Christmas in January 2011

Keira still likes us to sing her Christmas songs at bedtime. Just las night I sang her Jingle Bells and I saw Mrs. Claus kissing Santa Claus.

To sleep or not to sleep...or to change my clothes...or to snuggle... - January 2011

Keira has been coming out of her room more lately after being tucked in at night. And last night she kept coming out as has been her norm lately. But this time, sick mom thought it'd be a good idea to just let her have her lights dimmed and tuck some books in her bed and ask her to stay in bed and go to sleep after reading books. Ella will do that, so why should our second child be any different? About an hour later after hearing her cough (she is getting over a cold too) mom checks on her. She is not in her bed. She is not in her PJ's anymore either. She is curled up in the rocker glider resting her head on the armrest apparently sleeping and wearing a whole new outfit which included a skirt exposing her bare little legs to the cold. The skirt she was wearing was one with shorts underneath and she managed to fit both of her little legs into one of the sides of the undershorts. Mom had to refrain from laughing and felt bad about her exposed little legs. When mom picked her up to take her to bed she woke and explained she was taking a little rest on the chair and got all excited when mom told her she needed leggings and socks and got some books off the floor while mom got socks. She was ready for another sleepover party to begin and made sure that she put her socks on herself. But she did go to sleep after that...only to wake up at who knows when, alegedly 5:20 according to Ella, and slipped into Ella's room to play with her. Dad heard them giggling at 6 AM so they were playing together for who knows how long! And then tonight Ella conked out pretty quick, no doubt because she was up so early. But Keira played a little while. After checking on her about 20 minutes after tucking her in she had found her way into Ella's room again only to find Ella already asleep. Keira told mom that she wanted to snuggle with Ella. And mom found Keira with new pajama pants on. Same shirt this time, just different pants. Oh they are so sweet!

Park time:

Charlie Brown Christmas - December 2010

We've watched Charlie Brown Christmas a couple of times this year and the girls love it. Dad turned it on today for them to watch while mom was getting ready for church and when Linus came on for the first time with his blanket Keira pointed at the TV and said 'he has a stupid blanket.' Dad thought it was funny because she said it to point out that she knew this because she'd seen it before and remembered that Lucy called his blanket stupid.

Also today, Ella sang in church for part of the Christmas program today and she did a beautiful job and looked beautiful doing it. She had a great time and paid close attention to the choristers and did sign for some of the songs. I was INCREDIBLY proud of her. She is an angel.

Caroling - December 2010

The girls got a taste of the Christmas spirit today because they went caroling to some members of our ward at the North Creek Rehab Center. Dorothy was dancing along to the songs they sang. They sang Away in a Manger, Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer, and Merry Christmas. When I had the girls practice Rudolf we did it with all of the little extras i.e. 'light bulb' and 'Pinocchio' and 'Columbus' but any time there was a pause Keira would defalt to 'Columus' each time and she would sometimes get upset when I tried to correct her that Columbus does not have a shiny nose. Anyway, Ray was touched by the girls and grateful for their visit. He wanted the girls to see some paintings of flowers he'd made and the girls thought they were beautiful. He had a sign up that said 'Happy Birthday Ray' in his room and Ella read it and turned to me and said 'that must be Ray.' :) Both the girls sang well and had a good experience with their friends.

Tidbits - December 2010

This report can't be verified but Ella told Travis tonight that Keira went into her room last night and asked to snuggle for a bit. Apparently she did. When Keira was presented with the quesition 'did you snuggle with Ella last night in her room?' Keira replied 'uh huh.' Keira will often say yes for the sake of being agreeable so we can't verify the story but how can we not believe them?

And I need to add something that Erica kindly reminded me of. We Skyped with her about a week ago and the girls would not stop singing Jingle Bells even when asked for other songs by Erica. I'm not suprised when they don't listen to a request like that from me but from Erica?!?! They also kept wrestling with each other and Keira got Ella in a headlock once or twice over the course of our skype. They are pretty hillarious when the get wrestling together and the giggles get going.

Funnies as of late - December 2010

Kaira's 'magic word' to get out of a hold she was in when we visited the Campbell's over Thanksgiving was 'hearts.' Super sweet.

Last Sunday Keira ran up to Ella and gave her a hug when dad and Ella picked her up from nursery. Also last Sunday, Ella was reading the words to the hymn "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and said "this is from Charlie Brown!"

Keira's favorite song to sing at bedtime lately is 'I saw mommy kissing Santa Clause.' Sometimes she will ask us to substitue dad and Ella instead of mom. When we tell Keira that she can have a song before nap or bedtime she'll say 'two songs' matter of factly and hold up two fingers.

A few nights ago Ella came into our room with Keira. Usually they come in one at a time. Ella said that Keira went into her room and wanted to snuggle:)

Botanical Garden D'Lights - December 2010

Grandma, grandpa, and gram and millions of beautiful lights!