Sit & Spin

They sure don't make them like they used to. Back in the day, ours went pretty fast, now speed has been replaced with batteries, lights, and music.

The Damage

One headless wiseman.

One headless snowman napkin holder.

One driverless sled.

Not too shabby for all of the decorations I put out. Also, pretty good that Jillian was only responsible for one of these. Nothing a little superglue won't fix!

Grampie Ron

Last night my dad came up for the evening to visit. The girls were very silly and I think he enjoyed their extra silliness! We had a great visit and the girls love their new dollies and blankets!

As always, Mia Kate quickly adopted Jillian's baby.

This photo doubles as the debut of Jillian's pigtails!


Silly Jilli

Suspicious Santa Activity

This year Santa delivered the girls their gifts in a giant red bag with "The Reuters" monogrammed on the side. I, of course, thought it was pretty snazzy, but Mia was instantly puzzled, "That is weird Mom, he didn't do that last year." I responded "Oh, maybe it is something new he came up with." Yesterday she wanted to know if I had mailed the bag back to him yet and added again that he DID NOT leave the bag last year.

The Santa at my sister's (their friend) made a comment about my sister's dog Georgie when he walked in the door. A few days later Mia said "Mom, did you hear Santa say hi to Georgie? That is weird that he KNEW Georgie's name." I told her that my sister probably wrote about him in a letter, ha.

Mia Kate & Mia Doll

The pediatrician will be proud, a jogging stroller for Jillian!

What's in the bag Wag?
(A smile for my Wellington friends!)

That Santa left snow on the hearth and the door cracked open, he must have been in a hurry!

I thought it was odd that most of my 4th graders still believed in Santa. Putting bets that next year my 4 year old will figure it out!

Crown Center

This morning my college pal Jessica and I met up with the kids at Crown Center to explore the Crayola Exhibit. The line was very long, but gave us time to catch up. The girls enjoyed the exhibit and Walter is a champ just hanging out. We then ventured for lunch, which was more long lines, but in true motherly fashion we made it! It is so refreshing to hang out with a friend you knew before kids and see how they handle motherhood. We both seem to just load up and go with it, runaway strollers and all! :) It was really fun!

Jillian and Margaret

Jillian, Isabella, & Mia Kate


Jillian, Mia, & Margaret

Santa Number Three

Yesterday we traveled to Northern Kansas to my sister's home for a holiday celebration. Mia LOVES her cousin "Camryn Rose" and was so excited to go. We had a great time eating dinner, playing bingo, and a visit by a really hilarious Santa Claus.


Apparently the old saying "Third times a charm." was accurate for Mia's Santa encounters this year. He rang Bry's doorbell and we ran to the door. I was very dramatic "Oh my gosh Santa is here (covering my mouth and gasping) can you believe it?" After he sat down and talked to her she shared her name, Jilli's name, and then their ages. Someone said "Last night was Mia's preschool program." and Santa asked "Can you sing a song from it?" Low and behold, the little stink belted out a song. After the whole fiasco of sitting tight lipped onstage with 30 other kids, she bursts out a solo performance. I was in shock, and couldn't stop smiling, Brad was grinning and shaking his head. Parenting always amazes me, definitely not a handbook or road map!

She then sat on his lap, told him what she wanted, and thanked him. Jilli on the other hand is still opposed to the big guy.

We all got quite a kick out of Santa.

Jillian tries to get a BINGO.

The girls really enjoyed playing together. Camryn is a hoot and greeted us at the door with a smile "Hi guys." Thanks Dave and Bry, we had fun!

Mia Kate's Christmas Program

On Friday was Mia Kate's first preschool program. She has been talking big stuff about it for several weeks. She knew all of the songs and we sang them daily, Jilli even knew the moves to the songs. Several quotes of hers were "Mom, you will hear me big and loud and my skirt will be swaying." and "Mom, I am really anxious about my program."

Well, she looked adorable, she was anxious, but we definitely DID NOT hear her big and loud, perhaps that would require opening her mouth. That's right people, she didn't sing a word. I thought she was very cute and very brave because for a brief moment Brad and I both thought she wanted to bust out crying and run to us, but she pulled it together. Her grandmother Cheryl said "That is just what her dad would have done." When Brad heard this he agreed. We are thinking that next year she probably won't get a speaking part. As for her dance recital this spring, I might be pulling out some bribery, I already paid for the costume!

She was a horse, I thought it was a donkey.

Snow Much Fun!

We had our 4th snow this year, snow 3 was Sunday evening and didn't add up to much, but did cover the streets. Snow 4 was today and began in the middle of the night and continued until around lunch. Once again, I must brag on my vehicle, she gets around like a champ in the snow. I did have a major slowdown on the road to preschool, some cars just couldn't make the hills. Our 5 minute drive took me at least 25.

Brad was up early to shovel the driveway, he is always very eager to do this. The girls waited patiently for his return to play out this evening. Mia is very good about bundling up and really enjoys this time with her dad. Jilli throws a fit when she doesn't get to go out, so she did get to go for about 5 minutes. Of course, they both started coughing at bedtime, nice.

Daddy and the girls!

Frosty & Dad

Legs up girl!

