Our Lil Dancers

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed now with the holidays over, because I have lots to blog about.  December is just crazy!  Absolutely nuts!  So way back when.....we had the girls' dance recital.  We had been practicing for weeks leading up to the big show.  I was a little nervous for Brooklynn, because she was in the hip hop class with 6-9 year olds, and she was the youngest by a lot.  We knew she was quite the booty shaker, but she was always nervous around the big girls.  How would she handle a solo on stage with an audience?

 

First up was Brooklynn with her "Good Morning" routine.  She rocked it!  I was so proud of her, but more proud for her to step out of her comfort zone and fit in with the big kids (not that I will encourage that for much longer).

Chandler tap danced a cute Christmas number.  She was front and center, because, let's face it, she was the best dancer of the group.  So when she froze a little during the performance, the entire class did too.  Oh well.  No one is watching the dance steps when you have 3 and 4 year-old cuties in tutus on stage.

 Our girls after the show

 I think they're true performers!

 Proud mommy and daddy

Kicking off the Season Right

In our merry fashion we kicked off the Christmas season with our annual girls/kids' gift exchange madness.  There were a few ladies missing this year, but that didn't slow down the kids.  They had a great time playing together, since their playdates are fewer as they grow up and we all get so busy.  But when they do get together it's like no time has passed.

Hazel, Jackson, Kaitlyn, Kennedy (sticking close to Boo), & Brooklynn

Caught red-handed with all the girl toys!  Oh oh!

Sweet Elin staying far away from the craziness

We almost got them all together (Marcus is making a run for it)

Got it!

Opening books

The big guy even stopped by again this year.  Chandler was disappointed he didn't use the toilet though.

Sawyer was so funny - he kept going back for more as he thought of more presents

Token picture of the ladies with the jolly man

Not So Tiny Dancers

When we asked the girls which activity they'd like to do for the fall, they responded, "Dance" with no hesitations.  Since Brooklynn can shake her booty like no other I convinced her to try Hip Hop, while Chandler stuck with the tap/ballet combo.  The ages groups are 3-5 or 6-9.  I knew Brooklynn was too good tall to be with 3 - 5 year olds, so we thought we'd try the older girls, and her teacher agreed.  So Brooklynn was the youngest by quite a bit, but she did a great job and learned some sweet breakdancing moves.  Chandler was awesome at both ballet and tap.  Is there anything this girl can't do?  

Backstage before the show

 

Brooklynn's troop (she's front left)

 Chandler's festive performance

They both did great.  Brooklynn really surprised us and did great keeping up with the 9 year-olds.  That's quite an age difference!  She really liked the hip hop class, but I think she was still a little intimidated by the older girls.  She says she's ready to swim again (which she is great at).

 Proud parents (Addy stayed home - she's at that age where she can't stay still)

That Crazy Noel.....

There's nothing better than the magic of Christmas with kids.  We were ecstatic to get out the holiday garb and decorate and begin the madness.  As we were unpacking the stacks of bins the day after Thanksgiving, Brooklynn spotted our elf "Noel".  Uh oh!  She was supposed to be at the North Pole.  What to do?  As a parent you learn to lie quickly on the spot to those gullible children.  So we said she must've gone to the wrong house, so we needed to send her back to the North Pole ASAP.  So we addressed an envelope, put her in, and "shipped" her off.  The rule is "no touching the elf or she loses her magic", so we had to assure Brooklynn that it didn't matter that she touched her, because she wasn't our elf anyway.  Whew!  Another save!

So Noel came back to visit us December 1st, and the girls were as excited as ever!  Every morning they rush down to find her and see what shenanigans she's into now.  We're doing our best at remembering to move her (although sometimes she just really likes a spot).  

We've found the girls (especially Brooklynn) having many heart-to-hearts with Noel, assuring she'll make the "good list".  They've been making sure Addy doesn't disturb or touch her, basically screaming any time she gets near.  

Even though the season is chaotic, I absolutely love seeing the girls so excited!  There is truly something magical about kids and Christmas, and I'm going to enjoy it for a few more years!

Noel and her shenanigans

*For those of you who aren't familiar with the Elf on the Shelf - google it!  We had a great time explaining the tradition to our kidless friends the other week after they said, "What is with these elf pictures all over Facebook?  I don't get it."

We Are Thankful

The week before Thanksgiving we were lucky enough to have Carrie and Callen out for a visit.  Even though the cousins are far apart in age, they always love seeing him, holding him, and even feeding him.  One day we took them to the Butterfly Pavilion, which is usually inundated with school kids, but not this day.  Callen slept while we ran around scaring off the butterflies.

