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!