December wrap up

December 31- We celebrated New Years Eve as a family. The girls spent some time at Grandma and Grandpa's house, but were home in time for dinner. We had Chinese food, which is one of E's favorites. Then, we went to the US Bank Eve at the Convention Center. They had bouncy houses, magic shows, bubble shows, and a DJ for dancing. M loved bouncing, and wasn't worried about being the littlest kid in the bounce house. She took lots of turns bouncing. E's favorite was a bouncy obstacle course, she went through a bunch. M tried too, but she was a little too small to make all the parts work. M also went on the tight rope. She had to wait in line a very long time for it, but really enjoyed it once it was her turn.

Once we left the celebration, it was home for rootbeer "flakes" and a program. Then bed. None of us made it to midnight! 
 
December 30- We kept up our break tradition of going to the Milwaukee Public Museum. We brought along our "Subway sandwiches" for a "picnic" at the Museum. And, went through most of the exhibits. We even went to the special robot exhibit. The girls had a wonderful time. E didn't want to see the "breathing dinosaur" but other then that, wanted to see everything. M was absolutely delightful to watch as she explored the Museum, one of the best part of the girls is getting to see everything through their eyes.

December 29- M is getting more and more words each day. She now says: juice (ju ju), more (mo), bye, elbow, bowl, I don't know, and oh no. All are new in the last few days. She also says No, Kitty, Katie, Awa (for all girls), Anna (her friend at school), help (hepie), upie, and Elmo.

We had a bit of a run around day today. The girls dropped me off at my dentist appointment, which took much longer then necessary, so they did some shopping with dada. Then, home for quite time, and then E and dada took the car to an oil change. After that, we played with new Christmas toys for a while, before the girls went to Ama and Ada's for dinner and playtime. Dada and I got some much needed time to relax.

December 28- We had our final Christmas celebration today, we had breakfast with Ama, Ada, Nate, and Annie. We also finished opening Christmas presents. Both girls got items they really wanted, M her own baby doll, and E an "American Girl Doll" both have been playing with them ever since.

We wrapped up the day with a movie party, and of course, danced through the credits. M did her usual spinning dance, and E danced with Dada and I.

December 27- E has been getting up at 4 am lately, which is not great. This morning, M got in on the act too. It made for some tired parents! We went to Ama and Ada's for breakfast, and then opened Christmas gifts. After a little while, M hit the wall and needed lunch and a nap. So we stopped. M totally has the hang of opening gifts, and is lots of fun to watch.

After nap, we went to Great Grandma's  (or Ama Ama as M calls her) for her traditional Christmas dinner. The girls both ate well and were well behaved. Their cousin S was there, along with a friend. Both girls were wonderful with the little ones, and E and M had a wonderful time with them.

December 26- It has been unseasonably warn here, so we have been lucky to get outside for the last few days with E and M's friends. It is the most we've ever played outside in December without snowpants. Aside from time with the girls friends, we spent the whole day at home, and enjoying our new Christmas things.

December 25- Today was Christmas day, and the girls had a wonderful day. E got up at 4, but was able to fall back asleep. Luckily she was too tired when she got up to realize it was Christmas! We started our morning by collecting the Hershey Kisses Santa left on the steps (M is a really good collector and a very fast eater). We opened gifts leisurely, taking time to set things up and play with them. By far the biggest hit was the Playmobile swimming pool. E was very good about sharing it.

Ama and Ada came over and visited for an hour, and then we finished up our gifts. E opened hers quickly and M slowly, so there was a little sadness about that, but nothing major. We got to play outside with our friends and they compared holidays, then we finished the day with pizza and the Muppets Christmas Carol.

December 24- We celebrated Christmas Eve by visiting with friends. We spent the morning with my friends from high school, and E got to play with L and C. Then, we exchanged gifts and played with A, A, and R. We had a picnic lunch and some playtime. We went to church, and made it through about 30 minuted before M started saying "no, no, no, no, no" and we had to get her out.

