Christmas 2008 - Part II

Saturday Ella and Aidan had their first snacks at their new table and chairs! 

We also assembled their new tricycles and they simply adored them. Although they enjoyed riding on them, pushing them was apparently much more fun!

Mike had to go to work that evening and my parents arrived just in time to see Ella and Aidan during dinner and spend some time with them before bed.

We had Christmas "Round 2" Sunday morning and both Ella and Aidan adored their new chairs from Opa and Grandma Suzy monogrammed with their names! 

 

Ella also received twin baby dolls (the girl has blue eyes and the boy had brown eyes - how cool is that !!).  

Aidan received a remote control fire truck - complete with a nice loud siren!  In addition, they both received a really cool CD with songs containing their names, and nameplates for the doors to their rooms.

In addition to the generous Stride Rite gift certificates, Aunt Kiki sent them really, really cool block sets - on wheels!!  She also sent them some new table toppers that come with cars to keep them entertained! In addition, she sent them one of my favorites - their very first subscription - a publication just for little toddlers from the National Wildlife Federation!  They will get a new "book" each month!! 

 

We had a wonderful time with all of our family this past week - Ella and Aidan got their first pair of sunglasses and even got a taste of the good life and sat behind the wheel of Opa's convertible mercedes! 

Christmas 2008 - Part I

We have had a fantastic Christmas week!

The fun all started last week with Mike and I officially having our first Christmas Eve wrapping presents for the little ones. I never knew just how special an occasion that would be!

Christmas morning was a total blast!  Ella and Aidan came downstairs to find numerous gifts under the tree...and also many more that we chose not to wrap and to just have out for them to discover.

They were both very funny in their individual approaches to unwrapping presents.  Aidan simply tore into each gist, unwrapped it, dropped it, and moved on to the next one.  Ella was much more ladylike and once she unwrapped the gift, she spent at least 30-45 seconds checking it out before moving on to the next one.

They adore all of their new books from Aunt Mimi...she sent so many different ones - even one called "Mimi's Toes"! Both Ella and Aidan are very into books and they have really enjoyed having new ones added to their library of options.

They both had so much fun pushing around their new shopping carts!

Mike's parents and Mema came over later Christmas morning and brought gifts, and we had a nice time opening presents and having a little brunch - complete with mimosas!

Aidan loves his new John Deere lawnmower and Ella simply adores her baby stroller and new baby.

The Clipo Creativity Table (complete with tons of tiny pieces) is also a big hit!

That afternoon we headed to the Parker's and got to open our stockings and have a  wonderful Christmas dinner.  The kids sat at the table with all of the adults and were perfectly behaved!

Merry Christmas!

Ella and Her Santa Hat

Ella loves to wear her Santa hat!

Dear Santa

What we really want for Christmas:

Aidan

* A never-ending lifetime supply of blueberries
* Access to plugs / wall outlets / buttons / knobs of any sort

* Unlimited toilet-bowl play
* Any toy that doesn't get snatched away by his sister 5 seconds later!
* No restrictions on mud puddles, dirt, etc
* Any and all trucks / tractors to be his personal property
* Never to have to hold your hand and be able to run freely, wherever he desires – especially behind the counter at a restaurant (like Panera Bread or McAlister’s Deli)

Ella
* Her own real working cell phone
* In fact, she'll take every cell phone and an iPod, too, thank you very much
* For it to be understood that if Ella wants it, she shall have it and henceforth it will be known as “Ella’s”
* Face wiping after a meal to be outlawed
* Shoes, shoes, and more shoes – this girl LOVES shoes!
* All crayons to be pink or purple – are there really any other colors?
* To be treated like the princess that she is, and for everyone to do what she wants, when she wants it done!

Both
* To be able to climb in the dishwasher / freezer drawer / dryer

* To never have to get out of the bath tub
* To never have another diaper change
* To own every remote control in the universe
* Daddy to NEVER have to go to work so he could play with them all day

* A 24/7 playdate with any friend, every day of the week.
* To be able to use food as a finger-paint or ammunition whenever they want
* For 6am to be a reasonable wake up time
* Never be in a stroller again - unless of course it happens to be in the living room, in which case they don't want to get out of it ever
* To always be able to stand between my legs while I'm cooking
* A bunny in every room and to be allowed to take said bunny outside
* Cups (pa, pa) available whenever they so desire
* For Santa to simply be a name, an ornament, in a book, or on television, but not someone who appears in real life in a scary suit
* The abandonment of all double strollers and to be pushed separately so that said brother / sister cannot bite, hit, pinch, pull hair, steal pacifier / toys, etc.
* To sleep in Mom and Dad’s bed – forget that stupid crib!
* Instant gratification
* All light switches to be at a height of 34 inches
* The words "gentle" and "stop" stricken from our vocabulary

I Want to Remember

Aidan
* I want to remember your cute little round face. Your cheeks are not as puffy as when you were really little, but they sure are still perfectly squeezable! And you can make the cutest little sly grin when you are being coy!
* I want to remember your wonderful scent when you wake up from a nap. It’s like a baby / drool / deep sleep kind of scent that is unique to you and only you.
* I want to remember your sweet, sweet nature. You have the kindest heart and not a mean bone in your body. You are going to be such a loyal friend and husband one day.
* I want to remember how we still hear you “thump” in your crib at night. You have done this since you were about 8 weeks old. Back then, you would take great delight in lifting both of your legs and slamming them down at the same time. It made such a racket! Today, you do the exact same thing, but either with your head or feet, and you do it on the solid headboard part of our crib.
* I want to remember your passion for exploring. Never one to sit still, you are always on the go and checking out every nook and cranny, every path and object along that path.
* I want to remember how quiet you are these days. You don’t really talk too much yet, but every so often you let us know that you have been paying attention all along and will say a word we had no idea that you knew.
* I want to remember your new habit - you have started walking around with your hands clasped behind your back – like a little man deep in thought! So cute!
* I want to remember that when sitting you always cross your feet at the ankles.
* I want to remember your “lip test” for testing out any food that you may actually consider edible
* I want to remember what a Daddy’s Boy you are. You're favorite person has to be Daddy. You don't get to see him enough right now, so when he is home, you want to be in his arms. Mommy doesn't have any rank when Daddy is around.

