Ian's new ride

A generous co-worker of Eric's gave us a four wheeler for Ian to use. Not ones to turn down free cool stuff, we gladly accepted. He LOVES it! Steering is a problem, but making it go is not. The only thing that he doesn't like is that after an hour or so, the battery needs to be recharged. Other than that, behold Ian's new favorite passtime.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Ok, so of course this was back in November, but I got behind, so I'm catching you up! Unfortunately, I don't know how to change the date that the post has marked. So anyway, the kids really play a role in helping decorate for the holidays now. The girls pretty much put all the ornaments on the tree (minus the ones I won't let them touch!). We went truly cheesy this year and put up our first, and only I'd say, inflatable. Eric bought it last year on clearance, so it was a fun surprise when we opened our storage totes! It was a big hit and well worth the neighborly humiliation.

Fire is mesmerizing

Of all the thousands of dollars worth of toys and entertainment we have collected over the years for our children, the simplest things are still the most successful in keeping their attention. Take for example, the fireplace. The mystique of the glowing warmth and crackling comfort never fades. We have to constantly remind them to stay back, in fact, as they can't seem to get a good enough look at it each time.

Claire can sleep anywhere...and has!

My girls both develop a problem with sleepwalking when they're five. Megan did it, and now like clockwork, so has Claire. As a result, we find them sleeping in the strangest places. When Eric and I came up to bed tonight, there was Claire, soundly asleep with all her accoutrement that she requires at bedtime. We have no idea what time she moved there, but there she was none the less. Kids...they keep us guessing, don't they?

Feeble attempts at a Christmas card picture

In an act to save money this year, I tried to get a good picture of the kids myself that could go on our Christmas card. Does anyone reading this have ANY idea how hard it is to get three kids six and under to simultaneously look at the camera and smile. It would have been worth the photographer fees. I ended up using a picture I took over the summer that was unplanned and unposed. Says a lot about life, doesn't? Stop trying so hard and the good stuff will just happen when it's good and ready.

Start 'em early

Eric thought it would be funny to let Ian pretend to drive. Unfortunately, this led to some toddler entitlement issues. I'm sure you can all imagine how much fun it was to try and get him in his own seat for about a week, but that's what Dads do. They plant seeds of fun ideas and the Moms rip the seedlings from the ground. We're symbiotic that way.

Trick Or Treating with Grandma Great

The kids thought Grandma Great would like to see them in their costumes. They were right! She was so happy to see them, as were the others that live in her nursing home. Grandma Great was having a great day and was able to truly enjoy our visit. The kids not only look forward to seeing her, but also to seeing the huge fish tank in the dining room. Grandma finally gave up trying to compete for their attention and just decided to hang out at the fish tank with them. I guess 88 years of wisdom helps you pick your battles wisely! It was a special visit.