December 23- We kept up our tradition of going to the Children's Museum over winter break. M played for a long time in the water room, but was willing to wear a smock, so she didn't get as drenched as last time, and E had a good time in the building area, paint window, and play kitchen. After the museum, we went to Ian's Pizza, and E ate almost an entire piece by herself!

M also discovered a new favorite food today, Cherrios and milk. She ate several bowls.

December 22- We played at home today, and M started throwing this mini-tantrums. She didn't actually scream or cry, she just started putting her head on the floor and looking really sad. Its not the most effective tantrum, but I'm sure she'll get the hang of it.

December 21- Today was R's birthday and Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa N. E and I had a great time at R's party, and M even made it for a little bit after nap.

We had our Christmas celebration with Grandma and Grandpa tonight. The girls had a great time at their house, E was excited to show off the advent calendar that she has been working on after school. The girls waited patiently to open presents. The hit of the night was M's ride on horsey. Both girls took turns (pretty well playing with it). E was also thrilled with the bed for her princesses, and put them to bed the second she got home.

December 20- M had been very interested in snacking lately, tonight she wanted two. She climbed up on the couch, and laid down, it was adorable.

December 19- The girls are good friends and pretty good about sharing with each other. M is at the age where she wants to do everything that E does, and usually E lets here. Tonight, we had a movie party, which is why they are having popcorn, and M wanted to sit next to E, luckily it was a night when E was ok with that.

Today was the last day of school before winter break, and E was pretty excited to know that she was going to have so many days of vacation. M doesn't have school for two weeks either, but unlike E, I think she'd be sad if she realized that. Today, she brought cookies for her fellow classmates, and they were a hit.

December 18- No picture :(

December 17- M absolutely loves E's big girl bed. Whenever she gets the chance and we are upstairs, she makes a break for it. She loves to climb on it, sit on it, and generally play on it. If you ask her if she wants her own big bed, she nods. But, she won't be getting one anytime soon.

December 16-

December 15- E discovered coffee filter snowflakes at the Verona library the other day, and has been unstoppable ever since, that is why there are scraps of paper all over the floor. The girls often dance together, E always tries to hold M's hands and M lets her for a little bit, before wanting to be independent and spin.

December 14- We had another movie party tonight, and M once again got into the chair. Tonight M was being silly, she kept trying to put her foot into the bowl, which drove E crazy.

December 13- We had breakfast with Santa today and went to Verona to see reindeer at the library. It was our most successful breakfast with Santa yet. Both girls actually ate. After about half the meal, M became fascinated with Santa and we stood the the side watching him and the kids. When it was time for us to see Santa the girls got pretty close, as long as I was with them, and E even asked for hair chalk. After Santa we did a few crafts.

In the afternoon, I took the girls to see reindeer at the library. We were a little early, so they got to play in the library. They both really like the toys at the Verona library. We had some of the complimentary hot chocolate, which M immediately dumped on the floor. The reindeer didn't make much of an impression on the girls, but E learned how to cut paper snowflakes, which have become her new obsession.

December 12- M found this slinky the other day and it has become one of her most favorite things. She loves pulling it apart and trying to chew or stick her tong through it. We haven't bothered to teach her about how it goes downstairs, since she is so happy with what it can already do.

December 11- For some reason, M has having a hard time after bath tonight, she pulled me over to sit on the steps with her, and that calmed her down.

December 10- Today was E's Christmas program at school. I was lucky enough to go twice, during the afternoon, I was able to concentrate, so in the evening I could hold M if things when out of control. E's class did a great job, and at the evening performance, she even saw us in the audience which made her really happy.

Before the performance, we had dinner with Ama and Ada, and the girls were clowning around on the picnic blanket.

December 9-  M found dada's cribbage set and has loved opening and closing it.

December 8- Today M and Ada came to coffee break. It has been a long time since they'd been there, and M had a great time seeing everyone again. She made sure to point out her "momma" to everyone, and also her "Boppa" or sometimes her "Boppy." In the evening, both girls painted, and helped dada cook dinner. M had a great time dancing during the cooking and watching Sesame Street.

