Christmas Fun

We had a fabulous Christmas!  We started it out with a trip to Alabama to see my side of the family.  We had so much fun getting to spend time with everyone and the kids especially love hanging with their cousins.  We drove back Christmas Eve and celebrated with Lance's family that evening.  By that point the kids had already gotten more toys than they will be able to play with in a year and that was before Santa made his visit!  Christmas morning was very fun, the kids were so excited and loved their gifts and Katie even told me "this is the best day ever."

We started it out looking in the stockings and then opened presents once Ray-Ray, So-So and Uncle Matthew arrived.  Probably the strangest stocking gift ever are the scissors that the kids asked for and received!

Once the gifts were opened we began the torturous process of putting it all together!  The marble run was a big hit for Tyler.  Katie was loving her waitress set, her barbie dolls and car (with doors that opened - a big requirement that was hard to fill), and played dress-up from her trunk that So-So gave her all evening!  We still have some things that are unopened, and not put together (although Tyler made me promise to put his wall track together this evening) and Lance wants to put some things away, but I don't know if that will work since Tyler seems to remember all the things he got and will almost certainly ask for them once they are sidelined.  We definitely need to figure out a better organization/storage system.  I had the "bright idea" to move everything upstairs and make the playroom the main area for toys and left nothing downstairs to gather things, but realistically there will still be lots of playing downstairs (better for cars, puzzles, that's where the play kitchen is and has to stay, and the car tracks don't do well on carpet) and we need somewhere to put stuff so will have to do some re-thinking on that one.  

Yesterday afternoon we spent time with Lance's cousins and Aunt and had a great time (and fabulous meal) there too.  The kids were shy everywhere we went at first, but finally opened up and had a ball - I think they had a wonderful Christmas and we did too!  

Lights

We were able to both pick the kids up from school today and wanted to do something fun.  It was too dark to go to the park, and Tyler's suggestion to go to Publix wasn't very exciting, so we decided to go look at Christmas lights.  We debated Shadrack's but it is a longish drive, interstates were a disaster AND the kids told us they didn't want to go look at lights (wanted to get home to color because Tyler has been practicing and doing well at staying in the lines).  So, we just decided to go to see a house that is nearby (actually on the same street as some relatives which is why we knew about it) and look at others along the way.  Well, of course the kids immediately were unbelievably excited about every little light we saw (which made us wish we had decided to go to the lights/music show at Shadracks) and were having so much fun pointing out every display (and telling us repeatedly that lights without houses meant that the people in them celebrate Hanukkah).  When we pulled on the street of the house with lots of lights they started ooohing and aaahing and then when they saw the actual house we were visiting they were in awe - Tyler said "this is amazing."

When we told them we could  get out and walk around they thought that was awesome and then Santa was there handing out candy canes which they thought was really cool too! 

They had a lot of fun looking at all of the lights (they dressed themselves this morning so the outfits aren't very picture worthy even if the kids are:))  They probably got just as much enjoyment out of this as they would Shadracks, because Tyler kept commenting on how he really like being able to get out of the car and walk around to see the lights!

They were both being so silly, but really were having fun and I am glad we "forced" them to go - sometimes we do know best! 

Merry Christmas

The visit with Santa went pretty well.  Tyler was shy and wouldn't really talk, but he did give him a big hug.  Katie was just so excited she could barely contain herself.  I think the pictures turned out great - here are just a few!

All photos were taken by Mandy Johnson Photography.

Kicking Myself

Well, the Metro Schools website just posted that children are only eligible for Kindergarten next year if they turn 5 by August 31st.  The only way to be grandfathered in is to have been in a Metro Pre-K classroom this year.  I am so mad at myself for not having put them in the Metro Pre-K classroom this year at the school they will attend, so they would be eligible.  I know rationally that there was no aftercare available which made it virtually impossible, but I think I should have tried harder to come up with a solution so we wouldn't be in this predicament now.  I reiterate that I really love their school and think it is fabulous for them and if we had all the money in the world I would probably be much more content to leave them there for another year.  The education is on par, and probably better, than what they will get at the public school.  The cost, though, is a lot different!  Our debt is just piling up and is equivalent to what we spend each month at their preschool and I just don't see how we can do another year of this.  I had false hope because the metro schools website continually said the September 30th date and I thought maybe they wouldn't change it until the following year and that is why this is so upsetting - I could see a light at the end of the tunnel but unfortunately now we are looking at having to spend $30,000 + before they get into "free" school.  If I had any worries about how they would do in Kindergarten it might be different, but I know that they would do fine and if they didn't I know we could hold them back a year and not have spent all the money!  We will probably look into the Metro Pre-K program for next year, but I bet I will decide it isn't worth it because the cost isn't that much cheaper and we would have to add-on aftercare and be in pretty much the same financial boat.  I guess I need to come to terms with being financially stressed for another year and a half and try to worry less and just realize what will be, will be.  I always also had a completely arbitrary age difference if we were to ever have another child - 5 years - and I can now decidedly say that K & T will be our only two!  I certainly know why finances are the number one reason for divorce and key cause of stress, but I am going to try to make it my resolution to not let it get to me and to remind myself that we should be able to get out of this mess once this expense is gone when the kids turn 6.  I just have to tell myself that everything happens for a reason and stop second-guessing and I apologize to anyone who reads this for updates on the kids, but I needed a place to vent!  I know I drive Lance crazy worrying and obsessing about it and hopefully now I can let it go and move on :)!  The good thing is that the kids will be excited to be in the Pre-K classroom (it is like being the "Seniors" in high school) and they really love the kids and teachers at their school and will like to have another year with them all.  Plus, Katie and her little friend in her preschool class are inseparable and they will go to different schools when in Kindergarten so this gives them another year together :).

