Christmas (3.99 years and 2.35)

On Christmas Eve, I had to work but I got off early so we could go to 4 pm Mass.  The kids did great in church.  It was obviously very crowded but it worked out fine.  After Mass, we went to McDonald's for dinner.  We always use to have Christmas Eve dinner however with Brian's family out of town and my parents not in the best of health we decided we would just do everything on Christmas.  The kids enjoyed eating and playing there.

When we got home we decorated Christmas cookies for Santa.  Austin and Sydney loved icing and putting sprinkles on the cookies.  They made the cookies with me earlier in the week.  They enjoy being in the kitchen with me.  They are good cooks.  They fight over who puts in the next ingredient however we have learned they take turns and it keeps everyone happy.  Then we got ready for bed.  Austin made the plate of cookies for Santa. He gave Santa about a dozen cookies.  He must of known how busy Santa was going to be.  We read "The Night before Christmas" book and went to bed.

After the kids went to sleep, Santa was very busy building Austin's request a "real space rocket".  It's a really good thing that Santa is an engineer.  He always comes up with the craziest and best ideas.  The Honda Oydassy became a "real space rocket".  It had wings that were hung up though the back windows.  Projectors were on the roof so we could have a front and rear view from the space rocket.  It had back exhaust pipes too.  It was covered with white trash bags and the appropriate decals to make sure it was clear it was a space rocket.  Santa did not finish until about 2 am.  It was an exhausting but fun project for him.

On Christmas morning, Austin woke up around 5am.  That is usually what he does and he wants his diaper changed and go to downstairs to sleep on the couch.  He knew that on Christmas morning he would have to sleep the remaining time in our bed.  It was fine but I realized why we never let them sleep in our bed.  My parents arrived at 7am.  The kids were still sleeping.  They waited downstairs until the kids woke up.  Austin woke up first. It was his job to go wake up Sydney and tell her what day it was.  That was awesome to see.

They came downstairs together and were excited to see all the presents under the Christmas tree.  We got a few pictures and then they started opening up their gifts.  Austin got a very large fire truck with a fireman dress up suit.  He also got a car race track and a cash register.  Austin also got a toy space rocket so he could always play with it after the real space rocket was taken down.  Sydney got Elsa, baby stroller, and a princess doll house.  She got a policeman outfit to dress up with Austin.  They had a really great Christmas.

After they opened up all of their toys we ate breakfast.  Brian's grandma always use to cook Christmas breakfast.  It was an important tradition for him.  Now that she is gone and his family lives in South Carolina I always make sure I cook a special breakfast.  We had scrambled eggs (Austin's favorite), pancakes, cinnamon rolls, and sausage.  It was simple but nice.

After breakfast, we showed Austin there was a letter from Kristoff (Our Elf on the Shelf).  The letter was very nicely written and told them they had one last gift and to follow the signs to the real space rocket.  The also opened their real space rocket helmets before going out to the garage.  When the arrived outside they got to see the "real space rocket".  Austin was very excited and enjoyed his ride.  The first mission was only the 4 of us but then Austin got to go back inside to get Meemaw and Papa and show them how the space rocket works.  Austin enjoyed showing them.  It was very cool for him!

The kids took a nap and then we went down to Meemaw and Papa's house for dinner.  Santa also made a trip to their house.  It was really cool watching them open gifts there too.  I really did not know what they got so it was fun to see.  Each of them got a remote control car which was a big hit.  They got a lot of bath toys such as bubble paint, bath crayons and spray soap.  Sydney got Rapunzel and Austin got some more trains for his train set.  He enjoys his train tracks a lot.  They had a really good Christmas.

I had to work the day after Christmas.  Brian had a fun days with the kids and all of their new toys.  Kaitlyn even came over to ride on the real space rocket.  Brian was off during the holidays and it was awesome!  We had some much needed quality family time.  It was the best Christmas break ever!  We even got the kids sleeping in until at least 7 and many days 8am.

