January Happenings

And now it seems weird to sit here thinking that January is already almost over.  The new year really started off with a bang for us.  The kids went back to school, activities started up - Sawyer loves her selections of piano and gymnastics and I think has decided on lacrosse and softball for spring.  Isla is also loving her pics.  After her first soccer class she came home with the biggest smile on her face and just lit up talking about it...her words, "I loved it".  She also just had her first Spanish class.  This girl has really shown an interest in languages the last few months.  Some of her birthday and Christmas presents were Spanish themed - books, DVDs, etc.  She learns some words in school and just wants more.  So we signed her up for class and she really seems to like it, and though she doesn't seem to remember much after she leaves I'm thinking that doesn't matter.

Because the girls have been busy, Mark too has been busy.  In addition he's been doing a number of things with Sawyer for Indian Princesses.  They did laser tag this week, the went on a camp out last weekend in Michigan, and met up with the Michigan cousins for lunch on their way home, and they have roller skating and a sleep over at the Field Museum coming up.  All cool things, and I'm so glad we got Sawyer involved in this.

I too have been busy - I went back to work and hit the ground running with a ton on my plate.  I won't belabor it, other than to say it keeps me busy and no day is like the one before.  But we're having a good start to 2016.  The kids behavior has gotten a bit better, and they are playing with each other.

The other night they were playing dress up.  First Margot was a cowgirl, then Isla showed her how it was done...

Then Isla became a cow, Sawyer a ballerina, and Margot a superhero (she has a cape on, though it's hard to see in the picture).  Margot ran around the house saying "super blast off" and occasionally getting Mark to carry her like she was flying.

We haven't had a ton of snow this winter, and in fact other than a two week stretch in January the weather hasn't been nearly as bad as it could be.  We did get a bit of snow and each time it comes we make sure we get outside - both to shovel and to play.

 Everyone wants to shovel some but they don't make a ton of progress..

This was a very wet snow so it was almost shower-like.  They were wet and cold when it was time to come in by the fire.

And last but not least, this past weekend Sawyer and Mark went to the daddy daughter dance at her school.  The theme was Hollywood Night, so they were dressed up, and even coordinated their outfits together.  Aunt Katie lent us the dress and Sawyer couldn't have been happier.  She requested I curl her hair (a first for us), and really looked so grown up.

 A better shot of the curls in this one.

And just because it was Hollywood night, we had to make sure we had shades in case there was paparazzi.  They seemed to have a great time.

Christmas 2015

And what a Christmas it was.  We started out with a VERY relaxing Christmas Eve.  As in we woke up, Mark made us a great, hearty breakfast, and our version of getting dressed was getting out of the jammies we slept in, but putting on our Christmas jammies and settling in for a Christmas movie marathon.  It was glorious.

This is them Christmas Eve morning - they were so excited to open a present - they are allowed to open one present on Christmas Eve and did not want to wait until evening.  Since we didn't have much planned for the day, we let them each pick...and of course they also broke into their candy from Aunt Sue.

Eventually we got the first started, and the girls just sort of played and did silly stuff all night.

 Isla dressed up, sort of snowman-ish, sort of just playing with what we have..

Our girls had a great holiday, though we also wanted to let them know we weren't happy with some of their recent behavior.  Think a lot of fighting and disrespectful behavior, and a lot of lip.  So Santa ended up leaving this note for our girls.  Isla cannot read, but Sawyer can and when she saw it on Christmas morning she got it, but also asked Mark not to ruin her Christmas morning by making her read it out loud.  We talked about it over breakfast and agreed everyone would try to improve their behavior.

At any rate, we were up around 7am.  I think Sawyer woke up first - probably the only day of the year she wakes up first and hops out of bed...which I think she gets from me.  She doesn't seem to be a morning person whereas Isla hops up and does like four things immediately - very Mark of her.  At any rate, Sawyer woke up, screamed to Isla, and that in turn awoke Margot - the lightest sleeper of the bunch.  It was very fun seeing the reactions - so happy and excited with all the presents.  Margot was also very into it, especially unwrapping.  Whereas last Christmas we were almost all sick, this year we were not and presents went much quicker.  I think in 30 min flat everything was opened and we were on to the "play time" portion of the morning.

