Twas the Day After Christmas

Twas the day after Christmas and all throughout the house

all the kiddies were up and running around through the house.

So many presents to play with and good treats to still eat.

While mom and dad might be sleepy, the kids keep us on our feet.

Wrappings and ribbons are still strewn on the floor

a huge mess indeed, that I am choosing to ignore.

The kids will spend the day playing with their goodies galore

and I will be grateful that I don't have to go to any stores.

I am happy to be living and breathing with my loves ones so dear,

and I am content to just sit here, remembering a great year!!

The End.

OK - so I am not as eloquent as others I know, but I thought it would be fun to try and create a little story to capture what our Christmas Day (and the aftermath) consisted of.

And now I am done. Sorry if that was painful for some of you.

Here's what's been going on at our house since last I posted.

Christmas Eve - 7:30 ish - the girls got new Jammies. How stink'in cute do they look. BB1 loved her nighttime dress and who doesn't like a kid in polka dots.

Christmas Eve - 11:30 ish - Santa was in Cedar City, UT according to NORAD tracking. Good thing we are went to bed when we did, so that Santa could come.

Christmas Day - 7:30 am - BB1 wakes up first (which I thought was awesome considering Papa Bear and I both woke up at 5 wondering when we were going to get pounced on by the wee ones) She went to Papa Bear's side of the bed first (I guess she has learned that I don't respond so well that early in the morning) and told him that Santa had come and there were some really big presents under the tree. . . SO big they weren't even wrapped. . .and to hurry up and come down stairs. She then immediately ran into BB2's room and the words that came floating back down the hallway were - "BB2, wake up - Santa came and there are sooooo many presents. YIPPEEEE!!" This statement was then immediately followed up with excited giggles, laughter and clapping from both of them. I LOVE IT!

I got video of them sliding down the stairs and their first reaction to the bounty that awaited them. Once I figure out how to upload video, you'll get to see the comedy and joy that only kids on Christmas morning can create.

Question - Can you really be in 5 different places at once. Answer - YES!, if there are presents with your name on them in 5 different places. Trust me on this one.

Stockings came first and the rest of the morning was a blur of ribbons and wrapping paper flying around the room. What I remember the most is the warm and happy feeling in my heart as I watched the ones I love the most so excited and happy.

BB1 is now a rock star and we expect some pretty spectacular performances from her in the near future and BB2 is on her way to becoming a great mommy (she loves her new little baby) and a Galaxy Explorer with her new Space Buggy. It was all we could do to get her out of the car and eat some breakfast.

Both the girls where great when it came to not eating all of the candy from their stockings (I am still not sure how I got so lucky on that one) and after a breakfast of really yummy crumb cake, bacon and eggs, they spent the next several hours just playing with all their new toys. Both the girls got new teddy bears which have been named Sugar (BB1) and Spice (BB2) and they could not be more appropriate in describing the child they belong too.

The rest of the day was just hanging around. Papa Bear hung a new light fixture in the garage and shoveled a bunch of snow. I cleaned out the play room, to make room for all the new toys and BB1 got all dressed up to play in the snow. We all got to take a nap (one of the best things about Christmas Day), except for BB1 who said she was not in the slightest bit tired.

Dinner consisted of the most delicious of spiral sliced ham (thank you Target for having such a great deal on them - 1.14/lb.) and yummy salad and rolls. If anyone is in the mood for a nice ham sandwich you know where to get one, seriously, we will be eating it all week!

So definitely a great Christmas. The only way to improve on it would be to have family and friends near by to share it with. We only hope everyone had as great a Christmas where ever you are.

Oh - before I forget- On Christmas Eve - BB1 wanted to get her face painted like a clown. Not sure where the idea came from, but she got all dressed up as a clown (thanks JoJo the clown costume for finally fitting 2 years after we purchased it for Halloween) and the pictures are just too cute not to share. Enjoy!

Tracking Santa

Yep - that's right. As I type this post, we are currently tracking Santa's where abouts. Right now he is in Valparaiso, Chile. BB1 couldn't be more excited about seeing where he is right now, cause as she just informed me seconds ago "it means he is on his way to our house."

As a kid, I could never fall asleep on Christmas Eve waiting for Santa to come. I would just lay there in bed telling myself to go to sleep, but my little body was filled with so much raw excitement and energy it took all my strength to not pop out of bed like a Mexican jumping bean every 2 seconds. I never actually remember falling asleep, but eventually I must have as Christmas morning always came and Santa had always made his delivery just like I hoped he would.

