Christmas Catch-Up

I think we have officially recovered from our Christmas travels. The trip to Indy was a little rough. Lucy cried off and on for the first half of the trip (2 hours), then we stopped for lunch and let the girls stretch their legs a little. Both girls napped a little - Norah about an hour, Lucy about 30 minutes. Lucy cried off and on the rest of the trip. They watched Elmo Visits the Doctor, but unless Elmo was actually on the screen, she would cry.
We finally made it and the girls had a great time playing with Jackson and Janelle.
We went to church on Christmas Eve and the pastor showed a clip from The Nativity Story. Norah was totally into it. She just stared at the screen with huge eyes, sitting on the edge of her seat. At one point I leaned over to explain something to her and she looked at me and said, "I know mom." Her tone of voice made her sound much older than she really is.
We came home on Wednesday. Although we had a great time, it is always nice to get home and get back into a normal routine. The girls are enjoying playing with Christmas presents and just hanging out.

Merry Christmas!

Lots of food, lots of presents, and lots of family!

The girls are having a great time!
Check out some of our pictures!
http://picasaweb.google.com/ks070100/Christmas

Lucy's Story 1

Yesterday morning, Lucy and I went to Norah's Christmas party at school. While the kids in the class were eating their snack, Lucy pulled up her own chair to sit next to Norah. She was nibbling on some goldfish when she turns to me and says, "Dip, dip" (which means drink in Lucy language) and I told her that I didn't bring her cup and that she needs to wait until we get home (really I didn't want to deal with her drinking juice out of a dixie cup). She got up out of her chair, walked over to the dramatic play area, got out a little plastic cup and brought it back to the table and set it down at her spot.
Obviously, she was thirsty, so I gave her a dixie cup with water. I guess I could have done that to begin with so she didn't have to pretend to have a drink while all the other kids were drinking juice.

Norah Quote 3

I was in the kitchen working on more Christmas cookies when, from the living room, I hear Norah say, "Lucy, you are frustrating me!" There is a short pause and again, "Lucy, you already frustrated me!"

Christmas Cookies!

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is making cookies! Besides the fact that I have the biggest sweet tooth, I love to share the cookies with others! I love it that I now have a helper!! Let me just say that Norah wasn't the best at helping with the cut-out cookies because she just wanted to play with the dough. (I actually thought she would like using the cookie cutters - silly me.)
So today we made my favorite - peanut butter blossoms. Our little friend, Macy, came over today to help (she's 7). Macy was a great helper! Norah enjoyed making these cookies better than the cut-outs because she got to roll them in sugar. Norah rolled 1 cookie to every 4 because she was so busy talking. When the cookies were done baking, they put the chocolate kisses on top. The girls did great!
I also made chocolate cookies with mint frosting. These are also a favorite! Lucy stood at my leg and begged, "Cookie, cookie!"
Tomorrow I am going to dip pretzels in caramel and roll them in pecans and chopped up peanut butter chocolate chips.
Did I say that I love Christmas cookies?!

Snow!

Our first REAL snow!! The girls played in the snow for awhile this morning! At first, Lucy wasn't sure she liked being all bundled up, but she sure enjoyed the snow!! Both girls threw fits when we told them to come inside!

Yes, She Slept Like This!

Norah and I went to peek at Lucy at naptime today. This is how we found her. Apparently she had taken her shirt (& socks) off before she fell asleep. Unfortunately, her room is the coldest one in the house.

Norah's Christmas Program

Norah had her Christmas program at school. Those of you that know her know she can be very shy - so she wasn't very happy about the program. She smiled for about 1 second when she saw me and then didn't crack a smile at all!! After the program, I said, "Wasn't that fun singing for all the parents and grandparents?" Her response, "No. I didn't really like that." Check it out!

Norah Quote 2

As you may remember, Kevin and I went to the Love & Logic Parenting Seminar a few weeks ago. One of the ideas we have used the most frequentlyis the "Uh oh" song. When Lucy does something that she is not supposed to do, we say "Uh oh - little playpen time - so sad" then we put her in the pack 'n play and set the timer for 2 minutes. She has done great - she now stays off the fireplace and doesn't touch the Christmas tree.
Anyway, (the reason this is titled Norah Quote) on Friday, Norah was setting the Little People up in a circle (she was playing school). Lucy ran over and knocked them all down and before I could tell Lucy 'no no' and distract her with something else, Norah said, "Just put her in the pack 'n play."

Today, Kevin was getting Norah's breathing treatment ready and I asked Norah what she wanted to watch while she does her breathing treatment. She said, "Oh, I don't know. There are too many options."

Getting to Know Me, The Christmas Edition

Getting to know me, The Christmas Edition
I guess it's my turn.

1. Do you use wrapping paper or giftbags? I wrap everything in paper unless it is too awkward or an odd shape. I also put bows and curling ribbon on most presents!

.2. Do you put up a real or fake tree? Fake. I do love real trees, but the few times Kev and I picked out a real tree - we picked the worst tree! Crooked, too big, you name it! I finally convinced him to get a fake tree - once the girls are bigger we may get a real one again.

3. When do you put up your tree? After Thanksgiving - as soon as we can.

4. When do you take down your tree? Right after Christmas. Last year the girls and I stayed a few extra days in Morton while Kevin had to get back for work. When the girls and I got back, Kevin had taken down the tree and put ALL the decorations away! It was great because I think it is such a chore!
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5. Do you like eggnog? Not really.

6. What is your most favorite gift from your childhood? I have a horrible memory so I don't really remember many gifts that I got.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? We have 2 kids set - the Little People and a wooden one

8. Who is the hardest person to shop for? I'd have to say my brother-in-law. I always end up getting him a gift card because I can't think of a good gift.

9. Who is the easiest person to shop for? The girls, of course. My mom is pretty easy, too.

10. Do you email or mail Christmas cards? Mail, for sure! I love getting Christmas cards in the mail!!

11. What is the worst gift you’ve ever received? Not sure.

12. What is your favorite Christmas movie? White Christmas - without a doubt!!! Kevin is not a fan of musicals so he is very glad we have 2 girls to watch with me now. I think we should make it a family tradition, though - we can all 4 watch!!

13. When do you start your Christmas shopping? Usually September or so. If I start too early, I forget and end up buying too much.

14.Do you recycle gifts? Nope

.15. What’s your favorite thing to eat this time of year? Hamloaf (LOL)! Seriously, I love the cookies! Peanut butter blossoms are my favorite. I also like springerlies - a German cookie (family recipe)!

16. Do you put up clear or colored lights? Clear, for sure

17. What’s your favorite Christmas song? White Christmas, Silent Night, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Do You Hear What I Hear? I guess I can't just list one!!

18. Do you travel for the holidays? Almost always!

19. Do you know all the reindeer’s names? Yes.

20. Do you open presents Christmas Eve or Day? We usually open presents with one side of the family a week or 2 before Christmas and then continue right until Christmas. This year we opened presents with my family on Thanksgiving.

21. What’s the most annoying thing about this time of year? Busy stores! I try to do all my shopping during the week in the mornings!

22. What’s your favorite ornament theme or color them? Hmmm. I change every couple of years - I don't really have a favorite at this point. I love angels - I have whole shelf dedicated to the angels I have collected over the years.

23. What do you eat for Christmas dinner? Hamloaf with my mom's side of the family. Ham with Kev's.

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? What don't I want!

A New Favorite

I have always liked books of all kinds - right now, as many of you may know, I love Usborne books! I had a party and e-show a couple of months ago. Now my sister, Alison, is having an e-show. If you are in need of some books for Christmas presents - check this out!