We have another full-fledged walker!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
The Not Its!
So I don't make it to many grown-up concerts these days, but luckily, Seattle has a rockin' kids music scene! A bunch of moms in my playgroup took our kiddos to a concert by the Not Its!, a Seattle kids rock band. B warmed right up and was groovin' in the mini mosh pit up front in no time at all.
Snaps to our excellent Tacoma Public Library system for putting on fun concerts like these. Super fun on a sunny winter day! And the kids were definitely tired out afterward. :)
Sorry for the wobbly camera work. Mommy may have been dancing a little bit too. :)
Snaps to our excellent Tacoma Public Library system for putting on fun concerts like these. Super fun on a sunny winter day! And the kids were definitely tired out afterward. :)
Sorry for the wobbly camera work. Mommy may have been dancing a little bit too. :)
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Merry Christmas to all!
Hope everyone had a magical Christmas! We're discovering the magic of holidays with kids (We thought Christmas was fun when B was a baby, but wow! Christmas with kids who really get into it--like 3 and up--is a whole different story!)
Bianca woke up at 6am sharp. Steve talked her into staying in her room, but 15 minutes later we heard her knocking on her door, wailing "The clock is NEVER going to say 7!" I remember how hard it was to wait until Christmas morning when I was a kid. So I let her come out and take a peek at the tree and all the presents. :)
This is Christmas Eve, in their Christmas jammies. (These photos are out of order, sorry.)
Opening her dress up trunk. We were treated to fashion shows all day long!
Mia loves hats!
YUM!
Mia's exact words: "Cheese cheese cheese cheese cheese."
Beauty queen smile. She just never gets tired of hamming it up.
Giving a concert.
Every princess needs an iPhone! No, she didn't get one for Christmas--it's Aunt Laura's.
It was wonderful! But Christmas with kids is tiring. I think I need a holiday to recuperate from the holiday. :)
Bianca woke up at 6am sharp. Steve talked her into staying in her room, but 15 minutes later we heard her knocking on her door, wailing "The clock is NEVER going to say 7!" I remember how hard it was to wait until Christmas morning when I was a kid. So I let her come out and take a peek at the tree and all the presents. :)
This is Christmas Eve, in their Christmas jammies. (These photos are out of order, sorry.)
Opening her dress up trunk. We were treated to fashion shows all day long!
Mia loves hats!
YUM!
Mia's exact words: "Cheese cheese cheese cheese cheese."
Beauty queen smile. She just never gets tired of hamming it up.
Giving a concert.
Every princess needs an iPhone! No, she didn't get one for Christmas--it's Aunt Laura's.
It was wonderful! But Christmas with kids is tiring. I think I need a holiday to recuperate from the holiday. :)
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Snaps
Just some fun snaps of Mia from around the house...
Actually saying "cheese."
"Here, mom. I pulled this off the tree. And I want you to have it."
Having a par-tay with sissy's books!
Our sleepyhead. This one is a sleeper. She'd snooze all day if I let her. I was trying (and failing) to wake her up from a nap. I love sleeping-baby pics...and her little round belly.
Actually saying "cheese."
"Here, mom. I pulled this off the tree. And I want you to have it."
Having a par-tay with sissy's books!
Our sleepyhead. This one is a sleeper. She'd snooze all day if I let her. I was trying (and failing) to wake her up from a nap. I love sleeping-baby pics...and her little round belly.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Santa!
We visited Santa today. Love B's deer-in-the-headlights look! "Um this is a little bit more intense than I thought it would be and I don't really feel like talking much but they're telling me to smile and I will get a lollipop in a minute so I'm just going to FREEZE and get this over with!" She told him she wanted "a present." OK--that can be arranged!
Mia was a bit, oh, bored with the whole thing. :)
Here's our shot from last year, with the same Santa. However, last year he looked a bit rosier. This year he looked like he might have been spray-tanning. Hey, no judgment here--Santa's got to keep up with the times! Really, he's a great Santa and very good with the kids (we went to the Tacoma Mall).
What a difference a year makes!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Swirly crayons!
Last week we had some kids over for a playdate to make big, swirly crayons. I've wanted to do this project for ages, and I've been faithfully saving our broken crayons. We pooled our "savings" with a few other families so we would have enough to fill up the muffin tin.
Make sure to grease the muffin tin with Pam or something similar, then add the broken crayons and melt them in a 250 degree oven for 20 minutes, let cool (we sped up the cooling process in the fridge), pop out of the muffin tin, and voila! Big multicolored crayons that little fingers can grip.
They're so cool-looking!
I found a cool site with tons more projects for broken crayons: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf666289.tip.html. Can't wait to try more.
Make sure to grease the muffin tin with Pam or something similar, then add the broken crayons and melt them in a 250 degree oven for 20 minutes, let cool (we sped up the cooling process in the fridge), pop out of the muffin tin, and voila! Big multicolored crayons that little fingers can grip.
