WORDLESS WEDNESDAY...Like Father Like Daughter ???

Ho Ho Ho...Here We Come

We visited with Santa again this year and to our amazement, there were no tears! They weren't THRILLED to see him, but they did well! Brooke was the only one who uttered a word to him and when she did it was a whisper.

I think this is where she is telling him that she wants two baby dolls and mommy wants a big swimming pool!

We're both hoping we get what she asked for!

A Very Happy Day

I graduated with my master's degree in Education Administration yesterday!  It was two years of sweat and tears (thank goodness this didn't involve any blood!) and I hope to one day put the degree to use, but for now...it's time to enjoy my kids.  Seeing them and my family waving to me at the ceremony brought tears to my eyes - happy tears! 

The signs that my kids waved as I walked in-

Receiving my diploma-

My family-

And...the guys that I teach with and went through the program with-

Another chapter complete!

Our First Christmas Program

Isn't it wonderful when kids get to participate and embarrass impress their parents in their first Christmas program. We experienced that this week! I can't deny that I was proud of them, but holy cow, some of those facial expressions and the laughing hysterically about put me under my seat!

It began with this...

a few pictures in their classroom and one with their teacher. Then...mommy thinking they'd freak at seeing all those people says, "Make sure you wave to mommy and daddy when you get on stage!" (lesson learned - they listen and then yell over and over cause they are soooo proud to be sitting on stage with you watching!)

They did a great job singing and signing Jesus Loves Me and then participated in the speaking parts too. I was very impressed. Because they did a good job, their teacher rewarded them with a candy cane - now we have a new fave to go along with choc-o-lat!

We got this last picture and then went slip sliding home. Thanks to the icy conditions, mommy got another snow day and some time to update the happenings!

A Birthday Party

We recently went to a birthday party of someone the kids LOVE! We have officially become those parents I guess, but it was amazing to see their faces light up!

We had some popcorn, sang lots of songs, and danced for over an hour.

The best part was when daddy sang with us! ;)

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY...New Hats or Newest Robbery Suspects?

Christmas Lights

We have found the joy of Christmas lights. Everywhere we go, we hear, "ohhhh...look at those lights," or "those are pretty aren't they mommy?" We took the kids to see lots of lights.

We saw that they had a petting zoo and camels to ride - mommy and daddy thought it would be great fun to check it out.

Before we even got out of the van, this is what took place. I leaned into the van to get Brooke out. She wrapped her legs around my waist and arms around my neck so tight I could hardly breathe. I asked her what was wrong. She said, "I NOT GOING, there's dinosaurs!"

Apparently we need to teach them the difference between a camel and a dinosaur. Needless to say, the petting zoo was not a hit and we were back in the van before we could be eaten alive!

Our New "Addition"

Meet Elvin...

Elvin is our Elf on the Shelf.  He is MAGICAL!!!  Elvin watches to make sure the trips are being good each day.  At night, he flies to the north pole to tell Santa how their behavior was that day.  Then...he quickly flies back to watch again the next day.  We never know where Elvin will show up.  

He has been found sitting in the strangest places, but the three make it their mission each morning to find him and to make sure they know he is watching!  Poor Elvin even hears stories.  The other night, Brooke very dramatically looked at Elvin and pointed at Luke saying, "Elvin, he pooped in his pants today."  Elvin marked it in his memory, I'm sure and flew back to let Santa know too.  This morning, Luke in a sweet voice said, "I sleep good last night Elvin!"

Thanksgiving 2010

Another digital greeting by Smilebox

What did I just hear?

The leaves in our yard have been piling up so on Saturday I decided to bundle the kids up and take them outside with me while I raked.  It was an overall nice morning outside.  The kids played while I raked. 
What I heard shocked me...They were running around playing who knows what when I hear Zach say,  "Brook-ey, nah-nana-boo-boo, you can't catch me."  Are two year olds supposed to know this already???

Back to the leaves... When it came time to load the leaves into the garbage can, my job became more lengthy than I intended.  In comes the tres amigos!!!  I would load one garbage can full of leaves and walk it bag to the burn pile.  While I was doing this, my three "helpers" were taking leaves and pushing them into another garbage can.  They would then pull that can across the yard to an empty spot - free from leaves and dump it - meaning I would have to go and pick them up AGAIN!  The first time was cute, they were just trying to help, the second time, I was floored that they thought they were going to continue doing it this way, the third time...wait there was no third time - my back was screaming at me which resulted in me pulling the can away from thier little helping hands! 

