Christmas Tree

I wasn't sure how we were going to Nina proof the Christmas Tree this year. Originally I thought I might put it on a table and tie it to the railing but I thought the table would just promote more climbing so I decided to keep it on the floor but still tie it to the loft railing. So far that has prevented Nina from toppling it over. We also started out by just putting non-breakable ornaments on the bottom half of the tree until I realized that I don't like picking up 50 ornaments a day so now everything has migrated to the top half of the tree. You can see that she has still managed to pull all the light strings loose. It is not so obvious when we have the lights on though. I am just hoping next year she will have outgrown this mischevious stage a little but I am better it just gets worse.

Bath Time

Nina definitely knows how to take advantage of a situation. Someone (read Philip) forgot to shut the bathroom door after bath time and while I was blow drying Amelia's hair Nina slipped out of the room unnoticed. After a couple minutes I realized she was being awfully quiet; and we know that means trouble. This is what I found. Nina sitting fully clothed into the slowly draining bathtub. She was just as happy (and wet) and could be. No wonder I have so many new gray hairs!

OK, I Have Had Enough

Happy!


Happy!

Happy!

Ok Mom, leave me alone!

Lion King

A couple of days after Thanksgiving, Amelia and I went to see the Broadway production of The Lion King at the Buell Theatre. We went out to a fancy lunch, Amelia's choice was Chick-Fil-A in Castle Rock. Then we realized our tickets were for the next day so we went home and started all over the next day. We went out to lunch at Red Robin this time, Amelia said it was fancier because you get menus. We got to the show a little early so we went to a coffee shop for Hot Chocolate first. We had really great seats in the Mezzanine boxes on the right of the stage. We were like right next to one of the antelopes in the Circle of Life song and the rhino and birds came out right underneath us to go to the stage. Amelia really enjoyed it! Hopefully I have made her love the theatre because I need an excuse to go to more shows. In fact, I think we might do Beauty and the Beast in March.

Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving we travelled to Denver to spend the holiday with Eric and his family. It was such a great day. Britany took care of Nina all day and Amelia always has a great time playing with Cecelia and Erica. I got to just relax and didn't have to worry about Nina getting in the pet food or putting things in the toilet or breaking her face or anything. The food was delicious. After eating we ventured to a very cool playground at a nearby school.


Doesn't she look big?



The coolest teeter-totter I have ever seen.



Nina is driving



The girls all swinging

This was like a stationary pogo-stick thing.

Daddy and His Daughters

This is the exact reason that these little girls love their daddy. Sorry it is blurry, I forgot to put the flash up but I still love this picture.

Thanksgiving at School

Amelia's school hosted their 17th annual Turkey Feast. The food was terrible, as expected, but the company was great!

This is how I know it is time to stop taking pictures.

Snow

We got our first snowfall of the year last week. Amelia LOVES snow and would stay out it in all day if I would let her. Nina, not so much. She really didn't like walking in it, I guess she didnt like the cold. She wouldn't touch it, even with mittens. Amelia on the other hand made me shake the branches so it would fall on her head.


Tell me this isn't the cutest baby in the world!

She is so happy to be covered in snow.

Of course Nina would end the snow fun by falling and getting a big fat bloody lip. We call this her Angelina Jolie look.

Trick-or-Treating

Here are my little trick-or-treaters. We found a great neighborhood and only had to walk 2 blocks to completely fill both buckets. Nina didn't get it at first but then she caught on and was all about trick-or-treating. She kept trying to go in people's houses, especially if they had a dog. When we got home she figured out her bucket was full of goodies and started right in. She got to try a couple of things then had to go to bed. Amelia sugar-crashed about 9:30.


My little clown



She was an evil witch at night but a good witch for school



All the loot!

Kindergarten Halloween

Stratton really knows how to do a holiday. First the kids all got to parade around the school and then a lap around the track outside to show off their costumes, all while Halloween music played over the intercom. Then they got to have a great Halloween party. I accidentally volunteered to organize it. We had snacks, cupcakes, goody bags, pin the nose on the jack-o-lantern, and a craft to make a ghost from a balloon and grocery bag. I didn't get too many pictures because I was too busy with party duty. Though all in all, I think it was a successful venture.

Sleepover

We recently hosted our first sleepover and had Olivia stay the night with us. First we met for mini-golf then the girls came home and played for hours. I think they finally fell asleep around 11:00. Apparently they were pretending they were teenagers. Olivia was very excited the cat wanted to sleep in the room with them.


Jumping on the couch


Soldier Pose

Diva Pose

Report Card

We had parent-teacher conferences on Friday and this is when we got Amelia's first report card. Ms. Rain had nothing but great things to say about Amelia. She was SO VERY impressed by how well she reads, currently at a 2nd-3rd grade level. She is also leaps and bounds ahead in math, already doing addition and subtraction at a mid-year 1st grade level. The second part of the report cards outlines all the different components for each subject. Ms. Rain said in the 20+ years she has been teaching she has never given out all 4's and 5's in the 1st quarter. Needless to say we are very proud of our smart little girl. WAY TO GO AMELIA!!!

Nature Center

On Friday we met Hilary and kids at the Nature Center for a little walk. I spent most of my time convincing Nina not to go in the pond or creek and the girls spent most of their time helping the milkweed seeds to scatter.

My Future's So Bright...

I've got to wear shades.


These are actually Amelia's swimming goggles but Nina loves to accessorize, hats, glasses, necklaces, etc...

I Think Nina Won That Round

I know these pictures are blurry but I just love the action of them and the story they tell.

What Not To Buy For Nina

Just in case anyone was trying to get a jump on Christmas, here is an example of what we don't need. This is Nina's 18-24 month clothes. Also probably toys or I may have to buy a bigger house.

Thank You For Calling Progressive, This Is Amelia...

Why Every Child Needs a Dog

My Beautiful Girls

I sure to have some wonderful children. They are so beautiful and smart!


Just being sisters



Doesn't she look grown up?



Eating an Oreo. I think she wore more than she ate.

Yes, she is a climber. Notice the other bench is flipped upside down because she falls off that one.