Christmas

On Christmas Eve afternoon, we headed over to our neighbors' home to make cookies. All together there were 12 kids between the ages of 7 and 1. First, the kids used cookie cutters to create their shapes. Colin made star, a gingerbread man and a snowman. Tatum went with a flower and a gingerbread man. The kids played while the cookies baked and then came back together to decorate them. Colin used white frosting and loved the sprinkles. He ate one of the sugar decorations whole! Tatum enjoyed the chocolate frosting. When we got home, they each enjoyed one of their creations.
Nana came over around 4:00 to open gifts. Colin didn't like the whole unwrapping thing. It seemed that he felt he was breaking it by ripping the paper. Major meltdown followed! Dennis took him downstairs to regroup and he enjoyed playing quietly. Tatum on the other hand, thought that the ripping was the best part. Her favorite toy was a shopping cart which she filled with her new little mommy cleaning stuff. She also put her two babies in to get pushed around. When Colin re-emerged, he enjoyed his toys once they were unwrapped. His favorites were the puzzles.
On Christmas morning, we had cinnamon buns heated in our neighbor's oven. It seems something had spilled in ours and smoke filled the kitchen when we turned it on. No worries though...Dennis cleaned it as good as new! We opened gifts slowly and Colin did great. Nana came at noon and Bob and Moira followed soon after. The kids were happy to see everyone, but a little leery that Mom was about to leave. Once they realized that everyone was staying, happiness was had by all! It was so nice to spend the day with my family.

First Snow

It started snowing Friday at around 2:00 and didn't stop until Sunday afternoon. Dennis and I brought the kids out on their sleds for a ride around the neighborhood. It was Tatum's first time in snow! She was a bit concerned as to why we were putting her in all the layers, but she was good. Colin has gotten much better about wearing is hat and gloves. I think this year he realizes that he is much warmer with them on!
Tatum sat in Colin's old purple sled and Colin was in the new red one. Both kids fit perfectly! They were so cute! They kept giggling at each other and Colin stuck out his tongue to catch some flakes. We made it half way around the neighborhood and then their noses turned red. Dennis and I had a great time pulling them around and warmed up with some hot chocolate.
Maybe next time, we can attempt a snowman!

Mmm...Yummy

Today, it started snowing around 2:00pm. The kids had their Christmas photos early this morning and did great! It was a bit of a struggle to get there, but it all worked out. Colin was easy. He put on his cords and his sweater. His only complaints was the shoes. Mommy decided that it was not a battle worth having and let him put on his sneakers. Tatum on the other hand...less than easy. I put her in the pretty dress, tights and shoes. Major meltdown. Off came the shoes. Off came the tights. Face plant on the ground. She had her photos taken in a nice striped sweater, some cords and her sneakers. I think she was hoping to dress like her brother! Everyone was happy by the time we left the house. I even got some compliments on the sweater!
My favorite picture is both Colin and Tatum looking at an extra large book. When I get the scanner running, I'll post it. We went over to Target to pick up some milk and easy food before the snow hit. I had the idea of making gingerbread houses, but all the mixes were gone. Then I saw a kit to make Rice Krispy Treat houses!
They were definitely a hit with the kids. I think they had more fun licking the spoon! Both kids were very into decorating their houses when they came out of the form. Tatum had a random pattern of gum drops and enjoyed peeling and placing the button candy. Of course, she used the pink icing! Colin was more deliberate about his pattern and preferred to go by color of gum drops. He chose the red icing and only had one piece of button candy...the doorknob!

Decorating the Tree

On Sunday, we put the Christmas tree up. We put on some music and got started. Tatum helped me by handed me the limbs to put on. (yes, it's artificial) Dennis and I put up the lights and the garland. Colin was playing in the living room and didn't seem too impressed. Tatum was very curious as to what we were doing. She has never seen a Christmas tree before!
Both Colin and Tatum loved putting the ornaments on the tree! It was so cute. They would run over to Dennis to grab an ornament and then come over to me at the tree. We took turns picking up the kids to reach the higher branches. It was the most fun we have ever had putting up the tree.

Next week, we are going to our friends' house to make cookies for Santa. I can't wait for that. We are also going to LaSalette Shrine. They have a wonderful Christmas display with lots of lights. The rosary is lit up around the pond and the Creche is life sized. Colin loves going every year and hopefully, Tatum will too.

