KINLEY 22 MONTHS

Kinley Girl....

You are 22 months now...

this pic was 3 days before you turned 22 months

Wow, you have changed so much over the past few months.

You are just enough too big for 18 months clothes but the 24 months/2T are a little big.  You wear a size 6W shoe and size 2T panties :)

Your hair is finally starting to grow out a little more and doesn't look as much like a mullet (ha ha)  as before!!  I still love putting your hair in piggy tails!

You are sleeping about 12 hours at night and take an afternoon nap that usually lasts about 2 hours....sometimes more.

The biggest milestone you have reached is potty training.  You actually have been potty trained since before Halloween.  I don't remember exactly when it was but somewhere around your 20 month mark, you started pulling your diaper off and would not keep it on.  You loved playing in London's room and pulling all her socks and panties out of her drawer.  I started letting you wear panties just for fun and you would want like 10 pair on at a time.  You call them panes, like window panes.  You got the hang of the whole - go in the potty- thing and are now even in panties at night...and you have been for 6 weeks or so.  You amazed me and really really surprised me with this whole potty training thing.  I never in my life thought l would have a baby potty trained completely at 22 months.  WOW!!

You love Elmo.  He is probably your favorite right now.  You like Dora and Mickey Mouse too but not as much as Elmo.  You will even sing the Elmo's World song.

You watch London like a hawk and mimic everything she does.  Every morning when I brush her hair she says 'ouch' and now when I brush your hair you say 'ouch, ouch' and I know for sure I'm not hurting you.

You have no problem telling us what  you want or need and are speaking more and more like a big girl every day.  You used to say 'die' for 'yes' and now you say 'yea peese'.

I love you more and more every day and love our special time at bedtime.  I love that you still let me rock you before bed and I love when you chime in to our bedtime songs.  I can't believe that in just 2 short months we will be celebrating your 2nd birthday.

You are my sweet sweet Kinley Girl and I love you!!  Happy 22 months!!

CHRISTMAS 2010

Christmas came and Christmas went and it was as good as it could have been.  Here is how we spent our holiday!!

Christmas Eve Eve was very low key.  Matt worked and the girls and I just played at the house.  I made a run to HEB and Toys R' Us but that is about as exciting as our day got....until we made cookies for Santa!!  I didn't even think to get a picture of the final product....they were gone before I thought to take a pic!!

Christmas Eve Matt went to work for a few hours and came home at lunch.  Yes, he really worked on Christmas Eve morning.  Then We got ready for church and went to the 4:00 service at the Woodway campus.  Matt and I love the Christmas Eve service, especially when we light the candles and sing.  And we both love singing at church so we were so excited.  Unfortunately our girls wanted no part of the Christmas Eve service.  They lasted all of 30 minutes and after about another 20 minutes in the cry room and Kinley going up and down the stairs 100 times we decided it was best for all of us just to leave.  London was upset she couldn't follow Kinley around.  Kinley would scream when we would try to hold her, and after putting London in time-out (yes, she got put in time-out at church on Christmas Eve) enough was enough.  I guess that's what having kids is like sometimes.  UGH!!

We headed to Conroe to have Christmas Eve with Matt's family.  The kids were showered with gifts and Matt and I got a few too.

After a yummy dinner and playing with new toys, we headed back home to get ready for Santa.  Bedtime was super easy thank goodness since Santa had his duties to take care of.

Christmas morning came and thank goodness the girls slept till about 8:45.  London woke us up .... after scanning all the gifts from Santa ... and we woke Kinley up to open gifts.

Once all the gifts were opened we asked London to put Paris in the back yard.  Much to her surprise there was a trampoline in the back yard.  She has been asking for a trampoline for probably a year now and we had told her no, since we are in a rent house.  Well, it was the best gift ever.

We had our parents and my sister and her boyfriend over for Christmas lunch.  Mom brought a ham and tons of desserts, I did mashed potatoes and gravy and iced tea, Matt's mom brought green bean casserole and brownies and his dad brought rolls.  Lunch was great but I'll be honest....it just wasn't the same as having Christmas lunch at mom's.  I have alot to work on to make it feel like that.  Next time my good dishes are coming out, the kids table will be decorated super fun, and I'll have to double or even triple the decor.  It really made me realize I have a long way to go to make our house like mom's was growing up.

After lunch Matt and I opened our gifts from my parents and then Matt started putting the trampoline together and after a pretty short wait London was jumping with joy!!

My favorite gift..... my Flip camera!!  Thanks Mom!!!  I'll be posting videos now along with pics!!

