November 29

Today was Mike and my 6 year anniversary! We couldn't even figure out it was number 6, our brains are like mush after having the two kids. We decided just to stay home and have surf and turf after the kids went to sleep so to give Mike a little break because that's what good wives do on anniversaries. I took the kids to McDonalds for dinner and to an electric parade. If you don't know what an electric parade is don't feel bad. We didn't either. It's a parade after dark and all the floats and cars are lit up with thousands of lights. It was relatively warm but I still had to bundles them up which in Mia's case means the dreaded snowsuit and aquaphor all over their faces to prevent windburn (the joys of living in Chicago). The parade was great but it was crowded and hard to see and it's hard to hold two kids that are like giant cotton balls while trying to take pictures, carry a purse, watch the stroller and make sure Mia's mittens and boots don't fall off in the dark. Thus the absence of any pictures of the actual parade.

After we put the kids to sleep, Mike and I had a wonderful dinner. There are few people as blessed as we are. Getting to spend your life with your soulmate and best friend and having two healthy kids is more than either of us every dreamed of. Happy anniversary sweetie!

November 28

Mia is starting to get into crafts so after Tyler and I braved the Black Friday madness (with just a little bit of bribery - a donut and remote control car), to score some new winter coats for ME, we made some Christmas trees complete with garland, glitter and shiny ornaments.

November 27

We had a splendid Thanksgiving. Way too much food as always but so relaxing and fun. It started off with blueberry martinis tmy sister in law made that were out of this world. This was the first Thanksgiving that I didn't scarf down my food with a restless child on my lap. Now that is not to say that Tyler and Mia sat patiently through dinner. They ate for about 5 minutes and then I plopped them down in the family room to watch Dora Saves the Snow Princess and they sat there like little angels. It's great how well Chase and Carly take care of the kids. It's definitely advantageous that they are older than Tyler and Mia. Tyler and Mia were quite the dancers to Guitar Hero which is good since Mike purchased an electric guitar this week. This is his new hobby or mid-life crisis. We are not sure yet. But there will definitely be a lot of opportunites for dancing while daddy "jams". When asked what he is was thankful my sweet Tyler answered, "my mommy, my daddy and my Mia." I am thankful for my beautiful, healthy and happy kids and my wonderful husband. Below is a picture of Mia with some of Carly's "bling" on. Mia adores all "big-girl" stuff especially shiny jewelry that she can drape around her neck. The dog is Wyatt. The sweetest "Scooby" you will ever meet. My SIL and BIL rescued him less than a year ago. He was living in a forest preserve and was so skinny. He is most laid back lovable dog you will ever meet.

November 26

Last year, my friend Sarah told me about Elf on the Shelf so about a month ago I bought it and put it away. Today, we pulled it out. Essentially, Sammy, our elf, sits around in our family room all day and observes Tyler and Mia. Each night, once they have gone to bed, he flies to the North Pole and reports to Santa to let him know whehter they have been naughty or nice. Then he flies back and sits in a new spot the next day. Every morning, Tyler runs downstairs looking for Sammy's new resting spot. It doesn't seem to freak him out but the elf is definitely quirky looking. My brother-in-law jokinly said to me, "You know that is manipulation, bribery and blackmail." My reply, "I am all for that!"

November 24

This is what happens when Mommy is busy and not watching her kiddos closely enough. Mia got into Tyler's markers (washable thank goodness) and must have sucked on it for a good 5 minutes because her entire mouth and lips were as blue as Smurf's. Mia is so good at entertaining herself that I hardly ever worry when she is in the playroom playing quietly. This time though, she was busy making mischief. Her hair is at such a ridiculous length but I am trying to let the bangs grow out.

November 23 - Mia's Dedication

We had Mia dedicated today. Mike's family got up super early and drove over to our church so they could be there. Mia was a little big for a christening gown but I just love the dress I ended up getting her. She looked like a little princess and Tyler looked so handsome. It was a crazy morning but somehow we got everyone dressed, hair combed and out the door on time. We had to go on stage as a family and I was just a little apprehensive but both kids did beautifully. Right before we were ready to go on stage, Tyler says to me, "Mommy, Mia can't go on stage yet she doesn't know how to sing." I told him that would be okay and that he shouldn't sing either just stand very quietly. And, for the ultimate threat, I can't believe I said it but I did, "Tyler, be very good, hold my hand, stand quietly. God is watching." It worked. I guess I will just keep that one in my back pocket for emergencies. After church, we went to a Champagne brunch at a local resort. The band serenaded Mia, who kept her arms wrapped around me so tighty she could have withstood a hurricance force wind gale. She was so tired by the time the festivities were over that she feel asleep in the car and slept until almost 4:00 pm

