Christmas Cookies

I'm a bit backed up in my blogging. But last week we baked and decorated Christmas cookies with Corinne...and Ellen and Sophie for a few minutes. C really enjoyed it and did a good job with the decorating, too. We made a small variety of cookies, but these were the most festive by far! I think it's the start of a great tradition that Marcey, Mom and I have tried a few times over the last few years--the first time being the year I had Corinne and went into labor shortly after. Much less eventful this year...thank goodness. (that's Ellen sitting with Aunt Marce)

Copy Cats

Lately whenever Ellen does something, Sophie wants to do it, too. It also works the other way--when Sophie does something, Ellen wants to, too. This is maddening at times and cute at others. It's cute when they copy each other "feeding" their babies (like in above photos). But when one heads toward me and wants to be picked up and held, and the other anticipates that move and races to also be held -- even trying to beat the other to the punch -- it becomes just plain hard! I'm working on just enjoying each moment of each day. But we're in a stage of the girls wanting me to themselves -- my lap, my arms, reading a book just to one -- and some days I want to throw up my hands. Also because Ellen and Sophie are very proficient tantrum throw-ers. It never ceases to amaze me when Ellen throws herself on the floor. I still think to myself, "Is that really my child?!" I am thankful that it has humbled me as a mom, as more than once I have been that mom, with that child, walking across the parking lot or leaving storytime with a toddler who is going nuts and throwing a tantrum for any number of reasons. This was NEVER my experience with Corinne. But now I get it. Kids are kids, no matter what. You can put firm boundaries in place, discipline them with tough love, pray for and teach them to be good-mannered, etc and they can still embarass you and act out. I am humbled and frequently remind people that there is no judgement from this mom. Nope. I've been there, too. (Sophie in purple)

The New Nutcracker

For an early birthday present, my mom took Corinne to see The (New) Nutcracker. All reports were that she sat, riveted, and loved the performance. C said her favorite part was "watching the Nutcracker grow taller!" What a great experience. Thanks, Mimi.

Corinne's Christmas Program

With Corinne in pre-school, which she LOVES, we have officially entered a new phase of life...going to school performances, concerts, events, etc. And after our first taste of it, I must say we have become those parents -- swelling with pride, totally biased that our daughter is the best on the entire stage, you get the idea. Corinne's school had their Christmas Program this past week and we got to see her perform a Christmas reindeer poem with her class, as well as sing carols with the rest of the school. She sang every word, did every motion, and even gave us a wave from the stage. Her teacher and I both commented to each other that we weren't sure how she would do in front of a huge audience of parents, grandparents and family members, since Corinne isn't one to be thrilled with being in the spotlight. Even though she sings and dances at home all the time, we knew this would be a different ball game. But she was fantastic -- she completely loved performing with her class and didn't miss a beat. It was fun to watch her...I think Ellen and Sophie were as excited as we were, too. They kept pointing her out to us. So here are the pictures I managed to get...just look for the white hair bow to find Corinne.

Three Girls

The girls spend time on the couch together each afternoon after naps and while they eat their snacks. It's their favorite place to be together. And usually, if the timing works out, Curious George is on, too...a bonus!

Puzzled

We're into puzzles around here. Ellen and Sophie will stand for a long time working on Corinne's puzzles, too.

Stroller Rides

We have stooped to a new low, I think...the girls discovered that a fun game would be to use the baby doll strollers...for themselves. Hmm. Somehow I remember that when Corinne thought of that way back when she was Ellen & Sophie's age we cut it off immediately with a "No" and that was that. My, how life and our perspective has changed. When Ellen thought of sitting in the baby stroller, Corinne right away volunteered to push her -- and before we knew it the girls had a new past time. Brett and I looked at each other with one of those..."do we let them get away with this?" looks and without any actual words at all we both knew our answer this time was, well..."why not?" for more reasons than I could type here. So just a week later I think these "baby doll" strollers only have a few more rides left in them. True to form, that's Soph with her blanket and Ellen pushing. And, oh yeah, Corinne is in the Minnie Mouse ears.

Ellen & Sophie

Ellen and Sophie are 19 months now. They are finally well again, although I feel like they have had runny noses since, well...September. But we just visited the doc for their well check-up and got a few new stats. Ellen (24 lbs, 33 1/2 in) still weighs two pounds more than Sophie and has about an inch on her in height. They emphatically shake their heads for "yes" and "no" and Ellen also answers with a "yeah" most of the time for the affirmative. Other than that, not many new words. Seriously, I'm waiting for them to one day just wake up and talk in sentences at the rate they're going! It's looking like it might be a while, though. They have their ways of communicating with us and with each other, though. And they have personality, though very different. Ellen loves to run and dance and she is up for trying just about anything, however she is the more hesitant one with strangers. Soph is more mellow, but will warm up to new people faster. She is happy as long as her blanket is nearby. We call her "Linus" a lot. Both of the girls are really in to puzzles lately. Ellen is sweet, but she takes things from Sophie quite frequently. Sophie puts up a fight about two times out of 10--Soph has figured out that it's not always worth it to get into it with Ellen. When we intervene Sophie is content to find something else to play with, even when Ellen gives her the toy back. The two of them love to play together when it's convenient. Lots of times they are busy doing separate things until their paths cross, and then they play and laugh with one another. I've also witnessed them lock eyes with one another from across the room, and they just crack up laughing. I have no idea about what, but it's cute to see. They also show concern for each other when one of them gets hurt. And right now they are truly experiencing the excitement of Christmas! Everything is so magical to them--the decorations, the lights, the anticipation. I feel like it is even more pronounced since they can't talk, though that sounds backwards. They squeal, point, and excitedly show us so much of what they are taking in. I feel like it is helping me come back to the real meaning of Christmas, ramping up my own anticipation and excitement for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. (that's Ellen doing a puzzle on top...Soph with her blanket)

Chase

Sophie (in pink) and Ellen invented their own game when I was busy doing something else and while Corinne was taking an extra long nap. What fun! If only you could have heard the giggles.

