Santa at Lourde's College

Gingerbread House

Christmas at my Parents

Christmas can be a very busy and hectic time. Run, run, run. All that running can be overwhelming and make Christmas not what it is supposed to be all about. The last few years we have been able to really spread it out so there was none of that running. We can sit back and enjoy some family time. First up was my parents house. I felt like I ate all day. I did eat all day. I did stop to play a little Just Dance. Brooke is really good at keeping up with the dancers. The rest of us were breaking a sweat and taking turns. Brooke just kept on moving.

The kids all enjoyed their presents and stayed pretty busy with all the new toys that were around.

Brooke has a whole Zhu Zhu village and the animals that sound more like dolphins than hamsters. Lindsey loves giving all people kisses. Real or not.

Disney on Ice 2011

We were able to take the girls to Disney on Ice again this year. Thanks Aunt Amanda! They LOVED it. Lindsey wouldn't sit. She was pressed up against the glass laughing and dancing.

Brooke was beyond excited that the princesses played such a huge part in the show.

Brooke's excited face.

Lindsey loving the show.

Alice in Wonderland

First Snowman 2011

The weather has been a little odd this winter. I am not complaining. I would take warmer temperatures and rain any day over the frigid temperatures we usually have that start in November and last way too long. Brooke kept asking when we going to get snow. She could hardly contain her excitement when she woke up and found just the right snowman snow on the ground. Her heart was broken when I told her she would have to wait till she was home from preschool before she could build a snowman. Once she finished what little bit she eats she was pulling out her snowpants and boots.

She was outside first and I could see she was really rolling out good sized snowman mounds. I went out and helped her finish up and stacking the snowman together.

Brooke LOVED her snowman.

Welcome Nolan

My newest nephew was welcomed Monday.

Nolan Robert

7lbs 4 oz 20 inches

This little guy has no clue what he is in for

I just can't get over how little he is. It is amazing how fast you forget.

5 year stats and shots

Before Bass Pro last week Brooke had her 5 year well visit.

36 pounds

42 inches tall

Dtap and Polio Vaccine

Brooke desperately wants to pick out her own booster seat and get out of the car seat. At the rate she is growing she may still need the booster for her driving test.

I usually have the girls get their flu shots every year at their well visit. 3 shots all at once just seemed like way too much for Brooke and myself to handle. Oh my! I always thought how heartbreaking it was to take my kids for shots when they were babies. This one just tops any shot visit so far. Girl screamed from the moment the nurses came in with them until we were out in the car. Brooke is good at making everyone feel bad. She made it out of that place like a bandit. Hands were full of strawberry shortcake toys, stickers, suckers, and pencils with Christmas erasers. Her band aids made it through 2 baths because she swore it still hurt to take them off.

Just like my kids they seem to end up sick within a week of their well visits.

Now the question is, will we make it back for the flu shot?

Bass Pro Winter Wonderland 2011

We figured we would get out early last week to take the girls to winter wonderland at Bass Pro. The place can get pretty hectic and busy as Christmas approaching. Tim and I try and avoid any place like this on the weekend. They have a pretty neat set up.

Brooke wanted to write a letter to send to Santa and Lindsey preferred to scribble on a coloring page for Santa. Once they were done Santa was in his seat ready to hear what they wanted for Christmas and if they have been good girls. I will have to scan that picture once I figure out where our scanner even is.

There are lots of other activities for the kids to enjoy. Remote control trucks and a toy train were set up to play with. Brooke knocked down a few ducks playing with a kids version of a bow and arrow.

Lindsey enjoyed the kid size tent set up in a winter wonderland. She would have stayed in there the whole time. Especially with all the kids and people walking by saying hello to her.

After the duck hunting Brooke moved on to a laser gun shooting range. She was pretty excited each time she actually hit the targets.

Lights at the Zoo

The weather was perfect for a night at the zoo. Not too cold and with my besties from college. We They have all moved away. Every time we get together we not only reminisce about the crazy days of college but where we are now and how we wish we could do this more often.

The ever famous gigantic tree with so many Christmas lights you can't stare at it for long without squinting your eyes.

Brooke's favorite the dancing lights set to Christmas music. Lindsey was happy to be up and moving with the kids.

Lovin' on Daddy.

The usual end to a zoo trip, a carousel ride.

Once we were done at the zoo the kids went home to be tucked in bed and babysitters waiting for them. The adults got some time to go out and catch up with some beverages and balls at Jed's.

Floppin Fish

Lindsey loves the water. Her teacher called me the other night with an update on how she was doing with preschool. It came as no surprise to me when she said she especially like to play at the sink. Recently, she has started flopping to her belly in the tub and kicking her feet all around. She does do an hour in the pool every week at PMD so it is the only thing I can think of that is making her love to swim. I wouldn't really call it swimming. She kind of flops around like a fish out of water. Pretty funny site to see.