One-on-One Time

I don't now if it is that much easier to have only one child, or if the kids are just on extra special behavior when they get one of their parents all to themselves, but I really had a great time this weekend spending some time individually with each of the kids.  Saturday was in Tyler's words "a stay home day."  I took Katie with me on a trip to Michael's and to Petco for their dog adoption day.  We had fun looking at all the stuff, and fell in love with a few puppies, and then selected a craft for our project of the day.  Once we got home we made candy - Santa, elves, teddy bears, Christmas trees - and the kids were so proud of their creations, but had no problem eating them when we were done!  We didn't do much of anything at all, but had a great day.  Today Katie went to the Rockettes show with So-So, and Tyler went with me to Opry Mills.  We rode the train, and shopped - for three hours!  We went to the Disney store, looked at leggos, picked out the Build a Bears we will do sometime when Katie is with us, and bought a couple of things for Dad (that I highly doubt Tyler will be able to keep secret).  I didn't get a lot of the shopping done that I needed and hoped to, but we had so much fun hanging out just the two of us that it was worth it to have to try to find time to get out in the chaos again next weekend.  I really enjoyed hanging with my little people - they both talked my ear off and were sooo well-behaved.  We rarely get one-on-one time with them, as I know most people with multiple children don't, and it is amazing how much more relaxing it is when you aren't refereeing or trying to keep up with two going in opposite directions. 

Tyler had a ball riding the train, waving at all (seemed like millions today) of the shoppers and pointing out stores that we had already been in as we passed them.  

Katie was ridiculously excited about the Rockettes, and almost equally as excited to come home from breakfast and get her "pretty outfit" on. She came home talking all about it and seemed to have a fabulous time!  

All in all it was really a great weekend, despite that I am now even more behind in Christmas prep.  This week will be crazy at work, but the good thing is that I will be at a corporate shopping day on Thursday  so maybe I can get two things done that day - shopping for the kids we serve, and for the myriad family members who I have yet to purchase for!  We have  already done lots of fun Christmas stuff with the kids, though and next weekend they will make gingerbread houses with their grandparents while we have a last chance to finish up shopping, assembling and wrapping (Lance still thinks Santa wraps).  Katie came home today talking about Baby Jesus (don't know if it was part of the Rockettes show or something she talked with So-So about) and we have been trying to tell them the reason for the season while also doing some commercial Christmas things like looking at lights, making candy and cookies, and visiting Santa.  I think their school does a good job, too, of mixing instruction and lessons about all of the different ways people celebrate and what they celebrate and having fun and so far I think the kids have had a great Christmas season! 

December?

My last post excitedly proclaimed it being December, but the first weekend of the month was definitely not very "December-like."  It was warm on Saturday when we didn't do much after visiting with Santa, which made me really want to get out and enjoy the last(?) bit of warm weather we are likely to get, on Sunday.  We went to the zoo and after searching out the alligators (per Tyler's request) and the zebras (Katie's choice) we had a late lunch and I let them do something I swore I wouldn't again - play on the playground!  It really is a fantastic play area and the kids could spend the entire day there without getting bored, I on the other hand would have a nervous breakdown.  I decided that I would sit near the exit and let them play on their own, which lasted for about 5 minutes when I searched everywhere within eyesight and couldn't find either one (it is very maze-like, with lots of towers and stairs and hiding places).  So, once I found them both I decided to tag along - they thought it was great that they could lead me around, I quickly began to feel very old and out of shape!  They led me through tunnels, up rope climbs, down tube slides, over bridges, and across obstacle courses for about an hour and today I am bruised and battered :)!  We had an issue getting Tyler to leave, but all in all it was a good day.

Watching the alligators!

We conquered the rope climb!  

We found out last night that we will play in the Music City Bowl.  I was really, really looking forward to an adults trip somewhere like Jacksonville or Atlanta, but it will be fun to get to go to a Bowl Game again, regardless.  The time of day for the game on New Year's Eve is kind of crappy - 11:00 AM, but I think my sister and brother-in-law are going to come in town and if so my awesome sister will watch the kiddos!  Another bright side of not getting the bowl game we wanted is that we can save some money (Christmas is always expensive with gifts, so many birthdays on my side of the family, and slow time in the housing market so it was a little daunting to add a mini-vacation/bowl trip so soon after) and maybe actually get to go Disney this year like I have been hoping!

December!

It's December and we kicked it off with a visit with Santa this morning.  Tyler was being shy and wouldn't talk or look up (he has been doing that lately along with having tantrums and fits that are so out of character that the teachers are commenting on them), but Katie was super excited.  On the way home, though, they were both talking nonstop about Santa and what they need to do since he is watching :).  Last night we went out to Opry Mills, and spent most of the time at Bass Pro Shops.  The kids remembered it from a visit when they went with Lance, Ray-Ray and Matthew and Katie said she "just loves the fish store."  The logo has a bass fish on it on the sign.  The place was packed and we didn't buy anything, but it was fun to look around and there is certainly lots of fun stuff to look at this time of year at that store.  There is always the aquarium, but they had a train, shooting range, Santa's village and racetrack set up too, as well as Lightning McQueen and Princess tents in just the kid's size that they thought were fun.  We ate in the food court and were regaled with stories from school by the kids.  They sang the Dradle song to us that a friend of theirs from school taught them (and then told us all about Hanukkah and seemed a little jealous that their friend got 8 days of gifts but they only got one), and they told us that another friend doesn't celebrate anything other than snow, so we started talking about the meaning of Christmas and what it is all about other than Santa, and I really think it was a great conversation.  Of course, the kids are 4 and we do celebrate Christmas, so Santa talk is fun too!  They posed in front of the Bass Pro Shops tree and really wanted to open the presents (which I suspect were empty).  They weren't really dressed for pictures (just picked them up from school and headed that way), and we are having to be cautious particularly with Tyler about seeing too many Santas around town, so we didn't visit Santa last night.  