Even now I still feel that boundless excitement and energy, and even more so now that I can see the joy that Christmas brings to my two little ones. I love seeing the light and wonder of the season shining through their eyes. I hope they have a good Christmas and take away the most important presents of all - love for all mankind, peace for the earth, joy in the heavens and the miracle of the birth of one tiny baby and the endless possibilities of hope that event has brought for all of us.

I know BB1 got it this year about the giving of presents, especially to her teacher and classmates. She was so excited to give out her little present and she got so sad when she thought she was one short (side note - she wasn't and everyone walked away with a treat) BB2 loves going up to the tree and looking up at the lights and ornaments and have been REALLY good about not taking them off. (did I get lucky or what). Just a little glimpse into our Christmas doings.

Well, BB1 just told BB2 that they both needed to be sure to get to bed on time so that Santa could come and deliver his presents. It's 7:30 and the earliest these two have wanted to go to bed for a while, especially at thier own request. I will not say be saying no to this one.

Also, Santa is now in Moyobamba, Peru and getting closer and closer and closer.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

Christmas Letter to Santa

Because this is too cute not to share. Below is the letter that BB1 emailed to Santa for Christmas. She wrote it (with the help of Papa Bear) and all the words (for the most part) are from her own mouth.

Dear Santa,
I have been super nice this year! I have listened to my parents and done most things that they have asked me to. I love my little sister so much and help her with lots of things like walking and eating and getting dressed. I keep my room and my play room clean most of the time. Most of the time I make my bed and I put my pajamas away. Below are the toys I would like for Christmas.

Kawasaki 4-Wheeler
Barbie Bicycle
Fur Real Friends Butterscotch Pony
Kitchen Set
Hannah Montana Microphone Set
Barbie Corvette
Barbie TV-DVD
Video Games
Laptop Computer
Straightening Iron
Arts and Craft Supplies

Love, BB1

That being shared - I find simple joy in the way that technology keeps up with even something as simple as being able to send a letter via email to a big fat man with a predisposition for red and all thing jolly, with all your wishes attached, and knowing he will get it and even respond (yep, Santa had already written BB1 a response back).

I guess there is some merit to being on the "nice" side of the list more times than the "naughty" one.

So, what are you asking Santa for Christmas this year?

Letter to Santa

This letter was sent to me by my sister-in-law (author unknown) but it's message needed to be shared with all the wonderful moms, grandmothers, aunts, friends and women I know who can appreciate the sentiment expressed within. Enjoy!

Dear Santa,

I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited the kids doctors office more than my doctor and sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground.

I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years.

Here are my Christmas wishes:

I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze, but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store.

I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy.

If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music, a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals, and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools.

I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting "Don't eat in the living room" and "Take your hands off your brother," because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.

If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.

If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely.

It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.

Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is calling and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back. Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't catch cold.

Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.

Yours Always,
MOM...

P.S. One more thing...you can cancel all my requests if you can keep my children young enough to believe in Santa.

Snow Day

Well we have had our first official snow fall, and if this storm is an indicator of how much snow we are going to be getting at our new house, then we are definitely going to have to buy a snow blower. There is no way we are going to just be able to shovel the few inches we are used to getting and be done with it.

In Colorado, the snow (for the most part) stayed where it belonged - in the mountains. But I guess that is not the case here. Oh no my friends, here it snows in feet and at last unofficial measure, we got almost a foot of the cold white stuff.

Thanks to a mysterious rumour that Papa Bear had broken his arm, (BTW - his arm is NOT broken) our very kind and generous neighbor showed up with his snow blower to help with our drive way and sidewalks. Without his help we might still be shoveling our way out 2 days later.

I have to admit that the snow made for a very pretty picture at our house, as it blanketed the scrub oak that permeates our yard and neighborhood. I just wish I had taken a picture of it to share.

Once we finally let her outside to play, BB1 had a blast. BB2, on the other hand, took a little more convincing. As long as she was just standing in the snow she was fine, but the minute she fell back into the snow, she was not a happy camper. And she really didn't like the time that she fell over forward into the snow. Darn snow boots that make it too hard to balance or even walk! Luckily mom was there to rescue her and dad to give her kisses to make her cold cheeks disappear.

For a little bit of snow fun, we took both the kids over on Papa Bears newest toy (a 4 wheeler) to a little park area in our neighborhood with some nice slopes and let BB1 "snowboard".

I use that term loosely, as sitting on the snow board and using it as a sled don't really count as snowboarding, but hey, she was having fun.

