On with the show . . .

For Audrey's 4th birthday grandma Sharon got our little drama queen season tickets to the children's theater with her idol . . . I mean her cousin Kyla. It has been a blast going to the plays with her and they really put on a wonderful show. After the plays the actors come out and mingle with the kids which makes it bigger than life for Audrey.

We usually couple the plays with a mommy or daddy date to a restaurant of her choosing . . . which unfortunately always ends up being Applebees or Red Robin. Pretty sure there's a free balloon hook here. Oh, and a chocolate shake topped with whipped cream.

Speaking of chocolate shakes . . . it's a little embarrassing to admit, but our 4 year old had never been to the dentist before this visit. The dental hygenist did a perfect job of introducing the kids to the process. They were both angels and the best news . . . no cavities . . . yahtzee! Audrey actually pulled off the following conversation:

Hygenist: Okay honey, now we're going to floss.

Audrey: Yay, I love flossing!

Hygenist: Honey, is this how you brush your teeth?

Audrey: Yes, and I also brush in circles .

Hygenist: Wow, you are a perfect little patient.

Daddy: (to himself) and a liar!

Here's our little (almost) truth telling daughter enjoying a little Audrey time. I blame My Little Ponies for her foray into giving misleading information to the medical world. They've always seemed a little shady to me. I mean, her little smirk above isn't even trustworthy.

In the ever challenging game of "what craft can I entertain my kids with for 15 minutes today" Lisa came up with shaving cream on a cookie sheet. Pretty sure Sam is going to have vision trouble and our chocolate cookies are going to taste like a middle aged man's face from now on.

Audrey actually had a lot of fun. She's facinated with my facial hair so this was right up her alley and she had a blast.

Sam's first (early) 2 year old birthday present. Grandma Sharon and Granpa Fred will be in Egypt for his big event so they came by for a little early celebrating. Sam loves all things boy and is finally building a critical mass of primary colored toys. His toy selection during his 1st 18 months was definitely dominated by a pink and purple palette.

And, oh yeah, he loves all things mommy as well. He's definitely her little cuddle guy.

Lions, Tigers, and Cougs

Audrey has always been a girly-girl, but we've now graduated into an age group where she can really supplement her princess fairly tales. Actually learning ballet moves brings in a whole new level of dramatic impression.

The seriousness and concentration really is sweet.

Audrey was introduced to The Wizard of Oz this last month. I thought "no problem, the first viewing of the flying monkeys will freak her out and we can put it the movie away for 2 years". Oh no, she is absolutely infatuated. She has officially changed her name to Dorothy Audrey Sekora. It was kind of cute until she actually started getting upset when her friends (us included) didn't actually begin addressing her by her first name . . . Dorothy.

And as you may have guessed, I'm now the Scarecrow. I'm going to go ahead and assume I'm designated as the Scarecrow because that is who Dorothy . . . "is going to miss the most" when she goes back to Kansas and not because he doesn't have any brains.

Audrey actually takes a picture of the movie so she can have a visual when it's not on. The dedication 4 year olds can have to a single "experience" is shocking.

Sam even gets to participate if he's willing to role play. Come on Sam, the Coug jersey is awesome . . . and while the ruby slippers might match, they are not worth the fleeting attention she may be giving you.

It wouldn't be a blog if we didn't update you all on Sam's continued cognitive development. Can you see what's wrong with the picture above? (hint, it's not the pacifier in front of the almost 2 year old, that's a parenting issue we'll deal with later).

If you guessed Mac'n'Cheese poured out on the table you are correct (you can substitue Mac'n'Cheese with any food item, Sam sure does). Move #2, get your fingers good and cheesey and move to the hair.

The move works great in the tub, which is where we end up moving to almost every night. Audrey was on the every other night schedule, Sam . . . not so much.

He definitely has a less serious, much goofier personality than Audrey. They are a good balance and we are blessed to have a little variety in our lives!