The weekend after Christmas we rode Lolly the trolley in downtown Cleveland to look at Christmas lights.  It was fun to ride the trolley and listen to Christmas music and see a lot of cool Christmas places in downtown including the Christmas Story house.

Also during break we also took Austin and Sydney bowling for the first time.  It was fun.  They needed help getting the ball down the lane however they preferred to do it themselves.  Austin was able to by the end of the game.  Trish and Kaitlyn joined us for the bowling trip too.  It was a great time!

Activities before Christmas (3.99 years and 2.30 years)

December is our busiest month of the year. There are so many fun Christmas activities to do around this time of the year.  We started the holiday season with the polar express.  We took a train ride all the way to the north pole.  This year Austin and Sydney really enjoyed it.  There are elf's on the train to help keep the kids entertained until we arrive at the north pole.  They read the Polar Express book and sing Christmas songs.  We also get to enjoy some hot cocoa and chocolate chip cookie.

Once we arrive at the north pole we got to see what everyone was doing.  Elves were signing and dancing.  It's very nicely decorated.  And we even got to pick up Santa Claus so he could visit with everyone on our train ride back.

Austin and Sydney warmed up to Santa very nicely this year.  The liked telling him what they wanted for Christmas.  Austin decided on his own that he would like a "real rocket-ship".  We are not sure how he came up with this idea but that he what he told Santa.  One morning he told me that he would like a real rocket-ship and Sydney needs a toy rocket-ship to play with on the way up to the moon.  While on the train ride, we had paper to write a list of Santa and Austin told Daddy he wanted a real rocket-ship.  Sydney told Santa she would like a princess.  It was a fun train ride with them.  They really enjoyed it.

On my birthday we went to dinner with Santa at our local recreation center.  My parents joined us.  They had several crafts to do.  They made Christmas ornaments and reindeer food.  We ate dinner and then Santa arrived on a fire truck.  Once again, Austin and Sydney were excited to see Santa.  And once again they told him the same thing.  He would like a real rocket-ship and she would like a princess.  They got to wave good-bye to Santa in the firetruck and we went home to celebrate my birthday.  We had some cake and ice cream.  Austin and Sydney enjoyed blowing out the candles.

We decided this year we were getting a real Christmas tree.  Before kids we had a really nice large Christmas tree.  Then we got rid of it because it was too big and the glass icicles did not work with kids.  We got a cheap prelit tree that we did not care what happened to it.  It worked for the baby years but I never really "loved" the tree.  This year we thought we would try going to cut down our own tree.

We did not know what to expect.  We had to get Brian's car ready to bring home the tree on the roof.  I was afraid it was going to be a muddy mess (it was too warm for snow).  I had clothes to change into.  We thought it was going to be a lot of work and messy.  We arrived and went out to look for a tree.  After walking around for a little bit, we found the perfect tree for us.  It even had a baby pinecone in it.  The kids loving getting pine cones when we go around the block.  Brian cut down the tree (with the kids' help of course).   Austin really enjoyed pulling the sled around the tree farm even with the tree on it.

We went back to the front to pay for the tree and for them to package it up.  We had never been there before so we weren't sure what we were doing.  Brian had money so he was going inside the building to pay for the tree.  Both kids were with him then I heard Austin say he wanted to come with me.  I thought Sydney was staying with Brian.  Brian thought I had Sydney.  Once Brian came back out of the store, we realized neither of us had Sydney.  We were scared.  I ran to the parking lot and luckily a family had found her.  Brian asked Sydney what she was saying while she was lost and it was "where's my mommy".  She kept repeating that.  We felt horrible!  We were always cautious with knowing who had who but know we are extra careful.

One of our favorite Christmas activities is going to lake farm park.  They have great toy building workshop.  The night we were going to lake farm park, Brian's car wouldn't start at his work.  I needed to leave work early to pick him up.  Luckily my key worked so he just needed to get a new key made.  After the car issues we headed to lake farm park.