She also got a really good lesson about the laws of motion that state (very loosely I might add) that what goes up, must come down, or in the case of sledding what goes down, must come up. It was pure comedy watching her try and bring the board back up the hill and loose her grip on it and then have to chase back down after the slippery little thing, but I guess situations like these build character or perseverance or teach on of those important life lesson, right? Hopefully it just made her appreciate and enjoy the smooth ride down all the more.

During this whole sledding adventure, BB2 was just content to sit on the trash can lid we brought in the hope of using as a sled (it didn't work) and "help" me and Papa Bear make a snow alligator for BB1. We tried for the old fashion snow man, but the snow just wasn't wet enough. Here's a picture of the girls with their little snow creature. who turned out pretty darn good - IMHO (in my humble opinion).

Also, While Papa Bear and I were making the snow alligator for BB1, BB2 discovered that eating the snow off her gloves was pretty tasty and that maybe this white stuff wasn't so terrible after all.

BB1 started eating the snow the minute she got outside which makes me think that maybe I should just be grateful that it was freshly fallen snow that they were eating and not snow that had been plowed, shoveled and tacked through by who knows what little forest creatures and random neighborhood animals.

BB1 seems to think all snow is fair game for eating, which makes me sick to even think about what she might be putting into her mouth along with the snow. I have told her all about not eating yellow or brown snow (gross to even write about) and I only hope she listens to me on this one. Thank heavens for kids with strong immunity systems. Here's to them working overtime!! And enough talk about yellow snow!! :o}

Smooth Sailing

Life has been going very well for our little family as of late, so I figured I would write about it before things change (not that I am hoping for more trials or hurdles of any kind).

Part of the reason the world is moving just a little bit smoother is because Papa Bear is jumping in and helping out (without being asked first) with the girls and around the house. This is appreciated even more so than normal because right now he is in his final two weeks of the year and work stress is at an all time high as he is trying to get clients to bring in promised paperwork to make sure he hits his sales numbers. While this might seem like a strange thing to be grateful for, I am grateful for this extra help and participation in what often times feels like my part of the universe.

I sometimes think that it would be nice to go back to work. You know outside the home. Back to the officially recognized work place, the 9 - 5 routine (wait, I never did that - it was more like 8am - 9pm or later, but at least I was paid for the overtime). Back to the place where you get to hang out with grow-ups and be involved in adult conversations on business, entertainment, financial news and world related topics. Not the kid-centric, diaper checking/changing, "did-you-eat-your-lunch-before-you-need-to-catch-the-bus, "don't-hit-your-sister", "who-made-this-mess" conversations that I feel I have been having on a daily sometimes hourly basis.

Plus, when I was working outside the home my day actually had beginnings and endings. I got to go to work. I got to leave work. I got to have a lunch break. I got to use the bathroom without having two kids trailing after me. I even got to sleep for 8+ hours straight with no interruptions from crying or whimpering kids who scream out in the middle of the night even though they are still fast asleep. BB1 has done this with more frequency as of late and it scares the biggevis (sp?) out of me and sends me rushing into her room to make sure nothing has happened to her.

Of course since I am less than half awake and even less aware of my surroundings, I often wonder what good I would really be able to do in the instance that something was happening that actually required intelligent thought or action on my part. Most nights I just pat her head, whisper a few soothing words (at least in my sleep muddled mind they seem soothing - in all actuality they could be grunts!) and stumble back to bed. A couple nights back she actually rolled/fell out of her bed and was left sitting on the floor, half awake and a little dazed. I am pretty sure I managed to pick her up and put her back into bed before I realized what I was doing - thank goodness that moms can function on auto pilot.

And, if I had to be completely honest with myself, for as much as I might look back on my working days with fondness, there are some things I don't miss. I don't miss the mind blowing stress, the office politics, the deadlines or the commute. I don't miss the crazy people you had to deal with (and every office has at least one). And I do know that I would miss watching my little girls grow up and discover the world around them and helping them find their place in it. I would miss seeing BB1 come home from school and telling me all about her day and listening to her plans for where we can go that day so that we can have family fun time. I would miss BB2 and her constant "conversations" on her toy cell phone and her singing lullabies to her monkey. She has hit a stride where she never stops saying something. I wouldn't want to give those moments to anyone else, so for the time being, I make my peace with being out of the work force and in with the mom-force.