Isla was totally into her new play doh set where she was a dentist making teeth and such with this giant mouth.  This alone kept her busy for about an hour.

Margot's car was also a big hit with all three kids.  Since I'm writing this a month after the fact I will tell you this thing got so much use it's now hidden in the basement until spring where it will be kept in the garage.  The kids were doing circles around the kitchen and it drove us both crazy, as well as scraped up some floors and walls.

Another big hit was the electric piano from Grandma and Grandpa Harris.  Sawyer and Isla were both allowed to pick two activities for the winter and Sawyer picked piano lessons (and gymnastics).  Isla picked soccer and Spanish lessons.  So this piano is perfect for her upcoming lessons, though it gets far more use from Mark who has spent time re-teaching himself piano and songs.  Side note - so far Sawyer loves taking piano lessons.

A few more big hits from the day - the draw like a pro kit and kindle fires.  Sawyer has used this drawing thing a ton - it creates a projected picture you trace over and color.

Also, Grandma and Grandpa Wallace gave the girls new razor scooters.  Isla used it around the house, and actually had it outside today because we are having a random mild winter day.  This girl likes to go fast and the one we had borrowed from the neighbors wasn't doing it for her.

The girls also got a bunch of Goldiblox sets.  They are engineering / building sets with a "girl" theme to them.  Sawyer put together the dunk tank and was digging it.

 Isla also got many sets from Aunt Sue that were small projects.  She kept going from one to the other.  Here she is building a car that you can spring forward.  She gets consumed in these projects. They can be a little hard for her, but she goes as far as she can using the instruction book, then asks for help, then returns to the instructions until she needs help again.  This girl is a builder.

We spent Christmas relaxing and playing and talking to family.  We also packed ourselves up and then headed off to Buffalo the next day.  Isla had a 3 week break, and Sawyer's over 2 weeks so in an effort to keep them busy, and to see family we decided to take a little mini-break.  It was our first time staying at Grandma and Grandpa's new place, and our girls loved it.  In fact, for several days after we left Margot kept asking to go back, and when I told her G&G weren't there anymore, she just kept saying, "but we can stay by ourselves."

They played tea party several times...and now have a hankering for this.  Thankfully Aunt Sue sent us home with a tea set and so the girls probably play it two times a week.

We also spent lots of time with family and friends.  We had a party at G&G's when we got in, I went to a shower for my cousin while Mark and my Dad took the kids out, Uncle Ryan and Aunt Kate organized a beer and food pairing dinner which was Amazing, we ate at some of our favorite places, went bowling with Luke, Aidan, Mark and Jen, and just had a great time.  It was the perfect balance of Mark and I being able to get out alone and see people and spending time all together.  Best of all, we escaped the snow and bad weather which is always the downfall of trying to drive to Buffalo around that time of year.  I can't say we'll do the trip every year, but it was a great trip this year, and we're already looking forward to our trip to Florida to see G&G in a few weeks.

A Trip to the City

One thing we did that was special this year was organize an overnight trip into Chicago.  It's not far and some might think sort of crazy given we can get home in 45 minutes, but it was a nice way for us to have a home base and do more things than normal on a day trip in.  Also, our girls had been asking to go on the train for awhile so we decided to take advantage of what we hoped would be a quiet week - the week before Christmas - to do some fun things.

Here we are waiting for our train to come.

Everyone loved riding the train.  When the train is your commute you take for granted how fun it could be to a kid, and so it was fun to watch.  Isla and Sawyer went to the second level and sat watching the world pass by out the window.  Margot stayed with us where we could make sure she didn't fall, but also loved looking out the window and just talking to us.

