Christmas…Last One!

One more Christmas thing that I keep forgetting to post!

Bestie and I decided last year that getting the kids presents just wasn’t what we were going to do. Our kids are lucky enough to get so much “stuff” from us, grandparents, other family. They don’t need more stuff. So we decided that we’d do a yearly craft/playdate/experience project. Last year we did the handprint Christmas tree.

This year we did handprint ornaments!

It was a pinterest success story (ahem, it helps that Bestie was involved. On my own I never quite know how those pinterest ideas will turn out). The one on the left is Logan’s. We made him the guinea pig since he’s actually able to follow directions and is a fairly cooperative listener. Aubrey’s is on the right of course, a bit more smeary and her thumb is down there, I promise! Bestie and I added the snowman décor ourselves, way, way too much fine detail for even Logan to attempt. But their little handprints are the important part!

The kids had a great time playing. There were lots of happy faces and no meltdowns, always a plus! The girls are at such fun ages right now, when they actually can play with each other. Funny how we used to put them together as newborns and they have gotten so big!

Anyway, at the very end we decided to take some pictures. You may already be seeing the problem…at the very end! But they were cute in their complete craziness, if nothing else.

Uh, they wanted to go in here. Who knows.

Look at the camera? Ha, not even close.

Here Baby Bestie has decided that she’ll try to follow the older child’s lead, since he’s supposed to be the role model and all. Maybe they’re supposed to lie down?

Awww, hugs. I love these girls.

And, um, it’s possible somebody had way too much “baby” time.

Oh! They all sit together! And one smiles!

Hahaha, ONE smiles again. One. Not Three.

And then one refuses to stand up and I give up and Mr. Bestie is nice enough to take our pictures. But the girls decide Logan is way more exciting to look at.

Oh, we do love our Besties. Can’t wait for more fun in 2014!

More Christmas!

Okay, this isn’t really Christmas. And if you know me well you know this is killing me, I can’t really handle Christmas after Christmas. It makes me sad. Because I love, love, love Christmas and the build up to Christmas. And when it’s over (like even Christmas morning) I really have a bit of a let down. Even though Christmas is SO fun! And I love it! But oh, I hate when it’s over.

Anyway, last weekend we made cookies, and I never got to blog about it! Um, we didn’t really make cookies. We sliced the dough, rolled it, and then used the cookie cutters. But we did decorate them, that’s the most important part!

Just to keep things real, here’s what really happened. I kept the dough WAY too thick. And so in the oven the cookies were no longer snowflakes and Christmas trees, but instead giant blobs. So when they came out of the oven I quickly used the cookie cutters again to make the shapes. Peter thought I was crazy! But it worked.

And I’m pretty sure the whole point of decorating here was just to put as much sugar as possible on a cookie and then eat it. But they only ate one, so we let them go wild and put it all on there.

Then they took a nap. Unbelievable, I know – but they did! Yay for sugar?!?!

Christmas #2

This was the scene Christmas Eve night after Santa arrived! There are presents all under the tree and around it – a ton!

Logan loved, loved the camera he got. Honestly, it was one of those random things I thought “maybe” when I told my parents – but wow, he was excited!

And he can be a brave knight, slaying dragons (Yes, that is a sword. Yes, I allowed it. It’s totally foam and bendy. And we do not use it on people. Only dragons). If you know my viewpoint on, um, other weapons, then you might be surprised. I won’t get on a soap box, but I will say I don’t think he’s ever going to pick up a real sword by accident and slay a dragon. Just sayin’.

The Octoport! From the Octonauts! Captain America! Princess wand (oh wait, that’s Aubrey’s…)!

So here’s the funny thing about the camera. Logan liked his so much that Aubrey HAD to have one. Right away. It was bad. So I went and found her one of my old digital ones. Problem solved!

I was so spoiled this Christmas! Here’s my wonderful gifts:

Seriously…I got: Yoga pants, sweatshirt, pj set, fleece jacket, Toms, vest, 3 sweaters, nail polish, a Fit Bit, slippers, a camera case, a Boogie board and set up, the new Pioneer Woman cookbook, a Charming Charlie’s card, and the awesomest hair dryer ever. That’s from my wonderful parents and in-laws and husband. So quite a loot!

I also got Glass storage dishes and spatulas, but you can’t see them because they were in the dish rack drying!

So Aubrey got this baby from the other Z’s, and then Santa left her a baby doll sippy cup in her stocking. She literally would not stop feeding the baby all day!

See? Baby still. Oh, and they both got rain/snow boots and sleeping bags. Big hits!

Grandma also made photo albums with all of our family and friends in them for each kid. They were so cute! And yes, Aubrey got a necklace and bracelet. She loves them.

Then, the most bizarre thing ever happened. Logan got the movie Planes, so we were letting him watch it. Aubrey was playing and then climbed into my lap, around 10am. And fell asleep on my shoulder! Crazy, crazy girl! She gave up her morning nap looooooong ago. I guess Christmas morning is hard work!

We had a fabulous morning with my parents. They came back in the evening to have dinner. Just like last year we did filet mignon with parmesan crust, baked potatoes, and salad. So, so yummy. And mom brought lots of treats for dessert!

Turns out Aubrey’s snuggling may have been because of a cold she was developing, but we are hanging in there! I cannot believe there are only 5 days left of break…sob, sob, sob.

We’ll see what else we can get caught up in those 5 days!

Christmas #1

We had a great time going to see Grandma and Grandpa K! First we went to see Santa. And you already saw the results of that! Then we got some yummy, yummy pizza. And can you believe that we opened presents the first night? I think someone was a little excited, and we didn’t want to make him wait too long!

Aubrey started with passing out presents.

Oh, did you notice the short sleeves and shorts? Yes, it was 80 degrees on Sunday!

Then he opened this big present. I’m not quite sure who was more excited, him or Peter?

And Aubrey got a Cabbage Patch doll! All of my 30-something friends can appreciate how excited I was about this! Luckily she was too.

Monday it was rainy, rainy, rainy, so we didn’t get to enjoy any of the fun parks that Grandma and Grandpa K have near them. But they took us to the Portsmouth Children’s Museum. And it was AWESOME! No kidding, probably the best I’ve been to. It was a perfect fit for Logan and Aubrey’s ages. So much fun!

There were trains…

And you could life boxes and put them onto a train, using these controls (but I couldn’t get it all in one picture, so hopefully you get the idea!).

You could put yourself into a bubble!

Drive a boat!

Grocery shop!

Milk a cow!

Eat dinner (uh yeah, Aubrey really tried to chomp down on the plastic food…).

Practice brushing your teeth!

Play the drums!

Fight fires and crime!

Be silly!

Launch a rocket!

And fish!

It was such a fabulous time. The kids loved it! Then Grandma K made spaghetti and meatballs for us, taught me how to use the Keurig for hot chocolate, and we enjoyed way, way too many Christmas cookies.

It was a fabulous time! The spoiled us with presents and we are so glad we got to go down to their house. We can’t wait to see them again soon!