December 7- We spent most of the day around the house today. The girls got to play with their friend A, and his baby sister. M loved having a baby at her house, and spent most of the playdate pointing out the baby, and saying "baby, baby, baby." We also finished decorating our gingerbread houses, putting E's together, and M eating candy.

December 6- This morning, M went swimming with dada, and then to Costco with Ama and Ada. E and I had art class, and then met everyone for lunch at Apricot. After quiet time, we decorated gingerbread houses with A, A, and R. M wasn't interested in decorating, but she did love the fact that their were little bowls of candy everywhere. After eating candy, M went to play with dada, and occasionally checked back in with everyone. The girls played around the house, and in E's room, and were totally wild on candy!

December 5- We had a pizza party for dinner tonight, we picked up the girls pizza and they had video games and a lollipop machine. The girls had a good time pretending to play, and eating lollipops. At home we watched the Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, which E thought was amusing, but I think she missed a lot of the plot. 

December 4- Pile on daddy, E wanted to have a fancy diner tonight, so we did. A fancy dinner mostly meant getting out the Christmas dishes, and having hot chocolate with it.

December 3- I thought M looked so cute in these PJs, we always called them the magic PJs when E wore them, so now, E calls them the magic jammies.

December 2

December 1- Much to E's delight, it was finally time to start the Advent Calendar today! Both girls really like the idea of getting chocolate everyday.

November 30- We got our Christmas tree today, and we needed to decorate it right away. We had a hard time convincing her to wait until it relaxed! M was pretty unsure about the tree, once it was in the house and set up, she just looked at it, pointed, and backed away. Then, she noticed that it made pine needles on the floor and didn't like that one bit. She started pointing and grunting, when I used the vacuum to clean them up, she had about had it!

M wasn't too interested in decorating, but E loved it. She liked looking at each ornament, and talking about them or hearing stories about them. 

November 29- Today the girls and I went to Monroe to see their friends E and A. We got there and decorated cookies. M wasn't interested in decorating, but thought it was great when she got a plate of cookies to "eat." Then, we had lunch at McDonalds and played in the playland. Titi took M through the play structure, which she really liked and E went further in the structure then ever before. After some more playtime, including hide and seek and some art, we headed home.

We had a funny drive home,  I was talking to E, and I noticed that she was answering funny, I looked back, and she was slumped over asleep. I was hoping she'd stay asleep when we got home, but no such luck, but girls woke up after a quick nap. We managed to get them both to bed, but it was dicy!

November 28- Today the girls had a jammie day, and we got to play with our friend J. We hadn't seem him in a long time, and it was really fun to watch M play with someone her own age. They , played together pretty well, shared pretty well, and no one hit anyone.

November 27- we celebrated Thanksgiving with everyone at our house, we made the turkey, mashed potatoes, and jello, and everyone brought everything else. E was so excited to have "her guests" over, and spent all day asking when they were coming. She was a wonderful helper, and served the pie. She insisted on putting whipped cream on everyone's pieces, and then added sprinkles. Surprisingly, the sprinkles worked.

November 16- Today we got lots done. The girls and I took a nice snow walk this morning, M and E both made snow angels. E had her traditional snowy morning breakfast of a bowl of snow, M didn't know what to think. Then we played around the house, and ran a few errands. After quite time, E and I went to see Stella Queen of the Snow, which E enjoyed. She wasn't expecting puppets, so it took her a little while to warm up. We had a dinner party and a dance to round out the evening. 

November 15- We had pretend Thanksgiving today. We started the day at swimming lessons, and M had a great time. E did well too, she was proud of her kicking today. Then we had lunch at home before heading to Ama and Ada's for the rest of the day. The girls played with their uncles and grandparents, E made pumpkin pie, and then we all had Thanksgiving dinner. 

November 14-Today Teddy got to go with M to school, and then pick up E from school, so both girls got lots of good Teddy time. We had fish fry with Ama, Ada, and Teddy. M actually ate some fish bites, she is generally a good eater, so I wasn't to surprised.

