wiping tears

Tonight while reading to Lauren there was a page where all the animals were sad because someone had eaten the birthday cake. Lauren gets up from the couch and goes to get a tissue and wipes the giraffes eyes on the page. She tells them, "its okay gaff". Then gets down and gets another tissue...she wipes the tiger's eyes and says something sweet to him...she does this once more before I tell her that we can just read the next page when they will be happy again... She asks the animals, "that make you happy, okay?" and we continue to read the book. These are the moments I just love to watch and try to figure out what is going on in her head...

what's going on....

I hear hysterical laughing and go to peek on the kids...only to find Lauren has put her cowboy hat on Colson, stuck tiger behind him and is getting ready to mount the "gumper" (jumper) to jump along with Colson... good thing I walked in when I did! Lauren loves to play with Colson and is the best at making him laugh...but she likes to tickle and wrestle and play a little too rough, so I can't be far...and obviously hysterical laughter is never a sure sign that everything is okay! 

and of course, I had to take a picture of Tiger "gumping"

Santa's Lap

Colson was fascinated with Santa and had no problem getting on his lap...as long as I wasn't too far away. He even smiled for the camera! 

Lauren, on the other hand took some serious, bribing, pep-talking, treat promising and threats that Santa wouldn't know what to bring her if she didn't sit on his lap, in order to get her to sit there for one picture. Even then she really wasn't happy about it and had to have Tiger with her. But there were no tears and we have at least one picture of the kids on Santa's lap this year. Why is this so important again? 

Santa's Wonderland

Jason had a couple hours off today so we took the kids to Bass Pro Shop to see Santa's Wonderland. It was definitely smaller than the one we went to in Grapevine last year, but we got to see Santa at least. 

In preparation for our visit to Santa today, I asked Lauren what she was going to ask Santa for and she said, “a wheel horsie”. After explaining to her again that we couldn’t have a real horse, she said, “okay, I ask for a pony on a stick”

worn out

between swimming and Santa she was a little worn out...

swim lessons

Today was Lauren's last session of swim lessons for the month. We will start again in January after the holidays. While I wasn't impressed with the instructor or the lessons, it was a great opportunity for Lauren to be in the water and work on listening and following directions. Jason was able to make it to her last lesson and take some pictures.

Lauren wanted to wear a swim belt and use a noodle today.

Playing ring around the rosie with me

Lauren discovered if she held onto the ball she could roll around and around. She loved doing this! 

Jumping in like a wild woman. I love it

for the love of gammies

 When we get home from being out in the mornings, Lauren promptly strips. I ask her what she is doing and she says, "I wear my gammies" and runs to her room to get in her pajamas. She wears pajamas most of the day, then takes a bath and puts on different pajamas at night to sleep in. She loves her pajamas- especially the footed ones! 

playing together

I was cleaning up from dinner tonight when I hear hysterical laughter from my two babies. I look into the playroom to see them playing together, laughing and having fun together. These are the moments that make my heart smile. I am so happy they have each other. 

salt dough ornaments

Today Lauren and I made salt dough ornaments. I know how much Lauren loves to use the cookie cutters and I can’t stand to have cookies and sweets in our house right now knowing how much we a) don't need to be eating them and b) will have plenty soon… so we decided this would be the perfect activity. Lauren loved rolling out the dough and using the cookie cutters to make her ornaments. I know she will love to decorate them and hang them on the tree to see them there also!

who is counting?

Only: 

20 days until Noni and Great-Grandma Betty come

21 days until Aunt Caitlin comes

23 days until Aunt Tina and Uncle Brian come

24 days until Papa Brian, Susie, Poppi Wayne and Great Grandpa Art come

26 days until Santa comes

but who is counting? 

oh Tiger...

If I take a picture of Colson doing anything, Lauren asks if I can take a picture of Tiger doing that also. Here is Tiger standing up like Colson just did. Lauren is such a sweet mommy and talks to her tiger and encourages him. She tells us he is her best friend these days also...

Jason and I have pretty much accepted him as part of the family now.

nock-a- lures

Whenever I mention I am looking for something or Lauren needs to find something, she says, "I use my nock-a-lures" (binoculars) and either finds her little plastic ones or puts her hands up to her face like binoculars to look around... (I think I can thank Go! Diego Go! for this insightful piece of advice)

It is really cute though when she asks, "want me help you look mommy? I get my nock-a-lures" She really is a sweet little girl. 

wheel horsies

Lauren walked into the kitchen this morning and announced that she didn’t want a horsie on a stick from Santa anymore. I was surprised and said, "really?" She walks over to the window and says, “no, I want a wheel horsie in the backyard. A wittle one right out there” as she points in the back yard.  We laughed a bit and told her that we couldn’t have a real pony. “Oh, okay, I ask for a horsie on a stick then.” 

I know this story will warm her Noni's heart...

too quiet

When it is too quiet for too long these days I know Lauren is one of two places- 1) going poop on her potty (in which case I can expect her to yell, “ok mommy come wipe me” at some point) or 2) sitting in the window by the Christmas tree playing with her Lion King Ornaments. She is really enjoying this time of year.

Family Pictures, November 2011

love. my. family.

Saying goodbye to Kaitlyn

Lauren and Kaitlyn had such a great time together during their short visit. It is so surprising to me how well these two get along. They share and help each other, they are so considerate to ask each other which one the other wants and generally are the best of friends. Even the toys that Lauren has such a hard time sharing with her other friends she has no problem with letting Kaitlyn play with. It is very interesting... 

We had a quick lunch at McAlister's Deli before the Hennessey's had to get back on the road to Fort Worth. Lauren and Kaitlyn had to say good bye, complete with "knock you down to the floor kind of" hugs. 

a bath with Kaitlyn

No visit would be complete without a bath together!