SO, to my point and what I think I am really trying to say with this long rambling thread is that I am thankful to Papa Bear for stepping in with a more helping hand; even when he is at his busiest, because sometimes you just want to feel like you are not alone in doing the day to day things like feeding, washing, caring, soothing, clothing, changing, and constant picking up routines that all moms do.

As for BB1, she is doing awesome in school. During her recent PT conference, her teacher says she is an excellent Peace Maker - there is even a little pledge that goes with this and once I get her to recite it to me, I'll post it because it's just too cute. She is a great little helper to both her teacher and to other students. Granted we still have our "teaching moments" as we are calling them at home with BB1, but for the most part temper tantrums are getting shorter. Her initial over the top crying fits are diminishing and when she is told the ever dreaded "NO" she is getting better at accepting the answer and moving on with her day.

BB2 is a little mimic of all that is going on around her and pure entertainment when she tries to do all the big things she sees her sister doing. She gets so excited when it's time for Sis to go to school, but I think that has more to do with seeing the school bus, rather than getting rid of her sister for some one-on-one mom and BB2 time. She says "Thank you, mom!" which makes my day and when it's time for anyone to go anywhere, she's all about the "love you, bye-bye!!" Her smiles and laughter are like gold and more precious to me than anything else.

It just does my heart good to share my life with such unique, intelligent, inquisitive and beautiful little girls and even though at times they are frustrating and trying, I know it's due more to my short comings in patience and temper than in any fault of their own.

Being a mom is hard, sometimes painful (ever get cracked in the head by a temper tantrum welding toddler?), emotionally and physically draining at times, but I would not trade it for any thing else in the world. The rewards in kisses, night time snuggles and "love you moms" is priceless.

So to all the moms and dads (both present and future) hang in there, know that you are not alone in anything you may be dealing with, and just take a moment to enjoy and love your little ones for the special gifts they truly are. Take a moment to appreciate your spouse, as he is in this with you, even if his focus is on different things. And especially take a moment for yourself, to recognize all that you are doing and just know that it does count for something pretty great.

And if ever you need a helping hand, know that I am here to help (although at 3 in the morning it may be more in spirit than in physical being! :o)

Good Friends = Good Times

Even though we spent almost as much time driving in the car as we did hanging out with our good friends the G's from Colorado, it was totally worth it to hang out with great people who just get us and visa verse.

It is a very rare thing indeed to find a couple where both the husband and wife get along with both of us and it's an even better bonus when your kids all get along and in fact look forward to the time we can all spend together. In fact our kids get along so well, we have to wait to tell them we are getting together or there is not a moments peace from the questions of when we are going to get together.

It was our 3rd annual trip to Santa's Village in Colorado Springs, where there are more than enough nausea inducing spinning rides to last you for a life time. The kids went on everything from Santa's train, the aerial sky cabs, rocket ships, motorcycles and automobiles, a reindeer carousel to a giant peppermint slide.

They could not get enough and BB1 could not get to the next ride fast enough. In fact she was so fast she got onto the Tilt-A-Whirl all by herself before we knew she had even gotten off the previous ride.

Sometimes, she is just too independent for her own good. Darn assertive and independent "I can do it myself" gene passed on by both her parents!

After spending the day watching the simple joy on both my kids faces, I have decided that for as long as BB1 and now BB2 get enjoyment from their time at Santa's Village, then we will keep going. I know that the time will come when they will think the village is cheesy, so for now I will embrace their childlike enthusiasm for carnival type rides, I will let them think that hot chocolate, nachos and funnel cakes are a satisfactory lunch and I will provide an outlet for them to indulge in their whirly cup and Ferris wheel passions for as long as I can.

As the day wound to a close, the girls both got to pick out a special treat from the little candy factory in the Boys Toy Shop (and as to why it's not in the Girls Toy Shop, I will never know) and of course they both loved their little sugary treats. Papa Bear and I got to indulge in some pretty delicious fudge and I just have to say it's a good thing I don't know how to make the stuff because it's dangerous. Not that I couldn't make it, it's just that me (and my backside) would just prefer not to have that little bit of knowledge in my culinary repertoire.

This is also the 2nd time we have had a surprise run in with friends from our old neighborhood and it was great to catch up and just see how they are all doing. M&D - Congrats on Baby #3 and please keep me posted once she makes her grand debut!!

There was just no time this trip for a visit to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, which was a hard blow for BB1 to take when we told her we wouldn't be going, but we were able to take in the Sunday Brunch at the Broadmoor. I highly recommend going if you are ever in the area.

