The girlz were a little confused at first. But once they understood, they thought it was HILARIOUS.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Red-Nosed Princesses
We let the girlz stay up later than usual last night to watch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The show inspired Darby to bring out the paint last night and color some little noses red.
The girlz were a little confused at first. But once they understood, they thought it was HILARIOUS.
The girlz were a little confused at first. But once they understood, they thought it was HILARIOUS.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Elf in the Freezer
We've been having some terrific weather here lately - sunny with temperatures in the 60's and low 70's. Gorgeous, gorgeous weather!!
We found Darby in the freezer this morning. Something tells me she doesn't love this weather quite as much as we do.
We found Darby in the freezer this morning. Something tells me she doesn't love this weather quite as much as we do.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Elf in Custody
We couldn't figure out if Darby had been playing with the Snow Police last night or if she was taken into custody.
She's holding the stick, so I believe they were playing. If not, the Snow Police are in big trouble!
She's holding the stick, so I believe they were playing. If not, the Snow Police are in big trouble!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Another Fun Tradition
The girlz found Darby hiding in the Christmas Tree this morning. It took us a while to find her... they were getting nervous there had been one too many meltdowns and Darby had decided to stay with Santa instead.
But we found her, just as we were walking out the door to church. Whew!
After church we took the girlz to see the Coleman Collection. We hadn't been since Cassidy was three and Campbell was a zygote. It seems like forever ago!
We had a fantastic afternoon and Campbell really surprised me - she hasn't had a nap since last Tuesday and was still able to keep up without melting down. The Coleman Collection was just as wonderful as ever, and I LOVE that these displays are now part of our kid's childhood memories. I have precious memories of going to see these same displays at Coleman's Nursery with Pop decades ago.
We made a few crafts after visiting the displays. Campbell made an ornament...
And Cassidy made an origami Christmas Tree.
We walked over to the Children's Museum afterward and the remodeling efforts were certainly worthwhile. It's TERRIFIC. It's so good, we started batting around the idea of letting our zoo membership go and becoming members there instead.
We put the girlz to bed about an hour early tonight and there were no complaints. It's been a fun holiday weekend, but I'm looking forward to getting back into our normal routine tomorrow morning!
But we found her, just as we were walking out the door to church. Whew!
After church we took the girlz to see the Coleman Collection. We hadn't been since Cassidy was three and Campbell was a zygote. It seems like forever ago!
We had a fantastic afternoon and Campbell really surprised me - she hasn't had a nap since last Tuesday and was still able to keep up without melting down. The Coleman Collection was just as wonderful as ever, and I LOVE that these displays are now part of our kid's childhood memories. I have precious memories of going to see these same displays at Coleman's Nursery with Pop decades ago.
We made a few crafts after visiting the displays. Campbell made an ornament...
And Cassidy made an origami Christmas Tree.
We walked over to the Children's Museum afterward and the remodeling efforts were certainly worthwhile. It's TERRIFIC. It's so good, we started batting around the idea of letting our zoo membership go and becoming members there instead.
Cassidy the Vet, taking care of Juno
Sergeant Sexy on the Police Motorcycle
The girlz next to the giant daffodils
Cassidy driving a tugboat
Campbell driving a bus
Cassidy putting out a fire
Campbell driving the fire truck
We put the girlz to bed about an hour early tonight and there were no complaints. It's been a fun holiday weekend, but I'm looking forward to getting back into our normal routine tomorrow morning!
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Visiting Santa... A Success!
The girlz were excited to find Darby perched on top of the bathroom lamp this morning. Cassidy is the only one in this picture, but Campbell was there. She's having a royal meltdown, just out of view.
Tantrums first thing in the morning are not fun and she has one practically every day. Way to start the day, Campbell!
Once we'd had a chance to wake up, we decided to go to the mall and see Santa. We saw Santa yesterday and both girlz did great. I was tempted to go ahead and have their picture taken then, but they weren't wearing the special Christmas shirts I bought for Santa pictures... so I decided to take a gamble and come back today. Thankfully, they were just as good today as they were yesterday!
After the pictures were taken, we walked around the mall for a while. Cassidy was excited to see the big trampolines have returned and wanted to ride. Campbell cannot be left behind, so both girlz took a turn. Shockingly, Campbell actually stayed on the ride for the entire duration and jumped. AMAZING!
We met a princess cow...
And rode the mini carousel...
And then took the girlz to have their nails painted!
