We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

Sorry, there were no Christmas cards from our family this year, but we wish everyone a wonderful holiday season!

We had a great Christmas, and it started early. Macy must have been really excited because she woke up at 5:00am! Then Kennedy got up at 6:00, so we watched Sesame Street together before going downstairs to open presents. When Kennedy got to the living room, she was very disappointed not to see Santa, saying "I'm so sad that Santa's not here!" She didn't even notice the presents under the tree! I guess she didn't understand that Santa was just stopping by to drop off the gifts while she was sleeping. Luckily Kennedy didn't make a big deal about the peanut butter cookies that we've been talking about baking for weeks now to leave out for Santa. There just wasn't time to do it with the late naps and then Christmas Eve dinner at Grandma Lu's. Macy wasn't very excited about opening presents, but her big sister helped her out. Both girls got the much requested crocodiles and dinosaurs. Macy's was a pull-along crocodile toy and a dino book (When Dinosaurs Came with Everything) and Kennedy got a stuffed crocodile that she named "Chompy" and a T-Rex puzzle, a triceratops mini flashlight and a little bendable magnetic dinosaur. The best part was hearing Kennedy say, "I'm so excited. I got everything I wanted!"

Our next stop was at my parents' house for more presents and brunch. My mom, Jeff and Kathy tried to keep everything running smoothly while passing out gifts and working on the food. The grandparents opened packages out of turn and couldn't remember what they got or from whom. Macy resisted taking a nap, but finally gave up. Kennedy had a few meltdowns because she was overstimulated, tired and hungry. But honestly, it was a great day! The only thing that could have been better is having Andy and Meg there. After my grandparents were taken home I thought Kennedy would want to take a nap in her new sleeping bag, but no luck. We eventually resorted to putting her in the car while Jake drove home for a forgotten gift in order to get her to fall asleep - worked like a charm! After Kennedy woke up and we finished playing some games with my cousin, Jeff, we packed up and headed off for more.

At Grandma Sue's and Grandpa Brent's we celebrated with a smaller than usual crowd (missed you Kari, Rainier, Ben and McKenzie), but Kennedy loved spending time with her cousins. She was so excited for them to open the presents she chose. Then after a while she was done with it all, and just wanted to go play with the familiar toys in the playroom. Macy was a trooper and in her usual good mood.

I love Christmas, and having the kids just makes it even more fun! Thanks to everyone for the thoughtful, amazing and generous presents! We love you all.

Dear Santa

Kennedy's letter to Santa:

Dear Santa,

You'll bring some presents to me. Thank you very much. I want a crocodile and a dinosaur please. We're gonna leave those cookies out and some milk out. Macy wants a crocodile and a dinosaur just like me, right away. Thank you again, Santa.

From, Kennedy

These are her own words - with a little prompting from us (what else do you want to say to Santa?) Then, on Friday night she got the chance to ask him in person for her dinosaur and crocodile. She's been set on these two items since we very first asked what she wanted for Christmas! Santa was visiting the farm, so we went to see him and to go on the wagon ride to see the lights there. Even Macy sat on his lap, and Kennedy served as her spokesperson. No tears from either one of them!

Hmm...What should I wear?

The girl has a closet full of cute clothes, thanks to her cousin Eliza, and she chooses this to wear? A penguin tee, striped pants from Halloween, vintage bloomers (that go with a dress I wore in my youth) and Hello Kitty socks. And I've caught her a few times saying, "I wonder what I should wear today." She also likes to change her clothes several times a day. I think Kennedy is loving being able to get dressed all by herself. Most days I try not to intervene, but I do occasionally make suggestions, or say, "You pick the shirt and I'll pick the pants." Another one of her favorite things to do is choose Macy's outfit. If I select something before she gets the chance, Kennedy gets a really sad face and says, "but I thought I was going to pick her clothes!"

A Merry Toddler Christmas

The three toddler classes at Kennedy's school put on a holiday program this week. The families gathered in the gym, and when the kids came in all lined up, Kennedy ran straight for us and gave her dad a huge hug! She was so excited to be performing, but some of the other kids did not share her enthusiasm. There were several upset kids crying up on the stage. Each class sang two songs - Kennedy's did something about a dreidel and then a shortened version of Mr. Grinch. Then they all got out their bells and sang Jingle Bells together. They ended with a song that didn't seem to have a winter holiday theme, but it had lots of actions that the kids clearly loved doing - marching, spinning, and stretching. Kennedy was right in the front and did a great job. Afterwards we all enjoyed a nice potluck buffet lunch together at the school. Macy was fascinated and looked like she was very proud of her big sister!

ZooLights!

Monday we went to ZooLights. It was the perfect night for it - not too cold and not too crowded. Kennedy really wanted to call and invite her cousins, but we had to explain to her that it's harder for them to join us at the last minute now that they live farther away. We all bundled up to see the amazing animal-themed light displays.

We were also able to see a few of the live animals. The tiger cubs were quite active, and one was prowling the fence right in front of us. Kennedy and Jake rode the carousel all by themselves, and then Macy and I joined them when the ride was over for a quick photo opportunity.

More December birthday parties

We had another busy weekend. On Saturday Macy and I went to the annual Nelson women and girls' Christmas lunch and ornament exchange. This year we could choose to bring something other than ornaments, but I had supplies on hand to make 14 silver stars with gold bead loops. We had a nice lunch and a fun time visiting. Kennedy wasn't able to join us because she and her dad had a marathon play-date at the Little Gym. First was class and then her school friend Mae Mae's birthday party! They took a quick break in between to go to the toy store for a gift and come home for a snack. What a great day for all of us!

