Origami and a Basket Case

Ella is officially potty trained. She has been for a while, but I no longer have to help at all, well besides remind her to flush....and wash her hands. But washing is more my fault because we have to hide the soap from Audrey's OCD handwashing tendencies. That could be a whole blog in itself. (Yes, we have gone through more then one whole bottle of Bath and Body Works soap in a day in case you were wondering) There are so many great things about having your child potty trained. One of my favorites is going into the bathroom to find this.

Yes it took me about 10 mins to find out how to undo the paper.

Also this week we got to watch our friend Calla. The girls have such a good time with her and Calla likes the girls, but REALLY likes Daisy. While she was here I had to do my visiting teaching so I piled 3 girls in a double stroller and walked on over to our friend Carrie's. Calla had a great time with all the toys as you can see.

Afterward we headed to the park, and fit some sidewalk chalk in too. We have been loving our 60-70 degree weather.

Shear Genius

If you don't know Natalie Sistrunk, you should! (For those local) She has cut our hair since I was pregnant with Ella. She gave Ella her first cut after a couple months to get rid of the baby mullet. And gave Audrey her first cut at about 3 weeks.
Ella has only had trims most her life, but she decided she wanted it CUT. I got mine cut about a month ago and cut it above my shoulders so she decided that is what she wants too. These pictures are taken from my blackberry, so sorry for the quality.

Ella was such a big girl and sat so still. Afterward, Audrey climbed up into the chair for her turn. We only did a quick trim on her. Why? Well, most people would want to kill me for cutting her hair, but the real deciding factor: She wouldn't hold still long enough. She would end up with one side cut and the other long or something funky. I can barely get her to hold still for a ponytail. So her big cut will hae to wait a while. Maybe by then Audrey will have enough to give to locks of love. She is pretty close already.

Oh What a Difference a Year Makes

The weather man has been brutal to us this winter. Having grown up in Vegas, I have loved Charlotte's relatively mild winters. So far this year it has snowed FOUR times. FOUR. I always look forward to spring, but this year I am aching for it.

The girls have really enjoyed having a little change in the seasons though. The first snow storm came in and I was a little nervous. We had heard it was going to be a big one. It happened to be in January and it was Charlotte Restaurant week. Tom and I had already had reservations and Mickey and Mooch (which is an upscale restaurant not far from our home) and we had plans to meet a coworker of ours and his wife for dinner. When I left to pick up the babysitter the snow hadn't started and this is what I came home to.

I had been a little worried about how the girls were going to be in snow this year. Last year they hated it, see Audrey's picture from last year.

Compared to this year. (yes, she is eating snow)

The girls crack me up. While I was gone picking up the sitter, Tom was upstairs getting ready while the girls finished up dinner. He heard the doggie door and figured Daisy was going to see what was going on outside. A few minutes later he hears the door again, (No surprise since Daisy is not a fan of the cold and doesn't stay out long) but instead of Daisy he hears "Whoa, that is cold out there" followed by giggling. He ran downstairs to see the girls heading back outside minus jackets! He got them all bundled then headed out with them. When Holly and I got home we found them outside having a ball. Literally. They were eating snowballs and throwing them for Daisy to chase.

The next day Shawn and Cassie came with the kids and everyone played in the front yard. The girls loved making Snow Angels. I have some great video but I decided to post what I had ready.

It snowed again the next weekend. No pictures of that snow fall since the novelty of snow was over.

A few weeks later, it snowed again, although not quite as much. Tom helped the girls build their first snowman. After he first time it snowed Audrey would call any snow she saw, Snowman. If she saw any on the ground she would yell "Snowman Mama!" Now when she sees snow, it if all "Snowflakes". "I see Snowflakes everywhere mama."

It snowed again this week and I didn't bother to take pictures. It was mostly a dusting and I am tired of snow. I am ready to come out of hibernation and see our neighbors again.

December

December seems so long ago, like 3 months ago! I know I am a slacker. But it is fun looking through old pictures. I have some great videos too, but I haven't had time to actually play with them and figure out how to upload them. Some are pretty large and we mostly took video of Christmas morning. Sorry girls. Hope someday you can forgive me for lack of pictures.



December always starts out with bang and tons of Holiday Parties. The highlight of the year is the Ugly Sweater party. We are in the third year of this party and it is so much fun.

Tom and I posing for our "formal shot".

Cassie and Shawn and Shawn with Tom.

Shawn and Heather took home the award this year for Ugliest Sweater. Everyone had to do a catwalk to showcase their great looks. And Paige and Curtis gave the worst gift this year again. A live mouse. It is a GOOD thing Heather got that and not me. I know Curtis was hoping I would get it, but I would probably never go to the party again or talk to Curtis. The funniest thing is right after this party we headed over to our neighbors who throw a very formal party. I warned her we were party hopping and probably would be under dressed but she told me to come anyway. The only thing uglier then these sweaters are wearing them to a formal party. Good thing our neighbors like us!!

Every year we go to Birkdale to see the dancing bears and the Christmas tree. We were going to see Santa and he closed early!! Can you believe that?? We enjoyed playing in the fake snow that was more like bubbles. The girls could stay all day and watch the bears but it was pretty cold so we only stayed about 1/2 hour. Starbucks always gets great business from the outdoor park and I LOVE their carmel apple cider. I needed something to warm me from this cold winter.

It wasn't nearly as cold on Christmas Eve when we went back to talk to Santa. Afterwards the girls danced by the tree getting excited for the coming night.

The girls got to open their "dress" jammies on Christmas Eve. I love that Audrey is still wearing her shoes with hers. The girls loved the jammies and actually went to bed at a reasonable hour. Tom and I learned our lesson and this year nothing needed to be put together on Christmas Eve.

A picture of all the stash before it was opened. Sorry for the lack of pictures while opening presents. Just think of the tasmanian devil and that was Audrey and wrapping paper. We had a great Christmas. We had the Bole and Manwill's over for dinner later that night and I think the girls enjoyed the friends as much as the gifts. We are so grateful for wonderful family and friends.