Candy Cane House

We're all done with the outside of our candy cane house. We still need to work on the inside decor. 

 

If this is any indication of her actions with our Christmas tree, we're in trouble!

Thanksgiving

We spent the long weekend in Cincinnati visiting with family and friends. Max learned to tough it out with his big cousins while riding on ATVs, tag team wrestling and watching plenty of football. The girls laid back while visiting the conservatory, craft shows and napping. We made the trip home on Sunday to a chilly house and lots of Christmas lights in the neighborhood. We're spending this week catching up!

Max 3, Mark 6, Tucker 4, Jackson 8 months, Isabella 2, Violet 16 months

...it's crazy! A little different from June.

One of the only times they weren't wrestling.

At the Cincinnati Conservatory.

Violet touching violets.

Not a Second to Myself

I fully understand not to have much "me" time with two kids running around. So when my daughter walks into my shower fully clothed, I truly know that I've lost any and all privacy.

Progress Report

Max received his first progress report from Preschool this week. Not to our surprise, they've been working on his participation and communication skills. I'm sure Violet would strongly disagree. If only he was as vocal and bossy at school as he is at home, we'd have no issues. 

Early Thanksgiving

We celebrated early Thanksgiving with a short weekend trip to Chicago and visited with Grandmas, Grandpas, Aunts, Uncles and Cousin. We attempted a group shot of the kids but weren't very successful. Maybe we'll have better luck on Christmas!

 

One of the better shots!

Really?

The snow came yesterday afternoon and ended quickly leaving no marks of its existence. But, this morning, it returned and we've had consistent flurries ever since. Please Milwaukee, tell me this is only a fluke??

I guess we need to give up on the chance that we may use these again this year!

Cloud Dough

Since Violet still likes to put many things in her mouth, such as playdough, I wanted to try a homemade version that would be more friendly to her sticky fingers. Luckily, I saw this post on OhDeeDoh (a great website for all things kids) and wanted to try something new, called cloud dough. It was simple to make and the kids loved the different texture. We mixed 4 cups flour and 1/2 cup of oil for a good hour of quiet fun.

Highly recommend a larger covered surface. While it forms together, it also can run through your hands like sand!

 

Violet was napping while Max had the first go at this, so he had it all to himself.

Fun with the Plahms

Inflatable tube = fun for hours.

Settling down with Beauty and the Beast.

A tad windy, but that didn't keep the kids from enjoying the fresh air.

 

"Wait for me, guys!"

Winding up for throwing rocks.

Best buddies.

She Must Have Been Wearing Heels

The tiny, petite Violet must have been wearing heels while the nurse took her measurements at the doctor. She soared into the 90th percentile for height at 31 3/4". Yet she stayed steady in the 40th percentile at 22 lbs. If she stays at this pace, she'll follow in her brother's string bean build. The doctor also discovered she has her bottom molers trying to poke through, so needless to say, the drooling mess will continue for weeks to come.

Here are a couple pictures of the kids playing in what may be the last of our beautiful weather. They're new obsession is our front porch. Running back and forth, sitting on the stoop, and hiding behind chairs.

15 Months

Our Violet is now 15 months old and quite the pistol. She loves sitting on the couch, swinging her short legs as if on a carnival ride. She shakes her head no at every question even though I'm pretty sure she has no idea what it means. She does not like something being taken from her hands, which is what Max does most to her, so playtime isn't always tear-free. She has started to build with blocks and stack objects on top of each other. Her infatuation with the stairs has diminished, but she also thinks she can walk down them alone, which frightens us even more. We adore watching her grow and learn alongside her brother and from her infectious smile, we can tell she seems to like us, too!

Happy 15 months to our baby girl!

Vultures

I just put a batch of chocolate chip cookies in the oven and turned my back for five seconds. When I turned back, the vultures had sniffed their way to the oven door.

They really did wait almost all of ten minutes at the door until the timer went off. 

With faces like these, I couldn't resist giving in to them.