We went to see Santa first.  Austin didn't want to see him at first but he did once we got to him.  Once again Austin told him that he wanted which of course was a "real space rocket".  Santa took his time with the kids which was nice.  They got a candy cane after talking with him and that made them happy too.

The kids played in the playroom until it was time for them to build their toy.  It's so awesome at the toy workshop.  There are at least 20 different toys the kids can pick to build.  Then an elf helps the kids build the toy.  This year Austin made a plane and Sydney made a princess castle.  They both really enjoyed painting it.  Last year Sydney missed some parts painting but this year she made sure she got it all.  Then they put glitter on them.  Glitter is messy but they have so much fun putting it on.  We let them go all out.

While the toy was drying, we played and explored some more.  We took a wagon ride out the barn.  They had an horse show with the movie "Frozen" theme.  Sydney really enjoyed that.  She hasn't seen much of the movie but she definitely knows all the songs.  They had a model train area that Austin really enjoyed.  Afterwards we walked back.  The kids iced and put sprinkles on a sugar cookie.  The love eating cookies.  It was a great evening and again probably one of our favorites.

A long family friend always has a Christmas party and invites us every year.  It's great because each year Santa comes and delivers a gift.  They have lots of fun food.  It's nice to see everyone since we only see them once a year.  Sydney was very excited to see Santa this year.  At the party they got Play-doh toys.  They love playing with play-doh.  They have a table downstairs they play with all the time.  After Santa, the kids decided they wanted to play outside a little bit and get their pictures taken. They know how Daddy loves taking pictures.

After the Christmas party, we went to the mall to see Archy the Snowman.  Brian and I remember seeing him when we were kids.  It's a very large snowman inside the mall.  There were several years that Archy was not around but he's back.  He's a little smaller but still very cool for the kids.  Austin and Sydney told Archy the same things they wanted for Christmas, a real rocket-ship and a princess.  Austin had to help Archy understand Sydney and he was good at that.  Austin has started coming out of his shell and is not as shy as he was.  He's still shy but willing to talk to socialize much more.

Another fun activity we had before Christmas was my local mommy group Christmas party. They had several crafts. One of the kids favorite things were balloons to play with they really enjoyed it. They got to see Santa again too. We had pizza for dinner.  We have realized that Austin's favorite pizza is Pizza Hut.  I think he ate 3 pieces of pizza that night.

Our community has a great program where Santa comes in a fire truck/ambulance and gives kids a present (supplied by the parents).  The first year we did it Santa came on a fire truck which was really awesome.  Last 2 years, it's been an ambulance.   It's very exciting for them to watch and see Santa come to their house and stop and see them.  We love it!

Tower City has Mr. Kringles Inventionasium. It was something new we wanted to try this year. Mr Kringles is an interactive tour of Mr. Kringles laboratory. We started the tour with receiving lab coats. Then we got to meet Mrs. Kringle and help her decorate her Christmas tree.  Austin and Sydney built toys and then sent them to Mr. Kringle.  They played with music and bubbles.  They tried catching bubbles with gloves on.  We ended the tour with meeting Mr. Kringle.  Again they went right up to him and told him what they wanted.  It was the same, a real rocket-ship and a princess.  It was a very cool experience.

Every year, the kids school has a Christmas party after nap right before holiday break.  They got to decorate Christmas cookies and have fun snacks.  Austin put all of his treat bags for his friends into their cubbies.  He enjoyed doing that.  He helped make all of his friends treat bags.  There are 24 kids in his room so that's a lot of kids and treats to make.  There are only 14 kids in Sydney's room.  Austin is in the puppy room and Sydney is in the Bee room.  I really like the kids teachers right now.  Miss Emily and Mary are great with Sydney and Miss Jamie is great with Austin.  Santa made a trip into each classroom.  Sydney was in Austin's classroom so they got their picture taken together with him.  They had fun at their school party and we were happy to be there.