November 22

We took the kids to a winter festival today. It was chilly so it was the first time we really had to bundle them up. I hate mittens on toddlers. They can't use their hands and they get so frustrated. Anyway, we had a lot of fun. We rode in a horse-drawn sleigh, decorated cookies, made smores (another first) listened to Christmas music and got to go into a petting zoo and touch dirty barn animals with our gloves on. (yes, they went right into the washing machine when we got home). It was so cold we didn't get to stay and see Santa but I think we are going to get to see him Thanksgiving weekend so we packed up the kids and headed to our favorite restaurant for a very quick dinner with two very cold and tired children.

Making Cookies with Tyler

Heavy on the sprinkles.

November 16

Tyler and I decorated the tree today. A little earlier than usual but we have a lot coming up in the next few weeks so decided to do it early. That's in addition to the intense excitement on Tyler's part. This is going to be a spectacular Christmas season with him. He is so excited about Santa and the reindeer. He said to me in the car the other day out of nowhere, "Mommy, I am really worried about Santa getting burned when he comes down the chimney. " It's so amazing to hear these complex thoughts he now has and the fact that he is able to articluate things so well. Mike and I find something new to marvel and laugh at each day.

November 11 - PM

Mike is in Mexico this week so I am keeping the kids very busy. Trust me, it makes the time go much faster. Tyler's good friend Maddie, my friend Jen and her son Zach came over for crafts and pizza. Here they are modeling their turkey hats.

November 11

Tyler started gymnastics today. I just can't seem to keep him busy enough. Every day, he asks me, "What are we going to do today? What are we going to do tomorrow?" So with some hesitation, we are adding another activity to an already busy week. But, when I see him

and how excited he is to try new things and he is so well-behaved in class, I know that it is just his personality to want to be busy all the time. Mia is a little homebody and can keep herself occupied for hours playing but Tyler needs a "task" as Mike puts it. They already have the kids doing somersaults on the balance beam and of course swinging and jumping into the pit is a favorite.

Pigtails!

Mia's hair is finally long enough for pigtails. It instantly makes her look like a little girl not a baby and oh so cute!

Operation Christmas Child

Tyler and I spent time today compiling a box for Operation Christmas Child as part of one of Tyler's preschool projects. Basically, you pick a child 's gender and age and you pack a shoebox for him/her to receive as a Christmas present. This is the first gift that many of these kids have ever received so we tried to put a lot of thought into what we could get our boy, age 3-5, both necessities and fun toys. I have never fit so much into a shoebox. We pray for this child and we sent a picture of Tyler and our address and I think it would mean so much to Tyler and really help him understand the concept if we receive a reply.

November 7

I took the kids to hear Pancake Pig read his book today at the library. Mia is still a little wary of big walking, talking animals so she kept her distance. In the group photo, Tyler is the one in the red shirt.

November 2

We had just a beautiful autumn day today. We took the kids on a walk on the Great Western Trail that has a trailhead about 2 minutes from our house. Tyler relished in the sound of his feet tromping through the crisp leaves and just being free to run. And oh yeah, his second favorite part was probably riding on Mike's shoulders when he got tired.

Happy Halloween

We had a beautiful Halloween. It was probably seventy degrees and sunny. I can never remember having to worry about being too hot in a costume except when we lived in Arizona. Last year, we drove the kids around in the car and popped out at each house. This time we put the Mia, our little ladybug, in the wagon and Barney rode his bike part of the way and RAN the rest of the way. The houses in our neighborhood are on large lots set back from the road and they also seem to have hidden highly placed doorbells for whatever reason but Tyler insisted that he wanted to go to the door by himself and say trick or treat. Mia probably went up to three houses but mostly figured that she had her bottle, a chocolate bar and a free ride so why go to all that work. She is also scared of many Halloween decorations. She will not go near a door with a scary witch or mask. We let the kids eat as much candy as they wanted and between all the sugar, running and dressing up. They were exhausted by 7:00. Then we realized that Barney had lost his face somewhere during the night so Tyler and Mike has to jump in the car and retrace our route. Thankful we found it.