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trying to figure out fonts/new template to freshen the blog up a little...bear with me.  thanks!!!

Comedic Quotes

Oh my! Each day I get at least one gem of a comment from each kiddo. They definitely keep me laughing!!! Here are some classics - hope you enjoy...

* Caitlin calls Hot Wheels "Cartwheels"!

* Austin said, "I don't like Princess movies! They're gross!" when I told him we were going to see the Princess & the Frog on Saturday. Caitlin replied, "Sometimes you have to try new things, Buddy."

* Caitlin: "Deck the halls with tons of holly, falalalalalala". Austin loves to sing "jingle bells" only the chorus though!

* Austin (playing with train table): "Santa makes the best train sets EVER!!!"

* "What do you want to be when you grow up?" For weeks, Caitlin's answer? "A mermaid." Until the day she asked, "How do mermaids go potty?" Our answer? "Um, we're not sure..." Ask her what she wants to be now...she'll tell you "A artist!" :)

Wonder what they'll come up with today? :)

NOON YEAR'S EVE

That's how we do it...Preschool style!

This year we borrowed an idea from the Children's Museum and celebrated the New Year at NOON!

I took the kids to Party Tree and they were so adorable choosing the hats and horns for their friends. We also picked up some leis and streamers. Austin loved his hat so much he wore it around the store! They each had their own little cart and were so well behaved! It was a fun experience that I look forward to repeating!

Several friends from Austin & Caitlin's preschool came to celebrate with us and it was a blast! We had little snacks, 2010 cupcakes and sparkling berry lemonade. And they loved their goody bags with their celebration supplies. At noon we counted it down and let me tell you...NOTHING cuter than 9 preschoolers shouting "Happy New Year!" and trying to figure out how streamers work! :)

After everyone left the kids napped, I straightened up & did some laundry and then we just chilled for the rest of the night. The kids played their Leapster 2's and then we ordered pizza. Caitlin polished off 2 slices (minus the crust). She is the best eater!

The kids talked in their beds until about 10:15 (YIKES) and I managed to stay up to watch the ball drop. BTW, what was J-Lo wearing!? Then I fell fast asleep and awoke this morning with 2 little snugglers! Happy New Year to me!

Today Ryan is back...but he leaves tomorrow. Next week should be better. We are just going to enjoy the time we have.

Happy 2010!

Christmas 2009

Gifts from Santa

WOW! This year Christmas was a magical time for Austin and Caitlin. They have fully bought into Santa Clause and all of the joy of Christmas.

We went to church and for the first time since they were 6 months old, attended Christmas service as a family. Usually they go to GKC (childcare/Bible study) but it was not available. They were sooooo good in "mom & dad's worship". We sat in the front row and they listened to the music and colored or played with stickers during the rest of the service. I brought along our secret weapon (just in case)...M&Ms!!! Really there is no way to describe the feeling of happiness and contentment I got when I looked to my right and saw my sweet hubby and our 2 beautiful, precious miracles. God sure knows what he is doing. After the service, "Mr. Dave" (our pastor & friend) invited Austin & Caitlin onto the stage to check out the drums. Yeah, like his coolness factor with our kids needed a boost! They LOVED it!!!

Sprinkling Magic Reindeer Food

Our tradition changed a bit this year as we tried out having our "big feast" on Christmas Eve. Aunt Bubbles (Lynn) & Uncle John joined us for dinner and the extra special sprinkling of the "Magic Reindeer Food" on the front lawn. After they left we got all of Santa's treats ready (chocolate milk, mint chocolate cookies, & snowball cookies) and left some celery for the reindeer along with a note. I've never seen Austin and Caitlin more excited to go to bed. Too bad Christmas Eve is only once a year!

Then the REAL work began...

Santa's main elf spent about 3 hours assembling a train table and some drums. His assistant elf put the stockings together and assembled a Cinderella castle in addition to bringing the remaining presents to the tree for "staging". :)

Finally about 12:30 (or was it 1:30?!), the elves got to sleep.

The kids at 3:30 in the morning!

But wait. There were creatures stirring at 3:30am and there was NO unstirring them!!!! So, yes, we stumbled downstairs to see what Santa had left. Caitlin was slightly overwhelmed and I don't think Austin paid much attention to anything other than the drums. A drum solo in the middle of the night? Check! After about an hour (and a couple Tylenol) we headed back up to bed.

On Christmas morning we opened presents and then added a new tradition...Aunt Bubs and Uncle John came over with breakfast! We enjoyed some yummy crepes, crescents, and an egg/sausage casserole. YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM! We opened more gifts, watched a parade, and basically just hung out while assembling new toys and trying not to go crazy from the drumming! :)

After all the festivities, Aunt Bubs & Uncle John left and we napped. All of us. I have to say I enjoyed the new traditions...having our "feast" on Christmas Eve made Christmas Day very low key and fun. It's a keeper.