Everyone left about 3 and I put Kinley down for a nap.  London wanted to watch Toy Story 2 so we all snuggled up in our bed and Matt and I napped while London watched a movie.  We woke up, ate leftovers and put the girls to bed.  Matt went back to the office and I went to bed early.

Sunday we went to church and hit up Chili's for lunch.  Matt and I finished the trampoline assembly and put the net around the trampoline.  Matt worked....again.  He says next year....like in 4 days he isn't going to work as much at night.  We'll see.....

I am slowly but surely getting my house back in order and going to start packing up the Christmas decorations tomorrow.  My goal is to have everything, including the outdoor lights put away before the 1st!!

Oh, and I got one more gift for Christmas today....a new phone.   I had it all day Christmas Eve and when we got in the car to go to church I thought I had left it inside, which I do alot.  Matt always has his so I don't really worry if I leave mine.....as long as we have one phone with us I'm fine.  We went on to church and then to Matt's mom's house and didn't think anything of it.  Christmas Eve night after we got home and I couldn't find my phone.   I was convinced Kinley had put it somewhere and it had died leaving us to ripping the house apart. It was no where to be found.  We searched the house for it every chance we had on Christmas day and Christmas night I got in the car and drove part of the route we took to church just incase, it was the only other place I could think it might be.  Nothing...  We texted my phone asking for whoever had it to respond so we could quit looking, offered a reward and kept looking inside. I just knew it was misplaced by Kinley.  Sunday on our way to church we see what looks like my phone laying in the middle of the road about a mile from our house.  And guess what....it was my phone....with the case intact and screen shattered!!  I have no recollection of taking my phone outside while we were loading the car before church.  BUT, I guess I did....or Matt did and somehow it ended up in the middle of the road.  Oh well, I'll be more careful next time.

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and that you have a safe and Happy New Year!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, LOVE NANA & AVY!

We had dinner at my parent's house Tuesday night to let London & Kinley open gifts from Cody & Gogie, Aunt T, and Nana & Avy.  Since my parents will spend Christmas Day with us I had planned on only letting London and Kinley open half of the gifts from them, but the excitement was too much and every gift was opened.

We made London sing a few Christmas songs to the group before letting her open gifts.  Kids will do just about ANYTHING for Christmas presents.  ha ha!!

Kinley with one of her gifts.  I think she liked the unwrapping part more than the gift itself.  She mostly got clothes which were much needed and she also got a baby elmo that laughs, and a little toy that pops up balls and spins.

London and her American Girl doll.  She named her London....how original huh!!  Mom ordered her one that looks like her and lots of outfits for the doll to wear too!!  Cody and Gogie got her some clothes for her doll and Aunt T and Daddy Joe got her a Paula Deen cooking set.  I had 2 American Girl dolls when I was little and wish I knew where they were now.  Hmmmm, somewhere in Mom's attic.  I wonder how long it would take me to find them.  

London and London (doll)

And I just have to put a picture of my mom's tree.  I love it.  Its a 14 foot tree and she decks it out with hundreds of ornaments.  Her tree topper wasn't on yet but it is fabulous too!!  I'm starting my ornament collection so that one day my tree can look like hers!

Oh, and I DID get Kinley's dress made.  Hers is actually long enough to be a dress and is plenty big for her to wear next year.  I finished it Tuesday afternoon....last minute of course.

Yesterday we did nothing and I wrapped presents last night.  Today London and I cleaned the whole house.  She was such a big helper too.  She is playing with Katie now and K is napping....or about to be up.  One more run to Toys R' us to return a gift then off to the grocery store for dinner stuff!!

Have a Merry Merry Christmas Eve Eve!!

SECOND BAPTIST CHRISTMAS WEEKEND

We had another great weekend cram packed with Christmas programs.  My brother's wife Kelsey joined us for the weekend and we loved having her over.  London gave her the name Gogie (go-gee) a while back....so she is Gogie instead of Aunt Kelsey.  She is super sweet and loves the girls so much.  They were both thrilled to have her join us this weekend....and so was I!!!  Here is my attempt of getting a pic of her with the girls.....another picture fail.

Our church kicked off the weekend with 'The Really Really Big Christmas Show' which was so fun.  I felt like a kid again.  Here are a couple of clips from the show!!

*you need to go to the bottom of the page and pause the music so you can hear the video clips*







Saturday we went to the 'Kids Crazy Christmas Show'.  It is very similar to 'The Really Really Big Christmas Show' but instead of being a live show it is done with puppets.  Both shows have alot of the same songs and both tell the story of Christmas.  Both are so fun and entertaining too.  Here is a clip from last years show...but this year was the same...





