We all had a great Christmas and hope everyone else did as well.  In fact, I'd have to say that the kids had a fabulous Christmas.  And I have WAY too many pictures to sort through to even begin at this point.  So I will start slowly to wade through them all and share some of my favorites.  Then you will find the others in the photo gallery. 

The kids got to see snow on Christmas Eve.  Well, artificial snow that is.  Cause here in the south snow on Christmas is well, very rare.  The first thing our sweet girl did was try to catch the snow in her mouth.  We had to quickly explain that yes, while it looked like snow it wasn't really snow.  

So she did quit trying to eat the snow, but it did not kill the joy of snow.  Instead apparently it meant run around and act like you've never seen snow before.  Which she has, but not much.  And we have strict orders to allow her to make a snow angel should we ever get enough snow.  Trust me girl, we will let you!

Our youngest was much more subdued about the whole thing - at least at first.

Later he ran around like she did, but in such a way that it was hard to photograph.  But I think the grin on his face says it all.




They were also treated to hot chocolate (or at least everyone present including those not shown here except for little man - he could not see how we would deem such a thing a "treat").  And they had a huge Christmas tree there that they both admired.

The only thing that would have made this sweeter was if it had been real snow.  But alas, we live in the wrong part of the US for that.

We want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!  Hope everyone is able to enjoy the holiday and have a nice break from work.  I know we will be busy with two very excited children. 

(These were taken after their bath, while they were watching a Christmas tv special.) 

Generally our youngest is different from our eldest in that he doesn't really care what he wears.  Except that he does have one favorite outfit that if he sees that it is clean he wants to wear it.  In fact I hear he tried to talk Daddy into wearing the shirt to bed.  See the shirt really is the favorite.  The pants are just a neccessity.

He has also been known to wear the slippers over his footed pj's as of late.

It is quite the fashion statement. 

And these photos have just proved to me that he will NOT look at the camera.  I have to "sneak" pictures lately to get any at all and the result is lots of the back of his head or profile shots.  Crossing my fingers that this phase passes fairly quickly as I'd like some better pictures of my little boy.

Every year at Christmas time I take a day and make a LOT of cookies.  Well, it seems that this year I not only had taste testers, but I also had help in the form of icing.  To mix it up a little bit I mixed up red and green icing and put it into ziploc baggies and cut a small hole in the corner.  Jordan then used these two bags to decorate most of the cookies.  I did some in white icing and sprinkles, but she did most of them. 

She was very focused on her job and took it very seriously.

Notice how while cheesing she is still reaching for that next cookie. 

Minus one cookie that looked more like it was iced like a store bought cupcake, she did a fantastic job.  Yes, indeed I look forward to her helping more and more as she gets older.

Our little guy on the other hand made a great taste tester this year!

Last weekend we took both of the children to see Disney on Ice - Celebrations.  I had taken Jordan last year to the Disney on Ice show and she LOVED it.  So this year we decided to take both of them.  Since she went last year, Jordan had an idea of what was going on.  She brought in her light toy from last year and she was ready to go.  He had NO idea what was going on and as we breezed by the vendors on the way to our seats he was in sensory overload.  He was so glad that I finally stopped at a stand near our seats so that he could point out many of the characters.  Then once in our seats he kept shouting "Mouse!  Mouse!"  Poor guy thought everytime he saw Mickey Mouse he had to tell me.  Let's just say he was busy. 

Can you tell she was excited?

Like I said he had no idea and we knew there was no real way to explain it to him other than let him see the show.  He must have known it was something he'd enjoy (possibly from her excitement) as he was ready!

And both were excited to see all their favorite Disney characters including the princesses. 

And as a result it seems that our eldest has an interest in expanding her princess knowledge.  Meaning that instead of watching the Little Mermaid this weekend, she actually chose on her own to watch a new movie - this morning's choice was Mulan.  And while I do enjoy The Little Mermaid I am glad to see a different movie enter into her rotation. 

