Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Aunts and Nieces go together like PB and Chocolate!

Every child should have a home to visit where all rules are null and void. Where jumping on the bed with the dogs at 3am is acceptable, reese cups for breakfast a given, jabbing elbows and knees tolerated, and learning to drive is done in the lap of an unconventional aunt hurtling down the interstate. The total adulation I had for my aunt as a child grew into a beautiful friendship that went beyond "family".
So my Christmas wish this year is that my aunt (in this next phase of her journey) is enjoying herself as usual and is heeding the advice she always gave me growing up: "Be good! And if you can't be good, don't get caught!!"
P.S. Vince (a.k.a Freckle-Butt) sends his love to you, Marshmellow-Head!

Never one to watch life from the sidelines . . . .

All Mia wants for xmas is a balloon!!!

These are clips of different days of Mia and her balloon. I never would have guessed a balloon would provide so many hours of entertainment. It is her absolute favorite toy of the moment and she will roll across the floor in hot pursuit to get to it! Hope Santa brings her a big supply!

Christmas Program

With a sigh of relief, I am happy to report Vince did not spend the entire Christmas program this year picking his nose!! Aside from running to us a few times (once to kiss his sister), Vince was ready to perform this year. I'm assuming this face was because he spotted Daddy taking pictures and was copying him(??)Yeah, that one is mine.
I'm including a video but I forewarn you that it is 3 1/2 minutes long -which might be too long for even the biggest of Vince fans). But perhaps if you are procrastinating at work . . .

The kids' FIRST Christmas Parade

I finally decided to brave a parade with the kids this year because a friend of mine told me of a parade in the afternoon in a small town nearby.

The boys move WAAAAY back when a clown appears and who can blame them? Tristen doesn't take his eyes off the clown lest she makes a sudden move!!

. . . but this one comes bearing candy so she must be okay! Vince moves in fast!!

Once the parade starts and candy starts flying out into the crowd, Vince is soon pouting because he hasn't mastered the art of throwing elbows and poking other children in the eyes to get to the candy. I try to get him to focus on the cool cars and horses, etc that normally would appeal to him. But he could not get past the disappointment of reaching for a piece of candy only to have it swiped away right before his very eyes!! After 10 min of listening to him whine about going home, a piece of candy was heading towards my head and I snagged it (and yes, I would have thrown some elbows myself if need be to get it!) With some candy in his belly, Vince was finally able to enjoy the parade! Hurrah!

Vince's favorite part of the parade seemed to be at the end when he discovered a piece of candy the other kids missed. Needless to say, if we go to another parade, I will be searching for a candy-free one or bringing a bag full of candy to throw directly at Vince. Mia was equally impressed with the parade.

Later on that day Vince went to a Pajama Pizza Party and made his own pizza! His friend on the left, Evan, sang throughout the party: "I'm the Birthday Boy and I'm four years old!!!"

Mia is 8 months old already :(

Mia is weighing in at a hefty 20lbs these days! She had some chunky spaghetti last night and gobbled it down with no problem even with no teeth! She has learned how to yell angrily like her brother and often directs her angry screams AT him! I can't leave her alone in any room on the floor because she just rolls right out of the room and goes wherever she wants. She has already gotten under the tree and chewed on some presents and started pulling the branches and lights down. She likes to lie down beside Vince and they roll across the room together and then go back the other direction. Vince is also trying to teach Mia how to play "patty-cake" now. She is loving the attention from him.Mia's friend, Haley came to visit the other day and they had a few staring contests.

Vince and Mia go chat with Santa

Vince and Mia went to see Santa today. Vince has been very anti-Santa thus far in his life so I didn't hold much hope that he would go near the man. He held tightly to my hand as we neared the big guy. Santa asked Vince what he wanted him to bring for Christmas. Vince told Santa that he wanted a train and Santa performed some train wistles that impressed Vince so much, he hopped right into Santa's lap. Then Vince told Santa that Mia wanted an Elmo (??) Santa requested that Vince leave him two chocolate-chip cookies and a glass of milk on Christmas Eve. Vince was very against this idea and tried to explain that HE needed those cookies for himself. This request could take some more persuading from Mom and Dad. Mia was quite taken with Santa so we couldn't get a picture of her facing the camera.