They're so cool-looking!
I found a cool site with tons more projects for broken crayons: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf666289.tip.html. Can't wait to try more.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Happy. Crazy. Fun.
I chose (well, B begged and I agreed) to have B's 4th birthday party at a local indoor jungle gym because I thought it would be less crazy than having it at home. You know--no cleaning beforehand, no clean-up, and you just have to bring the cake.
Turns out, a dozen preschoolers running around like little hooligans make for one crazy party--no matter where you are! We were SO wiped out afterward. But everyone had a blast. I'm so glad we did it.
Bianca was so excited for her party for weeks. The day of, she was so excited I thought she would burst. Steve commented that it's a good thing the party started at 11 am. She probably would have imploded from anticipation if she'd had to wait until the afternoon.
Picture of a happy girl!
Blowing out her candles.
The cupcakes--the Hello Kitty decorations were rings for the kids to wear.
In the jungle gym with her pal.
Baby races! Mia had a pal there too.
It was a wild little whirlwind of a day. And I can't believe we have a 4 year old! She's an amazing little ball of energy and she just gets more fun, and more interesting. Here's to another great year, Nonni! We love you!
Turns out, a dozen preschoolers running around like little hooligans make for one crazy party--no matter where you are! We were SO wiped out afterward. But everyone had a blast. I'm so glad we did it.
Bianca was so excited for her party for weeks. The day of, she was so excited I thought she would burst. Steve commented that it's a good thing the party started at 11 am. She probably would have imploded from anticipation if she'd had to wait until the afternoon.
Picture of a happy girl!
Blowing out her candles.
The cupcakes--the Hello Kitty decorations were rings for the kids to wear.
In the jungle gym with her pal.
Baby races! Mia had a pal there too.
It was a wild little whirlwind of a day. And I can't believe we have a 4 year old! She's an amazing little ball of energy and she just gets more fun, and more interesting. Here's to another great year, Nonni! We love you!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Macy's parade
The day after Thanksgiving, we headed to downtown Seattle for the annual Macy's parade. We've been hearing about it for years from Gene and Julie...I'm so glad we decided to go this year! It was the perfect parade for little ones. Lots of bright, colorful costumes and fun stuff for them to look at.
I loved watching their faces as they watched the parade...too cute.
Sophia kept trying to give Bianca a lift to "help her see". Luckily B didn't mind too much. :)
Every holiday parade needs a Santa!
Warming up back at their hotel. Sophs was so cute with Miss Mia.
Later on that day, Steve's mom threw a sixth birthday party for Sophia (since she lives in Dallas and isn't here on her actual birthday).
Birthday girl
Pretty cousins in their holiday dresses. It was the end of a long day and they look soooo tired, but the dresses were too sweet and we just had to get a shot.
I loved watching their faces as they watched the parade...too cute.
Sophia kept trying to give Bianca a lift to "help her see". Luckily B didn't mind too much. :)
Every holiday parade needs a Santa!
Warming up back at their hotel. Sophs was so cute with Miss Mia.
Later on that day, Steve's mom threw a sixth birthday party for Sophia (since she lives in Dallas and isn't here on her actual birthday).
Birthday girl
Pretty cousins in their holiday dresses. It was the end of a long day and they look soooo tired, but the dresses were too sweet and we just had to get a shot.
Happy Turkey!
We had a great turkey day at the Jacobson home in Redmond. Unfortunately, cousins Jillian and Holly were sick and had to stay in Arizona. So Mia and Bianca got to play with Sophia, their cousin from Dallas. Lots of good food and good fun!
Mia loved the toys in the playroom. We even caught a rare glimpse of Maya the reclusive cat in the background.
Julie, Sophia, and Dan's son Tommy setting out the new placecards.
Yummy!
Sophs was so sweet with Mia.
Mia loved the toys in the playroom. We even caught a rare glimpse of Maya the reclusive cat in the background.
Julie, Sophia, and Dan's son Tommy setting out the new placecards.
Yummy!
Sophs was so sweet with Mia.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Two shirts
Our little fashionista doesn't miss a thing. Her latest observation is that adults often wear two shirts--so she's decided that's the thing to do. Today she went into her room to get dressed and came out wearing this: jeans, polka-dot skirt, polka dot socks, and of course, a short-sleeved top over a long-sleeved one. Both tops were backwards, but so what. :)
Mia was also styled by big sis. Two shirts, natch! I think choosing Mia's clothes is hands-down one of B's favorite parts about having a little sis. She's been picking out almost all of Mia's outfits lately. She likes to lay them out for me on Mia's changing pad. Mom gets final say over what Mia wears, though, since the outfit selections can get a little crazy.
"Two shirts, one shirt, who cares? I'd look cute in a paper bag!"
