Time to Decorate!

We got all the decorations up!  The kids are super excited about Christmas this year, every day Parker asks me when the "real Christmas" will be here.  He's a little bit frustrated that right now is considered "Christmas", but it's not yet CHRISTMAS.

I got Parker this nutcracker at the thrift store last week.  Within hours his head had fallen off and he's lost a foot, sounds like a well-spent $1.50.  Last year, I got the kids a small fake tree that they can decorate, they liked it last year, but this year Parker LOVES it.  He has un-decorated and re-decorated the tree 2-3 times every day.

We also love our whily-gig and light the candles nearly every meal.

Getting the tree

Jared had to work on Saturday, so rather than picking our tree out in an idyllic snow-covered field, we picked our tree out in the POURING RAIN.  We were all soaked to the skin before we'd even picked up the saw, but we persevered and found a tree.

Cecily spent the entire time jumping from one puddle to the next, it took forever to get anywhere since she had to make sure she didn't miss any.

Just like last year, we headed up to Pilchuck Secret Valley Tree Farm to get our tree, but this year we went with the plan of buying a $10 kid's tree.  The selection wasn't amazing, but when your standards are low enough, and you're only planning to use the top half, it's not too hard to find an acceptable tree (especially when it's pouring buckets on your head).

Both the kids got in on the sawing action this year.

It turned out pretty well in the end.  I think we'll probably keep up this $10 3-foot tree tradition as long as we can until the kids start screaming for the biggest tree they can find.

Thanksgiving!

We had my family over for dinner on Thanksgiving.  There were 9 adults and 9 kids (Dianne's family always messes with the average).  We had a ton of food and the kids had a great time playing together.

I cooked a turkey the same size as Cecily and it turned out rather amazing, if I say so myself.  I think I may have won myself the privilege of hosting all future Hamilton events. 

There were adults at the event, but I only seemed to photograph the kiddos.

This is the best photo I have of Cecily from the entire day...it's out of focus, she's moving, and her eyes are red, such is life.

Thanksgiving Morning

Parker has been looking forward to watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade with Daddy for WEEKS, they're enjoying the parade this morning while Mama gets the house and dinner ready.

I asked the kids at breakfast what they are thankful for:

Parker: The Wampanoag and the Pilgrims who lived on the land (we've been reading a lot of Thanksgiving books this week)

Cecily: Kitties, Lions, and Doggies

Painting

Bedtime

For the first three years of his life, Parker was the easiest kid ever to put to bed, we'd put him to bed and there he'd stay.  Now, it can be a sometimes hours-long game of go-back-to-your-room.  So, somehow, our rule has changed to: "I don't care what you do, or how long you stay up, just stay in your @&!$# bedroom!"  Which means that lately, more often than not, we find him here:

Last week, I put Cecily down for her nap, went into my room for a minute, and came out to find a gleeful little girl running around the living room.  She has finally discovered how to climb out of her crib.  So, this weekend, Keith's project was to convert Cecily's crib into a toddler bed.  Our plan was to deconstruct the crib (which is drop-side, so we can't give it away anyway) and turn it into a toddler bed.  But, just for fun, we thought we'd check and see how she'd do with the whole opening open...she only fell out four times in two days.  Fortunately, my friend recommended putting a pool noodle under her sheet to keep her in.  We used a rolled-up blanket for now, but it worked perfectly!  I love it when the lazy, I mean, simple option is the best.  

Cecily LOVES her "new" bed.  And so far, bed time has actually been easier without the crib, she's loves having us sit on the edge of her big-kid bed for bedtime.  And, now it's easier for her to put all her stuffies to bed.

Parker

Superheros!

Parker, what do superheroes do?

"Save People"

Cecily, what do superheroes do?

"Rescue People"

Can you both smile for me?

"Not on your life"

I love how in every photo, Cecily is watch Parker for clues on what to do.  That girl loves her big brother.

And yes, it's 10:30 in the morning in November and Cecily is wear shorts jammies, what of it?  You're just jealous

This week's excitement

It took five years (plus all this week), but the house next door is finally gone!