Uh Oh, Annabelle

It was time to head to school to get Ava Grace, so like we do everyday, I put Addy Mae in her seat and told Annabelle it was time to go. Immediately she pushed the button for the garage door and headed out to the car. I grabbed AM and closed/locked the front door. As we were headed to the garage I heard Annabelle crying. I couldn't imagine what she had done in that little time until I walked out to find this...

No, I didn't run back in and get my camera, but I did ask her to do it again when we got home so that I could capture the moment. Does that make me a crazy mom? (You don't have to answer that)

She gladly accepted but I don't think she was too happy about it once she was up there. What do you think?

My Annabelle!

I definitely don't want to forget this story and she will probably be so embarrassed (at some point in her life) that her daddy and I think it is so funny, but share I must.

As I was looking through family pics from Christmas, I came across Ava Grace's Christmas dance pictures. All of the parents and siblings were invited to her last dance class before Christmas for a small recital and reception.

We were watching all of the precious girls dance and Annabelle was becoming a bit of a distraction. Neno decided they should go to the lobby. She could run around, have a cookie, play with other kids, etc.

Anyway, there are a few toys in the lobby for kids to play with before class and for siblings during the class. As Neno tells it, there was little boy that kept nudging Annabelle back when she tried to join in. After a few times of that, she just politely stepped around him and went about her business. As the little recital was winding down, Annabelle ventured over to the door so that she could get a better look at her sister. This sweet young man felt the need to provoke my child yet again. Again, Annabelle tried to ignore him and go about her business, but Neno said that he could sense she had enough. The next time that he poked or elbowed or whatever he did to her, my child proceeded to take him down. Yes, my Annabelle shoved this boy through the door of the studio where the girls were dancing.

I was in Ava Grace mode, focused soley on her, while all of this was happening until I heard a child crying. I looked over to see a mother consoling her son. As I looked her direction, she was smiling at me. I thought is was just because she was embarrassed that her child was interrupting the class. As I found out later, she was probably looking at me thinking - your child did this.

In our defense, the little boys dad watched him provoke my child or was supposed to be watching him and truly wasn't. Neno knew something was about to happen and he just chose to watch it unfold.

My sweet Annabelle did try to be a lady and just let it slide, but when a girl has enough, a girl has enough. One day, she will know that sweet boy was just trying to get her attention. He just went about doing it the wrong way.

Christmas As Promised

I promised Christmas and Christmas I shall deliver. It was a great year! Ava Grace totally got it and because she does, Annabelle acts like she does and Adalyn, well she is just cute.

But this year, we were with my family on the Lake. Neno and I took the girls on Thursday night after dinner. We were PACKED (not an inch remained) in the car with all the presents and kids. But they were sleepy and didn't care. Plus, we were just excited to be on our way!!

We slept late and just hung out Friday with Mom and Dad. It was nice to not have to rush or drive with any traffic.

The rest of my family was going to be at their own homes until after Christmas morning (they only live an hour from Mom/Dad - much easier for them to do that). We, on the other hand, asked Santa to come to Nana & PawPaw's house to leave our presents.

The girls made sugar cookies and since Nana was out of chocolate syrup, we use hot cocoa mix to jazz up Santa's milk. Ava Grace was convinced he would love it!!

She even put food in the yard for the reindeer! Have you ever seen a more excited 5 year old. Her smile says it all!

He must have loved that we took care of him and his reindeer, because we all made out like bandits. Santa was good to us!!

After all of the excitement of the morning, things just got better when the cousins arrived. The kids were all soooooo excited to see each other - who cares about gifts. They didn't need them. They ran and played and hid and wore themselves out. I loved watching every minute of it!!!

I knew the weekend would fly by so I decided to stay the week with the girls and Neno flew back for work. We were invited into Austin to stay and play with Molly, Emma Beth and Marlee. We also made a date to ice-skate with Mel, Keelie and Westin. Ava Grace had been asking to do this and her cousins were so sweet to let her pick the activity. We were all a little skeptical about how the kids would do, but they did great, I think Molly and I were more concerned about whether or not we would spend the day on our rears. We did not. We had so much fun!! (Molly and Mel took pictures on their phones, but I have yet to get a copy)

Ava Grace and the girls could not get enough of each other. Brandon and Molly were so sweet to let us stay so that they could soak up as much of each other as possible.

All I Want For Christmas...

Is my two front teeth!

So I missed my post of Adalyn's 7 month b-day so I will role a few things into one. Here is her 7 months page and yes, over the last week, she has gotten her two bottom teeth. She has also learned to crawl. That makes this mommy so sad. She is way ahead of Ava Grace and Annabelle in both of those departments, they got teeth and crawled around 9 months. I just want Addy Mae to be a baby forever.

7 Months:

Up in the crawl position

Say "ba, ba, ba"

You can click your tongue on the roof of your mouth

Love to eat!

Take two great naps and sleep great at night

Have the greatest smile (I am going to miss the toothless grin)

More to come on Christmas and all of the great memories we made with family to come...

Ear Piercing Experience

About two weeks ago, we started talking about getting Ava Grace's ears pierced. She has done great at school and we recently started a "responsibility chart" at home that she keeps up with, as well. We thought this would be a good reward. A few of her friends have theirs pierced and she has asked a few times, so why not.

We set out for Clare's in the mall and all the way to the store, she was ready. We arrive at the store and suddenly it isn't such a great idea. She starts acting shy and scared and that is very uncharacteristic of my child. She asked if we could get a drink first and then come back. I took her to buy a lemonade and we returned to the store. No more did we get back and she had to go to the bathroom. As we were making our way back, I sat her down and told her that she did not have to do this and if we left the store again, we were just going to go home.

When we walked back in, she got in the chair and said she was ready. The lady that was going to do the piercing, cleaned her ears and made the little dots where the earrings would go and then when it was time, Ava Grace put her hands over her ears. I picked her up and climbed in the chair with her, thinking that would make it better.

It made it better for a little bit. The store clerk tried to help by giving her a sucker and it definitely worked until she cut her tongue with it. At that point, I told the store clerks (yes, I mean plural since it was going to take 2 to do it) that it was time to do it. I put my arms around Ava Grace held her still with one hand and held her head straight. They counted and on 3 it was done.

She was crying when we left the store, but not because her ear hurt, but her tongue was still bleeding.

Traumatizing or not, the earrings look fabulous and she loves them!!

The Polar Express

I guess it is becoming a family tradition and it is one that I love, taking our girls on the Polar Express. For the third year, we have put on our PJs and hopped on a train for a ride to the North Pole. It is a short little ride with hot chocolate and cookies and my girls love it!!




Ava Grace patiently waiting to have her ticket punched.







Annabelle not so patiently waiting to get to the elves.

Annabelle and her sweet friend Jackson playing peek-a-boo over the seats.

Finally getting to see SANTA!!!

6 Months Old

Almost a week late, but she is already 1/2 a year old!!!