Wednesday, December 31, 2008

December 30, 2008

Once we got his new maps up, Conor spent almost an hour adding to the legends: where he's been, where relatives live, where his teacher was born, where there are teams he likes, and on, and on, and on.

December 29, 2008

Someone left the door to the front closet open.

December 28, 2008




Some things you can only do at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

December 27, 2008

The semi-annual concert:



Rowan's solo performance.


Bingo!


Pajamas for Ellie and her new doll (Little Ellie, aka Lil' El).



Penguin jammies.

December 26, 2008

December 25, 2008

Rowan's big present from Santa. I'm thinking it's going to be hard to keep him inside this summer, and this will not help.


Digging into his stocking.

An Atlanta Falcons jersey!


An American Girl doll that matches her.



Sarah's pumpkin pie.




Ellie challenging Mary-Claire, Matt and Nicole to a rousing game of hangman.





Ellie sitting between her two favorite people. (Nicole slipped to third on this visit).





Rowan and "Bahm-pa".




"Cheese"!

December 24, 2008

Ellie and Conor in their dress coats. It is very rare to see Ellie smiling while wearing this. She detests it, and all coats like it. Sometimes, however, you just do what your Mom says. (Cute coat, isn't it, Kate?)

I don't know who loves this cat more, Rowan or Ellie. I do know that Ellie gets to sleep with it.

Rowan in his new hat, reading one of his new books. (Which is great, because we don't have any books for him - ha.) The whiskey is not his.


Conor hiding his face because he doesn't agree at all with Uncle Bill's team. When Conor opened this light saber, he proclaimed "This is just what I needed!"


A full house.

December 23, 2008

Monday, December 22, 2008

December 22, 2008

Today during Rowan's (thankfully very long) nap, we decorated our cookies.


Normally, I have help for about 1/3 of them, and then I finish the rest on my own. And I'm okay with that, because then I have, well, control, over how most of them look. Today, however, both of them stayed with it the entire time.

They definitely earned their reward.

But consider yourself warned. I can't keep the tasty ones for us like I usually do and give you the pretty ones. You're going to have to share the yummy ones with me.

Except for the angels who "were in a war, but are still alive". Those I may keep for myself.

December 21, 2008

This is how Rowan has spent most of December:


Hanging over the edge of the gate, whining or grunting.

December 20, 2008

Rowan is only allowed in the toy room if someone is with him. The problem is, he doesn't usually want to play what they want him to play down there. He ends up getting bribed with water bottles or something like that.

December 19, 2008

On Friday the kids' winter break started early with a snow day for all of us, including Jon. Rowan says "cheese" now whenever he sees a camera. A small step up from the silly smile.

December 18, 2008

It still fits! And it fits Rowan now too, although he doesn't get much of a chance to wear it.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

December 17, 2008

This letter has been in there since Thanksgiving. I'm not sure what it says. Most likely something about a DS or money. (It's Conor's stocking).

December 16, 2008

Cookie.

December 15, 2008

We haven't made our gingerbread house yet this year, so the six year olds have improvised. This craft project was actually organized and really directed by Conor. Usually he just goes along with whatever Ellie says until he gets bored. This was different. He told her what to draw and write, and even made her correct some things. It's his house.

December 14, 2008

Reading and eating. He loves them both.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

December 13, 2008

How can a spider beat a panther?? It just doesn't make sense. But Jon and Conor had fun, regardless of the score. Jon did mention that he was a little bit jealous of Dad and Bill cracking open a beer after, but he managed just fine, I think. They drove up and back today, and Jon made sure Conor had plenty of activities to keep him busy. He doesn't sleep in the car, and when he gets bored he talks. A lot. And asks questions that require answers. Thoughtful answers. So Conor got to watch a movie.

While Jon and Conor were at the game, Ellie, Rowan and I did some errands and worked on some Christmas presents. One of the awesome things about having a girl is that she likes to help with things like that. In fact, I didn't have enough tasks to keep her busy, especially when I wanted to watch the game on tv.

December 12, 2008

Friday was Spirit Day at school. Most students wear gear supporting our high school or the elementary school, but around here we choose to show our Panther Pride. (Thanks, Grandpa)! C and E's teacher took them to another 1st grade classroom to show that teacher, who then took their picture and told Conor she might see him at the game on Saturday. They thought that was pretty cool!

Ellie didn't want to wear the plain white shirt I had picked out to go underneath her cheerleader top. She wore the one with hearts, because "Get it? I love UNI?"

December 11, 2008

Ellie's earned all of her ribbons in Advanced Beginner gymnastics. Now she's ready to move on to Intermediate!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

December 10, 2008

Today was C and E's RE class's Christmas play. I had heard it was a 10 minute one in their classroom. If I'd known there would be costumes and props, I'd have invited everyone. Conor had a speaking part, along with the other angels, but you can't really hear the video. Pictures will have to suffice.



One of the Wise People:



The angel Gabriel:


The best performers:



The thief who tried to take the gifts after it was all over:

December 9, 2008

There's a new game at our house - Ring Around the 'Rowie'. It's usually played with 2 six year olds and a toddler, and it's usually quite a bit wilder than this. It always, however, ends with the toddler pleading "Moh. Moh." while signing his version of more.

Monday, December 8, 2008

December 8, 2008

At 7:00, after Rowan is in bed, it's reading time. That or flash cards with Daddy.

December 6, 2008

Poor Rowan gets no attention. None at all.

December 5, 2008

Conor joined in Rowan's 15 month photo shoot. And while it seems like the 5th might be late to take Rowan's monthly picture, you'd be surprised at how on time it is, comparatively speaking.