moon sand day

Last week Luke wanted to play Moon Sand.  Now, Moon Sand isn't something you just bring out on a whim, it's something you have to prepare for.  Get mentally ready for. So I told him Thursday, after ECFE, we would do it.  He counted the days and kept track.  Much to my dismay, he did not forget.  He has so much fun playing with it and I bet it keeps him entertained for a good hour and a half.  Since we try to make Moon Sand a "quarterly" thing, you know, take it out 4 times a year....he'll have something to look forward to in the Spring!

sweet girl

 With the Big 2 coming near for our Stella, I thought I would post about her!  She will be turning 2 in just 2 months.  Seems like yesterday we were picking her out of the litter.  We are definitely out of the puppy stage!  Mostly.  She can be naughty at times, with her worst offense being that she is a table/counter/island clearer (for instance, if we leave bowls with cereal in them on the table and leave for the morning, guaranteed they will be in her kennel licked clean.  We'll just call it a "pre wash.") and she still likes to sit at the table on the chairs like a person or take your shoes when you come in the door, but those we'll deal with.  She is still our little (harmless) guard dog.  If you aren't one of the half dozen "regulars" who walk by, well, you'll know it.  She doesn't like you until she knows we like you.  Especially men.  She only has eyes for her Daddy and her Papa.  Kelvin too.  But she softens up real quick once she's comfortable.

 She's even tolerating Logan's new "I need to stick my finger in your nose" obsession.  If the kids and her get too wild, time outs are issued to calm things down.  She loves playing tug o war and dragging the kids around the wood floor.  She earns her keep by cleaning up the floors and highchair after mealtimes.  I can say in my most monotone voice "Go clean up after the baby" and she knows just what to do.  Her favorite winter activity has been Daddy throwing snow at her while he is shoveling.  It's a riot!

 Dave calls this her I'm going to jump off a bridge depressed look.  She rests her face on the window sill and stares outside.

She isn't allowed in the living room all the time (due to her lovely blonde locks), but as you can see, she makes herself comfortable regardless.  She is becoming quite the good girl....I foresee no Terrible Twos in our future!

christmas morning

Emily was the first one up (besides Deeda) Christmas morning and she had already went through all her goodies Santa left, so not too many pictures of her. I'd like to say that Santa trimmed down this year, but I'm not sure that was the case.  Maybe though!  The kids didn't get anything from "us", so maybe it seemed like a little less.  It's all the same anyways.  The big ticket items for Luke was a drum set and Hotwheels things, it was also the year for his first Nerf gun which he's definitely enjoyed.  Santa was smart to bring a 2 pack so Emily can at least defend herself!  And puzzles for the both of them, lots of puzzles.  Emily was thrilled and totally surprised with her scooter.  Lucky for her, she had several mild weeks to take it out and enjoy it.  Looks like with winter finally arriving, it'll be Spring before she uses it again.  Another favorite was her new Ipod.  Santa downloaded all her favorite CDs and songs.  Logan loved his new phone best, and now promptly puts it to his head to talk.  He also finally got his Bee Bop Band set that Santa has been holding onto since last Christmas. He's easy to please.

Squinkies were big this Christmas as well.  And I put that in italics because they are anything but big.  They are tiny and they are fun.  And we try our hardest to keep them away from Logan.  They have some fun new accessories for them now too!

Thanks Mother Nature for the 40 and 50 degree scooter riding weather!  We knew it was too good to last.

experiments

 The kids' Aunt Hannah sent some Christmas gifts in the mail a while back.  We did Luke's gift over the weekend, some science experiments!  They made slime and bouncy balls.  It was so much fun!

 And of course, even more fun when the slime makes the best fart sounds!

Our final products!  Thanks Aunt Hannah!  (Emily loves her activity roll and Logan adores his puzzles too :)

top and bottom

 If there is 1 physical feature

 on babies

 that I love best,

 it's those brand new top and bottom teeth.  

Christmas Eve

 We were home for the holidays this year.  Too bad since it was such nice weather for traveling!  Dave had Christmas Eve off, but alas, had to make a run Christmas Day.  And I'm sure he wouldn't have wanted to miss out on Santa Claus!  Deeda came down and spent the 2 days with us too.  The kids got some cookie decorating in...

(We said farewell to Candycorn on Tuesday, he sure was a cute little guy to have around.  I doubt he's as spoiled at school as he was here!  Although, I do not miss the wood shavings all over everything.)

helped make a few great dinners....

did some peeking....

Opened some great gifts from Deeda... (thanks Deeda!)

and some from Grandpa Ron all the way from Arkansas.  Well, Amazon, but you know what I mean :)  They loved their gifts!  Thank you Arkansas Robisons!  (and Grandpa Ron should know that Luke LOUDLY proclaimed that "Grandpa Ron gives the best presents!"  )  That kid.

Deeda got Logan is own name stool.  Now all the kids have one.  These things are the best!

Logan getting accustomed to Rody the horse...

Unfortunately, we lost a little bit of innocence this Christmas ;)  I was giving Logan a bath a few days after and Emily says to me, "I don't think I believe in Santa anymore."  I asked why.  She says...."Because all the CD's that are on my new Ipod are stacked by the computer."  Oops.  She took it well, but I could tell there was a little bit of disappointment.  Like we told her though, "Stop believin'....Quit receivin'!"