Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

I'm home with a sick little Madeline. Chris and Sydney are at his parent's and Maddie and I are watching Frozen. For the 3rd time in 3 days. 

My sweet Maddie has the flu and is sick sick sick. 

(Ignore my weird face here.)

I hate that Maddie has the flu. It makes me feel like grumpy cat.

We were able to do a little family Christmas this morning before Maddie had to be relegated back to the couch. Those pics to come later. But, for now, enjoy this day with your family! And remember, the reason for the season!

Weekend Wrap-Up!

On Friday, Kyle and Danielle threw a little holiday pizza party and a very special visitor came: SANTA!

She told Santa she wants a yo-yo. (News to Mommy-Santa)

Again, Sydney was NOT a fan. She pinched me so hard when I tried to get her near him. So, we did a little sneak attack. He came up from behind her for this pic. 

Santa told Sydney she looked like she was going to prom. What can I say? My kids REALLY like to dress up. (Well, Maddie does. Sydney wears whatever Maddie picks out.)

Maddie, on the other hand, had no problem with him!

Maddie and Hadley (Hudson's cousin.)

Most of the kids!

On Saturday, I had my annual holiday party with my work girls. This is the only pic I got.

Fresh squeezed OJ mimosa. YES, please. Love the friendships I've made at work!

Speaking of work, meet your next generation Humana associate.

 Maddie loves playing in my office.

On Sunday, we took the Christmas train with K and D and Hudson. We did a quick walk through the museum before departing the station.

With my big girl, ready to go!

Sooo excited to be on her first real train ride!

Loving the cookies they passed out.

She told Santa she wants a baby and a yo-yo. Where did this yo-yo obsession come from?

Crossing a river!


After a while, the kids did a little coloring.

Chris snapped this. He and Kyle were safely across the aisle, enjoying the peace.

Until we sent the kids their way!!

Suddenly, I heard "heeeeey boyssss." Yep. It was my 3 year old. Jeepers. That starts, already?

She was leaned over talking to 2 little boys next to us.

When we got off the train, it was (fake) snowing!

Then, the kids wanted to chase each other around.

So, we let them burn off a little cookie and hot chocolate energy!

 Hudson just got a new little sister in September so we wanted to do just a special afternoon for our big kids. Sydney stayed with nana. The ride was 90 minutes and girlfriend can't sit still for 90 seconds! Hopefully she can join us next year! 

Gearing up for Christmas!

Maddie and Sydney go to Nana and Grandpa's house on Mondays and always have a great time! This week, nana and grandpa took the girls to Bass Pro.

Sydney was NOT a fan of the large jolly man, but Maddie had no problem telling him she wanted a new baby doll. Because, you know, we don't have enough baby dolls!!!

On Wednesday, we headed to the Science Center to see the newest updates to KidZone. 

One of the workers, Emily, has been there the last few times we've gone and her and Maddie have so much fun together. 

Maddie showing me what's left on her list.

Maddie loves playing in the bubbles.

Wednesday night, my friend Ally and I got to have dinner. She's visiting from El Salvador so it was wonderful to sit and catch-up. We talked for nearly 2 hours before realizing how long it had been!

On Thursday, Sydney made her stage debut in her school's Christmas program. I think she's got a long future ahead of her. She got to sit in the front row of her buggy and hold up a star during a song. 

#bigtime

Friday morning, we went to K and D's work so that Maddie could participate in a Christmas video. They asked her a lot of questions and she was really sweet! A little shy, but she did great!

Mads and Hudson squeezed in together.

Friday afternoon, I took Maddie to her preschool for her holiday party. 

Pin the nose on Rudolph!

The kids learned how to play musical chairs...

And Maddie actually won!

Maddie is super competitive so this didn't surprise me. We're working with her on winning AND losing graciously. 

Chris is off for the next two weeks and we're so excited! 

Bouncing Around Town

Like most of our weekends, this weekend we were everywhere. 

But first…this.

Earlier in the week, the girls were having so much fun riding Stella. 

Maddie has been VERY in to her and Sydney dressing alike. I let her pick out a couple of matching shirts from Kohl's last week and she was sooooo excited. If you see them out and about matching, that's her doing. :)

Friday, we went to KGA where the girls spend the better part of the play time on the roller coaster.

Sydney thinks she owns the coaster and literally screams when I take her off. 

THIS.IS.MY.JAM!

Finally, she gave Maddie a turn. So, she went backwards.

Then Maddie did the rock wall. Sydney desperately wanted to get up there with her.

At the end of open time, they do a song called "Shake Your Beanbag." Sydney loves it!

After, we went to Costco for some groceries.  I did my very best to speed past this, but Madeline saw it and literally SHRIEKED for me to stop the cart.

Then she asked me if we could buy it. No. Then she asked if daddy could build it. I said maybe. (Daddy does need a project for his Christmas vacation, right?)

 Sydney's school is forever doing crafts and family events--it's really great how they keep the families involved. I couldn't participate in this event, but they invited parents to come in and make gingerbread houses with their kids. The big kids got the big houses, but the toddlers used graham crackers. Here was baby Picasso's Sydney's house.

Maddie cheesing with the house she did last week and Sydney's house.

Saturday, we did a quick outlet mall trip so Chris could get a few things. The girls got to do one ride.

One of Maddie's closest buddies from school, Juliet, turned four on Saturday so we went to a preschool party at KaZoing!

Elsa!

Maddie and her friend, Audrey.  

Sunday, we had a SECOND party. Maddie's original pre-school BFF, Stella Murphy had her 4th birthday party at Chuck E Cheese!  These two friends held hands and ran ALL OVER the place. Maddie and Stella got put in two separate rooms this year, but we're hoping they will join together in the next class. 

 Stella REALLY wanted to ride the roller coaster simulator but Maddie was pretty timid. She did it though. She was a little nervous at first...

But, then she had a great time!

Sydney had a great time too!

And now, both kids are napping. That's how tired Maddie was…she even took a nap, no questions asked. Daddy is out getting his oil changed and his hair cut and I'm just soaking in the quiet. Before nap time ends…and chaos resumes!