November 13- Tonight was one of those nights that I wasn’t home very much. Dada and the girls had a nice evening together with a small movie party. When I got home, it was time for tubbies (and M’s first accident in the tub) and bed. M and I have started reading the “baby” book, which was a favorite of E’s when she was little, so its fun to read it for M.

November 12- Teddy is home for a visit, and is making the most of his time. He got to spend the morning with M, and they went to breakfast at one of his favorite restaurants, Cleveland’s. He reports that M gave him lots of hugs and kisses. In the evening, we took the girls to an “adult restaurant” at which they did pretty well. There was more walking around then I was hoping for. But, overall they did pretty well. Both girls were exhausted when we got home and fell asleep almost immediately.

Tonight, M lost her lollipop and cried and cried about it, but it was easy to find!

November 11- Dada had teachers conferences tonight, so it was just the girls for the evening. We were supposed to swap girls with the neighbors for some playtime, but R was sick. We decided to have A over anyway, and she played with E and M. We made Chex Mix, had dinner, and the girls played the princess cupcake game.

M was funny tonight, it was the most naughty that I’ve seen her be. She wanted to be in with the big girls constantly. She wouldn’t leave them alone for anything. She would get right into what they were doing and try to play. Once A was home, she wouldn’t leave E alone, she would walk up and hit her, have a time out, give E a hug and kiss, and then get right back in E’s face and hit again.

November 10- On the 11^th, M was all over E, tonight, E was all over M. In the picture above, M is running away, and E is chasing her. E wanted to put a “belt” on M, and M wasn’t having it.

November 9- Today we spent a lazy day around the house. Neither girl changed out of their jammies. E wanted to make cookies, but I couldn’t even get her to change to make ingredients. E got out her ribbon stick for dancing and M wanted to dance too. She solved her own problem by getting her ribbon ring to dance with.

November 8- It was my birthday today and the girls and dada gave me a great birthday. They brought me coffee and breakfast in bed (which M wanted to share with me). They spent the morning with dada, while I relaxed. We had dinner with Ama, Ada, and Grandma and Grandpa at Nitty Gritty, and then headed home for naps. We had some nice playtime then the girls went to Ama and Ada’s while we went out for dinner. They had make-your-own pizza, and both E and M ate more pizza then anyone had ever seen either of them eat!

November 7- We had a funny evening, we picked dada up at happy hour, and then did a bit of shopping at Hilldale. E needed new shoes, which we managed to find for her. Then we had dinner at Famous Dave’s where the girls shared some corn dogs and played with the video poker machine (no gambling for them though!)

November 6- M looked so cute this morning sleeping with her tump in the air, she is so cheerful when she wakes up, it’s fun getting her up in the morning. But, shortly after, she woke up, and we did a little rock-a-babying. E heard us, and came running, so I got to start the day with snuggles from both of my girls.

November 5- This morning, like every morning this week, M and E have both wanted Halloween candy for breakfast. Their have been quite a few tears over that issue. Today, I was along when Ada and M picked up E from school and then we hurried home so dada could make a doctor appointment. It was great timing, we got to play outside with A and A. The girls played soccer for awhile and then the little ones played on the swings for a long time. The big ones swung for awhile too.

We had a dinner picnic on the living room floor and E actually ate her entire dinner! At bedtime, we've got some new traditions. M and I read three stories (Curious George and the Puppies and two others) then she and dada rock while they listen to the Mickey music box.

November 4- Today we took the girls to vote before school. We had high hopes for the election, which were dashed. The girls enjoyed voting and the stickers they got. In the evening, we were surprised by a night "off" as the girls played at the neighbors houses. M got to play with A, and to see their kitty, which she was so excited about. M had a hard bedtime, I had to rock her until she fell asleep, which is unusual. E was worn out, the time change has been hitting her hard!

November 3- Today I finally heard M's new word "no" she has used it exactly twice. Both times, she says it like its no big deal and she talks all the time, even though that isn't the case. In the morning, E did some lovely hair styling with M, I'm assured that even though it doesn't look like it, M was excited to have her hair done. Apparently, she asked Ada to put them back into her hair at nap time. Both girls had an early bed time, as they adjusted to the time change. M woke up in the middle of the night, which she doesn't often do.