* I want to remember how funny you are when you truly start laughing. You simply get so caught up in giggling that you cannot maintain your balance and always fall over. That, in itself, is funny!

Ella
* I want to remember you as a Mommy’s girl. To this day at 19 months old, you still prefer me over all others. I know that one day it will change, but for now, I cherish being the one you turn to in all situations.
* I want to remember your temper, temper, temper! It is your way or no way at all these days. Many have now witnessed one of your little fits, and they are not a pleasant experience! However, as exasperating as they can be, I am proud that you have such a fierce ability to defend yourself and speak your mind. You will certainly be a challenge as you get older, but I am at peace knowing that once you make your way into the world you will not let anyone else ever take advantage of you and that you will be a strong, confident young woman.
* I want to remember how you hold the phone to your ear and say “yello?”
* I want to remember your sweet little “no, no”.
* I want to remember how much you LOVE to be on the swings!
* I want to remember how you love to make a fish face, and love to give butterfly kisses.
* I want to remember just how much you are already talking. You no longer babble much at all…it is all words these days. They may not sound exactly like the adult version of words, but they are close enough – and you know what they mean and are very clear about expressing your wishes! You also attempt to repeat everything that we say!
* I want to remember how my heart just melts when you call me Mommy. You just started calling us Mommy and Daddy in the past few weeks, and it is the most amazing music to my ears. For so long, I never thought I would hear that word.
* I want to remember how you love to point out people in pictures. You love to point out Mommy, Daddy, “AAeee” (Aidan) and “Lala” (that is what you call yourself). And I love that when we ask you “What is your name?” - you answer!!
* I want to remember how polite you are – you have such wonderful manners already! You are so cute when you hand us something and say “dank do”. To top it off, you have the cutest little southern accent with certain words (such as pie, bite and ball).

* I want to remember that at such a young age, you already have the desire to clean and organize. You love to help me clean up, and are constantly bringing us tiny pieces of dirt that you find on the floor.

Both
* I want to remember the toddler squat.
* I want to remember how much you adore your pink and blue bunnies.
* I want to remember your thirst for life and how everything new and exciting. And your sweet, still untainted by the world, innocence.
* I want to remember the sound of squeals of laughter when playing together.
* I want to remember how you are such copy cats.
* I want to remember your love of reading books! Your favorites right now include Goodnight Moon, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, anything by Sandra Boynton (Moo Baa La and Blue Hat Green Hat specifically), Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?, The Little Fur Family, and Rainbow Peek a Boo.
* I want to remember your newfound sense of humor and how you love to try and make us laugh.
* I want to remember the chaos of having you both run off in different directions when I am alone and trying to manage everything – it’s as if you are challenging me to see how I will handle it and see who I chase first.
* I want to remember how much you love to take a bath – and how you both always ask for “mo bubble”.
* I want to remember how easy it is to put you down for a nap and to bed at night. There is no crying, no fussing at all these days – you both just lie down with your bunny and your blanket and go to sleep.

* I want to remember how funny you are after baths. You love to wear your hooded towels (a dog and a cat) and make the animal noises while chasing each other around the room.

Piano!

Yesterday afternoon (after naps) we went to Mike’s parent’s house to see them and Mema. The kids had a blast a completely un-childproofed environment! Two Christmas trees and all sorts of breakables!

We discovered that the kids both love to play the piano! They always fight over the toy ones we have at home…but were clearly in absolute heaven getting to play a real one!

Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra

Yesterday morning we took Ella and Aidan to see the Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra in Uptown Charlotte. People have been raving about "The Singing Bears" and how they absolutely captivated their kids for the entire performance.

About the Singing Bears:

Dressed formally in white tie and tails, Leonard Bearstein conducts an 18-piece animatronic Symphony Orchestra of bears. The orchestra sections consist of a string section (3 violins, 2 cellos, and 1 bass), the Brass section (2 trumpets, 1 French horn), the woodwinds (1 clarinet and 1 saxophone), and the percussion section (2 drummers and 1 chime). The vocal selections are performed by the elegantly attired "Not So Bearly Singers" trio, who provide much of the banter during the 43-minute program.

Well, the Parker twins once again proved that they do not do what everyone else's kids do.

When we walked in to the atrium, Aidan rushed to the railing and was captivated - for about two minutes. Then he discovered that the room was huge and had lots of places to run about....and that the atrium echoed!

Ella would not go near the bears. She did sit on a bench for a few minutes and watch them, but quickly decided that the bears must somehow be in cahoots with Santa, and thus they are to be feared in a big way. The tears began to flow and she would not even look at the bears - she just clung to either Mike or myself.

Oh well, just like with our Santa experience, there is always next year!