Christmas Pajamas

We broke tradition and opened our Christmas pajamas tonight instead of waiting for Christmas Eve.  Now we can enjoy their festive striped and monkey pants all month!  We also made gingerbread homes at Aunt Bre's home this afternoon.  The houses are sparse on candy, but the children's bellies are full (of candy).

A November Weekend

Today I told Avery not to eat the cake batter because it will get her a sick called Salmonella.

"I like Salmonella!" she cried.

Friday night we drove to Portland.  It was a beautiful drive and we even stopped at Multnomah Falls.  Tate wasn't very impressed, and even commented on "the drinking fountain", referring to the giant waterfall.  But when we drove on the downtown highway in Portland, he couldn't contain his excitement.  "Can't you believe that we're in a tunnel with a sign?!  Did you ever ever think you would be in one, mom?"

We stopped at the Troutdale Outlets on our way home yesterday.  A few minutes after we had left the toy store, we realized that Henry had swiped a toy and was happily inspecting it in his stroller seat.  And everybody always comments on what a nice baby he is!  Now he's got to live with a common thief reputation =)

We had a fun quick trip to Portland.  Tyler and Ashley let us stay with them.  The cousins loved playing together.  My favorite part was eating a nice meal cooked by Ashley (thank you so much!) with just the adults.  I also liked when I caught Lydia reading a book to Tate.  Tate loved the ball room at OMSI.  Avery spent most of her time at the sand play area.  It is such a neat museum, and very family friendly.  I was impressed they had a nursing room.

Now here's some random pictures of Avery with her preschool group in Indian headdresses and painting smocks, and then Henry with a friend's kitten.

Outtakes

Here's my personal favorite from family pictures...Outtakes!

In these final pictures, I don't know what Avery was doing with her hand.  Poor Henry kept losing his ball.  The running pictures will be explained later.  I think  I used some of the same pictures in outtakes as regulars because I couldn't decide.

Christmas Pictures 2013

"But I think I need something if I get a little bit sad, to make me feel better."

"Like what?"

"Like that balloon down there."

That's how sick Tate went to bed tonight after throwing up for the first time in years.  Unfortunately the first rounds of throwing up began at the end of school.  Earlier he told me that we should get a janitor because they are really good at cleaning up throw-up.  I totally agree.

This picture was taken at his kindergarten pumpkin patch field trip a few weeks ago.  He was anxious to get back on the hay ride by his parent leader, hence the face he's making.  It's interesting to me how quickly the shift occurs in his mind of the teacher being the alfa-authority in his life.  It was a fun trip, though, and he's a great kid with a good teacher and class this year.

2013 Halloween

This Halloween morning, I woke up late. In my haste, I offered Tate a donut to eat as we rushed to school. He replied, "That's not healthy, mom! Give me something healthy."  I told him to eat his donut.

Later, Avery and I went to open gym at the gymnastics building. We usually go each Friday and Avery likes to dress up as a fairy or princess. But for today's special Halloween gym, she chose to dress us as a gymnast in her leotard, which is ironic.

Now the kids are watching a movie and eating all their candy. But Avery has decided that she doesn't like chocolate because "chocolate is yucky." They are giving me all their chocolate.  I'm not complaining, but I am confused.  This is not usually how we roll in this house.

....

It's been a few hours since those first few paragraphs.  The kids are sleeping.  They seemed to enjoy most the handing out of candy.  Tate even suggested giving his own candy out to the trick-or-treaters.  Tate and Avery both wanted to answer the door and divvy out the sugar, so they decided to take turns.  When Tate had eaten all the candy he wanted, he put the remaining in his container and told me that I could lock it up if I want to. It's been the strangest Halloween yet, but I'll take it!

Tate layed his candy out in rows and counted it, announcing that he has "13 seven candies".  He knows how to count pretty high, but must have gotten confused in the excitement of the shiny wrappers and sugar awaiting his taste buds =)  Avery is wearing Bre's leotard from 20 years ago.  She has worn it all day and didn't want to take it off for bed.  She has started taking gymnastics classes and LOVES it.  Cousin Lane is in her class and they're very cute to watch tumbling around together.  Avery has some natural skills.  She'll probably be in the Olympics in a few years.

Conversations with a Four Year Old

Avery's pretend dog, Eileen, just ate a fly and died.  But don't send any sympathy cards since she just made up the dog 5 seconds ago.

Also, she didn't color on her doll house.  It was somebody else.  It was Henry!  Who suddenly woke up, learned to crawl out of his crib, and learned to walk over to the doll house, and finally, showed off his new coloring skills all over the doll house.  Nevermind, that Avery was seen with the crayon in hand while playing with said toy.

A Visit to Grandma's

Grandpa bought grandma a shiny new camera lense.  I think he did it to make himself look so good.

Avery received 3 pairs of plastic heels for her birthday.  These white ones play "Here Comes the Bride" and light up.  They have a battery pack on the bottom.  Pretty sweet.

Henry has never taken a bad picture.  Best cheeks award-winner right here.

I think we found a winner for Tate's 6 year old picture!!

Handsome Henry.