Weekend Update

We had a pretty busy weekend around here. On Saturday afternoon we put the tree together. I know we live in the NW .. but real trees and dogs do not get along very well. Anna decorated, we would hold up an ornament and she would point to where it should be placed. We had a lot of fun until the new Tinker Bell Topper came out. Anna had a big "tinker tantrum" apparently Anna did not want her at the top of the tree.





Saturday night we all went to the Grotto and looked at the Christmas lights. It is so beautiful there this time of year.





And today, Anna, Sam, and I went over to Nana and Pop pop's for breakfast and picture taking. Nana had a photo taken of all the kids in matching PJ's with her dogs. The photo turned out really great. Afterwards we had lunch out. I think Anna liked the lunch out best ... she (and Sam) loves, loves, loves her cousins.









I am almost done with the office Christmas cards! I am adding the photo since I thought they looked so great all lined up and I like to give myself a little pat on the back sometimes.

Black Friday

For the third year in a row, my friend Stephanie (Katie's mom) and I went out early for the day after thanksgiving shopping. I have a lot of fun, get a little Christmas shopping done and marvel at some of the crazy, crazy people who are out there in this world. Sam stayed home with Charles and Anna spent the night at Nana and Pop pop's house. Since we were not planning on leaving Anna last night, Pop pop's went out and bought Anna an outfit to wear today. I think he did a great job .. Anna told me that she was wearing "big girl clothes." We are all tired and most of the house is napping.

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful thanksgiving over at Nana and Pop pop's house yesterday. Nana baked Anna her own (small) pumpkin pie to eat and she was so excited to have her own pie. We had a very traditional meal with turkey, stuffing, cranberries, and the rest. It is kind of a nice change of pace from our more traditional meal of prime rib (thanks Dad).

When I went to download the photo's for yesterday, something happened and I lost all of the photo's .. very sad. I known when Sam asks me where are my first thanksgiving photo's I will have to think of a better reason then sleep deprivation.

Toilet Wand

Anna asked to "make magnic in the big potty" and I said "do you want to potty in the big potty?" "NO!" said Anna "I want to make the magnic with the wand." ... hummm, then I asked "what wand?" The "potty wand" .. "the toilet brush" ... "YES!!"



Here are a few pictures from story time tonight.

Two Double Chins

Big Girl Bed

Today Anna woke up and asked us to take the bars off her "cage." She had previously wanted to sleep in the crib for protection from the "bears, lions, & spiders" who live in her room at night. She was really excited to be able to climb in and out of the bed herself.



I asked her if her wanted a gate on the front of her bed to keep her from falling out .. nope she wanted a "crash pad."



I think that they do not call things Bad at preschool. We read Mrs. Puddle Duck tonight and when we got to the part where the dogs call Mrs. Puddle Duck a bad sitter, Anna corrected me and said "she not bad, just a little naughty." I think this is a much kinder way to describe someone.

So Happy Together

Cookies!

Anna and Nana baked and decorated cookies together today. Anna was so proud of herself she has given several of them away saying "I made a cookie for you." She is such a sweetie!







This is a photo of the finished products. I think they look very pretty and tasty.

Soap In My Rabbit Box

Anna has been hauling around soap lately. She carries it in a little puffy purse or, more recently, a small Sleeping Beauty lunch box. First she it was a soap shaped like a lion (who I "ruined" by using it to wash her hands), then it was the hippo (who had to have his head glued back on by Nana), and then it was both of them. Since, I had not seen the soap today I was hoping that the phase was over .. nope she placed her "precious" in a safe place "The Rabbit Box". I am just now realizing why I freak out every time I can not find something ... how would I ever find it?



Anna has also been playing "turn out the light" game. She climbs up on our bed and turns the bedside light on and off. She likes to have one of us (usually me) turn on and off the overhead light on her command. Anna also does not waste the opportunity to play her favorite thing ... line stuff up.



Mr. Sam sunggled down for a long nap today in his swing.

Children's Museum

Anna, Sam, and I met up with some friends this morning for a play date.

This is Anna and Katie in the water area of the museum. They are playing with a water table that allows you to change the flow of the water stream with little barricades.



And here are a few photo's of Anna and Katie playing with clay.







This is Max and his mommy. Max is one of the happiest babies I have ever met.

Thank You "Balorie"

Charles and I went to Anna's preschool teachers meeting last night and my friend Valerie watched Anna and Sam for the night. Anna really like "Balorie, she is very nice."



Sam likes Valerie too .. she gave him a second extra dinner, Sam's favorite.

Super Sam

We went over to Nana and Pop pop's house this afternoon for a little lunch, nap, and movie watching.


Lucky Sam got a super cute new shirt that Nana made for him (he celebrated by spitting up on it) and sweatshirt!





Some of you will be happy to know that Sam LOVES Elvis as much as Anna did (does) at this age. Here is Sam sitting up (thanks Steph. for the Bumbo) and watching Anna dance to one of her favorite Elvis song "Rubber Necking."

Warning To Santa

It is always a little confusing and funny to talk to Anna about her day on Monday evenings. Since I go to work and Anna spends half of her day at preschool, I only get part of (from Nana) the story of her day. I think there must have been some talk about Christmas today at her school. When I asked her about a baby camel and two squirrels on the roof her dollhouse .. she said "waiting for Santa." I am sure Santa is going to be super excited about that welcoming party.



Mr. Sam is such a wiggle worm. Here he is, not sleeping, trying to make his bassinet rock.

Mary Poppins Potty Time

I had a few friends over for a craft party this afternoon. Charles watched Anna and Sam. Today's pictures are Charles'. From the photo's taken it looks like they watched Mary Poppins and had a little potty time ... if you are wondering how I know what they watched, Anna was singing this evening "Anna step in time, Daddy step in time, baby Sam step in time."



And here are a few photo's of happy Mr. Sam.

Glamor On 46th Avenue

Have you ever wonder what a 2 3/4 carries around all day in her little pink purse? Two fake cell phones (one Cinderella and one puffy pink, 4 pennies, one pair pink sunglasses, and a bar of soap shaped like a hippo.





Sam hanging out with his Dad.

Bath Tub Posse And Pull-Up Hat

Nana and Anna gave Sam a bath this afternoon. He really likes being in the water ... kicks his feet, waves his arms, and gives big smiles. You might notice that Anna has new Tinkerbell PJ's (thanks Nana) on. She was super excited to wear them today.



Since Anna usually likes to be naked for potty time ... and I had to leave the bathroom to help Sam out for a minute .. this is what I found Anna doing.



Charles asked that I add a photo of our dinner tonight.