Sunday we went to church and Kinley would not go in the nursery.  We ended up taking both girls into the service with us.  Ed preached and talked about the word 'Hallelujah' and the meaning of it and at one point he had us all repeat 'Hallelujah, Hallelujah'.  Kinley started repeating it over and over too.  It was so funny.  Every time she would blurt out 'Hallelujah' I could hear giggles around us.  After church we had a great lunch then went home for a quick break, changed clothes and headed back to meet my mom and aunt at 'The Really Really Big Christmas Show'.  Yes, we saw it twice....it was THAT good!!  After the show we rushed over to see the choir perform 'Songs of Christmas'.  I thought it was great.  Matt wasn't too into hearing the choir....he was hoping to get to sing along and not just listen!!  The kids were beyond tired and hungry by the time the program was over so we headed home, said our good bye's to Gogie, had a quick dinner and went to bed.

We took a quick and half way decent family pic after church.  London wearing the other side of the reversible top I made her .... which by the way I still haven't made Kinley's to match.  Remember THIS POST and I said I was going to do Kinley's by Sunday, well it didn't happen.  It will get done tomorrow right before we have to leave for my parent's house....I hope.  Ha!!  

Oh, and Kinley's dress was London's.  I monogrammed it for London when she was 2 and Sunday morning decided Kinley needed to wear it so I quickly put a patch over London's monogram and added Kinley's monogram!!  I'll have to take a close up pic someday....:)

Today the girls and I started..... yes started, our Christmas shopping.  I know....nothing like waiting until the last minute.  Matt is leaving work early tomorrow we can finish up the shopping and get the girls' gifts.  His mom is watching the girls while we shop and then we head over to my parent's house for our family Christmas.  My mom is doing Christmas early since my brother and Gogie are spending Christmas in Colorado with her family.  


Here is the pillowcase dress I made tonight for my niece Madison's gift.  She loves Minnie Mouse!!  I made her a matching bow too!!

That's about all we've been up to.  Here are a few more pics from the weekend...

before the Kids Crazy Christmas Show

See Kinley's shirt...  I bought the red shirt and matching pants in November with high hopes of making a Christmas set for her.  You know....appliqued shirt and cute matching pants with a ruffle.  I had it all planned out in my head.  Well, in my last minute madness I made that shirt as we were getting ready for the Kids Crazy Christmas Show Saturday afternoon. 

Oh and I finished this order for a sweet friend Saturday...

Merry Christmas!!!!  Only 5 days left!!

BUDGET FRIENDLY TEACHER GIFT

Thanks to Candice at Sew Sweet Boutique for THIS idea.  I always stress about finding something cute and sort of different when it comes to teacher gifts.  Here is the breakdown of my gift....

white wire basket...$1 from Dollar Tree
hand sanitizer........$1 from Dollar Tree
2 waffle kitchen towels..... about $4.50 from Target
brown crinkle paper...... free from a gift box that was shipped to us
vanilla cupcake candle......$1 from Wal-Mart---and it really does smell amazing
1 transparency copy......$0.75 from Office Max
ribbon......left over from my ribbon stash
applique designs....ones I already had purchased last month

Here is the final product.  I took this picture as I was driving through the car rider line to drop London off this morning so it isn't great but you get the idea.

Instructions on how to make your personalized hand sanitizer can be found HERE at the Idea Room blog.

You know you want to make one too and you really love the fact that it can be done for under $10!!

LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS SET

So I decided to start a Christmas outfit for London last night and didn't finish till 2 a.m.  I promised her I would make her one more thing to wear to school so I had to hold up to my end of the deal.  Here is what I came up with.  I kind of think its a little busy and wish I would have done a plain red and white stocking with her initial on the stocking and then at the same time.... I like it busy.  A little grinch inspired too.  I used the 'grinched' font for her name.  Here she is wearing her outfit....and of course, I can't get her to just look and smile.

Now I just need to get Kinley's set done.  I have it all cut out and ready to start.  I'm hoping to work on it a little each night and have it finished by Sunday morning!!

RANCH WEEKEND

We took a quick trip to the ranch with a few friends this weekend and had a blast.  Even though we didn't get there until 11 we got the fire started and the night, or should I say morning, started and didn't end until 4:30 a.m.  I haven't been up that late in a really long time, and when i was, it probably involved nursing a baby :)

Matt and I haven't had that much time away from the girls since Kinley was born so it was a much needed adult weekend!!