November 2- We spent some time around the house today, and M spent some time wearing big girl undies! She is pretty good about using the potty, but she's not quite there yet! Because of daylight savings time, the girls were up by 6:15, and ready to roll. Dada and I were exhausted, we ran through all the activities by 10:30! We did get some new markers, and the girls had a great time coloring, they found a new coloring spot, on the steps, but it requires some close watching so that the walls don't end up with a new decoration.

E and dada went to a karate birthday party, but E was scared of the karate, and so they left. In the evening, they girls went over to Ama and Ada's house of a taco party.

Hallowen

November 1- Today was probably one of M's most favorite days ever. She got one on one time with both parents. She and dada spent the morning together while E and I were at Fossil class, and then she and I got some one on one time while E and dada went to church. The thing I think M liked most about the day was getting to play with and walk our neighbor's dog. She absolutely loved holding the leash, and walking with the dog. We played together inside for awhile, she pretended to feed E's baby doll, and then made a nice picture out of glitter glue.

It was also a first today, the first time that she has insisted on wearing a dress up dress.

October 31- We did quite a bit of Halloween celebrating today. We started the day with Halloween pancakes at IHOP with Ama and Ada and then the girls went to their house for the day. They got to go to the Children's Museum for the second day in a row, which E thought was amazing. M had a great time in the water room, and apparently got completely soaked.

We picked the girls up early, grabbed dinner and costumes, and went to trick or treat at the mall with A and A. The girls got tons of candy, and had a great time. M liked choosing candy from the big bowl, and wandering around the mall.

Then, we got home, put on warmer clothes, and went out to the nieghborhood. M lost interest after two houses, so she and dada went home, E, R, A, and A kept going and made a big loop around the neighborhood.

October 30- E didn't have school today, so she spent the day with Ama and Ada, they said they loved getting the chance to spend the day with her. Grandma and Grandpa dropped off a Halloween cake, and the girls decorated it. E had a hard time putting on the frosting, but they both liked putting on the sprinkles.

We had to go out tonight to get E new shoes, she wore holes through her other pair, and refuses to wear the tennis shoes she and dada got at the end of the summer. She picked boots, and looks adorable in them. However, she refused to get a second pair of shoes. She had her heart set on the boots, and every other pair made her fall down. We had dinner at the food court and played in Build a Bear and the play area.

October 29- The girls started out the day with breakfast at Mickies (and I spent the whole day thinking it was Thursday, since that is our regular breakfast day). Then M had a playdate with the grandson of Ama and Ada's friend. In the evening, Ada and I took the girls to trick or treat on State Street. It only took M a few stores to get the idea of trick or treating, she started walking right up to bowls and grabbing candy. She had such a big smile, and was so cute in her costume, no one cared that she took more then one piece. We made it from the Historical Society to the Overture Center where we watched a magic show before heading back. I have never seen E enjoy a show like that one, it was so fun to watch her.

E had her class Halloween party today, she wore her costume all day, and they participated in a costume parade and had lots of snacks.

October 28- Tonight we had the little girls to play at our house, and they had a good time with each other. We have two cash registers, which helped because they were able to each use one. We decided that M would be  a monkey for Halloween since she it was a warm costume. She loved being a monkey and even wore the costume while playing with A. M and ada have been heading to the park as much as possible this week to make the most of the nice weather.

October 27- The weather was beautiful today and M and Ada went to the park. I dropped E off at school this morning, it was nice to see all her classmates again. We are working to get back in the swing of things, but we got out of the house as best as we could.

M has been so into these Halloween decorations, she is always very gentle with them, and likes to make sure they are matched up just right.

October 26- The weather was great today, we had a very nice family day. The girls and I had an outside picnic for lunch today, not something I expected in late October. We carved pumpkins before dinner. E was so excited to do this and couldn't wait to get started. She made a great pumpkin, although she didn't want to touch the insides. M liked drawing on her pumpkin, and tried to use a child knife to carve. In the end, she played while I finished hers.