On the 26th, Gramma & Great Gramma came bearing gifts. We visited with them all afternoon and evening after opening presents. The kids were very cute and appreciative of everything. Right down to how good their cousin Mason was at tying the knots in the ribbons that decorated the gifts!

We have been soaking up this 2 week breather from running around to school, speech, ballet, & basketball. It's nice to have lazy cuddle days again.

Ryan's traveling extensively right now so hoping to get pictures up on the blog when he is in town for longer than 12 hours!

Little Gems...

Austin made a goofy noise this morning and when I looked at him funny, he said, "I just needed to get that out of my system!" :)

Today we got to go into the ballet class to watch a mini performance. Caitlin was very aware of all the eyes in the room. Still she was cute as can be!!! At one point the girls were taking off their ballet slippers and in the quiet room, Austin shouts out "Be careful you don't slip sis!" All the parents giggled at how cute it was, but I think Caitlin thought they were laughing at her and kind of froze up. She is getting MUCH better though...she loves to do arabesques all over the place!

Both kids are excited that they turn 4 and a HALF tomorrow. I baked them each a little cake...one with no frosting for Caitlin and one with lots of frosting for Austin (his nickname? "Frosty Austie"). Where is the time going???

Caitlin is our resident artist. Her specialties include: reindeer, people wearing glasses and crowns (ALWAYS a crown), santa (complete with beard), spinning wheel, and various animals. She loves to leave her pictures under the Christmas tree for Santa.

Austin has taken to answering the phone (even when told NOT to). Well, the other day he got to it before me and I heard him keep saying, "WHAT? WHAT? WHAT?" He finally handed me the phone and it was my doctor's office!!! The lady was cracking up.

We are having a "Noon Year's Eve" party on Dec. 31. Ringing in the new year at NOON. The kids are very excited to have their school friends come over to play.

I will try to add to this list some time this weekend...BUT, it IS the weekend before Christmas, so sorry if it doesn't happen! If I do slack off, we wish you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Message from Santa!!!!

Austin and Caitlin were very lucky to receive a message from Santa today! Gone are the days of getting a letter back from him. Santa, thanks to today's technology, can send a video message. Hope you are as amazed as they were!!!

Click on the links to watch...

Caitlin's Message From Santa
Austin's Message From Santa

Merry Christmas!

Tis the Season!

The excitement is building! This year's preparations for Christmas have been so much fun! Austin and Caitlin are very into it! We can't put up enough decorations to satisfy them. Austin keeps telling me we need to put up more! :) They love listening to Christmas songs and have even started singing along this year. Their clock radios are tuned into the Christmas station! Favorites are Santa Clause is Coming to Town, Jingle Bells, and Frosty the Snowman. I am trying my best to instill a love of Andy Williams' Christmas music (I am probably the only 37 year old in the world who knows this guy!).

Last weekend we went and bought a live Christmas tree after our fake one had a lighting malfunction. Then the kids and I put the garland and ornaments on and Daddy put the star on top (a VERY big deal - A & C were pumped!). Ryan also put up some lights out front that got many oohs and ahhs from the kiddos. I got most of the other decorations up while the kids were sleeping and they were so cute...walking around to each thing, saying thank you for decorating, and "it's so beautiful!". I found an Advent calendar template online and made them each their own countdown calendar which has been a hit. There are 3 big days that they are looking forward to...the 19th (when they turn 4 and a half!), the 24th (when Santa comes), and the 25th (when it's Jesus' birthday [and they get to open presents!]).

Yesterday, Austin and Caitlin got some face time with SANTA! They got all dressed up and we went to the mall to see the "big guy". The line was slightly long, but they were soooo good with the wait. When it was finally their turn, Austin hesitated a little, but then Santa gave a smile and he marched right up and had a seat. Caitlin decided to try a stall tactic. She told me she had to go potty!!! I told her after she talked to Santa. Then she saw Austin going up there and must have felt better. They took the most adorable picture! Gone are the days of screaming babies pictures. :( Those were pretty darn cute! Anyway, Austin told Santa he wanted a drum set with cymbals and a bass drum with a pedal and a Thomas train. Caitlin told Santa she wanted a Sleeping Beauty crown and a Jasmine & Ariel dress. We'll see what happens...

Last night we got to do another yearly tradition (and this time Ryan got to join us!). We did the "Christmas Lights in our Jammies" drive. The whole family wears their pj's and we drive around looking at Christmas lights. There is a HUGE light display at a John Deere place by our house so we drove through there and then through a couple neighborhoods. This year we added a new component..."Christmas Movie Theater"! We put a bunch of pillows on the floor, popped some popcorn, got a plate of gingerbread cookies, popped Rudolph (or "Wodney the Wed Nose Weindeew" as Austin calls him!) into the DVD player and enjoyed the movie by the light of the fire and Christmas tree lights! I am so thankful for these special family memories we are making.

We got our first snow of the winter last night! Not much but enough to get the kids excited. Boy is it COLD outside! This could be the start of a long, cold winter...

Okay, better go for now...more later! They have some pretty cute things they're saying these days.....