Pictures From December 2nd Plus A Couple Others

Where have I been? Well, I don't like to say I have been busy, but Thing 2 and Thing 1 are keeping my feet from spending too much time up on a coffee table. You know what I mean, the moment you sit down to eat, someone needs a drink or drop a spoon or Layla eats the butter (foil and all), then hoarks it up while you're nursing Charley down for a nap (foil and all).

Lee's friend gave the girls a bunch of stuff.
This cool fairy wand was one of the things.
Both girls love it.

So far, Charley is all girl. OK, I have seen
her with one of B's snakes, but mostly it is
dolls and pink.

This skirt was also in the bag of good stuff.
B looked so cute. We were headed to my cousin
Bert's daughter's Christening and her son Jon's
birthday party. Then we went and bought space heaters until
I could get the eat fixed in my Mother's house.
(Thanks for the help, Al).

This is our Elf on the Shelf, Johnson.
He likes candy. Both girls adore him.
He better watch out, that is my
candy he is eating.

This is Chucky today. Using a fork. I helped her a bit
stabbing the food. She makes it to her mouth all
by herself.

Her is B getting in on the photo act.

My little baby surprises me every day - mostly with lack of sleep-
but today she did a couple of baby signs, used the potty 4 times,
and played hide and seek with me. Charley was looking out the
back door while I was in the other room. I crouched down besides
a chair and said "Where's Mommy?" She came around the corner
got a glimpse of me, giggled and came at me. We did it another time,
then she tried to hide behind the chair! I (mostly) love her
little squeals of joy, she gets so excited about things.

I have taken my hat out of the crafting ring this year.
I don't like hearing B ask me to play with her or if I am
done yet with what I am doing. Add in little Chucky
and, well, it is the time of year to make memories together, not
by myself. However, that doesn't mean that B can't
make some art for Christmas. I bought a couple flour sack towels
for B to use as canvas. I thought maybe her teachers might like one.
Personal and practical - I hope.

OK, the next couple photos are a cautionary tale. When your children are quietly playing together, without any ruckus or crying, Trouble (yes, with a capital T) is a-brewing. I know, you veteran mothers are like "DUH." The girls were in the art room. B was doing some gluing and Charley was playing with some toys. So, I block off the door, come down get some tea (my mother's little helper - green tea keeps me calm - weird, but true) and upload some photos for our Christmas cards. My sister calls, and while taking with her, I think about checking on my little devil dogs. So, I go upstairs and here is what I find......

I almost wet myself. Seriously, Charley did this to herself?
Then I see her back....


That is marker on her back. Meaning, Charley had a little help.

OK, Maybe a lot of help.

So I ask B, did you do this to your sister. She says no. I give her the look and she asks "will you be mad?" I say no, bit don't do it again. Then B fesses up. Oh yes, B did a little lipstick on herself.

Check out that little kisser.

Still, Charley's hair was bluish-green. Seriously. Marker
everywhere. What do you think Charley was doing while B
colored on her? What started it? I'll never know. But I so
wish there was a nanny cam in that room.

Yes, that is marker on her chest too.

At least I know what Charley would look like with a neck tattoo.

So, since the girls were already a mess, I thought we should
paint. Why not? Make lemonade right?

Charley picked red. She worked with a brush and .....

her hands.

B is prolific. We also did some bubble wrap printing.
I forgot to get pictures of that.

Next step?

The tub.

All Clean!!!

Random Pictures - Zoo and Park

The kids are still asleep (as I should be, but Charlie was noisy this morning) so I thought I would post the few pictures I have taken of them recently. I keep forgetting my camera when we head to the zoo, so I used my iPhone. Hence the stinky photos.

We went to the zoo on Monday (our usual zoo day) to see Brookfield's new bear habitat. It was so crowded, I could bearly (ha!) get B and Charlie close enough to see the bears. Still, very nicely done. We will check it out from time to time to see how crowded it is and hopefully get to watch the bears swim.

These are from the park.

Charlie is 4 Weeks Old Today! (1 Month Old in 3 Days!)

Yes, my little Charlie is growing up. Hard to believe. Seems like it was just a month ago that she was born. Oh, wait, it was about a month ago. Ha! Funny how long a month seems when there are two kids crying in your ear. Thankfully, they don't cry at the same time - much. Bad news? There is someone crying pretty much at any given moment. Mostly Charlie, not that I am keeping track.

I love this little striped number she has one.
It is made of Bamboo. The brand is Kicky Pants.
That is my nick name for Charlie, she is always kicking her legs.

Though they don't look it, her eyes are
a nice shade of grey. Weird huh?

She is starting to smile. Or, it's gas. But seriously,
calling it smiling sounds better.

Photo Alert: One of B, One of Charlie

Charlie

B with a new Dragon puppet from Sandy

MArci came over the other day to visit. While I was

in the family room talking to her, B was in the other room

"decorating" the coffee table. I though she was

taking apart some flowers I had in a vase. No such luck.

Crayons were her decoration of choice.

Here is a close-up of her handy work.

Some New Pictures of B and Charlie

Here are some new pictures. Some B took.

B took a photo of the inside of her kaleidoscope.

Charlie, wearing a beautiful hat, hand knit
by Cathie P.

Sisters chilling on Charlie's playmat.

B wants to hold Charlie all the time. And
carry her around too.

B really loves her sister.

Sleepy B

With all the holiday festivities and Mike being home, B is terribly out of whack with her sleeping. Late nights and waking up early have stuck her back into a napping routine. However, she falls asleep after 4, and then is up past 10. A vicious cycle. We need to figure a way out of it.

THe thing is, she doesn't ask to nap, she just falls asleep. Usually on the couch, but today, at the kitchen island.

I documented the potty seat incident, so shall I document this.

OK, this is seriously sweet.

Apparently, B isn't the only tired one on the house.

Took these yesterday afternoon.

This is from this afternoon. Are we the worst parents ever?

By the way, she woke up and is now crying.

Poor thing is still tired and probably has a sore neck.

Random Photos

Here are some more random pictures of B. See if you can guess my favorite one.

B helped put of Halloween decorations.

Way to young to have heard of "vogue."

Singing while you shred cheese makes the

work go by quickly.

Are we breaking the child labor laws?

I love cheese!

This was taken on Halloween. I was in the kitchen

making a cake and Mike was dusting. He walked into

the family room and found B. She is holding "Charlie."

As you might have guessed, the last picture is my favorite. This is the first non-car nap she has had in months. Plus, how sweet does she look?