October 16- Today was a beautiful fall day, so M, Ama and Ada got to spent a lot of time outside. M and Ama went to play at Hoyt, and M really enjoyed being with the other kids. After work today, M and I took a quick walk to stare at our neighbor's cat Gracie. Gracie likes to look out the window between the two sections of blinds which M find amusing.

After that we headed for dinner at Costco, as usual, M ate a great meal, she loved wandering the store. E picked out a few great Halloween costumes for her. But we decided to hold off.

In the picture above, the girls are fighting over the soda we got at Costco, they were trying to alternate after 2 sips each. But, M doesn't understand alternating, and E isn't shy about ripping it out of her sister's hand.

October 15- Today dada took E to gymnastics, so M and I had a nice hour together. We played all over the house (with nothing longer then 3 minutes) then we took a walk. Right before the walk I asked M if she wanted a snack. She nodded yes, and then said "affle" (apple). This is really one of the first times M has used words in that way. Generally, she just identifies things and points them out. Her words so far are: key, pool, balloon (booo), momma, dada, sissy, Ama, and Boppa.

We had a nice family dinner, and then the girls took a tubby were M tried to eat all the bubbles with a spoon.

M has also discovered our dryer balls. she now loves helping me fold clothes (where she tries to reach in and grab the balls), and putting the wet clothes into the dryer.

October 14- Tonight the big girls played at our house while M and her friend A played at R's house. M had a great time, and R's mom reports that she was very sweet, at one point choosing to stop playing and help cook.

E and the big girls had a good time too. We did a few different art projects, they are also getting pretty good at entertaining themselves, which is nice. One of my favorite parts of the evening was listening to them talk to each other, and listening to how they felt things were run at our house.

October 13- M has a new favorite thing, her Mickey Mouse music box. As soon as she wakes up, she calls for Sissy to turn it on. She likes it to be playing while she nurses, during diaper changes, and pretty much any time we are in her room. M and Ada came to coffee break today, M is starting to get braver at break, she points to each person around the table, and for a minute today, I thought she was going to ask to be on someone else's lap!

October 12- M got a new car seat for grandma and grandpa's car, and E had the idea to color on the box the seat came in. Both girls had a great time working on that project. M and dada got some nice time together today, since E and I went to the Packer Party at her school. During the beginning of the game we made sandwiches to be delivered to a shelter. Despite being 4, I think E was one of the hardest workers there. She was originally in charge of scooping jelly onto bread. After doing that for a little while, she switched to putting sandwiches in paper bags. She filled bags faster then I could open them.

In the evening, the girls went over to Grandma and Grandpa's house. I overhead a funny exchange on the way out. After Grandma told E they were having spaghetti, E said "well then M has to eat naked babies" and Grandma told her she didn't think people should be naked at the table. Well, E was right, M came home covered in sauce!

October 11- Today was our friend A's birthday, she had an amazing Frozen themed party. E has decided she wants the same party in March. Both girls went to the party, and they both had a lot of fun. E liked all the activities, and M liked being around the big kids and being part of the fun. At one point, I tried to take M home, and she followed me right back to the party!

In the afternoon, E and I made cookie bars (she has been asking to make cookies for a long time now) and we played outside to take advantage of the beautiful fall day.

October 10- Today was a bit different, E didn't have school today, so we started out the day with a leisurely breakfast at home. Then M had her 18 month check up and E was scheduled for a flu shot. Both girls were amazing at the doctor. M didn't cry (she used to cry from the second she saw the doctor) and E entertained herself for the most part. 

M continues to be a nice, normal size. Although I'm not sure how tall she is, the first time they measured her it was clearly short, and the second time seems to tall. She weights 21.8 pounds.

After the doctor, both girls went to M's school. E has been so curious about M's school and has asked lots of great questions about it, so it was really nice for her to see it. Then after lunch, E got to march in dada's school's homecoming parade (and M got to watch). E really liked the parade, and got lots of candy. Then, in the evening, the girls, Dada, and Ada had dinner together while Ama and I went to a resale.