Christmas and Snow..very belated

We got our Christmas tree at the Farmer's Market this year (and last year too apparently.. Stephen and the girls went alone while I was migraining last year). We went nice and early and completely forgot our camera. After we chose the perfect tree with the perfect little round "tree belly" we wandered the rest of the market. The girls got candy canes and every turn. "Can they have a candy cane? Are they twins?!" They have never had one before and I think they ate at least 3 a piece. Once we got home the girls caught my excitement and started squealing almost as loud as I was exclaiming about how much they LOVED our tree. The tree got quite a few hugs in the process.










Decorating with two 2 year olds is no easy feat.. but it sure is fun :) Most of our ornaments are not fragile so they were able to do lots of helping. Nonetheless.. most of the ornaments have migrated to the upper half of the tree by now. They enjoy moving them around or adding them to their doll house.. Mommy doesn't enjoy having to find them and rescue them back to the tree.

We have been doing Advent too this year. I got some nice kitschy 99 cent advent calendars from Trader Joe's. We do it right after breakfast each morning. Yes, I know ... how could I let my kids eat cheap chocolate first thing in the morning. Well for one simple reason - it is super duper fun. They not only get excited about opening their "door" for the day and munching their little treat, but they have been (surprisingly) excited about reading the verse for the day too. They listen very carefully (while licking/chewing their candy) and then shout out things like "I wuv baby Jesus Mommy!" or "Baby Jesus had a mommy!!!" or "Mary is Baby Jesus' mommy!!" or "My God is Mighty God!! BIIIIIIIIGGGG GOOOOOOODDDD!!" (We have been doing Isaiah 9:6 at V21 the last few weeks so they have been repeating the names for God listed there "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace"). I was afraid that it would just be a fight every morning since they are only allowed to open one door each morning but I have been pleasantly surprised at their self control. I explained very carefully the first morning before we even opened the door that would get to open one and only one each morning, and they haven't put up a fight about it at all. That seems to be the key with my girls - preparation. As long as explain what is about to happen or what is expected of them in details that they can understand before it all goes down, they seem to have very little problem following directions. The advent calendar has been a great learning tool for us in more ways than one.











Last but not least, as if our day of Christmas tree shopping and decorating could have been any more sweet... we had our first snow of the season while the girls were down for nap. They were really only interested in licking it off the leaves but still.. it was a nice way to end the day.

Good Lovin'

I just caught Ada sitting in her favorite chair having a conversation with Grammy and Grampapa.. complete with lots and lots of kisses.



Margot was quick to join in the love fest.



We're comin' to see you Grammy and Grampapa... day after tomorrow.. and we can't wait to give you some lovin' in person :)

Water Colors

The only thing that can keep them busy longer than blocks (other than Play-Doh) is painting with their water colors.



Look at that focus. No words.. just expression.









They are certainly their daddy's girls. Uncle David.. we can't wait for you get here and give us some tips.

Architects

Stephen made these blocks for the girls first birthday. They were a little young for the sharp edges and after Ada's double stitches we decided to put them away until later.



Not only are they more than ready now.. they absolutely love building towers of all shapes and sizes.



Particularly love to top said towers with one of the NYC block set that Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Michelle gave me for Christmas ... last year? Two years ago? Can't remember.



These building sessions can last for 20 -30 minutes and the level of concentration is a thing to behold.

Big Brother

Belated Halloween Pix

The girls wanted owls on their "daddy pumpkin". Are we surprised ?



While Mommy fought an epic battle with a migraine upstairs.. the girls and Stephen made some scary spiders (still referred to as "itsy Adas" around here) to hang outside for Halloween night.









We were all prepared to dress up in Aunt Mariel's lady bug and bumble bee outfits (with matching glow wands of course).. and Margot was thrilled to sport her costume..



..she spent most of the evening delivering candy to her neighbor friends as they walked along the sidewalk..



.. Madame Ada was not in a bumble bee kind of mood.. so she decided to go as a ninja instead... a ninja with a glowing bumble bee wand..



I am ashamed to admit that this was the girls' very first lolly pop experience. A neighbor was handing them out and of course.. they were a big hit. I don't know why they haven't had one before now.... just never really thought about it I guess.



They had an absolute blast .. mostly with visiting neighbors houses and running up and down the sidewalk delivering candy to other kids and dumping it into their bags or buckets. We all sat out on our porch and commented over and over on how much we love this neighborhood. There were a couple of pretty scary costumes that came our way and I was pleased to see that the girls did not even flinch. Maybe we will be able to get them more excited about dressing up next year.

Party of five

Margot has been playing "Mommy" lately. This is what that game looks like these days. Mommy has been spending quite a bit of her days on the couch.. again.

Our little pioneer would have been due on September 25th. We found out the day before that soon we will be a party of five. June 1st to be exact.



Just look at the beautiful strong little heartbeat. We are thrilled. We are overwhelmed by this blessing and His perfect timing.

Daddy Horse

State Fair with Grammy and Granpapa

Last weekend we all went to the NC State Fair while Grammy and Granpapa were in town. The girls marveled at the animals. Margot was particularly enthralled with a calf that was nursing from his mother. The calf kept whacking the mother cow with his head as he nursed and we were all saying "Ow! That must hurt!". A few moments later, after another whack, Margot exclaimed "Ouch baby cow! Just drink your milk!". Even now if you ask her about the fair she will say "Ouch baby cow!".











Here we are with the winning giant pumpkin. I love the good clean fun of the state fair. The rows and rows of beautiful hand tended produce displaying their winning ribbons. Seems like so much goes into the things that folks enter. The quilts, the hand stitched handy work.. the cakes and cookies on display. The canned goods are what always slay me. They are so beautiful in their white cases. It seems that every year there are fewer and fewer entries. I wish I knew how to can (I could always ask Mom to teach me.. she is an expert of course). It just seems like such a valuable art form. Being able to preserve your own food. That's the historical re-enactment side of me talking.. did I just admit to being a former living history junkie?







The girls got their first taste of fair food. Margot was way into it. Ada like the ribbon fries but the corn dog did not suit her fancy.







Margot ate her corn dog with much thoughtfulness.







The girls are self proclaimed big girls now and have no interest in strolling or.. wagon-ing from place to place. It was quite a hike from the free parking lot to the fair and back. I thought they did a great job hoofing it (of course there was quite a bit of carrying being done as well). By the time we made it back to the car, Ada was done in.

Later that afternoon Stephen and I went back just the two of us. We walked though all the exhibits we skipped with the girls and ate.. and ate.. and ate. I had.. 3 giant kosher dill pickles, the best ham biscuit on the planet, roasted corn on the cob with lots of butter and salt, a chocolate dip ice cream cone.. and a giant half un-sweetened ice tea and half lemonade. It was heavenly.

Fallish

.. cool enough for long sleeves but not too chilly for bare feet yet..

Daddy, his Ada and her Ollie