Merry Christmas - a little late!

It is odd, but one of the kids absolute favorite things to do is go to Target (maybe it's because they have been hanging out there with me since they were no more than 6 weeks old). Example - I was throwing away a bag with the Target logo on it and Katie says - ohhh, go to Target mommy? So, when they refused to leave this afternoon when we needed to run some errands and told them we were going to Target I knew, even more, that Christmas was a big hit! The kids loved all of their new toys - even if Lance and I had trouble coming to terms with the added mess and chaos it all brought (we spent our day off today moving older things to the garage, re-organizing, and creating a more user-friendly bonus/playroom) - and didn't want to leave them. It all started with the elf visits who brought them little gifts and got them so excited about Santa Claus. We then went to So-So and Ray-Rays on Christmas Eve and they had a blast toodling around on their gifts from Uncle Matthew (wheelybugs) trying to carry literally everything else they got (brooms, dolls, books - all while wearing the hats So-So knitted for them). Christmas day started bright and early (although since they are still in cribs it wasn't as early as it could've been). They came down and were ecstatic to see a teeter totter (from Grandma and B-Bob), a much larger than we thought it would be bouncy house, and soon after So-So and Ray to help open gifts. They then finally got to open the presents that they have been eyeing for a month (with some additions from Santa) and were pretty overwhelmed. The morning was capped off by the unveiling of the bicycles they have been asking for, for months. They aren't quite big enough to ride them, but it won't be long and I am sincerely jealous of those so cute and cool trikes! The morning flew by (as I was fighting with the train track that didn't get put together correctly until we got back as you may notice in the pictures) and before I knew it we were racing around trying to pack and get over to Lance's family's house to give us time to spend there before on the road to Montgomery. We had a great time, and the kids got even more awesome gifts, and we ended up leaving an hour later than we intended. That meant we were on the road in some pretty nasty, snowy conditions and our non-napping children were wired and ornery so it was definitely an eventful trip. They slept for maybe 30 minutes each on the way down, and on the way back not at all (looooong days). Once we finally made it to Alabama we had so much fun seeing my family and the kids opened even more gifts (yes, we feel incredibly blessed and overwhelmed). We left the next day and got home in the evening and then spent most of the day playing and the kids were just thrilled to have so many fun, new things. I didn't make it to Florida to see my dad which makes me sad, but Christmas was a whirlwind as was, especially with the added weather worries. We really had a lot of fun, and have two very spoiled, very lucky children. I hope everyone else had a fabulous Christmas and best wishes for a wonderful New Year!

They didn't quite understand at first - but quickly figured it out. Too well, actually, since Tyler learned to get Katie in the air and Katie didn't learn to hold on and had a fall - but today they wanted to play again so it must not have bothered her too much.

They were pretty wild in the bouncy house - but that's the idea, wear them out when it's too cold to be outside!

They talked all the time about getting a "pink bicycle," and a "blue bicycle." They will have fun on these when they actually figure out how to ride them!

They had some of their other gifts in tow.

The remote control train is a big, big hit - especially with Tyler. He played with it for an hour straight this afternoon - amazing for a two year old.

"How they do that?"

Tyler thought he knew exactly where the elves were, and then went to point them out and was completely confused when they weren't where he thought. After many, many inquires of "where they go," "where the elves," or "where Taylor and Mary," I finally convinced them to go upstairs and take a bath without knowing where they were. When we got into the bathroom the elves were there and Tyler was shell-shocked and just kept repeating "how they do that?" It was fun to trick them - is that evil :)? Then, both of them went pee-pee on the big potty because the elves wanted them too. The cutest moment of all was when Katie had her turn on the potty and when she went I clapped and said good job, and Tyler said (copying us) - "Katie, I so proud (pwoud) of you!"

We had a big day. We (me and Lance, Ray-Ray and the kids) went out to Opryland to see the lights and decorations and rode on the Christmas train, walked around looking at the water fountains, and took a boat ride around the hotel. The kids were exhausted, but had a blast. When we got home they looked at the pictures with me and Katie said "train was fun, mommy." I am still sad that there is no Opryland Amusement park anymore, but doing the tourist thing at the hotel was fun, too. When Lance and I first started dating we went to both the hotel and the park and my 18 year old self thought Nashville was awesome (still do, but never go out there)!

They were really mesmerized by the light fountain.

They didn't know what to make of Mrs. Claus

They were shockingly playing pretty well together before bed even though they were very tired which usually equals fighting and grumpy.

