Christmas Traditions

Yesterday we got a surprise visitor from the Elf on the Shelf.   He was on the front porch when we went outside to put Christmas lights up.  You should have seen the kids faces as I read the book aloud.  Santa sends the elf to watch the children and then the elf reports to Santa every night and comes back to a different spot in the house.  The kids couldn't wait to get out of bed this morning to see where he was.  When K acted up today, M was sure to tell K that the elf was watching.  We had to come up with a name for him ... Brian came up with Sigmund and we all agreed.  You can't touch Sigmund or he'll lose his magic.  It's wonderful to have small children during the holidays ... makes it so much more fun.  The kids had a long discussion about how the elves make all of the toys for the kids and how busy they must be.  So cute.

We've found Sigmund in the strangest places.

You never know where he'll be.

Thankful.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving in Minden, NV with Brian's family.  Great food and great company.  The kids were good also ... it just gets easier every year.  I am most thankful for the health of my family and friends.  M goes back to school in the morning.

Well, I have been busy ... with having fun.  For the last 3 weekends in a row, I was able to get away.  1st the weekend in San Fran with Brian, then Las Vegas with my sister (would you believe not a single picture) and Brian and I left for Reno right after we celebrated Thanksgiving and came home on Saturday.  I've had a blast but definitely missed the kids. 

Brian and I woke up at 2:45 am and headed out to Toys R' Us on Black Friday.  Had a great time and saved lots of money.  Even Brian (who hates to shop) said he enjoyed it.  We got everything we set out to get and it was very organized and safe.  The lines moved really quick.  We went to 4 places and were done by 7:00 am.  We headed back to the room but neither of us could sleep!  We laid around for a while and then went out to lunch and to the movies.  We saw Blindside which was excellent by the way.  It snowed that evening in Reno and we were both tired so we found a cool sports bar ... had a casual dinner and went to the room.  Can you believe I spent 2 nights in Reno and didn't gamble at all?  I can't!!  We were up early on Saturday to get home.  I can't thank Brian's parents, my mom and sister enough for giving us this desperately needed break.

M made me so proud the other day.  He found a small jar in the my scrapbook room and said he wanted to collect money to buy toys for kids that didn't have any money.  He scavenged the house looking for loose change but then really surprised me by emptying his piggy bank (even putting a few dollars in there).  Is he a good boy or what?  K started a jar also.

While walking by Walmart today, M picked up 2 flyers that were on the ground and put them in the garbage and then made a comment about littering.  Another proud moment. 

Once we get the jars full, we'll go and buy toys to drop off at Toys 4 Tots. 

For the last few mornings, when K comes into my room, she'll say, "I sure do love you, Mom."  She also says it very frequently during the day.  I'm truly blessed.

Sooo busy.

Haven't had time to blog lately.  Brian and I were in San Francisco last weekend and since we got back it's been go, go, go.  I am trying to pack the kids to go camping with Brian and I am flying out to Las Vegas tomorrow to spend the weekend with my sister and brother-n-law.  He has a softball tournament there.  I am so excited.  We had a great time in San Francisco.  We waited until last minute and were able to stay at The Hilton in Union Square for $100 per night (plus parking) - Priceline.  The room was amazing and in an awesome location.  We were able to just hang out together and catch up.

Time to brag.  M got his first report card on Monday.  I am so proud of him.  He got all "3's" which is proficient and in social skills and work habits he got all "O's" which is outstanding.  He can write numbers 1 - 30 (only supposed to be able to write to 10 for 1st trimester).  He can orally count to 110, knows all his letters (duh), knows all the concepts about print, meets standards for measurement and geometry, can place data on a given graph and identifies patterns.

Here's what Mrs. Heu said.  "M is a kind and responsible student.  He is very independent and often completes assignments with minimal assistance.  Continue to work on writing sentences at home.  Keep up the great work!"  That's my boy.

School picture.  Before he lost 2 teeth.  Cute, huh? 

K had pictures at preschool also.  They turned out so cute.

Can't decide which one I like more.

A self portrait before our night out in San Francisco.  It was so nice to be away.

