The Snowy Day

Unlike last year's cancelled snow days, this year we get to enjoy them because it's not forty below! So, after what felt like 45 minutes of getting snow gear on, we played outside for a bit to get some exercise and a chance for new surroundings.  Everyone enjoyed the snow! Hadley and Elise especially enjoyed being pulled around on the sled while Ceci wandered around happy as a clam.

Eventually the little ones got cold and we headed back inside to warm up. Hadley insisted that she wear her snow pants until naptime. I think we have a snow bunny on our hands...

Twins Turn Two!

Another cold day ushered in Cecilia and Hadley's 2nd birthday on January 14th. It's crazy to think how much has happened in their growth and development since their 1st birthday! We had a nice and quiet immediate family celebration complete with presents, pizza and another round of singing 'Happy Birthday'.

Hadley:

Length- 33.5" (30%)

23 lb. (25%)

Head Circumference- 18" (25%)

Cecilia:

Length- 34" (40%)

24 lb. 6 oz. (40%)

Head Circumference- 18.5" (50%)

The next day was the twins well check at the pediatrician. It's always nice to go to the doctor when they are nice and healthy. This time they weren't due for shots but were due for a little finger poke to check Hemoglobin and lead. Ironically the worst part was afterwards when they both refused a bandaid. Cecilia and Hadley deemed the bandaid 'cruel and unusual' punishment and opted to pass. However their first lollipops made the trip worth it! I felt that I could suffer through the sticky hands, faces and jackets so we could run out of the doctor's office with smiles on our faces.

Shoe Sheriff

Congratulations to Elise for becoming a Shoe Sheriff! The award is given to those children in her class who learn to tie their shoes... something of a novelty in today's world of Velcro and zippered boots! Her award states that she has proven she can tie her own shoes and now is 'authorized to tie any untied shoe' the in classroom. What a big job!! We are so proud of you Elise!

Frozen Party Cubed

We had a Frozen birthday celebration with family on January 10th for all three of our January birthday girls. A fitting theme for a day that was just 10 degrees! And also a fitting theme for sisters!

Prior to the party, Elise and I made coffee filter snowflakes (dying some of them blue) and I made cotton ball snow chains and pom poms. Of course this picture doesn't do our crafting any justice!! It was honestly quite the festive winter wonderland.

We served Melted Olafs, Trolls Tossed Salad, Coronation Pizza, Snowballs on a Stick, Melted Snow and Arandelle Punch. And of course, Elsa cupcakes. For favors,  we passed out Hershey Kisses (Kisses to Melt a Frozen Heart) and Dove chocolates (All You Need is Dove Love).

The Cousins: Walden, Ceci, Amelie, Hadley and Elise

After dinner, we sang Happy Birthday three times: First to Elise...

Then to Cecilia...

And then to Hadley...

It was worth the wait to eat the cupcakes. Even Walden agreed.

And of course we ended the night with a dance party. Music, dancing and sugar always go hand-in-hand. 

Elise Turns 6!

Wow! We have a six year old living in our house! We made Elise's birthday the best possible day imaginable for a six year-old. First up, personalized sprinkle pancakes! Daddy then took Elise to Sylvania Playland for an afternoon of fun. She'd been wanting to go for some time and was thrilled when he surprised her with the trip. (Update: Elise came down with a 104 degree fever, aches and no appetite a few days later. Maybe from the germ invested indoor playground? Regardless, our hand washing and Purel baths didn't help us this time!).

For dinner, Elise picked 'Chicken n Fries' from Wendys. That's what six year-old kids pine away for when you can eat anything you want for dinner!!!!

The twins were happy to partake in the cake dessert as well. It was received so well that we had to follow it up with an immediate bath!

A joyous and happy Hadley

And when all else fails, abort the fork and do as Cecilia. Just apply your tongue.

Santa and The Elves

On Christmas Eve, we packed up our elves and headed to Grandma and Grandpa's house for presents and dinner with Aunt Amy, Adam and Uncle Chris. I feel bad that I didn't take many pictures from the evening! We had a fabulous time but with twin two year-olds who love to play and explore, there wasn't much time to stop for photo ops and relax. Next year will be different!

Later that evening, Elise set out a plate of cookies for Santa, carrots for the reindeer and a cheese stick for Santa mouse. Santa had sent her a video message saying that she had officially been on his Good List and would be making the stop over during the night. She was in a rush to get to bed as she thought she saw him coming outside the window.

On Christmas morning, we discovered that Santa had brought the Frozen Ice Palace that Elise wanted and a Thomas the Train roller coaster for the twins. Poor Daddy spent the morning assembling all the new toys. We wondered if possibly Santa would consider putting things together before he delivers them next year. I will have to write him a letter....

Of course, what Christmas isn't complete without a visit from the real Santa Claus?! Santa stopped over on Christmas day to hand out the last few of his presents when Nans, Pops, Uncle Rik, Aunt Rachel, Uncle Kevin, Amelie and Walden were visiting on Christmas afternoon. Surprisingly he didn't look too tired after a night of flying around the world...

Getting Ready For Xmas

It seemed like a long wait for Christmas this year.... but that's half the excitement! Unfortunately the twins were sick (again!!!) during which time they developed an extra love for their pacifiers. I vowed the end of pacifiers would be by their second birthday so I've got my work cut out for me. But since both girls had double ear infections in addition to Hadley's breathing issues (she was almost admitted to the hospital), we let some things slide...

Sick Hadley between breathing treatments

Ceci laying low and not feeling well.

But when we weren't battling illnesses, we were having fun. Hadley started showing interest in sitting on the potty. Nothing came of it but it did get me excited to dream about the day of being diaper-free!  This will be something I will tackle when they a bit after 2. In the meantime, we discovered that an interest in the potty also means we have an interest in putting things in the potty. Note to self: there is a reason why I keep the bathroom doors shut!

Ugh!!! Those pacifiers!!!

Elise got to see her first 3-D movie: The Penguins of Madagascar.

Daddy and Elise also decorated a gingerbread house. Surprisingly this year, more candy ended up on the house rather than in her mouth.

Doesn't she look so big?! Wow.