To Rachael and Jeff, their new baby girl Olivia was born a bit early on December 27 but still weighed in at a very healthy 6 lbs 6 oz. We can't wait to meet her!
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What did we do? Went to the zoo b/c I our girls love it so much. They slept perfectly on our ride down so Matt and I actually got to listen to a radio station of our choice for once :) We went through areas where it was raining so that worried me a little bit but once we got down there it was a great day. Our kids were probably the most bundled up but they didn't complain of being either hot or cold and let me tell you some of those other kids looked cold. Every time we would see a statue Piper would want her picture taken with it but then when we would get out the camera she wouldn't look *insert eye roll here*
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Piper and Violet were so excited to see that Santa brought them presents this morning AND ate their cookies! Piper got a pink book with a pen that talked and Violet a purple baby. They were spoiled by wonderful gifts from friends and family that lived far away - thank you everyone!
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for Christmas morning. We prime our kids for weeks about this day and now it is here and the procrastinators list starts - wrap gifts, ugh! It was a busy day for us today :) Matt got a Christmas haircut and we did a little shopping for some fabric that I need for a project over the holidays. This afternoon we baked cookies (all sugar gingerbread men) and then decorated some. Yesterday the girls got a taste of decorating when we went to a friend's house and had a little play group so they has been psyched for it all day. Tonight they set out Santa's cookies (we all hope that he likes them),
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Let me start by saying that I don't like that term but some days it just seems so fitting. I have heard of it from other families but (forgive my ignorance at the time) thought "I have a 2 year old and she isn't like that". That would have been when Piper was 2, now 3 that is a different story and post :) So a long came Violet and the closer to 2 that our little princess is getting the more stressed out at her behavior I am getting. She is sassy like you would not believe, when she doesn't want to do something she will point at you scrunch her face up and yell "NO!" - huh? She disobeys most of the things that we ask her to do and we use timeouts but she isn't learning anything from them. Have I mentioned the drama? OMGoodness, she cries like it is the end of the world when you tell her she can't have/do something. Of course she wants to do everything that Piper does but doesn't realize that sometimes she can't, that takes her over the edge too. I know it will get better but what I am worried about is that coming up next is the 3's for her and after getting 1/2 way through them with Piper I may not have any hair left this time next year. Ah well, they have come a long way with plugs :)
Yesterday the family brought Piper to her ballet class b/c Matt hasn't had the chance yet to go and watch her. It was 70 - yes 70 here outside for the past few days so Violet and I took advantage of it and took a walk while Piper was dancing. I had her dressed with too much on so I took off the sweater after I took these pictures.
Her supermodel pose :)
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I attempted, although rather unsuccessfully, to get a picture of our tree. It has mostly homemade or old ornaments that have been given to Matt and I or we have bought from one place or another together. I have 1 thing on there from my Great Grandma's tree - an old reindeer that just sits on a branch and I love that ornament probably the most. The girls are fascinated by the ornaments and I know that next year I will have to go back to decorating it with pine cones b/c I will have a little adventurer in the house. After seeing all the beautiful trees that are out there I have decided to maybe hit the after Christmas sales and pick up some big white bulbs and decorate with those next year, we'll see if I actually do though b/c I do love our colored lights. There are 2 presents under there right now but those will get put up when the girls go down tonight or else I fear they will be opened tomorrow :)
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Every year we end up buying too much for the kids and then taking some back before Christmas. This year we scaled waaayyy back and only got 1 big present for the both of them to share and then a few smaller gifts to open. After thinking about it we actually are taking back that big present and just giving them the smaller ones that I hope they will enjoy just as much. Tonight after dinner gave me hope, instead of hitting the playroom for one of their princess/fairy dresses they made their own out of newspapers. They danced and twirled in them and then HAD to show their Daddy their beautiful dresses. I think this will be a wonderful Christmas!
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Yesterday I dragged the kids out and got a picture for our card, ordered them, and will pick up today to get in the mail tomorrow or the next day. This past weekend Matt got our lights up on the house and I decorated the tree. After looking at the stack of loot that I have been acquiring over the past month I believe that Christmas shopping for our family and the families I am buying for are done. I must say being a procrastinator I am pretty proud of myself (and hubs too). Now our attention must turn to Piper's room and a little drywall project in our kitchen. I will decorate the room while Matt does the project - I can't wait for them both to be done! Here are a few of my favorite shots from yesterday - but not the card shot which actually isn't one of my favorites but it will do :)
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I procrastinate and then I stress EVERY year over Christmas cards - why? This morning Matt and I took the girls to yet again try and get a Christmas picture for our card and again (mostly b/c of my lack of experience) didn't get a good picture. I got a fabulous shot of the both of them but their faces are shadowed. Ugh, I can see me addressing them like 2 days before Christmas :) I know that I can't talk any of them into going back this afternoon either and look at how pretty the campus that we went to was - I like this one of Matt and the girls especially the face on Violet. Anyway, wish me luck b/c I need it.
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I wonder if the saying "Don't do that or your face will freeze that way" might come out of my mouth at some point. I have learned that as a mom you never know so never say never :)
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