely missed Adam's birth. Total suckage. We had a great time in WI and saw lots of friends and family.

The weekend after Thanksgiving we came home with my parents in tow. Lily colored with G&G continuously. The ladies also learned just how fun it is to have an audience for their shows. Dad and I put up the outside decorations and we have most of the inside done. We're making up for being between houses last year. Pics to follow. G&G went home Thursday morning, there were lots of sad faces and some tears.

Today we're off to "the woods" aka Fulton Farms to cut down our tree. Tonight we're going to take a hike to see a lighted waterfall. Bring it, I'm ready!

Parent/Teacher conferences

Today was our first ever conference. Things are good at school. This means the girls are angels at school and occasionally PITA's at home. I guess if I had to choose that's the way I'd want it anyway.

Ramblings...

-Ava counted to 13
-Lily counted to 20
-When Ava was asked to identify colors she did, in Spanish at first, then switched to English
-Lily prefers to play alone but plays well in any setting
-Neither girl knew what an ellipse was, Daddy will change that tonight mark my words. (We taught them oval)
-The girls play well together or apart, and it makes no difference to them
-Apparently Austin has broadened his horizons and Ava isn't the only chick on the block.
-I need to give them scissors.

Hello, my name is... (the Lily edition)

Let me introduce you to Lily's friends.

Hello, Our names are Pink Doggy (on the right) and Scratchy Pink Doggy (on the left). Lily's mom got us for Lily before she was born. She bought two thinking we would be interchangeable in the even that one of us was AWOL. Boy did Lily teach her! Lily needs both of us, all the time, especially to sleep. Usually she lays us over her face at bedtime.

Hello my name is Koala. Yep, that's my name. Nothing fancy, but they tell me I look like a Koala, so I guess it fits. Lily needs me to sleep, though usually she doesn't hold me or lay on me. I guess it's good enough that I'm in the bed.

Hello, my name is Shala The Boy Horse. Guess who came up with that one? Yep, a three year old. Lily loves me and I play with her and her Daddy at bedtime every night. Her Daddy pretends that I'm looking for apples and carrots in Lily's pockets while we tickle her.

Hello my name is Kona Koala. I'm new around here but Lily pretends that I am Koala's Baby. Why does everybody pick on me cause I'm short? I guess nobody noticed that I have claws and Koala doesn't. Psha!

Hell my name is Lily Q. Lily's Mom and Dad got me for her for her fourth birthday. Lily has been teaching me to read and telling me all about her school. Usually she lines all of us up and lectures us while she sits in a rocking chair.

Hello my name is Fiffi Fluff. I don't know why I'm on the list. Lily doesn't really play with me or care too much about me. Sometimes she just flips the F out if I'm AWOL. I usually chill in her bed, it's safer that way.

Hello, my name is... (the Ava edition)

I would like you all to meet Ava's friends.

Hello, my name is Baby Do. Ava's Mommy and Daddy got me for her for her fourth Birthday. I came with the name Baby Do and Ava decided not to change it.

Hello, my name is Whossa. I am the first toy that Ava named, she made up my name on her own.

Hello, my name is Froggy Noses. I have been with Ava since she was born and Ava needs me to sleep. I got my name from Ava because I have one special corner that Ava rubs under her nose to put herself to sleep. Every night Ava hands me to her Momma and asks her to frog Ava's nose while she sings her a goodnight song. Sometimes Ava will frog Momma's nose while she sings but it makes Momma laugh.

Hello, my name is name is Patches. I am Ava's special teddy bear. She needs me to sleep and I am never far from her side, Froggy Noses and I are a great team. I make a great pillow and help protect Ava from scary things since I am a bear. Most of the time I am a boy.