Christmas Day Part One

Kenzie checking out all the presents

Manny and his 5 pound bag of hotdogs (can anyone guess who these were a present from?)

Manny probably trying to sweet-talk Grampa into doing something:

David trying to help Manny put together some little Lego's:

Manny Christmas Morning

With his "little Lego's":

Trying to open Daddy's 50-feet-of-tape-wrapping job:

Manny's quilt that I made him:

Makenzie Christmas Morning

Playing with some toys:
I decided that I wanted to get Makenzie a doll for Christmas. I didn't want it to talk, cry, pee or poop. I wanted to just get her a doll. Do you know how hard it is to find "just a doll"? I actually took Makenzie to Toys R Us with me to help pick it out. Since I had such a hard time finding a doll that didn't come with accessories, I decided on a stuffed animal. So I walked Kenzie down the animal aisle and she picked out a stuffed tiger. She grabbed the tiger and hugged it and sat down in the cart with it. We were heading over the to other side of the store when Makenzie suddenly stood up, dropped the tiger over the side of the cart onto the floor and started pointed and making sounds. I looked and she was pointing to a Raggedy Anne doll. I gave it to her and she did not let go of it until I had to wrangle it out of her hands at the checkout.

Playing with the conductor to the train:

Christma Eve with the Ramos'

Some pictures from Christmas Eve in The County.

An attempt at a family photo:

The Great Uncle Louis putting Makenzie to sleep:

And then flying Manny around the room on his shoulder:

Manny and Gracie:

Trying to figure out the Snow Globe

Besides the usual excitement of the Christmas Tree, presents and ornaments, Kenzie fell in love with snow globes. I don't know if it was a combination of the glitter, snow falling, or the fact that they play music, but she was hooked.

Playing under the Christmas Tree

Makenzie was quite mesmerized with the Christmas Tree, the wrapped presents and especially the ornaments. She was very good with the addition of the tree and especially the presents. She would look at them, touch them, but she never ripped them or broke an ornament.

I found her one day sitting next to the tree, just playing.

Making Crayons

I have this thing, always have, that I do not like short, stubby crayons. I will not use them (unless I have to) and usually buy another box just to have the sharp long crayons.



So what do you do with the stubby crayons? You make cupcake crayons. We broke up all the short crayons, peeled them and put them in an old muffin tin.



I thought I had more pictures of the kids doing this project, but now I can't find them.

Waiting impatiently for the crayons to melt:

The finished product:

Playing at the Children's Museum

Manny flossing the giant teeth:

My two long-haulers:

Climbing in the tree. Makenzie did not want to leave the tree. Every time I would try to tell her it was time to go down, she would crawl away from me and shake her head no.

Reading about beavers:

Checking out the turtles:

Santa

I know these pictures are quite blurry, but I wanted to post them anyway.

Manny, of course, loved sitting on Santa's lap and filled Santa's ear with presents that he wanted...none of which he had told Joe and I about...some of which I think were made up in his head.

Makenzie was just amazed at his beard. She would look from Santa to Manny and just smile and laugh.

Splish Splash

Makenzie loves to take a bath. The tub is one of the places in the house where she will willingly go on her own. All you have to say is "Makenzie, do you want to take a bath?" and off she goes.

Potty Talk

Today I bravely took both kids to The Maine Discovery Museum. Of course, as soon as we got there, Manny had to use the bathroom.

He was in the stall next to me and the following conversation took place:

Manny: Mama are you sitting down?
Me: Yes, Manny.
Manny: Are you peeing?
Me: Yes, Manny.
Manny: You are sitting down going to the bathroom because you are a girl and you have a 'gina.

I am so glad we were alone in the bathroom.

Washing Dishes

Sometimes while I am making dinner I let Makenzie play in the sink with water. That is it a bowl of water. Who knew a bowl of water could be this much fun?







Sucking the water out of her sleeves:

Soaking wet

Never.Ever.Ever...

give you one-year-old spaghetti

Decorating the Tree

Given the staged photo below, one would think Manny was very excited to decorate the tree. Not so much. We basically force him the put a decoration on the tree so that we could take this picture. Then he sat on the floor and put a couple of puzzles together.

Not as Hallmark Card as I wanted, but what are you going to do...he's three and a half.

Our First Snow

We had our first snow of the season a couple of weeks ago...Manny was so excited!

Having some fun at open gym

We went to open gym for the first time this winter and I think both kids had a great time.

Thanksgiving in Portland

We spent Thanksgiving Day in Portland with some of the Mosley Family.

We spent the day visiting, eating, watching the parade, eating, looking at Black Friday Advertisements...oh yeah and eating.

Manny and Uncle playing under the table:

Manny was very excited to eat desert and specifically asked, "is there some chocolate for Manny?"

Playing 'Sorry' with Sarah in the basement:

Putting puzzles together:

Kenzie enjoying sitting with Uncle:

What a difference a nap makes

Makenzie wasn't too fond of her new hat....

Trying to pull it off:
A very sad face:
Lovin' her new hat: