I know my kids are not good influences on their cousin.  For example, note Lane's heels in the first picture.

We enjoyed a playdate today and as they left Avery repeatedly yelled "Bye!" to Mikele with a final "I love you!" as she left.  It made me laugh.  I've been saying bye and I love you to Tate as he goes to preschool.  Avery has begun copying me and gets quite angry if Tate neglects to single her out with an "I love you, too, Avery."

Tate's prayer at dinner went something like this (he mumbles in prayers, so this is what I caught of it):

Dear Heavenly Father,
bless this food,
...be excited,
have faith,
choose the right-that means be good,
and you get what you get and you don't throw a fit,
Amen.

Also, have I mentioned he recently lost his 2 bottom front teeth?  I haven't taken a picture with both missing, but here's a blurry shot from when the first came out.  It happened so fast and took me by surprise, making me feel old.  He was excited about the tooth fairy with tooth #1, but it's been 4 days since #2 came out and he still hasn't put the tooth under his pillow.  He wants to wait until he spends all his money before he earns more or gets some from the tooth fairy.  I believe he had about $4.75 leftover from b-day, tooth fairy, and one day of housework with me so we went to the mall to spend it.  He went on a 75 cent ride, bought some candy and a bouncy ball from the 25 cent machines, and bought his own frozen yogurt.  He still has a couple bucks left.  It's interesting to me to see his attitude towards money.  We have a lot more teaching to do =)  Such as:  it's okay to earn more even if you already have some and to save it!

Sweet Dreams

Here's another gem that I love.  

These kids fight like nobody's business.

Then crack each other up to jokes that I don't get.

Tonight I attempted to put Avery to bed first in her little toddler bed before Tate to minimize the wrestling and staying up so late and general bedtime drama.  The plan was to put Tate down once she was asleep.  But after putting him to bed and waiting a bit, this is what Eric and I went in to see.  Both tuckered out on Tate's big bed-forehead to forehead =)  In the end, they're little buddies.

November at the Coast

You don't have to teach a girl attitude.  We're born with it.

Here's my favorite beach picture from last week.

It was a fast and fabulously relaxing week-thanks mom for having a birthday and for footing the bill.  Thanks to everyone for coming!

And thank you sweet cousins Lydia and Taegen for letting Avery tag-along from time to time.

sibling love

I just walked by the kids' room where they are supposed to be sleeping.  Tate's on the floor covered in blankets while Avery body slams and punches him repeatedly.  Surprisingly, Tate looked content.  I ask, "Avery!  Why are you beating on your brother?!"  Even though her speech is gibberish, she said, "Because I love him." 

Huh?

I even asked if that's what she said to which she sweetly replied, "Uh huh" =)

Christmas Photo Shoots Outtakes

This is Ken.  Let it be noted that although grandpa Stoddard is a softie with his grandkids, he has his limits.  When Avery demanded he play with Ken, he repeated loudly and seriously, "I do not play with dolls!"  I wish I had it on tape.  It was very funny.  This morning Avery demanded grandma play "run" with her.  It was entertaining to see grandma Stoddard run sprints up and down the hallway in her pajamas with Avery.

Avery's Christmas outfit.  Note the three soaps in hand, her current favorite toy. Then,  posing with Teresa's dog, Hershey.

This gal is a close talker and player, so I enjoy this documentation of her even playing that her dolls close talk, too.

This is my first year to do Christmas cards, and it is hard to choose just one picture!  I did it though with the consolation that I would show all the outtakes on the blog.  Here's Avery, my 6.5 month pregnant belly with baby boy, and Tater-nater:

It took us a couple shots at the beginning of this shoot before realizing that our spelling was off =)

The kids are laughing at Bre.  She was blowing up a balloon and then letting it fly with the air going out.  Comedy gold.

Avery was done.

Thank you photographer grandma!

I left the kidlets with mom today and went to Walmart for some stuff.  I got distracted by the toys and wanted to get some Christmas shopping done for the toys.  It was too overwhelming, though, and I decided it would be a very nice thing to shop with Eric for the kids anyway.  Mom was busy taking some pics of the kids (shown here).  And she made a delicious apple pie.

**Disclaimer**  Don't read the following if you don't like potty talk.

I am a mother of little ones and potty talk is quite normal around here.  So Avery has been doing pretty well with potty training the past few weeks.  She also attends speech class at a local elementary school and is improving her speaking skills.  So, it's exciting for me to be able to understand things she's saying more and more.  (Tate was the same way--started speaking more understandably in his 3rd year.)  This morning Avery was on the toilet and said "I poo."  Followed by, "Ma poo bi."  (big)  I was wondering how she would know that!  But my favorite was what she said next with big eyes and arms wide as if showing the size of a fish, "Da poo rea bi!"  (real big).  I died laughing, but she was very matter-of-fact, or in awe.  No, she's never been invited to see such things, must just be imagining!