We put up the Christmas tree and other decorations this afternoon. It's been an exhausting (but fun) day!
Tantrums first thing in the morning are not fun and she has one practically every day. Way to start the day, Campbell!
Once we'd had a chance to wake up, we decided to go to the mall and see Santa. We saw Santa yesterday and both girlz did great. I was tempted to go ahead and have their picture taken then, but they weren't wearing the special Christmas shirts I bought for Santa pictures... so I decided to take a gamble and come back today. Thankfully, they were just as good today as they were yesterday!
I love taking pictures of someone else taking their picture!
Santa and the girlz
Santa and Campbell
Santa and Cassidy
After the pictures were taken, we walked around the mall for a while. Cassidy was excited to see the big trampolines have returned and wanted to ride. Campbell cannot be left behind, so both girlz took a turn. Shockingly, Campbell actually stayed on the ride for the entire duration and jumped. AMAZING!
Her jumps were small, but she stuck with it. Go Campbell!
On the other hand, Cassidy couldn't jump high enough. Look at her go!
We met a princess cow...
And rode the mini carousel...
And then took the girlz to have their nails painted!
We put up the Christmas tree and other decorations this afternoon. It's been an exhausting (but fun) day!
Friday, November 25, 2011
The Return of Darby!
After we finished putting the extra chairs and tables away last night, we reminded Cassidy and Campbell that Darby should be coming back to our house sometime during the night. We reminded them of the skirt we bought for Darby a few weeks ago, and Cassidy decided we should leave the skirt out for Darby.
She chose just the right spot for it.
And this morning, they were exicted to see Darby found the skirt and was wearing it! She even left a thank you note. What a polite elf we have!!
Thanks to Pinterest, we have a few new ideas up our sleeve this year. I love Christmas traditions!!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Thanksgiving Day
What a fantastic Thanksgiving Day we had!
The house was full and loud and chaotic. The food was great - especially Sergeant Sexy's fried turkey.
I won't pretend like it's fast or easy to prepare the house and cook for so many people. It requires two days of non-stop cooking and prep, plus all the menu planning and grocery shopping pre-work. My feet were screaming for mercy by the time it was all over.
Hosting Thanksgiving is way more work than birthday parties. But you know what? I'm thankful we were chosen to take the reigns from Mama and Papa.
I planned Thanksgiving just like I would plan a software release, timeline and all. Appetizers were ready when everyone started piling in, casseroles were steaming hot, the bread was warm, and the turkey was fried to perfection... and all on time. After the dinner was served and cleaned up, I updated my planning documentation with detailed notes for next year (this is what we call a "postmortem"). I was clearly born for project management.
The sweetest part of all was spending time with family. It's been a tough year!
It was an awesome day. And the house was so eerily quiet once everybody left, I found myself already looking forward to next year.
Happy Thanksgiving!
The house was full and loud and chaotic. The food was great - especially Sergeant Sexy's fried turkey.
I won't pretend like it's fast or easy to prepare the house and cook for so many people. It requires two days of non-stop cooking and prep, plus all the menu planning and grocery shopping pre-work. My feet were screaming for mercy by the time it was all over.
Hosting Thanksgiving is way more work than birthday parties. But you know what? I'm thankful we were chosen to take the reigns from Mama and Papa.
The girlz loved their personalized Thanksgiving shirts!!
Centerpieces
I planned Thanksgiving just like I would plan a software release, timeline and all. Appetizers were ready when everyone started piling in, casseroles were steaming hot, the bread was warm, and the turkey was fried to perfection... and all on time. After the dinner was served and cleaned up, I updated my planning documentation with detailed notes for next year (this is what we call a "postmortem"). I was clearly born for project management.
Half-eaten cheese tray, deviled eggs hiding on the counter below
Half-eaten fruit arrangement
5 casseroles, covered and ready to go... ham, bread, gravy and Brunswick Stew in the corner
Some of the desserts (they wouldn't all fit on one counter)
Sergeant Sexy made this delicious Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake!!
Carving up the turkey
The sweetest part of all was spending time with family. It's been a tough year!
Pop and Josh
Pop and Maggie (LOVE this one!!)
Josh and Papa
Cousins!! (minus one)
Campbell and Maggie
Cassidy and Michael
Papa, Josh and Pop
Campbell and the one we named we named her after - Becky
It was an awesome day. And the house was so eerily quiet once everybody left, I found myself already looking forward to next year.
Happy Thanksgiving!