Anyways, the point of this post is to share their sledding adventure! We have the perfect little hill parallel to our front steps for toddlers/preschoolers to sled down. Our sled was one we got in Vail when I was younger and somehow I snagged it. It is perfect for one toosh to sit on. They definitely need a two seater sled for them to ride together. Mia Kate can do this one alone and glides right down to the driveway and across it. After spending 20 minutes putting on their gear, I stick them out the front door for their dad. Then I sit inside by Jilli's window, next to a heating vent, and watch out. I tap on the window and give a thumbs up, Mia waves back, and then I run out for a few pictures and bring them back in. Then I spend 20 more minutes unbundling and putting all of the gear away. Oh well, I love the snow (from the inside I guess?)

Those are white mittens, not snow covered hands.

Jilli's first time sledding! Wheee!

Big Stuff

Jillian has graduated out of her booster seat. Our table is shorter than normal and the booster seat was causing her legs to get pinched, resulting in tears. She is definitely the type of child who should be strapped down, but so far has done really well.

So sad, the only things "baby" about this picture are the sippy cup and bib. Look at her eating cereal like a big girl!

Makes a good toy though!

Jillian will be 19 months on Thursday, hard to believe. She is turning into quite a talker. Yesterday she came to me and said "Light On" and then led me to her room. She was pointing to her baby tree and wanting me to turn it on. I was worried about her vocabulary a few months ago, but she is following in big sis's steps in this area.

For Laura

At dinner this evening my friend Laura commented " I miss Jilli's Mohawk." Yesterday I had some film from my "fast" camera developed onto a CD and came across this oldie.


I think I took it in late May, but look how dark her hair was. I miss the Mohawk too, I also miss her only being just one year, 12 months that is, she is growing too fast. Also, this is baby lingerie, ha!

Quote of the Day

"If I were a mom, I would fix my kids quesadillas." Mia Kate age 3

Her thoughts while I was fixing them baked chicken and apples for dinner. Apparently she didn't agree with this meal. "Did she really say that," I thought. We have been working on getting her to tame the whining, but this approach is odd, yet creatively sassy.

Trust

This is the way Brad puts the tree topper on our tree. Obviously I trust him. Mia is usually his helper, but this year she was scared, wonder why?

Pediatrician NOT reccommended

At Jillian's 18 month check up, a pediatrician (not ours, she couldn't make the appointment) kid you not, told us "Maybe you should cut her carbs." This really bothered me, and it took me awhile to digest the comment. She was barely above average for her weight, nowhere near off the charts, but she was way below average for her height. No excuses Stace, she is a little plump. So we cut out some easy items such as waffles, raisins, granola bars, fruit snacks and added other items. I already serve plenty of fresh fruits but have added more protein and veggies.

The problem is that Jilli loves to eat, seriously. I have been serving her black beans, warmed, no seasoning and she chows down. She cleans her plate each meal. Yesterday I let her have a cookie at my Cookie Exchange, I am not that mean.

Today I got out the bread (whole grain, high fiber, thank you Doc!) and Jilli was sitting there. I stacked two pieces of bread on a plate and then turned around to find this.......

Plain bread, good.

You still love me right?

Didn't you say the crust was the healthiest?

I didn't get these cute cheeks by eating carrots!

We love you Jilli Bug!

Let's give 'em something to talk about........

Would this cause a scandal if it were my Christmas card picture?

Maybe somehow I could photoshop Brad in, if I had photoshop. I am having a bit of a fiasco this year with my cards, long story, which is all my fault. Wouldn't be an issue if I weren't a little perfectionist about pictures. Additionally, problems occur when one child is very photogenic and one doesn't sit still.

Pinky Dinky Doo

This is the first year that Mia Kate has had her own decent sized tree in her room. She noticed a pink one several months ago at the store and expressed that she liked it. I was sold on the fact that it was pre-lit. It is my favorite decoration this year, along with Mia Kate's smile each time she sees it.

Second Snow

Just as I was finishing up some Christmas shopping this morning, snow started falling....I love it! I also love the fact that my SUV is remarkable in the snow. This fact will come in handy this year because the city is cutting back on expenses and only plowing residential streets when there are at least 3 inches of snow. Even then, only one pass by and only one lane. Good thing I don't have many places to go (well Sonic is only a few blocks, I can venture there).

Here are some pics of the girls in the snow this year, and one from last year to see how much they have changed. If you wonder why we have the girls out in the dark, it is because they usually play outside when their Daddy comes home and shovels the driveway.

Girls & Evil Snowman 2007

Snow Angel!
While playing in the snow Mia ran to the door and asked me for a tissue. She ran back to play and then quickly returned stating..
Sniff Sniff "Mom, it won't stop, I must be allergic."
I replied "To the snow?"
She ran off, her words never cease to amaze me.



I think Jilli's Aunt Bry felt sorry for her because she read my post about not buying the girls matching coats and bibs. Shortly thereafter she received a matching set passed down from Cousin Camryn!


Jilli wouldn't leave her mittens on and had to go in early, but after whimpering at the door for awhile she let me put them back on her.

Santa #2

Last week the girls met their cousins to get a group shot with Santa for their Grandparents. Still not Santa fans, but Jilli did okay with Emma holding her. Then the "elf" revealed that the picture they took had an emblem covering Mia's face, re-do. Jilli had already had enough and pitched a fit when trying to pass her off to Emma or heaven forbid Santa. Therefore, I made yet another appearance with Santa, I am getting good at this.

Afterwards the kids wrote letters to Santa and mailed them. Today, Mia Kate received a letter back from Santa, via email. This bothers me for some reason, what next, texting Santa?

Cousin William sends off his letter.

Jillian colors her letter.


Who is that big kid?

Emma whispers her wishes.

Reuter Grandkids, my best shot.

M.K.

Mailing her letter, the old fashioned way!