Sunday we went to the Cottonwood Club for my uncle Tim's birthday. The girls were so well behaved - as usual. I just wish they would have cooperated for a picture together. Kennedy really wanted to dress as twins, but they've outgrown the outfits she had in mind. I improvised and put them both in corduroy jumpers with flowers and leggings. It was the best I could do on such short notice, but Kennedy was satisfied.

Cutest girls ever?

We think so!

Macy stories

On Sunday I felt Macy's first tooth! And, she's not just getting one, it's two coming in on the bottom. I guess all she wants for Christmas is her two front teeth, which is good because I don't think Santa will be bringing her anything besides some diapers and a few jars of baby food. Besides, her favorite thing to play with is my keys. When I get her out of the car, Macy eagerly reaches up for the dangling beaded snake key chain I have. I remember that Kennedy also loved it when she was a baby.

I gather from personal observations and grandparent reports that she's getting into a pretty good routine - awake around 6:30, breakfast, playtime, nap, playtime, lunch, nap, playtime, I pick her up (she has a smile that lights up her whole face, which she flashes at me when I come to get her after work), snooze in the car on the way home, playtime, dinner, bath (sometimes), family activity*, bed. Bedtime could be anywhere between 7:30 and 9:00pm, depending on how long and how late her naps were. If we try to put Macy down before she's ready, she cries quite a bit. If Kennedy is trying to fall asleep, she will say, "Take Macy out. She's too loud!" Kicked out of her own room by her own sister! *Some nights she sits in Jake's lap while he plays World of Warcraft and I get Kennedy ready for bed. Other nights she'll listen to us read books or explore whatever is in reach.

Macy is not crawling yet, nor is she really trying to. She will reach for things when she's sitting down and occasionally roll toward something she wants. Usually she is content to amuse herself with things she can grab and then let us know when she's ready to be picked up or brought some other toys. Who needs to crawl when you get this kind of service. Kennedy took her first steps at 8.5 months. I don't think Macy will be walking that early - good thing because we need to put the baby gates back up and be more vigilant with the baby proofing.

Kennedy stories

So after all the potty problems we were having a few weeks ago, I decided to read what the experts suggested. Apparently this isn't an uncommon issue, but basically I gathered that we were putting too much pressure on her. She was choosing to not to use the potty to exercise some degree of control over the whole process. So, the next day we didn't mention it at all. No asking if she needed to go. No reminding her to ask for help when she was ready. Nothing. And, it worked. We've not had a problem since adopting this new strategy. I guess the experts do know a thing or two. Now I need to read about how to keep her in bed.

Last night we put Kennedy to sleep at her usual time, around 8:00pm, and she must have come out of the room four times after that (that we know of). First she said that she needed to use the potty. Not likely since she had just used it five minutes earlier. I asked her if that's what it was, or if she needed something else. She changed her mind and said that she needed some lotion on her nose. The next time her CD had ended, so I changed it from Bingo to Dinosaurs. Then when she came out again I didn't ask what she needed, just took her right back to her room. I thought for sure that all the noise would wake Macy up. Finally Jake and I were downstairs watching a movie thinking that she'd finally gone to sleep, when I heard something. I looked, but didn't see her on the stairs. Then I noticed that the Christmas tree lights had been turned out (one of her favorite things to do to be helpful). I got up and found Kennedy behind the couch and hiding under the table. I asked her if she would please come out and then she said in a little, concerned voice, "Oh, there you are!" I could hear Jake trying not to burst out laughing.

Getting ready for Christmas

We're all getting in the holiday spirit! We bought some outdoor lights and managed to put them up before it got really cold. Our tree is trimmed and the decorations are out. Kennedy got an advent calendar from Aunt Kari and loves opening the windows each night to find a little chocolate treat. We've been out looking at neighborhood lights. There is a house near us that goes all out - it's a full light show, set to music that you listen to through the radio. And we've even started shopping, which is amazing. I always leave most of it until last minute, but our family theme this year seems to be simplify. That means fewer gifts and fewer stops on Christmas. One year we went to celebrate at six different locations (including our house) on Christmas day. Hopefully this year we can keep it to three or four.

Kennedy was sick over the weekend. She started feeling it on Friday, complaining of her throat hurting and saying over and over, "I don't feel good." and "Mama, I'm sorry I don't feel well, sweetie." So cute! She loves to get sympathy when she's sick, and she has heard me say many times, "I'm sorry you don't feel well, sweetie." She had a fever Saturday, so she missed Little Gym, a chance to get H1N1 flu shot #2 and Huck's birthday party. I had a holiday lunch with my book group, so Kennedy went to Grandma Sue's while Jake to Macy to get her shots. Later I got some chicken noodle soup (which is what Huck requested for dinner at the party), asparagus (one of her favorites) and a cake so Kennedy wouldn't feel too sad about missing it - Jake and Macy went without us. We had a nice night playing computer games on PBS Kids and watching Toy Story. Sunday she was feeling much better and no longer had a fever. We went to the Country Club for dinner to celebrate Mimi's birthday. While I was feeding Macy she flapped her arms just as I was giving her the spoonful of carrots - I got orange splatter all over my white sweater.