I have to say, not all of my plans were perfect.  I hadn't anticipated some of the crowds, so we ended up skipping the Christkindl market, and ended up just eating at Shake Shack for lunch, but we did have fun seeing the windows decorated at Macy's on State.  After lunch we went to an arcade type place and played lots of games before heading back to the hotel for some rest.  Margot fell asleep and the rest of us just watched tv.  We didn't rest too long though because we were off to see the zoo lights.

It was pretty cool walking around the zoo at night, but again, wow on the crowds.  We went Sunday night at 6p and I thought for sure it wouldn't be terrible crowds, but there were a lot of people.  We still had fun and didn't lose anyone.  Here's my girls near some lit up trees.  We loved seeing the lions and gorillas and of course the choreographed light show.

 Dinner didn't go as planned - every where around the zoo was mobbed.  Perhaps I should have expected it but again, it was Sunday night, so it was a little random.  Instead we hopped a cab back to our hotel and ate at the bar.  Worked out fine because the girls played in the lobby area and we promptly headed upstairs for a movie.

Eventually everyone fell asleep, no small feat when you have five in a hotel room.  The next day was a bit cold and rainy so we hit up Starbucks for breakfast, spent time swimming in the hotel pool, and then headed over to Nordstrom's plaza for lunch and some walking around.  I think the best part of that was getting a special new ornament with all of our names on it.

We caught an afternoon train home after all that which was good because the girls were tired.  All in all, not the best trip away but not the worst.  I think I need to plan some reservations for meals next time we go, and hopefully these girls will realize you need to walk when you go to the city (this mom hates complaining!!).  We'll definitely do it again, but not sure if it'll be next year or not.  I do hope we plan it with trips to the Nutcracker or another Broadway show, and nice dinners out some day.  I think it would make for special memories...

A couple of random pictures that also encompass our December.  First up - my birthday.  It was a relatively ordinary day this year - falling on a work day, and one that required I be downtown but I managed to get out for a glass of wine with a friend, stop by a work holiday party, and quickly take the train home to celebrate with all my special girls.  They had gotten me a cake, and Mark used all the candles we have from the kids birthdays to add up to 38.  It looked pretty funny.

 A better view of the numbers...

Finally, some of my girls running around.  Margot is a piece of work.  She's on the move and yet always so cuddly.  She loves to be held and loved on but also gives it right back, giving lots of random hugs and kisses and telling you how much she loves you.

While Isla doesn't like to be loved on as much as her sister, she does love her sister Margot, and probably shows her the most affection - she carries her around, comforts her if she's crying, and just generally plays with her all the time.

And one final of Margie..how cute is this face?

Tis the Season

When we got home from Michigan it was time to switch seasons...to my favorite season.  It's the one holiday I have a lot of home decor for, and we put it all up that following weekend I think.  Two trees went up, decorations on the mantle, stockings, trimmed the staircase and doorways, put lights up outside, it was glorious.  It's impossible not to feel happy when you see Christmas lights I think.  Not only would I love to see them around town, but I loved pulling up to our house in the evenings and seeing the lights on bright.  

I do most of the decorations myself, but we got a fake tree last year and so Mark and I did that part together.  Then the girls descended to help with the ornaments.  Isla is ready for the season...

And you will see Sawyer in these jammies A LOT in pictures.  I swear she wore them all month. They love to put the ornaments up and see the ones with their names on them, or hear where I got them - like if they are from Mark's or my childhood.

Sawyer went around the house and took pictures of all the decorations - here's the tree in all it's glory.

We also headed into town that weekend to catch some of the town's festivities.  There was a Gingerbread family walking around, Santa was in his house, and there were carriage rides.  I can't remember why we went into town in the first place - maybe we went out to lunch? but regardless we stayed and hung out for like 3-4 hours, so these girls were plum tuckered out when we got home.

Here were are waiting to go on the carriage ride.  We waited probably 45 minutes or so for this, and they were troopers.  I was willing to walk away but they were all for it.