Cooking and Hat Wearing

It's unfathomable to think you can put a gingerbread house in front of a 4 year old, tell her to use frosting as the glue to hold her gumdrops, M&M's, and pretzels in place . . . and oh by the way, honey, you can't eat any of it. Who invented this little project of entrapment?!

Now for the real cooking! Lisa's family has a traditional bread they make each Christmas called kloban (the spelling is a guess as I couldn't find it in google . . hmmm). Anyway, Audrey wanted to jump in and help. Daddy took a nap with Sam which was a mistake, I should have been running defense on the 4 year old.

Please take a moment to guess if Auntie Calie is having a "teaching" moment with Audrey or a "disciplining" moment. I wont tell you my guess, but it errs on the cynical side.

And here is our little baker boy. A little late for the action, but ready to go none-the-less. Sam has a new found affinity for hats. We love it, as putting a warm hat on him in the cold weather isn't even a question. If we mention going outside he runs to the closet to get his hat.

Lisa grew up with 3 cousins that lived just across the border in Surrey. They've all married, moved East (like Nova Scotia, Maine, and Chicago East), and had children. They were all home for Christmas so we headed up to add to the madness. The picture above shows GG (Lisa's grandma) with 7 of her great grandchildren. Not pictured are one who was napping and 2 more that were in St. Louis. 10 great grandkids is a wonderful blessing for sure.

I know Lisa cherished seeing her cousins, and seeing the little ones interact was special. It was a great reminder of the unique bond that family has. It was truly heart warming to see. On a "not so special note", we heard the 24 hour flu bug hit the household a day after we left. Eeks.

As with all little kids, Sam absolutely adores cats and dogs. While he can't say puppy yet, he is actually "walking his dog" in the picture above. Perhaps he'll name his first pet "crock-pot". Lisa and I aren't so sure about adding a pet to the household, but pictures like this definitely push the guilt meter past the middle.

Ah yes, Santa came to town as well. When Santa asked Audrey what she wanted for Christmas she replied in a sheepish voice "a leapster" (it's a kid handheld game for those of us that had no idea). Santa leaned in and said "a hampster". Audrey's eyes widened a little and you could see her thinking "that would be cool . . . ". The panic in Lisa's eyes was epic. She jumped in and snapped Audrey back to reality by telling Santa (I wont say shouting) that she said leapster.

I haven't seen Lisa move that fast since Sam was running through Greg and Jessica's house with a lit candle . . . . but that's a different story.

Of all the gifts Audrey received this year, one of the most cherished was the footlong M&M dispenser. Ah, I remember those days when the immediate gratification of candy outweighed almost any longterm toy.

More hammering toys for Sam. We now have a fully distressed coffee table that would make Restoration Hardware jealous. Lisa keeps reminding me "people pay good money for this look". I reply "who are these people and when can I drop Sam off at their house?".

Sam doing a little reading with Grammy. If you notice the white toy in Sam's hand, it's a "reader" that allows kids to drag it along the book page and it will read out loud for them. To Sam it's a slightly bulbous hammer that if he slams onto a page it might read out loud if he happens to hit the paragraph. Oh Sam, finesse is not your thing.

Sam is getting ready for the New Year's Eve party that Lisa threw for the neighborhood kids. Rocking hat #1.

He wanted to switch up the look once the party started so he went with the New Year's tiara.

And for the countdown he decided to go with the traditional top hat. On a somber note, Audrey came down with a fever literally 30 minutes before the party started. She ended up going to bed just as people were arriving (yes, we're those people that expose others to our sickness (actually, it all happened so fast)). I kept checking on her throughout the night and all she would ask is "how are the kids doing without me?". If you know Audrey's social nature, it was heartbreaking. She was so looking forward to the party.

It was simply a 24 hour bug and the good news is she started 2010 on a spunky, ableit challenging and exhausting, 4 year old high.

