In the Christmas Spirit

 We've been keeping busy lately by getting ready for Christmas!  With only 3 weeks left of maternity leave, I wanted to do as much as I could now before I go back to work.  That included buying a new tree, decorating it, getting all the shopping finished, wrapping the presents, and finding something special for the kids' teachers.  Between Garrett, Caroline, and Emily, we have TEN teachers to buy for!

 We're getting together with family in MD and PA, but not at our house.  So I didn't feel like dragging out all the decorations since we'll be the only ones who see them.  This year, I kept it to a wreath on the front door, our new stockings from Carrie, and the new tree.  Tim thought the deer looked a little left out, so they got Santa hats (and ornament earrings for George).

 Caroline helped me put together the teachers' gifts this year.  As soon as I asked the Starbucks girl for empty cups and tops, she laughed and said "Pinterest?!"  I guess everyone has seen this gift card presentation! We stuffed the cups with tissue paper, added green and silver curly ribbon and a gift card on front.

Carrie Bogle is a Miracle Worker

 My sister made my whole family handmade stockings, and never in my wildest dreams did I think they would turn out this good!  They are amazing!  Hand embroidered names on the top, decorative snowflake and leaf chain stitching, perfect wintry fabrics....the list goes on and on. I audibly gasped when I opened the package; Tim was in the other room and thought I had seen a mouse or spider, I sounded that surprised!

We are sure to hold onto these keepsakes for the rest of our lives.  These are the stockings that don't get to leave the house!  The kids will just have to buy other ones when they go to their own families.  Or maybe Aunt Kiwi will be making stockings for Christmases in the future decades...

Thanksgiving 2012

 There was little to no chance that we were driving all the way to Virginia Beach with a newborn for Thanksgiving, so we kept it local by going to Peggy and Joe's house.  Mary and John were already going to the in-laws' house on Thursday, so rather than miss a visit with them, we decided to all meet up on Friday for the traditional feast.

 Aunt Mary and Baby Jason

 Emily's favorite toy that day was a flashlight.  Seriously, why do I even buy this child presents?!  I could get by with a screwdriver, a box, and a roll of plastic wrap.  Above is her "fake smile".  Below is her "kissy face".

 Timmy thought it was funny to handcuff Garrett with the old ones he had from working as a corrections officer.  It was hilarious!  Then it was even more funny watching Timmy tear apart the house looking for the keys.  They were found about half an hour later.

 Brooklyn thought that Caroline was the bestest toy ever.  

What other fun things did we do on Thanksgiving?  Chip away at the "to do" list for Peggy and Joe.  There was a broken spring in the recliner (above), loose shingles on the roof (Timmy's job), and a computer glitch waiting for Uncle John.

My Mat is Your Mat

 As one would expect, all of Emily's baby supplies have been trickling down to Jason as he needs him (well, all the supplies that she didn't personally destroy in the past two years).  Emily had a few episodes of treating his bouncy seat and swing like newly-acquired toddler toys, climbing into each and taking them for a ride before deciding that they were boring and below her standards.  All in all, she's been very accommodating of him using all of her stuff.  Probably because she has no memory of using the stuff personally, but that's never stopped her before from declaring "No! Mine!" in the past.
The play mat is a beautiful example of two loving siblings....

 Jason:  "See that semi-smile?  Because Emily never got a chance to mess up my bouncy seat.  It was brand new just for me!"

 After I got her home yesterday afternoon, Emily spied the play mat that I had stashed in the corner of the family room.  Jason decided yesterday that he wants to have a nice long "awake" period in the afternoon (much longer than his typical "blink my eyes for five minutes before passing out again" phases).  I wanted him to do something other than stare at me or hang out in the swing.  So I got out the mat, and he was content to look at the flashing lights and dangly toys for a few minutes in the afternoon.  But once Emily dragged out the mat and got on it with him, he was thrilled to hang out!  They stayed on that mat for a good half hour.  I think Jason was just happy to hang out with Emily (a new person for him since we spend 24 hours together every day and I think he is tiring of me...).  
I hope they share everything as nicely in the future, but this ain't my first rodeo, so believe me, I'm not jaded.

 Jason:  "Ummmmm.....hello?  Is there someone else on this mat with me?"

Flashing lights and a jazzy beat will attract all sorts of attention, whether you are a toddler or newborn.

Emily's Second Birthday!

 Hey everybody!  I turn two tomorrow, but Mom and Daddy-Boo planned a party for me today!  We invited all of my friends over at 10 AM for an Elmo party!  I know, it sounds early, but all of my friends get up at dawn anyway and this way, we have the whole day left for fun things like laundry, naps, and hanging out.  The fun stuff started the night before, when I got to open my presents from Mom, Dad, Cammy, and Aunt Carrie.

 I got the coolest kitchen set that makes tons of noises (microwave, burners, phone, etc) from the parents and Aunt Carrie and Uncle Josh.  I got an apron set and some dishes from Cammy and a mixer and toaster from Mom and Dad.  I was in heaven the minute I saw that kitchen!

 I look like a million bucks in my chef's outfit.  I even have matching pot holders!

 Garrett and Caroline got in on the action too.  They helped me "cut" the Velcro fruits and veggies that Aunt Carrie gave me.  All three kids easily played for over an hour with all the new food and fun kitchen accessories.

 My party!  

 Mom got this idea all by herself!  She saw the special Winter edition Oreos at Walmart and thought, the filling looks just like Elmo's face!  An idea was born!  Candy eyes from the baking department, an orange M&M nose, and black icing mouth.  Placed on top of chocolate cupcakes from the store.

 rainbow fruit kabobs

 banana dippers--got the idea from the Internet, but they didn't defrost the way I had hoped and got very runny and mushy.  Not one to try, in my opinion.

 Favor bags in our favorite characters!  Caroline helped me make them this summer.  We filled them with Elmo coloring books, packs of Crayons (bought when school supplies were on sale), Goldfish crackers, fruit snacks, a bouncy ball, and an Elmo noise maker.

 Jason was a little worked up with a sour stomach, which started on Friday.  He was an eating machine, then cringed and cried and spit up all day.  You could tell his tummy wasn't feeling its best.  Luckily, Jen still wanted to hold him, even though he decorated her shoulder.

 Happy Birthday to You!