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.

1st Day of School!

Audrey all dressed up for her 1st day of Pre-K! The poor thing was so excited I'm not sure if she slept the entire week leading up to it.

Still smiling. She loves school so much that she literally heads out to the car and climbs into her booster seat 15 minutes before it's time to go. Lisa tells her that they have a little time before they need to go and Audrey replies "That's okay Mom, I'll wait right here . . . ".

It is amazing how little kids can connect within the first 5 minutes of meeting each other. By day 2 they were all hugging each other when they showed up.

While Audrey's school is only 1/2 day, 3 days a week, it gives Mom and Sam a little alone time. Well, let me paint the picture of what the alone time really is . . . Mom gets to do whatever the heck she wants while Sam . . . well, see the picture below on what he gets to do for the 3 hours Audrey is gone.

The quiet house actually works a little too well with Sam's nap. He often has to be woken up to go pick big sister up from school. It is almost criminal to wake a sleeping baby. Okay, fine . . . toddler.

If he's a good boy and lets Mommy have her time, he gets a little something like say . . an Oreo cookie. I think he's on board!

. . . and Audrey just looks bored with her meal. "Lasagna again . . . ho-hum, what's a princess to do?".

4 Year Olds Can Catch Fish!

Lisa's uncle Tim has a beautiful place out in Poulsbo that has been near and dear to Audrey's heart since they hosted the family re-union the year prior. It was her first experience with many leisurely activities such as berry picking (blueberry, blackberry, strawberry, raspberry), hammock lounging, "insanely large swing from a tree" swinging, and best of all . . . homemade ice cream. She has been asking to go back ever since.

As you can see from the picture above, being 4 years old opens up your world to a whole knew batch of leisurly activities (Yep, uncle Tim has a fully stocked pond on his property). Would you believe that she landed a fish less than 5 minutes in?

Success! And don't worry, it was catch and release. Lisa was worried that she might be cleaning and de-boning an 8 ounce bass.

For Audrey's birthday party Lisa suggested we do face painting. Being the mild idiot I am I said "do we rent a clown to do that"? Did I forget who I married? As Audrey likes to say about her mommy (in her very best Beastie Boy voice) "She's Crafty!" Lisa did a great job painting faces (butterfly of course for Audrey).

4 year old birthday parties really are great. It's the first one where kids seem to get that there is one birthday child and they all sit around and watch and give the occasional ohhh and ahhh. And yes, Disney princess theme'd toys still win the day. I'm not sure, but I think that branding campaign is going well.

And here we have our two very own princesses. Cinderella (Sydney) on the left and Aurora (Audrey) on the right. I know the Disney princess line-up better than the Seahawks line-up . . . AHHHH!

Quick quiz . . . can anyone identify one choking hazzard for Sam on the table above? Okay, how about 17 choking hazzards? Still too easy? Don't worry, Audrey has promised to "Put them in their bed every night . . . I promise".

We've referred to Sam's ever growing toddler mullet before. I was telling Lisa that we shouldn't cut it and let the top grow in to meet up with the back (perhaps I'm jealous of growing hair?). I do believe after seeing this picture that I was arguing a very weak case.

Pretty sure I didn't have an awesome Blue Angel chair to sit in when I was a kid. Lisa and I were singing "You've Lost that Loving Feeling" from Top Gun the whole time. I think he's more like Iceman but Lisa likes Goose. The hair stylist was not impressed.

In the end mommy knew best and the haircut looks pretty good on our "he looks nothing like a baby anymore, so let it go already" baby boy.

Who doesn't love being a tourist in their own town? You really do learn a lot on these kind of adventures. One caveat . . . the tour guide sold Bremerton to a group of ladies thinking it was Bainbridge. He told them it was a 30 minute ferry ride to Bremerton and they could have dinner and watch the sun set as it reflected back on the city. Pretty sure they were a little upset when they drifted into Bremerton.

Or perhaps they didn't hear him because of all the quacking? I felt like I was at the UofO on a Saturday afternoon!

"Not sure about these new binky's mom, maybe I am ready to give them up".

When Audrey was born Lisa joined a mom's group. They are still going strong and meet very regularly. Here are the kids at the group 4 year old birthday party.

And here they are with the addition of siblings. Nearly all families have now "doubled-down" with two even adding a third (in less than 4 years? that's crazy talk). It's so sweet to see all the kids piled on their mother's laps. Can anyone see Audrey and Sam cuddling? Yep, still not happening. She was up quicker than a flag on the fourth of July when she saw him coming.

I'll admit, he's a little grabby, but come on Audrey you're his idol! In a show of affection, she did cry when he recently fell down a half flight of stairs (unhurt), so I suppose there is still hope.