M has decided that he wants to be a paleontologist instead of a firefighter now.  He loves the show on PBS called Dinosaur Train.  Here's a conversation M and K had in the car last night.

M - "Hey K, when I'm a paleontologist, I will let you look at my fossils."

K - "M, I'm going to be too busy being an animal doctor!!"

M - "No K, really ... I will let you look at my fossils, and you too Mom."

K - "I said I'm going to be toooooo busy!!"


And this went back and forth OVER and OVER.  They argue about everything!
Well I better start packing and I need to make brownies for M's Fall Party tomorrow. 

Art Beast

Brian worked OT on Saturday to I took the kids to Art Beast.  It's an art studio/play area for kids in midtown.  There are 3 or 4 different levels and a small outside play area.  All of the proceeds go to a shelter in Sacramento and we hadn't been there yet so it was perfect.  The kids loved it and we were there for nearly 4 1/2 hours.  Afterwards we went to the Central Library.  By the time we got home the kids were nicely exhausted and it was just about time for bed.  Yahoooo. 

K's favorite area was the baby bathing station and she went back there 2 or 3 times.  I was amazed at how lovingly she looked at them and washed them.

I told M that Daddy's bathe babies too so he even washed a baby.  (Not quite as lovingly)

M painting a rainbow.

K enjoyed painting on the white board and then erasing it.

Lil' Drummer Boy.

K performed the cutest puppet show for us.

Super K!!!!

She ran all over the room doing this move.  It was too funny.

Talk to you later.

Tooth Fairy

M lost his first tooth on Saturday (the 7th).  It had been loose for about a week and the dentist told him to wiggle it a lot because his new tooth was already coming in.  Well, Saturday morning M was yelling for me while I was in the bathroom.  He kept saying ... "Hurry, it's really important!!"  When I came out he had the biggest smile on his face and showed me his tooth.  Here are a few pictures of M getting his tooth ready for the fairy.

His mean face shows off the missing tooth the best.  By the way ... I know M's hair is looking a mess but he has been begging me not to cut it.  Not sure why.  We're cutting it anyway in a few days.

How do you spell tooth fairy, Mom?

Sealing the envelope.

Ready for the fairy.

He did a good job writing her name.

Putting his tooth under his pillow.

Well the Tooth Fairy was generous and left him $10.  He came into my room holding the bill and said she left him $1.  Boy was he excited when I showed him that it was a $10 bill.  After a few minutes he went running downstairs (to look outside).  A little in the morning he looked at me and said, "The Tooth Fairy is fake ... there isn't any fairy dust outside or anything!!   And, I want my balloons!!"  Remember when the pacifier fairy came for K, she left fairy dust and a balloon bouquet on the front porch.  I explained to him that the Tooth Fairy was much busier than the Fie Fairy because look at how many teeth kids lose.  He bought it but was a little disappointed. 

He lost another tooth on Sunday (middle lower) and the Tooth Fairy left him $5.  He wrote "Toof Fairy" on that envelope.  I keep calling him a Jack-O-Lantern and asking him if I can put a candle in his mouth.  He just giggles. 

On Friday after school we are meeting my Mom half-way to drop the kids off.  She offered to watch them for the weekend.  Brian and I are going to San Francisco for the night.  We'll spend some time there on Saturday and come home that evening.  We may go to 2nd Saturday in Sacramento when we get back.

Mischief

M is up to his shenanigans again.  He put these notes on his door yesterday.  What a stinker.

Dentist time

I took pictures of K's first dentist appointment but forgot to take my camera to M's first appointment when he turned 3.  So ... I couldn't help myself but take a few at their appointments today.

They both did well.  M was nervous about his loose teeth but I told him they would be careful.  K gagged a lot while she cleaned her teeth (I don't remember that from last time).  M gaggled when they put the X-Ray wings in his mouth.  They put salt in his mouth and it helped a lot.  I've never heard of that before.

X-Ray Time.

Going through her goodie bag.

Showing me his teeth.

M being silly and making a scared face.

Like this one.  She's so pretty.