The final activity we did before Christmas was my parent's club party.  I always went to it as a child and loved it.  It's much different now but still nice they do it.  The kids got to eat a cupcake and chips.  Then they went up to see Santa.  The got a Leapfrog game which was extremely generous.  Austin loves his.  The best part is it's has a camera on it.  Austin likes to take pictures like his Daddy.  My parents had a great time with them.  It was a fun day had by all.

Potty training and Thanksgiving (3.95 years and 2.25 years)

For the local mommy group, I am a member of the field trip committee.  I decided to set up a field trip to the local fire station.  Austin loves fire trucks so I thought it would be a great trip.  We decorated cookies before hand to give to the firemen.  Austin was a great helper getting everything set up with me.  Brian and Sydney were still at home because she was still sleeping.  She came right before the tour of the station.  We got to have a tour of the fire station.  They got to go into a truck.  They saw all their gear.  They had a good time.

Sydney decided on Sunday before Thanksgiving that she wanted to wear underwear.  We were getting ready to go grocery shopping like we normally do together as a family and Sydney wanted to wear her big girl pants.  I tried to discourage it.  She had been pooping a lot and we were getting ready to leave for a while however Brian yelled at me and said we need to let her try it. I just didn't think it was the best time.   I was annoyed because I knew it was going to be a mess but agreed to see what happens.  We went shopping and she did great.  However when we got home so had an accident.  Part of it was our fault for not taking her to the potty in time.

She had only wore pull ups for nap and bedtime.  She loves her Dora underwear and usually keeps them clean.  She got pooping in the potty right away.  We have only had 2-3 poopy accidents and probably 4-5 pee-pee accidents total and it's been over a week.

I can't believe how easy it was for her.  I never thought this was possible. I heard about the stories but I didn't believe it.  But it was so easy because she did it on her terms when she wanted to.  We just helped a little bit.  Austin was a big influence too.  We are so proud of her!

On Thanksgiving morning we just hung out at home.  It was so nice not having anything to do.  I love being busy but once in a while it's great to stay home too.  After nap, we went down to my parents house.  We had a nice meal there.  The kids did not like the turkey but we had ham too and they ate that.  They loved the pumpkin pie.  That is one of their favorite things to eat right now.  It was a great evening for everyone.

On Thanksgiving night at home, Austin decided to go poopy in the potty.  This is what we have been waiting for for 10 months!  It has been such a difficult road for this.  But finally Brian and I realized we had to let him decide when to do it and he did.  He's been going in a pull up for several months and we were okay with that.  Of course we wanted him to use the potty but Austin continued to refuse.  He has a fear it's going to clog.  We have tried everything trying to ease that fear but nothing has helped.  Sydney helped that though because she has been poopy in the potting.  He wanted to be just like Sydney.  We could not be happier about this!

The Saturday after Thanksgiving we went to the Great Lakes Science Center.  Brian and I went there before we were married but that's it.  We didn't know what to expect.  I kind of thought the kids were a little young for it.  However I was so wrong.  It's great for them too.  They have an area for kids under 7.  It has a small ball pit that Austin just loved.  It's similar to the Cincinnati Children's Museum with the balls but just smaller.  Austin really enjoys playing with the balls.  Sydney liked exploring everything.  We had a great time there.  They watched a science experiment of making clouds that was really cool.  There was so much for them to see and do.  We even watched an IMAX movie.  It was their first time in a theater.  They weren't that impressed but snacks allowed them to continue to watch the movie.  We are definitely planning on taking the kids back there soon.

We have been taking the kids to some Cavs games.  We have our season tickets back and we both wish we would have gotten 4 seats but we didn't.  However we have been able to get tickets rather easily for Monday and Tuesday games.  The kids do great watching the game.  They watch about 3 quarters of the game.  I bring plenty of snacks.  They like to make signs, get tattoos, and get their hair painted.  It's great being able to watch some of the game too.  We are enjoying it.  Hopefully the Cavs will do great things this year!