Christmas Trees and Close-Ups

Audrey and Sam coming out from under the bed tent at Greg and Jessica's . . . whom Audrey affectionately referred to as "Caca" for the 1st couple years of her life. Sam is slowly but surely establishing himself as a legitimate playmate for Audrey.

They are actually sharing a loveseat now and again for their bedtime show. How cute, right? Well you should see how the scene changes if Sammy crosses over on to "her" cushion! Believe me, there is a reason he's tucked himself over into the corner of "his" cushion.

Audrey got ahold of the camera and actually got a few good photos snapped. Sam was thoroughly enjoying the attention.

Considering her usual self-photos end up being of the carpet, she actually snapped a good one of herself.

We have been talking to Audrey about taking the volume down a notch. We told her that she should practice using a quiet voice on our trip up to Anacortes for Thanksgiving. Mom and Dad are 100% on board with her scotch-tape solution.

I'm looking forward to the day when Sam can do some sawing and the old man can just point to the tree and grumble. Until then he gets pampered by Mom. Your day is coming Sammy.

Perfect spot for a family photo right? Wait, where's Audrey . . . Oh yeah, she's 4. She must be as dificult as possible, it can't be helped. "Hurry and take the photo or we're going to be on the news". I mean really, who looses their kid at a tree farm?

Just when we think she can only make things more difficult, she jumps in and becomes helpful. Again, Sammy, your day is coming!

Family Pics and Halloween

Imagine this stereotypical husband and wife conversation regarding family pictures (it could happen anywhere in the world . . . even Kenmore, WA!).
Wife: Honey, don't forget we have family pictures this weekend.
Hubby: (grumbling) Family pictures . . . we have plenty of pictures of the family.
Wife: It will be nice to have ones that are a little more formal, you'll see.
Hubby: (almost pleading) We'll never get the 4 year old to hold still, when we ask her to smile she'll purposely look away.
Wife: She'll be fine, it will be quick.
Hubby: (Thoughtfully) I think it's supposed to rain on Saturday.
Wife: It's not going to rain, and trust me, you will appreciate the pictures later in life.

These are the little conversations that remind me why I love my wife so much. She's almost always way ahead of me on creating "life's little moments", especially with the kids. Not that family pictures is some sort of revelation, but I gaurantee it wouldn't have happened if it was left up to me. Below are a few of the 200+ photos we now have that were taken by someone who actually knows what they are doing.

Sam if finally over his irrational fear of swings! Actually, his fear isn't that irrational. I think he was around 9 months when Audrey decided to help push him. He was midway on his return swing when she (unintentionally) gave him the whiplash push back forward. Trying to stuff his chubby little legs through the bucket swing after that just wasn't going to happen.

Nothing confirms fall is here like roasted corn on the cob at Country Village. Our kids (as I'm sure most) absolutely love the roasted corn, dipped in a huge pot of melted butter, and sprinkled with salt.

Our "pumpkin patch" adventure this year entailed us simply going down to the Yakima Fruit Market on Bothell Way. We felt a bit guilty, but it had absolutely poured for 3 days leading up to it and we knew the local patches would be a mud bath (do I sound like I'm still making excuses?). Oh well, Sam and his buddy don't seem to mind.

Sam is definitely on-task here while Audrey is goofing around. I'm 100% convinced this is a sign of things to come. Audrey's pre-K teacher told Lisa yesterday that Audrey is the little social coordinator in class. I'm also 100% convinced it wasn't a compliment.

Audrey has been learning the basics of a calendar. You can imagine what the month of October looks like to a 4 year old. You flip the page to a 31 day month, and way at the bottom, on the very last square, is the little pumpkin that signifies possibly the best night of a child's life. Waiting and counting the days was a true test of patience for her. The day is finally here and she is even willing to put an arm around her brother if it speeds up the candy-getting-process. We love her choice of uni-sex costumes (that's a spider if you can't tell). Sam, guess what you're going to be next year? Sorry kiddo, hand-me-downs are a fact of life for the second born.