Thanksgiving

Tatum enjoyed her first Thanksgiving! We slept in a bit and got up around 8:30. The kids had scrambled eggs for breakfast and then watched some of the parade. Tatum kept saying 'Wow!' whenever a balloon came onscreen.
We headed over to Bobby's house at 1:00pm. The traffic was horrible, but it gave the kids extra time to nap! Colin went right in to check out the football game while Tatum went after the food, of course! Dinner was great! We brought Tatum's booster seat, which she sat in occasionally, and the blender. She had some turkey, sweet potato, mashed potato and gravy. Her favorite was the cool whip for dessert.
Colin sat for the whole meal! He fed himself with a fork. He had mashed potato, sweet potato and 2 servings of green beans. For dessert, he had some vanilla ice cream.
It was such a wonderful day surrounded by family. We are so blessed!

A Visit to the Museum

I took the kids to the museum last Sunday while Dennis went to the football game. It just re-opened after renovations. It now has a play area with a marble run, a light up lego area, and a giant lite-brite. Colin and Tatum had so much fun! We were there for two hours and probably could have stayed longer.
We started in the water room which is Colin's favorite. Neither kiddo would wait to put on a smock. Good thing that they had an air dryer! We then bolted upstairs to the market place where Tatum cooked and Colin played the clerk. Next came the block area where Colin and Tatum each did their own thing. Back downstairs, we played in a ball and scarf run, and created our own fort. Colin's new favorite was the light up lego table. Tatum was very taken with the circus blocks. They fit together to make a circus train and had many noise features.
I loved watching the kids enjoy themselves. I knew they were really engaged because I didn't get any photos of them looking at me. I don't even think they knew that i was taking their picture. We can't wai to go back!!!!!

Surgery and Trick or Treat

Tatum had her palate surgery on Thursday. We got up at 4:00 am and trekked into Boston for surgery at 7:30. The doctor said that there was alot of fluid in her ears and that her left ear drum was infected. The palate surgery went well and there were no complications. She looked pretty tough when we got into recovery. She had bleeding from her nose and mouth. When we got to our room, they gave her some morphine and that helped her to sleep some. Dennis and I couldn't put her down for hours. I stayed Thursday night and got to sleep in the crib with her! The doctor came in early Friday morning to find Tatum sitting on my lap drinking some apple juice. He immediately checked out her mouth and said that she could go home. Boy were we surprised. She has been doing great at home. She doesn't like taking her medicine or getting her ear drops. She is pretty good about her no-no's and we got her some leg warmers to put over them and make them pretty. In a few days, she'll be able to eat soft foods and I'm sure that will make her much happier.

Halloween was fun as Tatum was home. Colin went out with all the kids and was dressed as a dragon. He made it half way around the neighborhood and actually went up to three houses for candy. While I was out with Colin, Tatum brought her shoes over to Daddy and tried to escape out the front door. When I got home, I took her out around our street for a bit. She wore the top part of her poodle costume and smiled from ear to ear. Both kids ended up having a great time and slept all night!

Tatum's Baptism

Today, Tatum had her Christening. We got up around 7:30 after some snuggling in bed for awhile. Colin a bit to fully wake up. Tatum likes to snuggle under the covers and goes back and forth between us until she feels ready to get up. The kids had pancakes and took a bath.
It's a good thing that we got the kids new outfits to wear as it was very chilly here today. It only hit 50 for a high.
We left for Holy Family at 10:45 this morning. We missed the exit because we were chatting and ended up taking the long way around. Both kids fell asleep, but woke up without a meltdown (phew!!)We sat in the front row because Colin wanted to see everything. He was very curious about this church as it is not our parish, but rather the one that we were married in. Both kids were great during Mass. Colin stood up when we did and sat when we did. He even tried to answer the priest! Too funny! Tatum walked back and forth along the pew between everyone. The Cheerios also helped with the good moods!
After Mass, we changed Tatum into her dress. When we were in China, we had her dress made for her. We thought that it would be a nice way to honor her heritage. Tatum was great through the Baptism and especially when the priest poured the water over her head. Near the end, she had had enough and did try to crawl away though!
Back at the house, we had calzones and meatballs with the family. It was so nice to see everyone!