Saturday we took everyone to one of the caves and we all crawled in and looked around.  It was a little creepy but pretty cool at the same time.  There were bats in there too which really freaked me out.

Matt and I in the cave

 Lisa, me & Eimear

 the boys & Eimear  by the fire

group picture in the cave

London and Kinley got to spend the weekend with Nana and had a blast.  London had 2 birthday parties to go to and my mom was such a trooper and took her (and Kinley) to both parties.  Here are the gifts I did for the birthday girls.

 London came home from school today and asked if I could do one for each kid in her class.  I told her I would love to but that it would be easier if I just did a shirt as a birthday gift for any parties she was invited to.  That seemed to satisfy her.  

Nana also took the girls to see Tangled and they had donuts for breakfast, went to get ice cream and also managed to get a few early Christmas treats.  

I am hoping to get the girls Christmas outfits done this week....  Nothing like waiting till the last minute, huh!!

And on a side note.....

Last week I was busy doing shirts for my mom.  Here they are with the birthday shirts I mentioned earlier.....

and I have 2 more to do for her this week then I am done!!

NANA'S CHRISTMAS WEEKEND PART 2

Saturday night we had Matt's Christmas party. The girls stayed with Nana so Matt and I could go. It was so much fun and I can't wait to hang out with these girls again this weekend at the ranch!!

Sunday the Christmas fun continued with the Houston Ballet Nutcracker.  I grew up going to the Nutcracker with my mom, sister, aunt and cousin.  It was so fun to go again with my little girl.  We got pics with several of the dancers and let me just say these girls are TINY!!!

 London and one of the bakers.  

London loved the part where the bakers flew across the stage.  

She said that would be the part she would do!!

The Snow Queen

The Sugar Plum Fairy

Me and my sweet girl.  

The glare is horrible but I only had my phone to take pics with and London wasn't up to posing again :(  

We ate dinner at the Aquarium and it was delicious!!  London got a 'build your own sundae' for dessert...can you tell she was in Heaven!!

The Christmas fun will continue next weekend.  Matt and I are off to the ranch with some friends and the girls will stay with my mom.  I'm sure she will have something fun planned for them.

NANA'S CHRISTMAS WEEKEND PART 1

I'll start off by saying that I'm pretty sure my mom is the real Mrs. Claus.  She loves Christmas and has always gone above and beyond to make sure that each Christmas was one we would never forget.  Our house was always decked out with all her Santa's and garland and lights and of course the tree.  We always bought a real tree growing up and it was always flocked.  Now that we are all grown my mom bought a 14 foot tree and has it decked out in hundreds of ornaments.  The house is still turned into a Christmas wonderland and always brings back my best childhood memories when I go home at Christmas time!!

That being said, several weeks ago I got an email titled 'Nana's Christmas Fun'.  I knew instantly that it was going to be good.  My mom wanted to take the girls to several events which we have done all of as of yesterday!  The first thing was the breakfast with Snoopy in this post.  Then this past weekend we fulfilled the other 2 events.

Friday afternoon we drove 3 hours to Palestine, Texas to ride the Polar Express.  It was so worth the drive.  We played the movie on the way there and London was already so excited.  The kids wore their pajamas too just like in the move.  BUT, since I had made shirts just for the Polar Express I made them take pics first before putting on their jammies!!

The train ride was about an hour and was full of entertainment. Here are the girls waiting for the train.

 Can you see the excitement in London's face!!!  Priceless

We were welcomed on the train by the staff wearing chef's outfits just like in the movie!!  Once we were on our way to the North Pole we were served hot chocolate and a rice crispy treat (which Kinley LOVED!!) and they played the 'hot chocolate' song from the movie and the chef's danced up and down the aisle of the train.

Then we got to hear the book 'The Polar Express'.  By the end of the book we were almost to the North Pole.

London looking at the North Pole!

 Santa greeted the train once we arrived and our journey began back to the train station.  BUT, Santa was on the train.  While we waited for Santa to make his way to our car we sang Christmas carols and danced and had a great time.

 London was thrilled to see Santa but Kinley wanted nothing to do with him.

London's face when she saw Santa coming down the aisle of our train car.

Here is Kinley's reaction to Santa!!

and London's pic (the good picture is on my mom's camera)

The hobo and the conductor also came through our train car.  The conductor punched all the tickets and Santa handed out a bell to all the children!!

London ringing her bell!

Kinley holding her bell.  Santa was still on the train and she didn't move until he was out of sight!

Nana bought the book and CD for London as a souvenir.  We had to listen to it on the way home!!

Thanks Nana for such a fun time!!