Crayons = Happy!

We went from a vacation to Vegas, into Thanksgiving, and as of today our house is completely decorated for Christmas. It's been a crazy two weeks but I think things are going to get back to normal.



So today's been a day of cleanup and toddler entertainment amongst the boxes of Christmas stuff everywhere. A little something making me happy today...imagine my delight when I found these toddler "triangle" shaped crayons... they don't roll off the table!!! Brilliant! I can't tell you how often cries of "help, red CRAAAYONNN!" at the tragic loss of a crayon from rolling onto the floor. These are keepers.

and off I go to make lunch of leftover Thanksgiving dinner... still good even on the third day.

A Good Brushing

It's been a struggle, let me tell you, to get any form of tooth-brushing done on this toddler. It has been pretty hit or miss whether or not she'd let us anywhere near her teeth for a good brushing. The cool thing is, she's a big fan of climbing her steps, and now, playing in the water. I've introduced the idea of letting her do all the work of getting the brush wet, adding the toothpaste, and then brushing her own teeth. And while it's usually more like brushing her tongue, at least we're getting closer. If mommy pulls out all the stops and pretend cries like a baby, pathetic, I know, over how sad I am over Josie not brushing her teeth - she tells me "mommy, it's ok..." and then lets me get in a good brushing, but NEVER without me putting on a crybaby show first.

First Snowfall

Saturday morning our first snowfall came. It was a surprise to wake up that morning to an inch of snow covering everything - it was beautiful! Dad and Josie even skipped their Saturday morning daddy and Josie "pancake store" trip (aka, mc donalds) to be sure they made it outside before the snow melted. Her snowsuit from last year fits perfectly this year, and we'd already gotten the hats and gloves ready to go...


It wasn't long before the sun came out and melted it all away, but it was a good taste of the fun we'll be having this winter.

Little Helper

I officially closed my busy family photo season today. It's a relief to have a break until next year. It was a fun family that I've photographed for a few years now, so Josie tagged along and I've learned what I need to do to get her to pose... have the other kids do it and she wants to do the same thing :) Monkey see Monkey do! She layed right down on the ground next to the other kids "mimicking their every move" (who can name that movie? I'm watching way too many toons...)! This is the very last of our leaves, I had to search far and wide to make a measly little pile for the photos. Winter is not far...

Halloween 2010

Once again, I think these holidays are more fun as an adult than they were as a kid :) We had a blast on Halloween! To start off the day we did early toting around our little neighborhood for practice...


and AS IF we needed more sugar, I couldn't resist Halloween colored cupcakes...




Mimi and pops are getting close to finishing their house and will soon be moving to our neck of the woods, litterally :) So, sniff sniff, one last holiday at my childhood home. We headed to their old house to spend the afternoon in a busy door to door toting spree. Nate came out to ToT with us... Mimi made dinner for us before heading out to collect the candy.



It took a few houses before Josie stopped giving the candy BACK and started letting them put it in her pumpkin. Once she saw Nate having a good time, she joined in the fun and there was no crying after that. Surprisingly she didn't want to eat all the candy, just the twizzlers. Although I think she's quickly learning what a great treat candy is and is now asking for candy above cake!