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Christmas morning brought stockings stuffers from Santa. The usual princesses for Camryn and stuffed animals for Connor.



Posing in the Christmas outfits. Camryn picked hers out this year. Obviously, Ted and I picked out Connor's. I'm pretty sure given the opportunity he would have chosen something else. He is all set for the next Ralph Appreciation Day, though. He looks like he should be standing in the town square selling newspapers.




Counsin Jacob and Camryn, who is sporting the coveted Ariel "dress" from Santa. "Dress" is in quotes because it's actually a nightgown. When mommy waits until the Sunday before Christmas to go to the Disney Store the actual dresses are only in a size 2.


Connor and cousin Maddie opening gifts.




Grandma Patti attempting to take a picture with both kids. It is no easy task to get them together. That is why there are very few pictures of them posing together on this blog. Our Christmas card picture only worked because Ted and I were holding them so they were unable to pester each other. This is but one of the few tricks we've discovered in the past 2 years.

Cookie Monster

Christmas Eve was spend at Grandma Patti's this year. The kids enjoyed opening gifts, having tea parties and of course, the cookies.



Connor just stood here like this for a while. He would turn his head each way to see who was watching. When I would say "No more cookies tonight" he would immediately give me the pouty lip. This happened for a while and he eventually got bold enough to take one. It was a funny scene and I knew that trauma would ensue if I tried to stop him, thus the second picture.

Friends Bearing Gifts

Aidan and Addison came over before Christmas for some fun and gifts. You can see those Spriggs kids sure like to open gifts.

El Segundo Wonderland

We made the annual trip to Candy Cane Lane in El Segundo before Christmas. I think the kids were actually more excited about the introduction of hot chocolate than the lights.

Snow White's New Castle

Who knew that Snow White would prefer a cardboard box to the Prince Charming's castle or even the dwarf's cottage? Not I.

Oh, and by the way my guess is that this will be played with just as much if not more than any Christmas present they receive.




Can you tell Connor was indulging in the Christmas cookies we were making?

Santa Overload

Santa seems to be popping up everywhere these days. I actually think Camryn's getting suspicious. When he came to her Emerson class I said "Look there's Santa" and she replied "No, that's Teacher Nancy." Then today the big man was touring the neighborhood and while we were looking for him she asked if it was him or teacher Nancy again. Hmm. Keeping this stuff going is tough work and I have several more years to keep this sham going.

These were from tonight when he rode his sleigh through the neighborhood. He was pulled by a Suburban rather than reindeers and was accompanied by police cars and a fire engine, you know, just like the stories say. Connor was so excited to see him, from afar. Close up not so much.



Here is Teacher Nancy who apparently fooled no one. Camryn got a present, though, which I'm sure made up for it not being the real Santa.


Here are the old "wait in line at the mall" pics with Santa. Camryn and I waited for 45 minutes which included Santa being late for 15 of them. There were many unhappy parents when he showed up at 12:15 instead of 12. Ted took Connor around the mall while Camryn and I waited. It turned out to be a brilliant plan. They arrived just as it was our turn and Ted plopped Connor on Santa's lap and we took pictures before he knew what hit him. The next two times Connor saw Santa he was much savvier and pre-empted any picture attempts or at least started crying first.




Camryn waiting in line.

Bowling, Dancing and Bacon= A Great Sunday

We checked out the new LA Live today and really enjoyed it. Most of the restaurants are opening in the next month or so, but we were able to go to the ESPN Zone and enjoy some bowling. Somehow no one broke a toe or had any head traumas even though we let Connor have some turns (notice how Ted is hoving for fear of him chucking the bowling ball at someone)


Here is how the day started with Connor and fistfuls of bacon. What a relief to know that he picked up some of my good traits.


Connor and his dancing/running. Even though he's a boy, he can multi-task.

End Zone Dance

OK maybe the title is misleading since it's the wrong sport, but I'm pretty sure if professional bowlers showboated it would look like this:

Yummy Art

Camryn made a tasty gingerbread house (well, I guess technically it's a graham cracker house) today. She spent most of the time eating the candy and licking the frosting while I squirted the frosting "glue" all over the house. She was very proud of it and insisted on carrying it to and from the car and into the house while I hovered over her afraid it was going to fall and the world would end. I know, I need to get a grip, but you should see this kid while in the thralls of her famous drama queen tantrums. Yikes!

Messin' With Daddy

It's always a treat when Daddy gets home early enough to see the kids before they go to bed and the kids take full advantage of it. Judging from his inability to move in the last picture, though, I'm beginning to think he stalls getting home.

Witches and Apple Pie

I'm not sure where she gets all of her information and I'm wondering what she is learning in pre-school. It's funny stuff, though.

Connor's New Hair Dryer

My aunt Caron took this video last weekend when she was here. Since I'm too lazy to upload my own video of it, I'm thankful that she sent it to me. There are supposed to be balls that pop out of the top while the music plays, but when most of them ended up under the couch Connor decided to play a new game.

Meow

Company for the Weekend

Great-Aunt Caron and cousin Krystin came down for a visit this weekend. We had lots of fun playing in the house and walking around Santa Monica. We went to Pacific Park and let the kids go on some rides. It was all fun and games until Connor was deliriously tired because he refuses to sleep in a stroller and saw Camryn eating a hot dog which she wouldn't share. The line at the hot dog stand seemed like the longest line I've ever stood in while he had a tantrum on the boardwalk. Then Camryn had a tantrum because I was forcing her to hold my hand while we were walking on the sidewalk. I will be very surprised if we ever see Caron and Krystin down here again. Sigh.




Camryn had an entourage at her ballet/tap class with us all there watching. Krystin took one for the team and did the class with her.

Grandparents and Interesting Cupcakes

We were fortunate enough to have Grandpa and Catherine come over on Saturday to visit and babysit for the evening while we went to a Halloween party. We hadn't seen them since April so it was very exciting for the kids (since we all know they pay way more attention to them then we do and are way more fun).

They showed up with Halloween cupcakes in hand. If you think this picture is disgusting you should have been around yesterday to clean his diaper. I'll leave it at that.

Halloween Wrap-Up

We headed out for some trick or treating fun on Halloween night on a fun street in Westchester that was blocked off and all decorated. The kids were scared of a couple of houses, but for the most part candy prevailed and they drudged on.

We met up with Leelee and Luca along the way. They have fun parents who dress up in costumes. Sorry Spriggs kids, Mommy and Daddy only dressed up for the adult party on Saturday (hopefully I'll have pictures of that soon)


We met a giant Darth Vader. Connor wasn't too sure if he liked him.





It's a good thing we didn't get any trick-or-treaters since Connor was pre-licking the candy. Yes, that giant bowl plus the 3 extra bags on the kitchen counter are still in tact. It's disgusting how much candy is in this house (as well as how many Twix, Kit Kats and Reese's I've inhaled)

Belle's Bobbin' for Doughnuts

It was Camryn's turn for the Halloween party at Emerson yesterday. The usual trick or treating, candy eating and carnival games. This included my favorite, bobbing for doughnuts. Much healthier than apples.



I really thought she was going to break an ankle here, but she proved to be more agile than I am in heels.


Apparently Belle is a popular costume these days.


This is Camryn and her best friend in pre-school Camille. They are both so cooperative for the camera.