Elf on the Shelf

We started Elf on the Shelf a couple of nights ago. They are still a little young to fully understand, but they love trying to find them, and the fact that they bring them little gifts if they are good! It has been a good tool for getting them to behave and luckily "Taylor," and "Mary Beth" don't have to cause too much mischief yet to keep the kids entertained.

Tyler's elf brought him a Buzz Light Year - he was impressed! Katie was hiding the "Woody" figurine that she was brought because she thought the elf might take it back.

They were both silly and giddy, they thought it was fun that "Santa's helpers" were watching over them and bringing them presents that they were finally allowed to open (Katie keeps asking if she can open presents yet).

More Snow Pictures

We got back out when it had snowed a little more. The kids thought it was great - but it sure was cold!

Katie didn't want to go in, but she was too cold to smile!

Tyler was mesmerized by the "snowing on my boots."

It's snowing!

It's snowing today and the kids (the two young ones and the one otherwise known as my husband) are really enjoying playing outside. It is really, really, really cold but it is manageable if we get bundled up and stay out for only a bit. Tyler is refusing to take his hat off and keeps going to the door saying that "it's snowing" in hopes that we will let him go back out. We brought out some old toys from the garage to try to entertain them while we are not leaving much because of the temperature - the zebra fun lasted for about 30 minutes, oh well! It is early for snow for us, but I kind of like it (other than preventing me yet again from doing any Christmas shopping) since it is beginning to feel more like the holidays should!

Starting to stick in the lot down the street.

Katie was running and dancing so it was hard to get a picture that wasn't blurry!

Tyler was all smiles getting to play outside in the snow! Zebra fun - having two came in handy since they were fighting over everything! They are a lot more active on these zebras than they were last time we had them out - about a year ago!

Mini-Me?

Lance recently accused me of dressing Katie like a "mini-me." I denied it, since I rarely wear polka dots or "pinktails." With Tyler, we are the very grateful recipients of some hand-me-downs from a friend (and they are awesome, cute things), so I don't think I can be solely blamed for dressing him to look like Lance (although this outfit was purchased for him by me). Katie, though, doesn't have a clothes benefactor and when I took note of what they were wearing today to go to school I realized that Lance may have a point...


Turtleneck sweater for Katie, Jeans and fleece for Tyler...

I had the bright idea to let them help me put ornaments on the tree. The three that got put on with their help are the only ones on the tree a week later - that's how long it took me to realize that was a bad idea!

They've already figured out that presents are a great part of the Christmas tradition! They both have items that they are asking Santa for, and Katie in particular likes to take inventory of the presents under the tree and name who she thinks they belong to (not surprisingly Katie is named quite often as the gift recipient).

Debacle!

We decided to take the kids to a Vandy basketball game tonight. The time at the game (just until halftime) wasn't too bad. The kids enjoyed clapping and watching the jumbotron, and just the general atmosphere. However, NOBODY enjoyed the aftermath of staying up way past bedtime. Last night we went to visit some friends and there were lots of children there so the kids had a great time playing with new toys and new friends. They got to stay out later than usual, but they were in pajamas and in bed only about 30 minutes or so later than is typical and I didn't think it would wreak too much havoc. I was wrong - as is usually the case on nights when they stay up later, they were up earlier than usual. We were already operating on a slight sleep deficit - not good for strict sleep schedule kids - and deciding to keep them up for a second night in a row is in hindsight a very bad idea. Katie took a whopping 1 hour nap at school (also typical), and was in a relatively good mood when we set out to go to the game (early season, small crowd, sit where we want, no big deal to leave at halftime). That all changed however on the drive home and especially once they were supposed to be going to bed. Katie yelled (not just cried or whined, but flat out yelling, screaming, pitching a royal fit) for the entire 3o minute trip in the car, and then had to be wrestled to change her diaper and pajamas and after that went ballistic screaming, crying and flopping uncontrollably. We tried to calm her down, leave her to sort it out, and everything in between and she was just having the tantrum of all tantrums combined with being extremely overtired. Just 30 minutes ago she finally went to sleep after leaving her for a while, checking in, rocking, back rubbing, etc. I am sure she will be up at 5 AM and we will pay the price for messing up her sleep routine for a week at least. I definitely think at this point it is not worth it - Tyler seemed to really enjoy the game, but Katie could not stay still, and it was just stressful for us trying to keep up with them and keep them entertained so I think the verdict is debacle for now. We'll probably wait a year to try to take them back to another game, and I still think basketball is a better bet initially since there is no tailgating, the games are shorter, there is more action, and it is indoor! Football games are in our future too, though, of course - I just think for everyone's sanity we need to wait to include the kiddos in our sports fan fun!