Mia was also styled by big sis. Two shirts, natch! I think choosing Mia's clothes is hands-down one of B's favorite parts about having a little sis. She's been picking out almost all of Mia's outfits lately. She likes to lay them out for me on Mia's changing pad. Mom gets final say over what Mia wears, though, since the outfit selections can get a little crazy.
"Two shirts, one shirt, who cares? I'd look cute in a paper bag!"
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Delicious autumn!
I came across a beautiful quote about my favorite season:
Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.
--George Eliot
We've had a gorgeous autumn with our girls and some great fall experiences. Here are some photos from last month that I never got around to posting.
We met Steve's folks at Remlinger Farms. The place is amazing--although, not so much a farm. It's more of a carnival for kids. I don't think we encountered a speck of dirt on our entire visit. Not that that's a bad thing.
Bianca's first ride!
We got more of a real farm experience a couple of weeks later at Schiltin's Farm in Olympia.
Hayride!
Pumpkin pickin'.
Finally, we had a park playdate at Wright Park (yes, Bianca opted to wear her giraffe Halloween costume from last year). I love the enormous, ancient trees at this park--we were standing underneath one, and it started "raining" acorns! We got bonked on the head a few times but we collected a bunch.
All in all, a practically perfect fall.
Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.
--George Eliot
We've had a gorgeous autumn with our girls and some great fall experiences. Here are some photos from last month that I never got around to posting.
We met Steve's folks at Remlinger Farms. The place is amazing--although, not so much a farm. It's more of a carnival for kids. I don't think we encountered a speck of dirt on our entire visit. Not that that's a bad thing.
Bianca's first ride!
We got more of a real farm experience a couple of weeks later at Schiltin's Farm in Olympia.
Hayride!
Pumpkin pickin'.
Finally, we had a park playdate at Wright Park (yes, Bianca opted to wear her giraffe Halloween costume from last year). I love the enormous, ancient trees at this park--we were standing underneath one, and it started "raining" acorns! We got bonked on the head a few times but we collected a bunch.
All in all, a practically perfect fall.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Happy Birthday Pumpkin!
Whew--a whirlwind birthday weekend! Two birthdays, one party, lots and lots of fun!
First, we celebrated Mia's actual birthday on Thursday. The girls both enjoyed some birthday pancakes:
Friday was Steve's thirtysomething birthday. :) He got his present early this year (a little shopping spree at the Nike employee store in Beaverton, Oregon) so we just had a quiet dinner at home. Unfortunately, his birthday was kind of sandwiched bewteen Mia's actual birthday and her party, so I was pretty busy with party stuff. Happily, he's a great dad and didn't mind letting his girl take center stage. LOVE you, hon!
Mia's party was Saturday. I had a lot of fun with the preparation and decorations, since I love fall, pumpkins, and the color orange.
The pumpkin patch cupcakes were so much fun to make! Pumpkin cake with Swiss meringue buttercream--YUM! I wanted them to look like little pumpkin patches, complete with signs. Thank goodness my mom and Kendra found the little pumpkin candies. They were absolutely sold out everywhere I looked.
Pumpkin hummus.
Pumpkin gnocchi with browned butter sage sauce.
Birthday girl!
Inhaling her cupcake.
Sweets table.
Bianca was a good gift helper. She's wearing another tutu (Grandma made tutus for both girls--thanks!)
We took so many photos and I don't want to make this post any longer. Here's the album with the rest. Can't believe our sweet little pumpkin is one! Thanks, everyone, for a fabulous time!
Onward--Bianca's party is a few weeks away!
First, we celebrated Mia's actual birthday on Thursday. The girls both enjoyed some birthday pancakes:
Friday was Steve's thirtysomething birthday. :) He got his present early this year (a little shopping spree at the Nike employee store in Beaverton, Oregon) so we just had a quiet dinner at home. Unfortunately, his birthday was kind of sandwiched bewteen Mia's actual birthday and her party, so I was pretty busy with party stuff. Happily, he's a great dad and didn't mind letting his girl take center stage. LOVE you, hon!
Mia's party was Saturday. I had a lot of fun with the preparation and decorations, since I love fall, pumpkins, and the color orange.
The pumpkin patch cupcakes were so much fun to make! Pumpkin cake with Swiss meringue buttercream--YUM! I wanted them to look like little pumpkin patches, complete with signs. Thank goodness my mom and Kendra found the little pumpkin candies. They were absolutely sold out everywhere I looked.
Pumpkin hummus.
Pumpkin gnocchi with browned butter sage sauce.
Birthday girl!
Inhaling her cupcake.
Sweets table.
Bianca was a good gift helper. She's wearing another tutu (Grandma made tutus for both girls--thanks!)
We took so many photos and I don't want to make this post any longer. Here's the album with the rest. Can't believe our sweet little pumpkin is one! Thanks, everyone, for a fabulous time!
Onward--Bianca's party is a few weeks away!
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