 Chandler even thought she could get one to land on her if she did her dance!

 California babies bundle up in our cold Colorado weather

 On Saturday Steve's parents had an early Thanksgiving dinner with all the family.  It was great to see everyone and eat some yummy food.

Uncle Forney with Callen (the girls stole my phone and took lots of shots)

 Adaley playing us a tune on the piano (where do our kids get their musical talent?)

On Thanksgiving we had a hodge podge of us - family and friends both.  I decided I was ready to try the hosting gig again, and it went well.  I'm never good at cooking a big hunk of meat, because we rarely eat like that, but the turkey was actually delicious and the sides everyone brought were amazing (except Uncle Andy's green bean casserole, geez!)  The kids loved playing together, with Makenzie being the ringleader and taking care of everyone.

This year prior to Thanksgiving we went around the dinner table saying what we were thankful for.  Our girls kept saying "my Barbies, my toys, etc."  We were really getting frustrated at the materialistic things they would say.  Then, Chandler's preschool teacher told me that at their school feast she announced she was thankful for "her sisters."  And her teacher said it brought a tear to her eye.  I was proud and glad she showed her sweet side at school (even if I don't get to see it at home).

We're all so thankful we were able to spend quality time with our family this season and get the Christmas season going!

Go Rams!

So I'm a little behind - could be because of the craziness around our house these days, but I came across these pics on my phone and just had to share.  We didn't think we were going to be able to get the girls to Ft. Collins for a CSU football game this year, because usually if you don't go before the end of October, the weather is windy and cold!  Lucky for us, our fall weather was beautiful into November, so we packed them up for a day of football fun.  The girls were excited and insisted on wearing their cheerleader costumes.

Our ride up there was relaxing!

 Once we found our seats (in the half-empty stadium) the girls started cheering!  Then it was up and down the bleachers, chasing each other around, basically anything but watching the game.  We didn't mind it, except that we were sure Bug was going to take a tumble.  Oh well....they were still cute.  And it's always fun to bring the kids to our alma mater and get them psyched about college (someday).

 Is that a dude?

Kids Say the Darndest Things......

As a parent you're always on-guard a little worried what your kids may say to a stranger with their brutal honesty, and we've had a few of those encounters lately.  Ones that just make you squirm a little and then you find yourself looking to each other saying, "What do I do now?"

Last week we were out on a family lunch outing at Red Robin when an Asian waiter brought us our food.  After he left the table Brooklynn asked, "How does he see with his small eyes?"  Ouch!  Of course, our initial reaction was a little giggly, but then we had to determine how to handle these situations.  We couldn't punish her for being honest, right?  I know she was not intentionally hurting anyone's feelings, but we knew we had to have "a talk".  Then we were trying to give her examples of "not very nice things to say to people" and that's when it gets real fuzzy and complicated as a parent.  So we're working on those "teachable moments" hoping we get it right, but it's tough to teach her the PC terms and lingo in our hypersensitive society.  Is this parenting thing ever going to get easier?  uggghhhhh

*On a funny side note, Brooklynn walked up to me yesterday and out of the blue asked, "Can I say 'holy shit'?"  After I stopped laughing hysterically (which took awhile) I responded, "No."  Then Chandler, trying to one-up her, asked, "Can I say 'rainbow'?"  To which we responded, "Well of course."  So Brooklynn asks, "Then, can I say 'rainbow shit'?"  (She thought the "bad" word was "holy".....we got a long, good laugh out of that one).

Our Not-so- Little Lady

It’s hard to believe our little bug is not so little anymore.  She’s an 18-month that’s always curious, on the move, and despises the word “no”.  Our laid-back sweet baby has turned into a feisty chick that makes her desires known!  (I guess you’d have to be that way when you’re the 3^rd one.)  Here are some milestones she’s reached:

Words –

Her vocabulary is expanding exponentially everyday!  We were a little worried a month ago, because it seemed like she wasn’t adding new words, but she’s just taken off lately.  She’s always been really good at understanding what we say, but she didn’t have a desire to talk but rather grunt.  We always find her words funny, because they don’t seem to be the conventional “first words”.  Her favorites are:  mum, daddy, pumpkin, crackers, uh-oh, baby, duck, and shoes.