Wicked

I read the book about six years ago and very recently got the chance to see the Broadway production with Marcey and Mom, in part to celebrate Marcey's birthday. It was a fantastic show and we all enjoyed our evening out together. I might add it was especially interesting to see Wicked on the heels of taking C to The Wizard of Oz this fall. Wicked gives you a completely different perspective on everything you've come to know, think and feel about The Wizard of Oz-- a contrast of the two is intriguing to digest.

UC fans

Brett and I recently took C to a UC basketball game. She had a ball!

Sheer Joy

Fall =Leaves!

Hug Time

Sophie (in pink) found Ellen to give her a hug at Storytime. But just after this sweet moment they found out that a hug comes before the fall (hard to the ground). Still a little wobbly, the girls are, when they go after each other for hugs & kisses.

Family Portrait

Can you see us? This was Corinne's rendition of each person in our family. With a touch of red marker from either Ellen or Sophie (I can't remember who). It is actually bringing back memories of the stages of development kids go through in their drawing that we learned about in my education classes back in college. It closely resembles everything I remember studying--it's so fascinating now that it's my child. A few observations: notice how drawing the body/torso comes at a later stage...right now our arms and legs come from our heads! And one of us is lacking hair... a little disconcerting.

Testing

Sophie (left) and Ellen (right) are into sitting on couches and chairs lately...and standing on them, too. We are constantly reminding them that they must SIT down. But we have some sweet little girls who just love to test the limits on that (and other things)! It's a good thing we love them so.

Getaway

Not the best pictures, but the only ones we have from our short getaway to Florida recently. Brett and I -- no kids -- enjoyed a few days away together taking in some sun and sand, a movie, a nap or two, and some leisurely and delicious dinners out. It was a great break from the daily routine for both of us and the first time ever we've gone away from the 3 kids overnight. Thanks to our parents the kids had just as great a time as we did. We're hoping it's not another (almost) four years until we do it again (that's the age of our oldest daughter)....but if the grandparents have anything to say about it, it will be a lot sooner. We are so blessed to have both the opportunity to go away, and the peace of mind knowing that our kids are in great hands when we do. And I'm not sure who was more excited for us to be home -- the kids or Brett and I. It just might have been us!

The Carter Work Project 2011

Laura is in Haiti this week with Habitat for Humanity, along with about four hundred other volunteers, working to help those whose lives were so totally devastated by the Hurricane there in January 2010. She has been so excited to be a part of the Carter Work Project by volunteering in something she believes in so strongly. For this project Habitat will work to build 100 homes with help from people around the world, including President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn. Each person going on this trip needed to raise their own support and out of everyone going Laura not only raised what she needed and more, but she raised the most support out of any individual volunteer going on the trip! As a special thank you and as recognition for her contribution to the Haiti work project, Laura got to sit with President Carter and his wife at the pre-trip dinner send off for everyone headed to Haiti! Here she is with President Carter. She was thrilled to be in his company for the evening and enjoyed the evening tremendously. We're praying for your week in Haiti, L!

Halloween

What a difference a year makes. Now we have three trick-or-treat-ers and way too much candy!
Corinne was totally keyed up for Halloween night this year, and Ellen and Sophie were quick learners. They each held on to a select few pieces of candy-- for dear life --the whole evening. Ellen was Pooh and Sophie was Tigger and my favorite part of their costumes was the rounded belly that poked out in front. A great time for all!

C's Halloween Parade

Ellen, Sophie and I went to watch Corinne in her school's Halloween parade this morning. It was cold, but worth the experience. Corinne chose to be Sleeping Beauty ("Aurora is her other name" she'll tell you) this year which was super easy to pull off. (Those Disney princess dresses are everywhere!) And at the beginning of the week my mom brought over a sparkly tiara she wore to her prom back in the 60's (gasp!) for C to wear with her costume...except it is now part of C's everyday attire and has taken the place of her regular headband. Here are a few quick pictures from the parade.

Girls Weekend

This past weekend I got away with my Monday Night Girlfriends (as they've become known around our house). These girls represent so much more than I could write about here...but suffice it to say we have walked a lot of life together. And their friendships, wisdom, encouragement and faith have been so integral in my own life and how I've grown and changed through the years. I am SO thankful for our weekend together and for the depth of our sharing and conversations.

Twins

Sometimes I am still amazed that we have twin girls. Lately we are seeing more of their twin sister bond shine through. I think before now they were only showing their awareness of one another in small, inconsistent and subtle ways. Probably this was as much due to age and normal development as anything. But these days they interact daily and just today Sophie took some toys (all the way across the room and around some furniture) to Ellen, even though they were playing separately. Sophie handed Ellen toys and Ellen gladly took them...there were some sweet giggles at some point, too. Often times they give kisses, hugs, and sometimes feed each other their food as well. I didn't know many twins going into this thing, but I can say that it is getting really fun to watch them grow and play together. Ellen and Sophie will be 18 months in just two weeks! (Ellen in pink)

Curtain Call

Corinne and I went to see The Wizard of Oz at the Taft Theater downtown today. In the spring we're looking forward to seeing Disney's My Son Pinocchio and Rapunzel! Rapunzel! And judging from today's performance I think we are in for some great performances. Corinne loved the show (apart from the scary Wicked Witch of the West...then again, I still get scared at that part) and wanted to act it all out when she returned home (no surprise there for those of you that know Corinne). It was a terrific experience and time well spent together.