How We Roll

We got to go on a walk today...OUTSIDE.  Very exciting.  It's been way too long...and way too snowy on those sidewalks!  As an extra bonus, Helena sang Christmas songs to us during the entire walk.  Mostly just "Come on it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you!"...over, and over, and over, and over.  She only knows the one line of that song.  But, today, it was cute and very appropriate.  Let's just hope she drops the Christmas songs before summer rolls around.
-Emily :)

P.S. - My double stroller is awesome...I love it.  Harper wasn't too thrilled about sitting behind Helena for the first few times but he's on board now.  ;)

There's a Party in My Tummy!

I made these for breakfast this morning.  Fabulous.  Ash & I tested them before giving to Helena (wasn't in the mood for a giant food fight this morning...she ate just plain whole wheat pancakes)...but I think possibly she would eat them next time.  I grated the carrots on the smallest 'setting' on my grater to see if they would be virtually unnoticeable by a picky 3 year old's discerning eyes.  And I think they might pass the test.  Or not be noticed to test.  Whatever.  They're good.  Try them. :)

-Emily :)

More Christmas -- In Pictures

Helena excited about leaving cookies for Santa and his reindeer.

Harper with Great-Grandparents Harris & Sarah.

This is the best sequence of pics ever.  One of the better ways to get  them to sit still together is to have them all have the same toy. :)

The hats were causing a conundrum....

....and...sneak attack of the Jessie Doll!!!

....and...back to normal.  :)

Helena & Cousins at Ash's family Christmas in KC.  I am horrible about taking pics when we're in KC for some reason!  Promise to be better next time!

Helena & Ellie stoked about their matching princess pajamas.

-Emily :)

New Design

What do you guys think?  I think it's more fun, more current, and very cheerful.  :)  But if there are parts that are hard to read due to the font color/size...let me know!

-Emily :)

Expectations

I know, it's past Christmas, but just a few more Christmas-related posts.  Because nothing's going on in January so far.  Ha!  Christmas was really fun with Helena this year.  She totally bought into Santa Claus and was so cute opening her presents and generally being very excited about LIGHTS!, TREES!, etc.

That reminds me of a quick story.  When asked what Helena wanted from Santa this year, she kept changing her mind.  On the letter she wrote to Santa at school she said she wanted "A car...and that's it."  So, I got her some cars from Cars, the movie, and a cool track for them.  Then two days after I ordered that off the internet and had it shipped to my mom's house (you know, since it was 'from Santa') she started saying she wanted 'that game I saw at Walmart'.  Jeez.  So, I got that, too (it was only $10).  Then the answer changed a couple of more times and that's when I drew the line.  No more presents.  And no way would she remember what all she told me she wanted over the past two months.  I had inquired about the car request a little asking her what type of car she wanted...like a toy car or a real car...you know, since that was her official request in the actual letter to Santa.  She replied..."I want both."  I said, "Well, you can't drive a big car."  She replies, mater-of-factly, "Mommy, I'll let you drive it."  So sweet, I thought.  She hates the Cadillac too. :)  I made sure to tell Ash.

Anyway, Christmas morning we open presents, she's stoked about the cars and the cool track.  Slightly less stoked about the game from Walmart.  Ash, Evan and her play with the car track until the four D batteries it runs on poop out.

So later in the morning I am taking Helena to the bathroom and I ask her if she liked her presents from Santa.  She kind of hesitated and said, "Well...mom...I didn't get my car."  I say, "Helena, you got a Lightning McQueen and a 'Mater and a cool track!!  What do you mean?!?"  She replies, "My real car, Mom!  I wanted a white truck!"  I just started laughing.  She was clearly kind of bummed, but not in a bratty way.  I couldn't believe she actually thought she might get a real car for Christmas.  So....I immediately launched into my speech about how real cars cost a lot of money and how some kids don't even get presents for Christmas...yadda yadda yadda.  She tells me she has a lot of money in her piggy banks.  Yadda yadda yadda.  Ash later repeats the same line with her when she brings it up with him.  I'm pretty sure she understood her request was kind of silly by the end of it.

Lesson from Christmas #4 with Helena...don't buy 'Santa presents' until right before Christmas and try to adjust her expectations for next year.

-Emily :)

H Solo

Right before we left town for Christmas, I got Helena to sing her Christmas program songs solo accompanied (kind of) by her new guitar.  She was a little disappointed at first that the guitar didn't know Frosty the Snowman, but she made do.

Again, apologies for my obviously superior videographer skills...just didn't want to miss 'the moment'.  And oh what a cute moment it was.  Coincidentally, I unsuccessfully tried several times to get her to sing this for family when we were home.  One time she made an entire room of 15 people sit covering their eyes for about 10 minutes with the promise to sing, only to not perform.  :)  Fortunately, this video proves she's not really THAT shy.

Ya'll didn't know that somtimes rock stars have to pick their nose and then start the song over again, did you?  Oh, and I think the last few stanzas prove she's going to be an alto.

-Emily :)

First Post of 2011

Whoa, major hiatus from blogging there.  Sorry about that.  We were in Kansas for two weeks over Christmas, got back this past Sunday after possibly one of the more hectic days of travel we've ever had and then this week has been full of house reorganization and finding homes for all of the new toys Helena & Harper raked in. 

Our Kansas trip was great, good to get out of the grind for awhile.  Thanks to my mom and other relatives I actually got a few full nights sleep.  It was great to see everyone we were able to get around to...if we missed you, my apologies, as it seems like trekking around with two kids now is even more hectic than with one.  Who would have guessed?!?

Anyway, I hope everyone had a great holiday and happy new year.  More detailed posts on our holiday adventures to come!

-Emily ;)