Christmas Morning

After Santa arrived on Christmas morning.

Malloy was the first one up and was eager to see what Santa had brought.  We let her go ahead and check out her gifts even though the twins were still sleeping.  Although she did not receive the McKenna American Girl doll, Malloy was really excited about her gifts and didn't seem to notice that Santa wasn't able to come through on that request.  Her "big" gift from Santa was actually very small.  She got her own iPod touch to replace an old one of mine that I had let her use.  Her new iPod has a camera, which hopefully means, she will stop taking my phone and taking pictures and videos on it.  Malloy also received a Lalaloopsy doll, a locket, some DVDs and the family got a Wii game console and some games.

Gardner loves lawn care.  He was thrilled with his lawnmower, weed wacker, leaf blower and chainsaw!

Maisey already has access to more dolls, Barbies, and "girl" toys than any 2 year old could want, so Santa decided to upgrade some of the stuff she has been playing with from Malloy.  He brought her a very easy to maneuver stroller and a wooden high chair and cradle for her babies.

Maisey was excited about the candy in her stocking!

Gardner also got a train set.  He loves to watch the train go around and then fill it up with gas when it stops.

Christmas Eve

Posing for the obligatory Christmas Eve photo at Dearie's

Last year's picture - everyone has a lot more hair!

We needed to kill some time and burn off some energy before dinner.  Fortunately, it was 70 degrees on Christmas Eve so we played outside for a little while.

The twins wanted to sit at the kids' table.  They look like they are engrossed in a deep discussion.

Trying to get a picture with the cousins.

Sweet girls!

Gardner was on trash duty.  He loves to put garbage in its proper place!

More Christmas Happenings

After being out of school for a week, Malloy was glad to return to her class just in time for the holiday festivities.  Her teacher, Mrs. Greene, celebrated her birthday on December 20.  I volunteered to bring Snowman shaped donuts from Krispy Kreme.  They were a hit with the kids.  The next day, the class had a Christmas party where they played games, exchanged goodies, had a special snack and presented their teacher with her gift.  It was a week of celebrating!

At the beginning of December, all of the Kindergartners at South Highlands received these Elf hats.  They wore them every day while they worked and they were supposed to bring them magical Elf powers of "hard work and Christmas cheer" as Malloy informed me.  On the same day I brought the donuts to school, I got a call that Malloy had hit her head on the wall in the cafeteria.  I went up there to check it out, but it was already covered with a band-aid and Malloy would not let me look at it.  She acted completed embarrassed that I showed up in the cafeteria during her lunch period.  How dare I??

While celebrating in Malloy's class, one of the other parents pointed out Malloy's self-portrait.  I think she might be suffering from a distorted body image.  She is very ROUND in this drawing.  I have to compliment her on her tie dye outfit.  It does not resemble anything that she has in real life, but it is very appropriate as her class is called the "Groovy Kids".

As you can see, in relation to her classmates, she is large and in charge.

The twins did not have a big celebration at school, but they did receive gifts from their teacher.  Maisey was thrilled to open her brown bag and find a BALL!

She was so excited (and surprised) when she found out that Gardner received a BALL too.  It was just like hers!

Oooooh!  Ahhhh!  

Another Meeting with Santa

One Saturday morning, we bravely decided to venture out as a family of five for breakfast.  We headed to Strawn's and guess who just happened to be there?  Santa!  

Gardner gladly hopped right up in his lap.  

Maisey, on the other hand, did not want to be within a 10 foot radius of him.

Malloy seized one last opportunity to remind Santa of the items on her list.

December

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, there was a little something called December.  Just a regular month of school, playing, and being naked around our house.  

Gardner was obsessed with putting this cell phone in his "pocket".  He believed that the leg of his zip-up PJs constituted a pocket.

After he tired of putting the phone in his pocket, he just took the PJs off and strutted around in some high heels.

Then he worked on a little potty training with his baby.

Maisey got into the holiday spirit with this costume.  I have to compliment her (or Malloy) on the combination of these two dance recital costumes.  She really looks like she could be a Rockette in this number.

Hot pink velour leotard + pink Uggs = Cool

Maisey's signature look - sequined tube top around her waist with her Old Style sweatband on her wrist.  On this day, she was also rocking a pony tail.

Grandma and Papa wanted to wean her off the Old Style wristband by offering her more socially acceptable (for a toddler) Nike wristbands for Christmas.  Here she is, once again, with no clothes and some cool accessories.

No clothes, but sporting the sparkly Hello Kitty shoes.