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and it was great to see everyone!  We started out the festivities at Ray-Ray and So-So's.  Tommy and Ashley were there with baby Madeline who I got to snuggle with briefly, and the kid's Uncle Matthew was in town to visit with too!  Katie and Matthew concocted a plan to eat Thanksgiving Dinner (including a turkey fried by Lance and Matthew) outside, and Katie was having a ball decorating the table.  She even drew a picture of everyone who would be at the table and wrote their names with help from Matthew.  She was so proud, and this picture was taken even before the addition of Christmas lights and the complete set of "portraits" were hung!

We then went to Birmingham to spend time with my dad and his family and my uncles and aunt.  Thanksgiving dinner was delicious there, too and the kids had a blast playing with my dad's two little girls.  We went on to my grandmother's house the next morning and had our last Thanksgiving meal.  It was super yummy, and the kids always love going to "GG's" house because they get to go to the park right across the street and of course see my mom's side of the family.  Tyler has heard me say it is "Christmastime" now that Thanksgiving is over and he knows that we are going to Niffa and Bill's for Christmas so he keeps asking me when we are going to Uncle Bill's.  He took some time to warm up to people when we were visiting at both places this time and by the time he started opening up a bit to Bill he forgot to tell him and show him some things that he definitely wants to remember when we go to his house!

We got the tree up on Sunday and the kids really enjoyed that this year, and were actually able to help!  We were looking at pictures of each year of the kids with Santa and unfortunately realized that we never made it to get pictures with Santa last year and I can't find the one from their first year although I vividly remember having it made because it was one of my first solo outings!

This was their first Christmas, but obviously not the Santa pic.  

I do have this from last year taken at the Y, but it is obviously not a great Santa photo.  

This year, however, in fact this Saturday - we will be getting Santa photos for 2012!  I have to decide which package to get today and give them my credit card number in advance (these Santa visits are serious these days - the slots are coveted and they don't want any cancellations), but I definitely know that I will at least have one picture of the kids and Santa this year!!!  Here is our annual kids in front of the tree picture (will probably try to take another one that isn't as blurry and when they are dressed a little more festively).  We haven't gotten lights on the house yet, but this is actually early for us to have anything so I am excited!  This should be a fun year around our house since the kids are at a great age for Christmas festivities, although at Thanksgiving Tyler said he was "thankful for Santa Claus" so he might have expectations that are a bit too high :).  The good thing is that the two things he says he wants Santa to bring, cars and a marble maze, have already been told to Santa so hopefully those will still be the top two wishes by Christmas morning!

Nice Surprise

We are lucky to have a children's science museum in town, but previous visits have been kind of disappointing.  Some of the exhibits, in the past, were broken and not really engaging for children - especially younger ones who couldn't seem to reach or see anything.  This time, though, things seemed to be in better working order and they decided to mimic the popular area at Discovery Center (that is too far away for regular visits) that includes an area for pretend play for the younger ones.  The kids loved playing in the market, kitchen, garden, cave, tent, and little playhouse but also really enjoyed some of the other areas this time too.  A lot of it may be because they are getting older and taller, but all of the exhibits were in noticeably better shape.  The main reason we went today, though, was to see the trains - which the kids always think are cool!

This panel allowed them to make the trains and some of the other figurines go! 

The kayak was in the market/kitchen area next to the "campfire" and tent.  The light orb has probably always been there but it was a new discovery for us! 

Ray-Ray came with us and we had fun checking out all of the stuff, then when he had to go we spent more time in the market.  The kids just love playing check-out, waiter, mom/dad, and anything else they can come up with.  I'm really glad we went today - it was a lot of fun! 

Speaking of fun, extra thanks go out to Ray-Ray and So-So for keeping the kids last night.  We had a blast watching the Vandy victory and the kids certainly had a great time hanging with the grandparents!  We definitely stayed up way later than usual - but a home victory against UT for the first time in 30 years was worth it.  We also went to Red Caboose Park after the Science Center (Lance had to work and we were just killing time).  We ran into a friend of the kids from school and they played with him for an hour or so - on the playground, kicking around a soccer ball, and playing tag.  I just love that benefit of them being at the "new" school - we are always running in to people they know when we are out and about, especially at neighborhood or area parks and they think it is so fun to see friends outside of school.  Hopefully some of the kids will also be at the elementary school with them - some will go to private schools, but surely a few will be at the local school that is supposed to be fabulous!  Still no absolute decision on the school thing, but I do think we are leaning toward starting them in Kindergarten when they are almost 6 (so another year at their current preschool after this one).  I think the time to catch up socially will be good, and I don't want to start them out too soon just based on a financial decision (although I don't feel bad at all for letting a $17,000 expense sway me somewhat)! 

When we asked the kids what they wanted to do this weekend more than anything they said they wanted to have a fire in the firepit again and tell spooky stories.  We planned out it, but all of us are exhausted and I for one am tired of being cold (it was pretty darn cold out there at the game last night) so we are watching a Dora special instead.  We'll do it again sometime - it is a good time in lieu of camping (although we still really want to get a family tent and get out there soon)! 

