My Valentines

I saw this idea online and was excited to give it a try. I sewed a ziplock bag over some tag board to create a candy maze for Kinsley's preschool friends.



It was our second year of getting the girls special books for Valentine's Day. Inside the cover, we each wrote them a love note. One of my favorite traditions.

Kinsley's Weekend Update

It was one of those weekends that Ben questions my scheduling ability due to over-booking. We were on the go the whole time and it was loaded with sweet memories. Here are a couple highlights:

Daddy Daughter Ball: This is the real deal...there were 1200 daddies and daughters with girls ranging from infants to teens. What fun Ben had making Kinsley feel like a princess! He even got a bonus date by taking cousin Makena because Uncle Joe was out of town. The girls danced and danced and Ben humored me by taking some video so I could get a small picture of the night. Hallie stayed behind with me but based on her outcries when they departed, next year he will have another girly to take along.



Disney Live: Although Kinsley thought we were going to Disneyland, she was still pretty smitten by this show even when she realized that a "Disney" show does not necessarily mean it is in Disneyland itself! Kinsley and I went with Makena, Gabe and Mimi.



Among other things, there was also a sleepover and a superbowl party which all undeniably led to Kinsley's classic car sleep-position.

It Will Also Be Dinner

Who would have guessed that ten pounds of rice would be the answer to hours of imaginative playtime? Drawing inspiration from my sister, I blocked out the fact that our home needs to be show ready at all times and dumped a bag of rice into plastic bins for the girls. Measuring cups, spoons, and little animals are all we needed. It was messy and totally worth it!

K-i-S-E-n-l-y

Today was Wacky Day at preschool and Kinsley was totally into it! Other than adding an extra bow to her hair and mixing up the leg warmers (my socks with the bottoms cut off)she pretty much resembles what she looks like everyday.


She also loves writing her letters. I love to sit with her and guide(control) the letter formation, letter order, pencil grip, letter height and width. However, when I discovered this on the easel completed all by herself, I have never seen anything more beautiful or precious. I pray her s's always look like this!!!

Confession

Kinsley told me this morning that after we tuck her in bed she turns on the light and plays. I would never have guessed. If her hand wasn't visible, I would have been mildly concerned of her whereabouts.

Christmas 2009!

Christmas Eve:
After we went to our church service, we had fun opening up presents from our Minnesota family. The gasps and chatter that came from both girls as they opened the gifts made it clear that their grandparents, aunts and uncles know them well. Here is Kinsley opening Fancy Nancy, our favorite book character and a fashionista whom Kinsley has been modeling herself after for months. At least a dozen outfit changes a day, thanks Nancy.


Hallie did not disappoint with her wide eyes and excited trembling with each rip of the wrapping paper.

Here is the introduction to her own baby doll. She sleeps with her, takes her in the car and makes it crystal clear that it is "Hawies baby".

Christmas morning:
I can't possibly express how much fun it was to share this time with my kids. The joy, giggles and anticipation made for memories I never want to forget. We stayed overnight at my parents house and with the added attention from them and Sarah and Lane, the girls were in the Christmas spotlight.
Here is Kinsley opening a gift from Santa....

One would assume that Santa would have read customer reviews on this princess castle, but he must have dropped the ball. Kinsley was extremely understanding today when I explained that the elves made a mistake and sent a broken castle. I lost track of how many times Ben had to reattach pieces after the thing toppled over with the slightest touch. This little piece of junk has already been returned and Santa will be sending a new and improved Castle from an entirely different workshop in a couple weeks.

If you know Hallie, you know she is a little jock. As Ben was purchasing the hoop, the salesperson asked how old his son is. It currently resides in our living room in front of the fireplace that is just begging to be shattered.

Christmas day:
Sweet, sweet girls. They are the best of friends..........

until the cousins arrive...then Kinsley disappears with Makena and Hal hangs with us.

Which is fine with me, considering she is the sweetest thing in the world. Have you ever seen a cuter face despite the fact that the right eye almost completely disappears when she smiles?

This picture captures the best part of the day. Me on the floor with my babes, soaking up every second of their youngest years. Just. Having. Fun.

An Elf and a Pickle

Let me introduce you to Scooter, our very own Elf. This has been a funny tradition we began this year that I would highly recommend. Scooter is an Elf on the Shelf and he came with an adorable picture book to explain his mission to the girls. In short, every night he flies to the North Pole to report to Santa how the little ladies are behaving. He finds a spot to watch them throughout the day. Each morning, Kinsley wakes up and hunts for the little guy. Here are some of the places he has turned up.




Here is our Christmas pickle. I am unsure of its purpose or history but in the spirit of having a dozen Christmas traditions, we are going with it. Ben hides the little pickle somewhere on the tree each night and Kinsley promptly searches for it once Scooter has been found. She can barely keep up with all the demands of her morning routine.