I ran inside to get my lighter to start burning the leaves.  I explained that the fire was going to be very hot and that they had to stand far away.  They did as told and watched as I started the fire.  Very quietly and very seriously I heard Luke behind me, "Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you..."  I guess any fire reminds him of a birthday candle! 

Conversations

Life with three is never dull! I am continually amazed at their development and still wonder why these "nosy" smart people don't have their colors down pat? They can spot a car a mile away and know that it is Nana's or Mama's, or even another parent from daycare - really! Yet when I ask what color something is, I am told "Ummmm...green." We are practicing and getting better, I guess I just need to be patient.

Speaking of patient, the question WHY is about to drive me bonkers.
Mommy: "Let's pick up our toys."
Child: "Why?"
Mommy: "We need to pick up our messes when we are done playing."
Child: "Why?"
Mommy: "Because mommy wants a house that is somewhat in order."
Child: "Why?"
Mommy: "Because I do."
Child: "Why?"
Mommy: "PICK UP THE TOYS, Because if you don't, ... (fill in choice words of I'll put you in time out, put you to bed, beat you, whatever the frustration point is at that time.)!!!"

We are also working on lights. We have repeatedly told them that when the sun is OUT, the lights in the house are OFF! They don't know their colors and are apparently deaf because this is never heard. The other day, as it is getting darker outside earlier :( Brooke says, mommy, the sun is almost OFF. I guess something is sinking in?

And, the next diddy put me in the running for mommy of the year 2010! I was clipping finger and toe nails (60 in all - no small feat) when the following happened...

Mommy to wiggling child on lap: Zachary, we're almost done, puh---lease stop wiggling.

Child on mommy's lap (said with attitude and authority): I not Zachary, I Lucas.

OOPS!

Happy Halloween 2010

This digital greeting card created with Smilebox

No School Friday

I had Parent/Teacher conferences this week and was at school until 8:30 on Tuesday and Thursday and am drained. So, not having school today, paying for daycare like I am, and being the somewhat "sane" person I am, I packed my three babes up and took em to day care!

Here are the darlings decked in their Halloween gear and ready to celebrate at school. (I am going to regret this later when they come home on a sugar high!)




After I dropped them off, I wrote a list of things to do around the house, decided against it so...I went shopping. No strollers, no diaper bags, no distractions, I had a million things to get and I kept thinking to myself, this is going to be great! I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MYSELF. :( No noise in the car, no one to talk to, no one yelling, and no one to sing with me. So, this 30 something mama sang to herself. I'm sure I looked awesome rockin' out in the mini-van, but oh well! I accomplished what I needed to, did some damage with the plastic, and came home to pick up my wired children(who really weren't as bad as I expected). Not to shabby for being out of practice!

The Punkin' Patch 2010

Getting in the spirit of the season, we visited the pumpkin patch. We were only there about 20 minutes but they each picked out the perfect pumpkin for themselves and wore their mommy and daddy out trying to get a good picture! Perfect weather and the perfect end to a week!



Can you make three two year olds sit still and smile at the same time?


Finally... a winner!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY...Flippin' Burgers?

Makes me Laugh

Who can look at these three silly people without laughing?

Fall

The kids are so fun right now. I might regret saying it, but two year olds really are not terrible! The sense of imagination they have is amazing and I love watching them interact. We haven't created imaginary friends yet, but that is understandable given that they have built-in friends brother and sister, right?!?

They are always excited to get to go somewhere and are becoming more and more independent. They are dressing themselves in the morning and whenever we leave the house. I always get “look at me mom” or “I did it by MYSELF” comments when they are proud of what they’ve accomplished.

I am starting to understand now why people say enjoy it - it goes so fast. I thought we just started the school year a few days ago and somehow I've lost track of time and the end of October is nearing. The kids are enjoying the warm fall weather we've been having and we are trying to take advantage of it any chance we get. We are not looking forward to shorter days and cold weather.

If only it would stay like this...

We spent some time on the playground at "mommy's scoo" (Zach's translation of school)!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY...Are we all this happy to go to school or work?

Fixin' a Flat

Assessing the situation.

Getting into the position.

Putting the tire in place.

Giving it a hard tap.

Good as new!