This was last time we sat around the fire.  It was a lot less cold then, and they still thought they needed a blanket.  The camping will probably need to happen with them when it doesn't get much below 60 at night :-)!  

Yuck!

Well, the good news is that the kids made it through picture day.  They woke up excited to get "dressed up" and looked so cute!

The bad news is that they apparently picked up a nasty stomach bug sometime during the school day. They were both in exceptionally good moods on the drive home and we were excited to go to Tumble Tots.  Suddenly Tyler started coughing and then vomited - a lot!  It was all over the car and he was screaming upset and Katie was hugging the door on her side of the car trying to avoid it and looking repulsed.  Poor Tyler was just devastated that he was a mess, and that he couldn't go to Tumble Tots.  We pulled over in the Publix parking lot and met Lance and I was going to hand Katie over so he could take her to tumbling.  Katie became distraught over going on her own, and Tyler was even more upset about missing it so we took them both home and put Tyler in the shower.  He convinced us he wasn't sick - that he was just coughing and didn't know what happened but that he felt fine and begged us to go to Tumble Tots.  So, we determined that he wasn't sick and took them both a bit late.  Throughout the evening he acted just fine (and still is today) so we really thought it wasn't an illness until Katie cried out at about 1:00 AM.  We went in to her room and she was covered in it as was the floor, bed, you name it.  We didn't want to wake Tyler so after stripping the sheets and cleaning up as best we could we put her in the guest bed hoping that it would be the same as Tyler - a one-time episode.  That was not the case - it continued throughout the night (we are down to no sheets or towels now) and even this morning after she climbed in to bed with us and I stupidly gave her a sip of water (not stupid because she was so thirsty, but not the brightest in our bed since she couldn't keep anything down).  She still doesn't feel well today but is able to drink and eat a bit.  She finally fell asleep and is hopefully going to wake feeling a bit better after this much needed nap!

Lance had some appointments today so I went in to pick up some work and came home to stay with them.  Of course I didn't manage to get everything I needed to actually complete any of the tasks since I was rushing to get there and get back, but Katie definitely couldn't be at school today and there were a number of other kids out too with the same thing.  That means I will have even more to do next week and will have a really crazy schedule, but I can definitely work hard to get it all done knowing that it is only a 3 day work week :)! I am reminded on days like this that actually being able to stay home with the kids wouldn't be all fun and happy times, and that I still enjoy my work enough to feel guilty and concerned that I need to take an actual sick day (I never take true sick days - I usually work from home if me or the kids are ill, but that just isn't possible today). 

Picture Day

The kids have picture day tomorrow and they (Katie) have been looking forward to it for a while.  Katie has had her picture day outfit picked out for a month and sadly we tried it on this morning (in excited preparation) and she couldn't get it over her head.  She was upset for a bit, but we chose another dress (not turtleneck) and she is pacified.  She has been debating whether or not she should do a pony tail, one braid or two.  She is such  fashionista - I truly don't know where this child came from! 

We have an exciting weekend in store, although probably more so for us than the kids.  It is the last home football game and we always have a chili cook-off with the people we have tailgated with for years and a really fun tailgate with lots of friends who we rarely see (UT fans) during football season.  Unfortunately, we probably won't be able to make it out there until well after everyone else but we do have a sitter (thanks so much to Ray Ray and So So) so at least we will have some "adult" fun time for a bit Saturday night!  The kids are certainly fun these days, but a break is always welcome (and needed).  We are debating taking the kids out there with us earlier, but the parking pass can only be used once so it is parking (if we can find close not in the lot) and weather (not too cold) dependent with the kiddos.  They won't stay long, and it shouldn't be too "wild and crazy" at that point! 

The next week is a short work week (woohoo) and then we will enjoy Thanksgiving here, and then will be off to Alabama to visit some of my family.  After that we find out what bowl game we will go to (and then try to find a sitter) and then we get to eagerly anticipate that AND enjoy Christmas.  I can't wait! 

Assessment Time Again

When the kids finish a unit in school they are evaluated on their progress, and today we got their latest assessments.  Last time they had check marks on "Usually" in every category, but this time they had a few "sometimes."  Neither got below that.  Both of their "sometimes marks were in Personal and Social Development saying that they don't always show responsibility for individual behavior and actions and that they only sometimes show an ability to control intense feelings.  They both did great in language and early literacy, math, science, social studies, physical development, fine art, and health and safety.  The most interesting part to me are the teacher's comments.  They noted that Katie is very set in her ways and seldom seems interested in opposing viewpoints (sounds familiar).  They said she is an excellent student and is very quick to answer.  Tyler is obviously still being a bit over-zealous in his contributions to class.  They said "Tyler is a very smart boy but struggles with taking turns or letting another student answer.  He is also quite sensitive at times.  He excels at every task and subject."  Those comments are not unexpected for Tyler since for a while we had to read with Katie separately to see if she was catching on or just letting Tyler answer everything for her!  He definitely has an odd mix of a teacher's pet mentality and an I want to do my own thing and nobody is going to stop me attitude!  I do think they are developmentally on track and I am not worried, per se, but I would like for them to be more cooperative with their teachers and to learn to be a little less emotional and demonstrative! 