Food-

The pickiness has set it.  It’s a tough age, because you can’t bribe her yet, so we’re stuck with what she chooses to eat.  Although if she’s really hungry she’ll eat anything.  So I try to  sneak in the veggies and fruits before her meal and see if she’ll go for those first.  It’s also tough having big sisters, so she’s already been introduced to too much junk.  Her favorites are hot dogs, mac & cheese, bananas, crackers, juice,  and yogurt.

What we love about you, our funny bug -

1.  The way you yell “mum” at me like an angry Englishman!

2.  You point at a CSU Ram logo and say “daddy”.  Can we say obsessed much?

3.  When trick-or-treating you would grunt when you wanted candy – just like you do to us when you want something. 

4.  You love to parade around in our shoes.  I can never seem to find 2 matching shoes, because you trek them all over the house!

5.  You walk up to us holding a diaper and wipes and point to your diaper and say “poop”.   Makes life a little easier!  Guess, again, you expect that with a 3^rd one that gets little attention.

6.  Even though you’re constantly moving and investigating, you still have time to be extra cuddly!  Love you buggy!

More Birthday Fun!

Chandler was excited to have yet another birthday party with the family.  It seems like these birthdays are always such a production in our house, but it's ok, because the girls love it!  We decided we'd better have her favorite - pepperoni pizza.  After dinner - cake and presents, followed by horse rides from Cousin Damon.  Another party down!

Chandler's cake request (because Kenz is a hula girl)

 Opening gifts

Great way to end the party! 

Monday was her actual birthday, so we had some hot dogs for dinner (another favorite) and opened gifts.

Last, but not least, was her classroom birthday celebration on Tuesday.  So after 3 weeks it was over, but she's been having a ball playing with all her new toys!

Four years is when they start feeling "old" to me, so it's a little bittersweet.  Wonderful to watch them become "little people" but sad to no longer have my baby.

Milestones this Year
1.  Made her own friends at school (This is big because she's always had the same friends as Brooklynn)
2.  Learned how to cross the monkey bars all by herself
3.  Started writing her name and reading sight words
4.  Has amazing fashion sense - always chooses her own clothes and can button, zip, everything

Over the past couple months we've watched Chandler really blossom into a big kid.  Her teacher at school said her transformation has been amazing - she went from a girl crying at drop-off to being everyone's friend and the teacher's helper.  At home we've seen a complete shift as well.  She's been so sweet and delightful and seems so mature.  While she still has her Boston accent (thank God), our little girl is getting so big!  We love you to death Cheeseball and can't wait to see what the future holds for you!

Professional Trick-or-Treaters

It seems like Halloween gets busier and busier each year, but we try to enjoy these times before they're "too old" for all the fun.  Since Halloween fell on a Thursday this year, we had both Brooklynn and Chandler's school parties and then trick-or-treating in the evening.  I felt like I was running around like a mad woman, but it turned out great, and the kids had so much fun celebrating with lots of friends.

After I shuffled Chandler off to school I went to Brooklynn's school to help with their party.  The kids loaded their plates with cupcakes, Rice Krispie treats, and candy.  Uh oh!  They had lots of fun doing activities and just being silly with friends.  Since she's only in half-day kindergarten she doesn't eat lunch or have recess with friends, so I'm glad she has these times to make some friends.

Brooklynn and some classmates

 Then we had to speed over to pick-up Chandler, who had a great time with her friends!

 After the sugar crash and nap it was time to go trick-or-treating.  So we bundled the kids up (although the weather was pretty nice to start with), and away we went.  

 When will you be done with these pics so we can get some candy?

 With Grandma, the M & M

 Stop already with the pics!

 Adaley was so cute!  She just loved holding her Elmo.  She walks around the house carrying purses all day, so trick-or-treating was right up her alley.  

 At our neighbors' house.  Addy would hold out Elmo and grunt until the candy was dropped.  It was so funny!

 Hangin' with her BFF Sophia

 Chandler just loved it!  She was trying to keep up with Brooklynn and the big kids.

 Ready to go home with her snot nose!  As soon as she got home she broke into her favorite - Smarties!

 The girls love to go out, but have no problem coming home, because they just set up shop in the front and love to hand out candy to the other kids.  Because it got so windy there were only a handful of more trick-or-treaters, so they would open the door and yell, "Come on trick-or-treaters.  Come to our house."  It was hilarious.  Then they started giving the big kids whatever they could find - stickers and coloring books.  Steve and I couldn't stop laughing at them!

The letdown of the holiday is tough though.  They were sad at bedtime that it was all over - all the hype, the anticipation, and the fun costumes.  At least we have a few fun holidays coming up to help them cope.