Also, I have to note that the kids were awesome in terms of their behavior. I guess all those little talks of being on their best behavior, because we were in a really nice place, must have sunk in. Of course there comes a time when it has to end as I have yet to find a way to make it last forever, but at least they were on their best manners when it really counted and for that I am grateful.

But back to the buffet - I have never seen so much food in all my life and in proper brunch fashion started with the dessert table, even though it was 9:00 am. Creme brulee, Black Forest Truffle, and a chocolate fountain - need I say more. I stayed away from all the things I would normally eat (like omelets and other simple breakfast foods) and indulged in fabulous cheeses, pastries and other breakfast delicacies. The cheese blintzes with strawberry sauce, fillet of beef tenderloin, honey baked ham were delicious. Also, for the first time ever I tried Eggs Benedict and it turns out they are a pretty tasty item. One of Papa Bears favorite items was the Bananas Foster (I tried a bite and it was delicious). I truly believe he tried everything there just to make sure he got his money's worth. Even BB1 got into the spirit of things and had everything from waffles to an ice cream sundae.

So after eating for about 2 1/2 hours (and realizing with our aching tummys why we do not eat at buffets very often) we walked around and got a few family photos to capture the moment. Of course they are all on N&B's camera, so until I get them, you'll have to wait on pins and needles for the latest family photo. I know I am horrible about taking family picture with any kind of consistency, so I can only anticipate the excitement you must all be feeling of finally getting an updated picture. Just hang in there for a few more days.

Learning to Dance

"Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…
It’s about learning to dance in the rain."

I pulled this from an email sent to me and I guess it hit me given what I have been feeling, and so I will try and take from it the lesson that I need in this specific moment - I guess I need to learn to dance in the rain!

Anyone care to join me? :o)

What I want . . .

or more to the point, what I don't want... in this moment I don't want to be mom anymore.
I don't want to cook, I don't want to clean up the same mess over and over again, I don't want to be the referee, I don't want to have to be the disciplinarian, rule maker or rule enforcer.

I don't want to be in charge, I don't want to break up arguments between BB1 and BB2 over the same toy or blanket, I don't want to have to say "No" for the hundredth time when BB1 asks to go out and play at her friends (where she has spent every day for the last few weeks) ... basically I don't want to me mom right now.

Big Sigh, plus a little bit of crying...at least tomorrow is another day - hopefully one in which I am better able to handle things.

Happy Halloween!

Some people love Halloween, some don't. I think I am one who likes Halloween, at least the dressing up and decorating aspects of the day. I hope that at some point in my life I can attend one of those really pulled together Masquerade/ Halloween Parties were everyone is in super detailed costumes. It might be the only way I can get Papa Bear to put on a costume. Plus, it just sounds like something really fun to do. I have to give some serious props to the adults that are comfortable enough to walk around in a full on Spiderman costume (thanks to Boo at the Zoo) and would like to say that in my opinion, if you are going to wear a costume, go big or go home.


As for the things I don't like about Halloween, I don't like anything that oozes or looks like wrinkled prunes hanging from a string and even though on most days you would not find me within a foot of a huge ugly spider, this year they were hanging all over the place. They were dangling from our balcony and all over the spider web that was strung along every available surface of our house (roof line included). I thought the overall affect was pretty cool. Plus this year we added a couple of tombstones and little Halloween signs that I strung purple & orange along and all in all it made for a pretty festive looking house.

I would also have to add that after walking around the neighborhood in the freezing cold, I am not a huge fan of the candy gathering aspect, nor do I like the kids that show up at your front door, not wearing a costume and holding out a baseball hat looking for their little treat. But that is just me.


BB1 (aka the cutest witch ever!) had a BLAST running around the neighborhood with all her little friends and of course wanted to eat everything the moment she got it. We decided that she could pick out 10 pieces of candy that would be just hers - and mom and dad couldn't touch them - and everything else went back into the candy bowl. All the gross stuff (seriously - why do people still hand out those orange and black wrapped peanut butter flavored taffys?) was given back out to the trick or treaters that came to our house, and we were left with only the good stuff (ummm -chocolate!)


BB2 got to help hand out the candy and was really good about it until she decided she didn't want to put the Lollipop she had pulled out of our candy bowl into another kids pumpkin. She also did really good with everyone being in different costumes and especially liked the other "animals" she saw throughout the night.


Both kids were so tuckered out at the end of the night, they almost went to bed in thier costumes. Actually to be honest, BB2 did sleep in her costume becuse it was so super soft and snuggly, I thought why not. Huge thanks to CA GMa for doing such an awesome job on the kitty costume and BB1's Cape.