It is interesting to watch two children play with the same sets of toys at the same age and observe the differences.  For the most part are two are complete opposites.  Her favorite toys are generally his least favorite.  The ones he plays with constantly are not her favorite.  At least this is the case for the younger children toys.  It started with the womb sounds bear.  It was bought for her in the crib.  Not. Her. Thing.  He had to have it to sleep at night.  He wouldn't know what to do without a ride on toy.  She never rode one around the house (she did however like for us to ride her around on one in the driveway).  The observation only works to a point though as if the other child is around, then naturally they both want the toy even if neither really wants it.  Sibling rivelry already.  Sigh.

Anyway, back to where I was going with this.  She had a Tickle Me Elmo TMX (well, at least I think that's his name).  He laughs, drops down, rolls around laughing, stands back up and will repeat if you "tickle" him again.  Well, she got this when she was 2 for Christmas.  We thought it would be a HUGE hit.  Instead she cried when he fell down, fearing he was hurt.  Poor child wouldn't play with him for a year because she was convinced he was hurting or something.  Then she finally got into him and realized he is LAUGHING.  Now he is a "good" toy in her book.  Now it is his turn to ponder if Elmo is laughing or hurt.

See when he starts out all is good.  But then when he drops to the ground and rolls around laughing he gets a very concerned look on his face (not the best photo of it, but trust me he is VERY concerned for Elmo's well being).

The difference is that he has his big sister there laughing with Elmo.  So since she likes it, he figures he must too.  But you can't tell he isn't 100% sold. 

So I'm guessing it wasn't just our eldest child that has an issue with this toy and that other children may have had similar reactions.  Anyone else go through this?  

Now the Elmo that dances and does the E-L-M-O version of Y-M-C-A is a whole different story.  He was a huge hit from the moment he was opened (same age).  I'm guessing it is the laughing sound that they aren't clear on how to take.  Because sometimes the dancing Elmo will lose his balance (especially on carpet) and fall over and say something along the lines of please help Elmo.  And that worried her and now him.  Guess they are just very sensitive to anyone they know being hurt including their beloved Elmos.  

Ok, obviously that isn't the little ones asking that question.  I am not sure that will ever happen, but a mom can dream can't she?  Today I am asking that.  I am exhausted.  Yesterday I was tired, today I am exhausted.  And of course that means that they are raring to go.  I think that they tend to do that when we are tired.  But as it was pointed out to me by my sweetheart, they are always like that, you just notice it more when you are tired or not feeling well as you can't handle their "normal."  Hmmm...  good point.  Still doesn't help.  But taking them out to run laps in the cul-de-sac and then for a walk does.  Can we say glad for a break in the rain?

So in honor of my thoughts of sleep here are some pj photos of the kiddos.  

She can't let me take a picture now without a "pose." 

On the other hand, he prefers I just don't get a picture.  

If he spots the camera, he's off.  Or he wants to see the picture before I could ever take a photo.  I have a quick camera, but it still isn't quick enough for him most of the time.  And so she will spot the camera when I'm trying to sneak and get one of him and cheese for me.  Which tends to draw his attention to the fact that I'm trying to sneak a picture.  Sigh.  So hard to get those "natural" shots.  Though there is something natural about his back to me when I want him to look at me...

The pictures of his haircut are a close to a week overdue.  But I've been a little busy as of late, much like many people this time of year.  So for those that worried we went "too short" I think you will be pleased.  It is still longer, but no longer quite so "girly" in the back.  And there has been a return of the cute curls that had started to go missing under the weight of his hair.  

It has also been a time of expressing independence for him.  He does not want you to help feed him foods such as yogurt any longer.  He does not care that yes, he is likely to make a mess - he wants to do it HIMSELF. 

He is very good at using his spoon.  That was never in question.  However, things such as yogurt tend to well, create a path between his bowl and his mouth.  But his excitement and exclamation of "I did it Momma! (or I did it Daddy!) make it worth cleaning up the mess.

Sigh.  Where is my baby going?