Castle Bouncer

Granny's Christmas present to the girls was a giant bouncer. Dan took my car to get fixed on Friday so I knew we would be inside all day....out came the bouncer. The girls had a BALL. It is a HUGE hit and we are leaving it up until after the bowl games(finally we can watch football without someone begging for a book, snack, Diego&Santa(one of Dan's favorite shows)). Thank you thank you Granny!!

Christmas Day

The girls had a great Christmas. We started at our house where Santa brought a dollhouse for Kate and a baby/crib/stroller for Lauren. He also managed to get an easel here which has been the biggest hit post-Christmas. Santa also delivered a princess tent and sleeping bags to Queenie and Grandad's house. We spent the morning there, unwrapping and eating biscuits and gravy. It was really special to have everyone here. BUT all the excitement wore the girls out-they were asleep by 11am!

I think Santa stopped at our house!

Looking over the dollhouse

Her new baby goes into the stroller(I am sure they are off to the grocery)

The Easel

The Princess Tent-and ANOTHER rapper frog!?!

Queenie's Tree

The gang gets ready to unwrap

Unwrapping with Dad

Lauren gets more shoes-LOVES those heels!

Kate learns from the gadget master how to work her new Leapster

Christmas Eve

So great to have Aunt Funny and Uncle B in for Christmas(no matter how short their trip...Barrett). We had Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve(the new tradition that works out so well for everyone). Another new "tradition" is the rap star stuff animal. The girls LOVE them and so great that there are now seasonal ones(thankssomuch Aunt Funny). Here are the girls with one of their new "rappers".

Kate's Christmas Program

Just like in November, Kate's preschool put on a Christmas program. And just like in November, Kate did not sing one word. This time she was right in the middle of everyone and at one point she turned her back on the audience. She did stand next to her boyfriend Brayden and Reese and neither of them sang, so maybe it is a playgroup thing. OR maybe it is a first child thing...regardless here are pics from the show:

The Performers

She turns herself around...

Telling Grandad how terrible it was...

We can go to Luby's now? Ok she is better...

Christmas?

It sure doesn't feel like Christmas-it is a sunny 75 degrees outside. The girls are in their last week of school before it lets out for the holiday. I am in my first week of dental hell with some issues that seem to have developed in my mouth. Dan, as always, is holding us all together.

Today we wrapped, baked and medicated(mom only). Here are a few pictures:

The chefs

Kate's special touch was to add chocolate chips...mostly to her own mouth

Are they ready yet?

Things to do INSIDE

We spent another week indoors and away from other people. Kate had pneumonia again(her poor little premature lungs!) and Lauren had an respiratory virus and an ear infection. Here are some things we did as we bonded together last week...They WILL be in school tomorrow.

My babies

Kate decorated the gingerbread men(she had to exactly place each piece of candy)

The icing was the best part

The final product-Lauren did not really assist in it's creation because she only wanted to eat the candy(and Kate would have none of that...)

Day 4 inside...speaks for itself

Where are you headed Paris?(Lauren's FAVORITE thing to do is dress up with the shoes and the purse-this pic was especially telling....)