 Here we are on the carriage ride.  Everyone really enjoyed it, but Margot did not that the horse smelled like poop.

 Next up we went over to see Santa.  Sawyer was not interested / afraid to go up and stood back, but Isla hopped right on up there, told Santa her name, and started in on all the things she wanted for Christmas.

Margot was excited to see Santa, but unsure at the same time.  She did not want to sit on his lap, but was willing to smile for some pictures as long as I was in between her and the big man.

We hit up the candy shop, went to see the Christmas tree, and walked all the way home.  It was a great day, and I hope to make that happen each year because it was so fun.  Of course also high on the priority list was to introduce the kids to some new Christmas movies.  Sawyer got a special night up with just Mom to watch Home Alone for the first time.  She loved it, and we watched it several times more over the next month.

Because the weather was getting cooler we also tucked into some projects we had waiting for us at home.  One of our favorites was finally breaking into the tie-dye kit Sawyer got for her birthday.  I finally remembered to pick up a 10 pack of t-shirts at Target and we were on our way.

We don't have it 100% figured out, but the few the girls let me help them with turned out ok.  This is probably our best...

We are thinking of doing some tie-dying this summer the next time we're together with a big group of family or friends.  Lots of other random pictures - these two continue to be best buds...

Margot likes her alone time with Mark when both Isla and Sawyer are in school.  I caught them playing soccer one day. 

And this girl likes to dress up more than anyone I know.  WHen she has friends over I often see princesses running around the house, but she's equally partial to cows, cowgirls, and just random accessories.  Here she is wearing her beret.

And lastly, one of the highlights was going to Isla's school concert.  It was the cutest thing and I'm so excited that Margot will be doing it the next two years.

A bit about November

There is not much that sticks out to me for the first half of November, but the highlights of the month were Thanksgiving in Michigan, Isla's 5th Birthday, and continued progress potty training Margot.

First up was Thanksgiving.  We went to Manchester for a couple of nights to see Grandma and Grandpa, Ann, Ted, Charlie, and Ben.  The kids always have fun together and this was no exception, and they always enjoy the trip.  Sawyer was saying the other day she likes getting up early (before Mark and I) and sitting with Grandma and Grandpa by the fire.  If memory serves, they get hot chocolate, berries, and cereal all with some serious 1:1 attention, which my kids eat right up.  We always have a great meal and this year was no exception.  It was relaxing and fun.  Sawyer was eating up the piano time, and put on a concert for all of us.  She'd not taken a single lesson but had sheet music out, seemed like she was following it, and was turning pages.  At least she looked the part.

This year, Isla's birthday fell on Thanksgiving Day.  She had requested a Rainbow Dash pony cake, and I was determined to make her a homemade one this year.  Rainbow Dash was daunting and I eventually convinced her that a rainbow cake was equally as special.  I was pleased with how it turned out...and it worked nicely for the kids' Thanksgiving dessert.  As always she was spoiled by the family and had lots of fun toys to play with while at Grandma and Grandpa's and when we got home.

By the time it was time to go home we were all tuckered out.  We had met up with Daddy's friends, made some new kids friends, played with cousins...all great stuff.  But it was time to go home, and it ended up being a quiet ride.  2 out of the 3 fell asleep, and Isla just watched a movie quiet as a mouse.

When we were home, we also let Isla pick an activity she wanted to do for just our family to celebrate her.  She chose to go to a big arcade type place where we had a pizza lunch, played lots of games to collect tickets, and did some bumper cards.  This was a highlight for her and Sawyer.

Margot may have been too small for the bumper cards but the girl loves her games, especially the ones where you have to shoot.  She screams AHHH as she shoots, and sometimes would just go into the big games and pretend she was playing.  

As for potty training, we were definitely on the road in November, but progress was slow.  There was a lot of this going on....

when we tried to get our girl to wear underwear, or sit on the potty.  We tried not to push, but this was a frustratingly slow step in the process.