Another Day on the Farm

We a great time at Harlingsdale Farm family day yesterday.  We met up with some of the kid's friends from school (we actually found out about it from one of the parents scheduling another so fun playdate) and spent the day in bounce houses, playing by the pond, riding a train, petting animals, having faces painted watching horses, and much more - all for free!  I think they only do it once a year, and they picked a fabulous day for it yesterday - perfect 70 degree, sunny weather.  We stayed from open to close and the kids just loved it, and especially loved sharing it with their friends.  It is so fun to watch them develop friendships and really cute to overhear their conversations.  Tyler is still a bit of a loner but it is definitely by choice - the other children try to play with him but it seems that sometimes he would rather just be on his own.  I think we are still having some issues with Katie's confidence and her being overly persuaded by peer pressure, but she still definitely has natural leadership qualities - she had a few kids following her around wanting to do whatever she did, and she was very keen on creating the games and implementing them in exactly the way she wanted! 

Katie insisted on wearing her cheerleading uniform! 

Katie chose a butterfly and Tyler an alligator - both promptly came off in the bounce house, but they were happy that we got it on camera!

Tyler was a bit afraid of the "horse," Katie loved it! 

Puppets?

We have been talking to the kids about Christmas lists to give to Santa.  Tyler really wants a "marble track" and I think that is a good choice for him.  He loves marbles, loves tracks, and enjoys building things so it seems like a perfect fit.  The other choice has made me waffle a bit.  Lately they have been using the back of the couch to put on puppet shows for each other and us and it is very entertaining!  They have since asked us to tell Santa they  want a "puppet theater."  I found one that isn't too expensive, but I keep debating.  They are having to be more creative coming up with makeshift puppets and theaters around the house, and this fascination (like most of the others) is sure to end soon.  However, I know they would be thrilled to have a theater of their own under the tree with real puppets and I kind of think that is part of the magic of Santa (that he isn't as practical as the parents)!  For Tyler, at least, puppets have been a "thing" for a while - but I am learning (slow learner apparently) that they rarely play with actual toys for very long (other than cars and squinkies in Tyler's case) and have more fun when they create their own toys and use everyday things in their pretend games. Katie's interests are harder to pin down because she is all over the map in things she enjoys doing from week to week.  One week she will be obsessed with playing kitchen, the next all she wants to do is color and write letters and ask me words her crazy concoctions of letters create, and yet another week she will spend playing instruments, singing and dancing while dressed as a princess.  I love that they do so well entertaining themselves and that they are so imaginative and I don't want to stifle that by inadvertently telling them that the bought toys, like puppets and theaters, are "better" than the things they come up with!  What  I will probably do is leave it up to one of their Santas (AKA their dad) who doesn't get caught up in personal mind games and will just decide based on what he thinks they will like at the time.  That is a great attitude for gift giving, too bad he doesn't understand that it would be a whole lot better if we spread things out a bit and got some things now to put away instead of the way he prefers which is to hit Toys R Us and Target the week before.  The big problem with that is that things like puppets, and marble runs, and doctor tables and chalkboards aren't the kinds of things available at those stores or that you think to pick up last minute, the smaller problem is that it doesn't let me obsess and stress and ponder and blog and worry about such relatively inconsequential things for two months :-)!  

Simple Things

We had a weekend jam-packed with fun.  Early Saturday morning I took the kids to a play-date at Bounce U.  K & T loved playing with their friends outside of school and it absolutely wore them out - it really is a fun place, I even slid and bounced and climbed with them at this one since it is allowed!  After that we went to visit with So-So and Ray-Ray and their friends at an event they hold every year.  The kids had a great time there and I had to drag them away to try to get some rest before we went to dinner with the same clan.  The nap didn't happen, but I think resting just a bit recharged them some and they were pretty good during dinner.  On Sunday Lance and I went to the abysmal Titans/Bears game while the kids went to the drop-off childcare.  They had fun, and we did too but the game could definitely have been better!  When we got home we grilled out hot dogs and hamburgers and Lance started a fire in the fire pit as we "played" musical chairs with the kids and told not so spooky stories.  The kids crack me up with their stories these days - they are both just so imaginative and creative - it is fun to watch and hear!  Tyler's story involved a mom ghost and a dad ghost who went to the hospital to have the baby ghost "taken out" and then the baby ghost went all over town saying "boo!"  Katie's included a princess, but also had a baby.  They asked me when my belly was going to grow and we would have a baby and I don't think they liked my answer that it wasn't going to happen and that they are my two only babies!  Tyler is really sweet with the babies at his school, and Katie of course thinks she wants a baby around that is like her dolls - they don't realize that the reality would be a lot different!  Spending time just talking with them and enjoying each other's company was so much fun (it just so rarely happens that they are both behaving and in good moods at the same time) and it made me realize that the simple things are sometimes the best!

Here is a picture of them outside with dad.  Katie has lately refused to smile in pictures when asked and is supremely silly pretty much all the time - so, this is what we get from her these days!  

Happy Halloween!

