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.