Feeding Dilemma

Ah yes, the never ending feeding dilemma. I never thought I would still be feeding my 3 year old. I am determined to get her going. She can be quite demanding and yelling at mealtimes and all I can think is, if you would just feed yourself you would already be eating. So it goes on and on. Until now. The girl is feeding herself. Now I am not talking a cheeseburger or a slice of pizza. Anything on a spoon or fork she will take right up to her mouth.

She does need some help with the scooping depending on what she is eating. If I get it on there for her and leave the spoon sit in the bowl, viola eating. Oh, what a great thing to sit at the dinner table and have everyone eating at the same time.

This is HUGE progress and I am just as happy as she is.

I could just kiss that applesauce and taco face.

Decorating the Christmas Tree

Brooke was so excited to get all the Christmas decorations out. She decorated the tree all by herself. I still need to go back through and spread them out. Something about most of the decorations being around the 3ft mark and one branch holding 5 ornaments.

Lindsey found this Elmo stocking right away and was too preoccupied with his singing to do anything else. She found the magic button on his hand pretty quick. I had Christmas music playing but really all we heard was "du du du Jingle Bells Jingle Bells" in Elmo's voice OVER AND OVER.

A princess in her truck

Happy 5th Birthday Brooke

Time to do some blogging. I have been quite absent from the computer for most of November. Maybe the 31 for 21 burned me out. I barely have any pictures on my camera when I decide it is time to do a few posts. There have been quite a few things happening but some of the those I will share later. For now my first born turned 5 Saturday. I can hardly believe that it was 5 years ago I held that snuggly little baby for the first time. She still likes to cuddle and tells me all the time she loves me a few times a day followed up with a hug. So sweet that girl, so sweet. I hope that never changes.
I asked Brooke a few questions to see what she thought about it this year.
Favorite Food- Chicken Nuggets
Favorite Show- Tangled
Favorite Game- DS
Favorite Toy- Barbie
Best Friend- Ellie
Favorite Color- Pink and Purple
Do you feel 5- Yes
Favorite Book- Dog Breath

Lindsey is taking steps!

I can hardly believe it. While I have waited a very long time for this Lindsey decided to start this at my parents house. They would never tell me. Tim did. I didn't even care walking is walking and I was thrilled it was just happening. Period. Once we were done with dinner I told Tim I wanted to see for myself. Sure enough! SOOOO flippin' excited.

Happy Halloween

2 more days 31 for 21

I have 2 days left and I am stumped. Of couse tomorrow will be an easy Halloween post. So for today another old video. She has come far. We all love Lindsey exactly how she is. Even when I do complain about her not walking.

She keeps saying Christmas

Lindsey's PT still thinks she will be walking on her own by Christmas. Tim told her yesterday she was going to get coal for Christmas if she is wrong. Her PT that is. She is so close! Lindsey will walk just holding one finger. C'mon little girl you just need the confidence to let go.

Flashback Friday-Lindsey's 1st Halloween

3 year well visit

Lindsey had her 3 year well visit.

She walked in there with her gait trainer like she owned the place.

32.5 inches

26.2 lbs

She is still holding steady on her chart.

Flu shot-done She was pretty ticked for a few seconds but still flashed the nurse a big smile on her way out.

Thyroid labs-I am going to let Daddy handle helping with that one

Her right ear, you know the one the tube fell out of, is red and retracted. Boo! No fever so she isn't going to treat her but just frustrating knowing there is no tube in that ear.

Result-one happy growing girl!

Still more to come

No surprise that I would miss a post in the 31 for 21. I declare a makeup day.

Lindsey's teeth. She still doesn't have them all. While most of the top teeth are in, she is still missing a few bottom teeth. She had been better about grinding her teeth. Or maybe I just tuned it out. Either way she is back at it and the noise is an ear piercing nails on a chalkboard kind of noise. After further investigation I believe we have a bottom tooth ready to pop through. Hopefully the grinding will cease soon or at least be at a minimum.

Lindsey sure does enjoy brushing chewing on her toothbrush.

Lindsey's 1st Day of Preschool

Today was Lindsey's first day of preschool. I can't believe both my girls are in school. I think she was more confused than anything. It was great that Brooke was right there with her or I would have had a harder time with it all. She started to cry when the bus assistant went to take her from me. Once she realized she was buckled in right next to Brooke she was a happy little preschooler on her way to school.

Brooke was so proud of her little sister and started telling her all about the bus.
I love her expression as she looks at her sister on the way to school. I am sure they won't always want to sit near each other. I will enjoy it while it lasts. Now I wait to see that bus pull back up with my two little proud preschoolers.