Well, we had a pretty fun Halloween but I must admit that I am glad it is over and that it only comes once a year!  We have two crazy kids when they are hyped up on sugar, and get to play dress-up all day!  They had a Halloween party at school, followed by trunk or treat, then a visit with So-So and Ray-Ray, and THEN trick-or-treating in our neighborhood.  They seemed to have a lot of fun, and actually did really well remembering their manners when they visited houses.  They both said "Trick or Treat" and thank you at all the houses, even if they did run full speed to all of them!  We finished trick or treating in less time than it took us to get dressed!  That may be because we had a bit of debacle, though, getting dressed.  Katie doesn't like getting messy (refuses to play at the mud park these days) and when she discovered that chocolate was on her Tinkerbell costume as well as the shirt under it, she refused to wear it.  She even chose to not trick or treat when given the option verses wearing the costume with a speck of chocolate even though she had previously loved her original costume because a) it was Tinkerbell and b) her friend at school had the exact same one.  So, we were scrounging through the princess dress-up clothes and Vanderbilt and Titans cheerleading outfits to see if we could make something work when we came across the Rockettes costume that So-So got for her last year.  She immediately declared that she "always wanted to  be a Rockette girl for Halloween."  We found the whole ensemble and although it was a bit small, it actually worked out well because it was warmer than her first costume.  Luckily, Tyler stuck with the police officer costume since I was having trouble thinking of an alternate for him (I fully expected him to want a second costume too once Katie got one) amongst the camo and sheets and "nerd gear" that I was considering.  They really had fun and may have even enjoyed more handing out candy for the stragglers that came by after we got home. 

We carved pumpkins on Monday night and the kids were a "big" help.  Sarcasm - Tyler gagged every time he touched the seeds and pulp when we were trying to scoop them out and Katie drew the triangles and mouth on that she then wanted me to carve exactly.  You can see their handiwork in the 2nd picture when they were anxiously awaiting trick or treaters to hand out candy (we sat on the front porch so Marley could escape from isolation after barking at every little princess and batman that came by), but I guess the important thing is that they were really proud of "their" pumpkins!  Oh, and yes Tyler convinced me that policemen do sometimes wear Elmo slippers with their uniforms! 

Fall Festival at the Y

We went to the annual Fall Festival at the Y today.  It was cold, but fun.  The kids spent most of the time in the bounce houses, but really enjoyed the costume parade, games, and hayride too.  

The highlight for Tyler was meeting a real policeman (even though you can't tell from his face), but he thought it was pretty awesome to meet Belle too, since Katie got to meet Rapunzel!

Although the colorful balloon animals were pretty cool too!

This week should be pretty fun.  Trunk or treat and a Halloween party at the kid's school and then of course the real Halloween!  I hope it warms up a bit!!!

Gentry Farm

This was our fourth year to visit Gentry Farm - it was one of their first outings when they were itty bitty and only a month old, and again this year it was so much fun.  I took the kids on my own this time since Lance had to work (he was upset and wanted us to wait for him but it is only open in October and I don't think we will have time next weekend), but they were really well behaved and we really had a great time.  This was the first year we did the corn maze and the kids thought it was really fun trying to find our way out, even if they did get a little worried for a bit that we would be stuck when we kept hitting dead ends! 

We did the hayride and saw lots of baby cows, and played in the barn maze, the country cafe, lincoln log land, tire swings, the log cabin playhouse, saw some animals, went down some slides, did the tire swing, and lots more but the hit of the farm is still the corn troughs.  They really love those things, and it seems like lots of other kids do too since it was the most crowded area with the most parent seating. 

We had an awesome weekend otherwise too.  A good friend came in town for the Vandy/Auburn game and the kids went to the drop-in childcare (I forgot about that great option and the kids enjoy it and it is a bit cheaper than a sitter).  We went out to Leipers Fork for breakfast this morning and really had a great weekend before a week that will be pretty stressful for me - this is our big playground build week at work - so it was much needed and appreciated.  The kids are getting along pretty well, lately and we are having a lot of fun with them too, despite the ongoing bedtime struggles!

Sneak Preview - Halloween

I had to take Katie to the doctor today - she has been having potty accidents and going every 10 minutes day and night, so I had to leave work early and had some time this afternoon before I had to be on a work call this evening.  Unfortunately, we have no answers for Katie's issue even though they don't give us our money back if they don't know what the problem is, but we do have Halloween Costumes!  Katie chose Tinkerbell and that has been at the top of her list for a while, but Tyler's choice kind of came out of left field.  He looked and debated for a while and finally decided on a police officer.  The problem is that after all of that time and finally getting to a firm decision I wasn't about to tell him that he had to change it up when they only had size 4-6 so it is a little big but we can make it work.  I wanted to go ahead and get the costumes since we might go out to the zoo Halloween this weekend and I am glad we did because they were sold out of all of their first choices and the place was packed.  Literally the first five things Tyler decided on - robot, alien, batman, ninja, Big Bad wolf - were gone!  So, here is a preview of how they will look on Halloween!

Busy Weekend

We were prepping for our garage sale on Friday night, so not much excitement - but we had a jam-packed  Saturday to make up for it!  We were up early to move stuff out of the garage.  Ray-Ray and So-So watched the kids for us Saturday morning while we manned the sale - which was a big help.  We didn't have as many folks looking for kid stuff (the bulk of what we had) as we hoped, but we did manage to sell some things and offered some things for free once the neighborhood sale was over.  We got a lot of stuff out of our garage, which is a good thing.  If we can get rid of the ping pong table (so sad) and put up some shelves we may have some room in there for a car, or more likely a kid activity area this winter.

I left Lance to manage the sale on his own while I took Katie to a birthday party.  She had a blast, it was a princess party with everything pink - cake, cookies, lemonade, even the popcorn.  Rapunzel made a surprise appearance, too, and sang songs and read books with the girls. 

We left the party a bit early to come home and meet Cousin Jack who graciously agreed to watch the kids while we went to the Florida/Vandy game tailgate.  Big thank you to Jack and Liz (who came a little later to take over for Jack) for helping out with K&T!  The game didn't turn out as we hoped, but it is always fun to be at a sold-out game and tailgating is great since it provides a rare opportunity to catch-up with friends, have adult conversation, and be a little social with someone other than ourselves!