The leaves have almost all fallen off of the trees and what autumn scene would be complete without two of the silliest little kids sitting in the middle of a huge pile of leaves. I have some pretty special memories when I was a kid of helping my dad rake leaves and especially helping to smoosh them down in the garbage pail. So here's to giving them some fun memories (and me not thinking about all the creepy crawlies that can be found amoung the leaves.)


Finally, I am including the picture of BB2 with this post just to share how big my little baby is getting. If anyone knows a way to slow down the process of growing up - Send it my way!!

Also, we would love to hear (and see) what your little one's dressed up for this Halloween. Let the comments and picture exchange commence!!

Boo Who? Boo You!

This little priceless moment is brought to you just because it's too cute not to share.

This time of year always brings around so many different and fun activities to participate in, how do you choose which ones to go to. Luckily the choice is always made easier by who gets to come with you. Saturday was Boo at the Zoo with CeeCee, Ry, F & B.

(isn't B the Happiest and Cutest Owl you have ever seen - and F is an awesome robot!!)

And even though the thought of standing in one long continuous line just to get air heads and tootsie rolls, isn't high on my list of entertainment (I don't even think it's an option on Papa Bears), BB1 was having a ball and BB2 really like the tortilla chips and people handing out string cheese. And that my friends is all the really matters.

I think we left at just the right time, and lunch at Shivers was a great end to a good morning.

Next year (if I can convince Papa Bear to come with me again) I am bringing my own bag of candy and I'll just set it up with the kids that for each animal they see, they get a treat. Then we avoid standing in silly lines, we see the animals (isn't that what we pay admission for) the kids get their candy and everyone goes home happy.

We have also done The Haunted Train Ride on the Heber Creeper. BB1 and BB2 thought the train was pretty cool along with all the things you can look at outside of the train. BB1 was not sure of what she thought once the creatures and spooky people got on the train.

She DID NOT like the Werewolf and surprise, surprise, BB2 thought it was a kitty. Next year though - we will ditch the costumes and just dress super warm. Then we will be able to sit outside and really take in the ambiance of the canyon train ride.

BB1 had a Harvest Festival at her school and it was a madhouse of kids, all running around with tickets in hand to the various games and jumping castles and mega slides. The favorite of the night was the fishing booth. BB2 did not want to give back the fishing rod.

and yet there is still more to come - the pumpkin patch, trick or treating, playing in the huge pile of leaves it took me 2 days to rake up. . . may the fun never end!!!

Up & Down

Up and Down, Up and Down . . .
the people on the bus go
Up and Down, Up and Down
all through the town.

This is BB2's newest word/phrase. All day long it has been nothing but Up and Down, Up and Down, Up and Down, Up and Down.

Did I mention the totally cute actions of her bending down and popping up, while saying for the hundredth time, Up and Down, Up and Down, Up and Down....

I am loving every minute of it!!

Good 'ol Fashion FUN

Before our weather decided to take a turn for winter, we got outside for some good 'ol fashion fun with chalk. You won't be able to tell from the pics, but BB2 is COVERED in chalk. She is all shades of yellow, purple and blue. I guess she was thinking, what's the point of making a picture, if you can't scoot right through it afterwards? And I am pretty sure at on point she decided to see if the stick of chalk tasted any good.

The girls cooperated very nicely for me when I decided I wanted to make chalk outlines of them. They looked a little funny at first, but BB1 helped get them "dressed" and accessorized both pictures very nicely. The addition of hair really added to the overall effect.

We also took the girls to their very first Circus. Barnum & Bailey's was in town and we were able to make the last show on the very last day. Before the show started they let everyone go down on the floor for a little pre-show action (which is how we got to be so close) and the girls got to try on capes and clothes that the circus performers get to wear.

BB1 thought the pre show was pretty cool although BB2 was far from impressed until the puppies came out. Then she got really excited. I think she thought the elephant was pretty cool too.

BB1 was pretty proud of her White Tiger Snow Cone Souvenir cup (and no - you do not want to know how much the silly thing cost) but the smile on her face was worth any price. BB2 was pretty happy with the big bucket of popcorn we got the kids to snack on.

Papa Bear and I just sat back and took in all the energy and excitement of the place. Oh, how I love to people watch. It's been ages since I have been to the circus, and I have to say it was a pretty good show. By the end of the night we had 2 very tired little ones. I think they were both asleep within minutes of getting back to the car and heading home. All in all a very fun night!