A cold trip to the zoo

We decided to get out of the house and do something as a family. Rob suggested we go to the zoo even if it was only 19 deg. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but it was cold running from building to building. Ellery is feeling this cold weather as well and wishing for warmer. She insisted upon wearing the pair of sunglasses she found in the stroller in all the exhibits and outside even though the sun had no intentions of peeking out or showing itself. Mason still loves crossing the bridge at one point we weren't fast enough walking back to go on it with him and found out he snuck in behind some people and was already crossing it. We also almost had a hitch hiker to bring home, a tiny tamarin monkey came up to the stroller and put his two front paws on it like it was going to jump in, but then got startled and took off. It was cute and all, but it makes me nervous having a wild animal come that close, I seemed to be the only one that was nervous everyone else was excited and thrilled.

Can we call this music?

I think we have some time before we start thinking about American Idol, but if they ever make it in the music business this might come back to haunt them.

Ellery-My Little Peanut

Ellery is still my little peanut. She is dainty and petite and it is a mystery to me. She is growing leaps and bounds intellectually, but not as much physically. She eats and eats, but she burns it all off chasing after Mason and life. Both my children bring me joy everyday, but one always seems to bring a brighter smile to my face with a head shake that wishes for a moment I could crawl into their minds to experience and see the world from a different perspective. I wish my children never lose this perspective or wonder on life and all the experiences and joys it can bring.

Going Down

Mason and Ellery have learned they can take an alternate route down the stairs when wearing footed pajamas. I like to call it the accordion slide.

My First Pony Tail

Rob decided it was time to learn how to do Ellery's hair. He wanted to be the first to put it in a ponytail.

His results, not bad. It didn't stay in. So a lesson was given by mommy.

Our results together.

Burger King Play Place

We met Mason's friend Christian at Burger King Play Place for a quick bite and energy burning session. Fun was had by all. I am so happy I can't crawl up and see the conditions of the tube crawling space, luckily Ellery isn't big enough to make it that high. Mason came down and as I was cleaning his hands I noted small black residue coming off and all I could say was "ewwwwww". He didn't seem to mind. Mason has really started to evolve with his friendships. While we were leaving and getting into the car he stated "Christian is my real friend now, he doesn't hit me anymore." We have been on two consecutive play dates with him and he hasn't gone off and whopped Mason with his fist or a toys.

More Hair Bows and Accessories

Nana sent us another package of bows and hair accessories. Ellery likes looking at them, but I think she is getting immune or figures every little girl has a hair collection like this. We might be taking them for granted because we are finding a few of them all around the house and not being properly cared for. They are adorable and she loves wearing them. Nana included some hats this time that you clip bows or flowers too. She has some growing room, but they are cute and she enjoyed wearing the white hat with a hideous flower on it all around the house yesterday. Thanks Nana, you are talented and we are blessed you make us custom bows.
She also included a chocolate walrus for Mason. I hoped that it was hollow, but it was solid chocolate. We had to split it up, Mason informed me he wanted to eat the head and Ellery could have its bottom.

Writing Letters

I am behind on a lot of things, which is really hard for me because this isn't how I usually roll. Everyone would know how great my kid can write his name if I were to send out my holiday thank you's. Since they aren't written or sent out I can only show you some of his school work. Prior to the holiday break my kid would bring home practice letters that were immediatly tossed into the recycle bin because they were either blank or scribbled on so much you couldn't see what the original letter request was. (hindsight now tells me I should have taken a before shot) Last week he brought home the letter J and I have to admit before I went too crazy with the praise I clarfied with the teacher to make sure it was indeed his work. I am happy to report she didn't make a mistake and in my defense it wasn't in blue and a lot of his work is always in the color blue. He did point out that he forgot to do a few, which impressed me as well. I was nervous for him this week because they are talking about the lettter B. B has two humps and I thought it might be tricky for him, but he proved me wrong. I also don't need clarification from the teacher because he wrote his name on the top, but forgot the "s" and it is in blue. My litlle man is growing up.

Tsst Tsst

Shame shame on me. I have not done very good at blogging or checking email this year. The good news is that I can post date my blogging and I can work on checking email more frequently. Sooooo, if anyone cares you will start seeing "new" "old" blogs you will have to scroll through and read. With this comes some good and bad news.
Bad news confession:
I haven't taken any pictures of my kids or anything since we returned home from the holidays on the 6th.
Good news:
It won't take me long to get Jan. caught up!

Happy Birthday Elvis

While Nana was visiting over the holidays she made the girls matching PJ's with wings that mirrored Mason's favorite Buzz Lightyear PJ's. The kids love them and loved running around and pretending to fly. As they were all standing together someone mentioned they looked like little Elvis impersonators. Since today is the King's b-day I thought I would dedicate this picture to him. We are very impressed by Nana's creativity.

Papaw's

We had a great visit at Papaw's, I think he was ready for us to leave, but enjoyed us all even if we are exhausting. The kids really enjoyed going down to the game room and playing, they seem to have better toys than we do. Grandma Debbie kept us well nourished, maybe too well. She always makes yummies I intend to keep away from but always find myself sneaking a bite here and there. They spoiled the kids, and they loved every minute of it. Papaw loves to buy chocolate milk and we keep telling our kids that only Kansas has chocolate cows.

Sore Back

Poor Rob missed out on hunting this year and had to hang with the girls. He pulled his back shoveling all the snow in Omaha and has been laid up ever since. It didn't stop him from being a rock star playing the guitar on rock band. We are tempted every year to buy a WII, but some how we hold out. It does bring a lot of joy and laughs.

Happy New Year

I am sad to report I didn't even last til midnight. We parted with Nana at Salina then drove the rest of the way to Papaws. I was exhausted from all of our fun earlier in the week that once I wasn't in my own home I think I was able to finally relax and my exhaustion hit me. I had always wanted 2000 glasses over the past years, but never actually broke down and got a pair. I was disappointed last year because I realized it was my last year, but then I spied these creative pieces with making an 0 into a 1 and had to have them. I then thought that Nana deserved a pair as well, so we wish everyone a wonderful New Year.