We had plans to go to a family picnic for the kid's school but it was cancelled because of weather.  I have been looking for an opportunity to go to the pumpkin farm, but if we do get rain and thunderstorms (looking like it miiiiight miss us) that isn't a good option for today either.  We are watching for the rain right now (super windy) and I am being begged to go to the park and take some bubbles (and kites, but we don't have any and I don't think I am crafty enough to make them) so we are on stand-by until we know if it misses us or not! I am super stressed right now so I think a fun, cheap afternoon activity will do us all good - just have to get creative if  we get storms.  Maybe I can get the kids to help me organize the garage :)! 

Disney on Ice!

OK, so I kind of lied.  I promised there would be pictures, but they are on the computer at home and I am not there plus, there wasn't really an opportunity to get good pictures.  We did, however, have a fabulous time at Disney on Ice.  The kids loved it - Tyler pulled out my favorite new phrase of his "that was so awesome," and Katie agreed.  They "had" to sleep with their Ariel and Woody dolls the last two nights and Katie has begged me to find the Little Mermaid movie on TV and surprisingly (I didn't realize it was that old!) I haven't been able to yet.  We have a fun few weeks ahead with the highlight for the kids being Halloween.  We will take them sometime soon to pick out their costumes - Tyler wants to now be the Big Bad Wolf and unfortunately the catalog that he was looking at to pick that out is sold out of his size.  Last night, though, he said pirate so that should be easier to find!  Katie is still saying Princess, Tinkerbell, Ariel, etc. so her costume definitely won't be a problem unless she can't make a decision (very likely)!  

This weekend we are participating in a neighborhood yard sale.  We have no tables, no clothing racks and lots and lots of stuff - but even if we have to just set it out in the grass and say take it (although I hear that pricing it make things go faster because people think they are getting deals) then at least we will be making progress to actually be able to move around in our garage!  I don't know how we are going to manage trying to get ready for that this week (I am talking lots of stuff), but since it is already advertised and there will be others in our neighborhood having sales too we are motivated to make it happen!  Katie has a birthday party on Saturday and Lance (who is a garage sale newbie) is worried that I am going to leave him to deal with a ton of people, but I have assured him that 11:00 AM on garage sale days is not the busy time - it will be at 6:00 AM when we are frantically trying to get everything out of the garage, get the kids fed and keep them out of the way :)!  

We have a picnic for the kids school on Sunday, and I still want to make it out to the Pumpkin Farm sometime before October is over (but unfortunately they don't open until 1:00 on Sunday which means Lance can't go).  I have kind of given up on getting to go to the Auburn and Florida games, but we are still searching for a sitter (could use the service, but it just wouldn't be financially responsible at this point).  It's kind of funny because for the first time ever Lance and I were talking last night about the possibility of moving for a job if it was a good one for him (I am fortunate that my career isn't location dependent).  It was never, ever an option when we were younger and before we had kids, primarily because we couldn't imagine missing games :).  Now, though, we realize that it is going to be difficult even living in the same town as our teams, and this is before soccer, karate, dance, you name it, really kicks in!  Tumble Tots starts this week and Tyler, especially, is super excited.  The kids and I did play soccer in the yard yesterday, and I am now anxious to start them in that because they really had a blast trying to take the ball from me and kicking it in the goal and I know they (Katie) would like it even more against people their own size!  

Tumble Tots

Well, after much debate and trying to get the kids to tell us what they are most interested in, I think we are going to do the Tumble Tots class again starting next week through December 6th.  We'll re-group after that and decide if we are going to put Katie back in dance, if we are going to let Tyler try Taekwondo (he is fascinated by it and I think it would be good for him), or if we are going to put them in soccer.  We are mid-season for dance anyway, and Lance has loyalties to the school Katie was going to but they don't offer evening classes so we have to try to figure out if we can make it work with Lance working weekends and me trying to get tennis in every now and then.  Katie actually chose Tumble Tots when I asked her if she would rather do that or dance, and that works for me since it is 8 weeks for $65 verses $65 per month at dance plus required outfits and shoes.  I am sure Katie will change her mind and want to go to dance, but for right now she was tumbling all over the house this morning so I think she is excited!  The only problem is that it starts at 5:00 (why nobody offers anything for working parents I still don't understand) which means leaving work early and really pushing to get there.  I don't know if I want Lance to be able to help or not, since not as much free time means more business :) - but I am sure he will be able to get them on days that I can't make it work.

So-So and Ray-Ray are taking us to Disney on Ice this weekend and the kids are super excited.  At first they thought we were going to Disney World (and got to go on an airplane), but once we explained they decided this will be super cool too.  We really want this to be the year for Disney too though.  Everyone we have talked to has said that this is a great age for it, and to definitely do it before they get in school so you can go at off times that don't have to work with the school calendar.  We are not in a position to afford it right now, but once we get back on track (fingers crossed) we will start a Disney Fund!!!  We will try to make it out to the Pumpkin Farm this weekend, and the kids are having a blast preparing for Halloween in their class.  Next weekend what I knew would happen, has happened and it was predictably a disaster when I told Tyler - a little girl in Katie's class is having a princess birthday party girls only invited.  He is distraught - but we'll try to make it a special day for him too.  We had thought that it might be the Vanderbilt/Florida game (time was just announced) and Tyler could go to that, but it is now a night game which is really fun (and I hope Lance and I can find a way to go) but it is not really appropriate for children at night game tailgates, even at Vanderbilt!

