Christmas Play Kitchen

The kids received a play kitchen for Christmas this year.They were pretty excited to discover it in front of the tree that morning. Harvey was most interested in the tap lights. Cecilia loved the removable sink and knobs. Neither one really cares about the dry erase board on the door.

Harvey kept saying "You build it!" He had watched Captain and I turn an old entertainment center we found on craigslist into this new toy. We had most of the supplies to make this, but wound up spending about $20  for the extra parts. Still, $20 isn't bad for such a big Christmas gift.

The nice thing about the kitchen is it is sturdy enough for my kids. They are not gentle with toys yet. In fact, the biggest disappointment was when Harvey tried to crack a wooden egg on the kitchen counter. He was upset that the egg didn't open. I was grateful nothing was chipped.

We keep it in the kitchen now, and so far one of the kids has "cooked" with me every time I've made a meal. Also, I'd like to point out that I built that oven door from scratch. I mean, Captain did all the drilling, but I did the design and the cuts.

To those who are wondering, no, I don't have a before picture. I was in a hurry, but it basically looked the same. Except it was brown with a glass door and one big drawer underneath. 

Lentils

Cecilia eats her dinner.

Snow Day

Happy Christmas!

When Uncles Visit

When Uncles come to visit, we show off all our toys.

When Uncles come to visit, we fall asleep in all the noise.

When Uncles come to visit, we get to try new food.

We love it when our Uncle visits, he is one amazing dude.

Happy Christmas Eve!

Pig Tails

Soooooooo I did Cecilia's hair today.

18 months old, and it is only the 2nd time we have done this. She screamed through 2/3rds of it.

Still turned out adorable, much less mullet-y that normal.

Finally

It took me 3 years of procrastination, but I finally finished Captain's Christmas quilt.

I actually had the top done in time fore Christmas of 2009. That part only took a few weeks. It is a tossed nine patch pattern.

The quilting took FOREVER Apparently I don't enjoy that part at all, so I kept putting it off. I did a few sections at a time over the next few years. I did a combination of stars and free motion quilting.

The binding went on in one episode of the heart of Dixie. Lesson Learned: I'll do straight sewing any day of the week over quilting.

On a completely different note, Harvey failed his will save as Cecilia cast her sleep spell. Grandparents please note this image is sized for desktop backgrounds.

Play Time

My kids are beginning to play together.

Sometimes it is terrifying.

Mostly though, it is adorable to me.

Harvey really likes teaching Cecilia new things.

Cecilia loves anything Harvey loves.

As much as they love playing together,

One of these days it is going to get them in trouble.

Toddler Tantrums

Cecilia has reached that age.

It is the age where we have to un-teach our child everything they have learned up to this point.

She is learning that her mother does not need to respond immediately to the needs of a child.

She is learning that her wants are not actually needs.

Cecilia is quite angry about it.

How could life take such a cruel turn?

Hello my name is Cecilia. I'm 18 months old. I don't always get my way anymore, and I'm going to let you all know exactly how I feel about that.

Pets these days

Our pets have been a source of entertainment for us these past few days.

 Last night Chloe was extra affectionate. Sometimes it seems like cats are more liquid than solid.

This morning Ginka managed to get a stick stuck in her collar.

She thought she could lick it out.

In other pet related news, I have not had any fish die in a while. There must be something to this whole ignoring them thing.

Happy Birthday Logan!

Happy Halloween

 YEAY! We made it! All 2.1 miles of our regular walk was walked tonight, only this time we had to go back and forth to knock on doors. It took twice as long this way. The kids were real sports. Cecilia made it about half way before having a melt down that was only consoled by being carried. Harvey made it to the last quarter mile before saying he was tired and was done treating.

Harvey and Cecilia dressed up as Thing one and Thing two. Captain wore the same hat as the cat, and I had the nagging fish on my shirt.  Ginka refused to wear anything.

Oh and speaking of Ginka, while she enjoyed the walk, she hated being left behind while the kids and captain went to knock on doors. She whined at EVERY SINGLE HOUSE. It was good sitting still practice for her.

Last Friday we went to the ward trunk or treat. Consequently Harvey thought we would be doing the same thing today. He was fairly upset that we didn't get into the car, but warmed up after our first visit to the neighbors. Linda and George do tend to spoil him after all. Harvey then figured out pretty fast though to look for houses with lights on.

That was our Halloween. I hope you all are doing alright with whatever kind of weather you are having tonight.

Still Here

Not much going on right now.

Harvey raids the pantry while we are all sleeping, but yesterday when I told him I love him he said "Thank you mama, I love you too." Right now we are in a battle of wills over two things. Firstly, I want him to clean his room. I don't mind helping, but he has to participate. He is not allowed to visit Linda and George till his room is all clean. He does not like this arrangement. It has been going on 5 days now. Secondly, if he wants a cupcake, he has to eat a vegetable.  Poor kid

Cecilia has no problem eating her veggies. She eats everything with much gusto, and leaves evidence on her face making her look like a ragamuffin all the time. Our only argument is over whether or not the litter box can double and a sand pit. I keep trying to explain to her about germs, but she will have none of it. I'm pretty sure i'm going to lose this one. Captain and I are planing on making a toddler proof one over Christmas break.

And here is my only picture I have taken that is in focus from the last week.

See? Ragamuffin. The crazy hair isn't helping any either.

Ginka has almost completely stopped knocking over kids, well on purpose anyway. She still gets overly excited and has a squirmy tail end that gets in the way sometimes.

Captain is in the middle of school. Midterms are coming up I think. Still, it is his last semester of classes so that has to count for something.

Me? Well, I'm still mostly sleeping when i should be doing other things, but it seems to be not as urgent now. We got the house clean for the first time in a month. Well ok, we cleaned the parts people see. There is still laundry piled up in my bedroom. The problem is, If i wash it i have to fold it and then put it away. However, Harvey is wearing his very last clean pair of pants and If i don't do something today he will insist on wearing shorts. And then i will have lost the whole "we don't wear shorts in winter" battle.

So off to laundry I go. Maybe I can convince Cecilia that play dough is just as fun as kitty litter.

And We're Back.

I know it has been a while since I've updated, but in my defense, blogging cuts into my sleeping time.

Last week Captain's parents came to visit.

We had a blast.

The kids played with their grandparents, and I was able to take a nap every day.

Harvey kept asking where they went after they went home.

Then he would answer, "Oh! On a plane with puppies!"

He seemed to take comfort that if they couldn't be with him at least they were on an airplane and had dogs to play with.

In other news, the reason I have been needing so much sleep is because we are expecting another baby.

I am due May 14th. Cecilia will almost be 2.

We are very excited and can't wait to add another cute face to this lot.

The Great Crate Date

Sometimes we have fun here. Just sometimes though.

Cecilia was having so much fun playing in the dog crate she thought she might be in trouble.

Nothing a little jail time couldn't solve.

Nothing would slow her down for long though.

Harvey decided to join in.

Trying to get a photo with both children in focus is difficult.

Harvey decided to take matters into his own hands.

YEAY!