Sorry for the wordy posts lately.  I will definitely try to remember the camera for the Disney show and the Pumpkin Patch!

Dance?

Well, I am back looking at dance class schedules.  There is one closer to our house and they have evening classes so I am considering it even though we would have to buy all the dance gear over again - ballet shoes, tap shoes, leotard, etc.  We got the kids assessments from school today and the note from Katie's teachers was concerning.  I think dance class or something for Katie to be proud of would be a good thing in light of their comments.  They said "Katie is certainly doing quite well in class.  She completes every task we ask of her and meets all of her objectives.  We would love for her to build up more confidence in herself.  She is smart, creative and a terrific friend - we just wish she knew it!  Katie is very dependent on her friends for instruction and ideas, which may have much to do with being a twin."  That has been my concern too - that she seems to have lost her confidence and is trying to follow the crowd too much.  Dance class would be following what the other girls are doing, but she seems to take a lot of pride in her dancing and I think it would do her good to get her back in it and give her something that she enjoys and feels like she can "own."

They both did excellent on their overall assessments, with no areas to work on.  Tyler's was less surprising - we kind of knew he was following in my  footsteps as teacher's pet and that he doesn't lack for confidence when answering questions.  His comments said "Tyler has a remarkable memory and an insatiable curiosity (today he asked me to describe "culture" to him) that will no doubt take him far.  He is a natural leader and usually answers our questions before anyone else (and louder), and it sometimes makes it hard to determine if the rest of the class comprehends or just repeats Tyler."  He has really blossomed at the new school, and I am not completely convinced that Katie is regressing.  I think that she is figuring out the dynamics of girl friendships and will come in to her own soon, but that doesn't mean that we won't try to reassure her that she is smart and that she doesn't need to rely on her friends to make decisions for her.  It is kind of funny hearing that Tyler is showing such leadership skills because it always seemed, at the old school, that Katie was truly a natural leader and now Tyler is getting that assessment.  Ultimately, I think they are both really cool kids that I am proud to parent, and I appreciate these assessments that guide us into understanding how K & T are navigating these preschool/pre-k years and what we can do help along the way. 

Peer Pressure, Already???

Katie told me when I picked her up yesterday that she got in trouble at school and had to sit out during playtime.  I asked her what she did and she said she was talking during book time, like Emma.  Then she told me that her feet hurt (I told her not to wear the too small shoes but she insisted), and that she wanted to wear "ballelet" shoes, like Emma.  Then she told me that she wanted to go back to dance class, like Emma and Alice.  This morning she told me she still wanted to wear her gold sparkly shoes, just with socks so they wouldn't hurt and when I told her that would look silly she said, "nuh uh, other girls in Pre-K do it."  You see the pattern here, and the real key is the statement about Pre-K.

Their preschool class started their curriculum at the beginning of the month and it became apparent pretty quick that K & T were pretty far ahead of their classmates during the learning portion of the day, and really not learning much or enjoying the review time.  I don't know that it is isolated to just the school stuff since there are also kids in their class (early end of 3 years old) who are still working on potty training (although Katie and Tyler still aren't night trained - ugh), but for the most part I think they are doing fine socially in their class - they just get bored academically.  So, the teachers recognized this and have started sending the kids to the Pre-K class when they are working on lessons or reading books, which means they are in that class every afternoon.  It is funny that their preschool teacher said she knows that it is better for them, but that she misses them in her class because they are the only ones who would answer!  It has been really good for both of them, I think.  They are singing new phonics songs and seem to be re-energized about learning letters and numbers and letter sounds.  The problem is that Katie also seems to be picking up mannerisms from the "older" girls and is talking back more, and wanting to do, say and wear the same things.  I had no idea that peer pressure and cliques started this early!

I do like that some of Katie's confidence and sass is coming back, but it is certainly frustrating when most of the acting out is directed toward me.  Tyler seems very content and I think it is really good for him to be with the Pre-K class so he doesn't feel so "different."  Now he is not the only one in class who knows the answers, and he has friends who "get" when he is trying to be funny or when he is playing a pretend game and he seems much happier and much more social.  I am glad, too, that the school is being flexible and working to make it a great experience for both of them.  Like I said in an earlier post, they love their teacher so I am glad they are getting to spend some time with her in the preschool class (especially since they have another year of Pre-K after this), and they have some friends in their class that they really like, but I am happy too that they aren't at a standstill learning wise waiting for the other kids to catch up (the other kids aren't behind they are just younger and just now being exposed to some of the things that the kids already learned because of the way their old school did things).  I do realize, too, that stages and phases come and go and I could be lamenting how ornery Tyler is being next week, but for now I am going to try to subtly convince Katie that she can be the one that everyone is trying to copy!

First Day of Fall!

It has been a beautiful first day of Fall. We celebrated by meeting some friends out at Bowie Park and when they had to leave (their kids actually still nap - lucky, lucky) we had a picnic and then went on a little hike and then got to feed the ducks and geese.  Tyler took this picture of all of our "friends."  He had all of them identified and was trying to avoid the one he called the "speedy mean one" and tried to make sure the baby duck who is a "good sharer" got all bread! 

They have been surprisingly sweet to each other today.  Tyler was cold at swim lessons and Katie was hugging him to get him warm, and then they were sitting on the side waiting to jump in and Katie started to rub Tyler's back and tell him it would be OK ( he still doesn't want to go under or jump in) and then he gave her a big hug and said thank you Katie and went in (still didn't get his head under though).  When I actually had a camera, though, they were just being silly.