Toms

Jack's new Toms arrived and she wears them all the time. She wanted to wear them to bed last night.

Also, I thought it was Dec 1 today, so I started the advent calendar w Jack. Glad only one square was filled w a treat bc I heard her say "there's no more candy anywhere! I can't find it!" as she opened up every little door in desperation.

H has top molars and bottom molars on the right side of her mouth. Zero molars on the left side. Uhhhh... Ok. She has been miserable lately and it's probably bc the others are coming in. She is happier when medicated. But aren't we all? :)

Apples, Santa and Love

Hillers and I were cruising the mall for a dress for moi, when we saw Santa and his elves- no kids, no shoppers. Us. Santa. Hilly and I watched, discussed, waved. He waved back. I took her up and she clung to me like a desperate koala. I did what any loving mother would do and handed over my baby to a strange man in a red suit. Her face dropped and she began to cry in slow mo.

When jack saw the picture she was amazed. She muttered in the back seat on the way home from school "it's so beautiful.." I said "What did you say?" she responded "It's beautiful."

Then I told her H was crying bc she wasn't there to be brave with her. Jackie became a loving big sis for the rest of the day. "hilly, sweetheart, I had to go to school." she then looked at me and said "I had fun." and repeated it.

Then I heard her say to H "you are so cute! So cute! Honey, did you cry bc you were scared of Ho-Ho? It's ok. I was at school! Did you cry, honey?" she gave her extra love all day.

Pet Shop

Yesterday's big outing was to the pet store. We needed a higher end dog food for the sake of our nostrils- Lou and La-La were suffering from some serious gas. Or... Actually we were suffering. Anyway, the girls loved the fish and kittens. Especially the fish. Fish are so boring, aren't they? Well, not to Jax.

I asked her again what she wants from Santa. Aside from the old standbys, she added a jump rope to the list. All I could think was "strangulation hazard"! No jump rope this year, my friend. Not since I caught her wrapping jim's belt around hilly's neck to take her for a walk.

This morning, Jax found Suzie pretty easily. She doesn't like the idea that Suzie ever leaves our house. Even if it's just to see Santa.

Welcome Suzie

Dress up and Bday Party

We stopped by Grammy and Pops' quick before heading to Kyle's bday. Finley taught Jackie dress up, as pictured. I hates to pull Jack away, but they were leaving soon anyway. Jim and Hilly stayed behind while Jax and I headed over.

I suspected Hilly pulled Jax out of her shell, but the extent was obvious yesterday. Jax was super shy and clingy. I knew if H were there, she'd at least be playing with all Kyle's and his little sister's toys. Lord knows Hilly would've been. So big mistake- not bringing my girl Hilly. Lesson learned. What a perfect sibling pair.

Anyway, our Elf on a Shelf will be arriving tonight. The girls have no clue what is coming!

T-giving 2012

As usual, I did a terrible job of capturing this holiday so here are my random pics. We did dad's t-giving Wed night and my mom's fam Thurs and met up with jim's fam at a restaurant for lunch today. I don't have many pics of Jack bc she was busy playing with cousins Jill and Jenna and uncle Mick and cousin Con-man and others- and also napping since the girls stayed up so late playing at Grandpa and Nana's. Jax got a bracelet from Nana with a Santa charm and has been wearing it and showing it off ever since. She even asked Jim for earrings this morning. I heard Jim quickly respond "not til you're older."

Parent-Teacher Conference

Unsurprisingly, Jax received a swimming evaluation from her teachers.

They said she is so quiet and well-behaved that she has to consciously remind herself to touch base with Jackie each class.

She said Jackie pays attention to everything going on around her (a strong genetic trait of her dada) and listens to and follows all directions.

She also said, "There is something I need to show you."

The class was making cards for soldiers and each student was given markers and paper. Jackie drew people- that were so excellent and advanced for her age that all of the teachers and the preschool director were amazed. They refused to send this card to the soldiers and kept it instead.

It was a great drawing. But- ahem- she has drawn way better, little do they know.

They said she was drawing at a late 3- 4 year old level.

Umm, considering her mother and grandpa's artistic abilities- NOT surprising. I can't wait to show her her grandpa's drawings when she is older. Jim isn't too shabby of an artist either.

Also, I brought up little boy S and before I could finish my sentence, the teacher said he is a huge problem with hitting and kicking and stealing toys and she has talked to his mom already and planned to that day.

I google stalked his mom and felt really bad. I saw S's baby pics and he was SO cute- still is. I have seen her correct his behavior and she obviously loves him and wants the best for him. She is in that dumb parents committee with me and while she seems standoffish, she is probably nice. How much would it suck if your child was that aggressive? And she knows all the other parents try to avoid her son.

It's easy and tempting to attribute jackie's good classroom behavior on how we raised her, but I know that isn't true. She just wasn't born to be aggressive. Not saying you can't correct your child's behavior- just that it is clear to me after having kids that they are not born blank slates.

Anyway, I hope she finds a solution to her son's aggression.

Random Nov Pics

Costco fun, Hilly our couch-potato

My Boos

Grammy and Pops came over to visit and see Jax decorate the Xmas tree. Can I tell you that these pictures- her level of happiness- make me want to run upstairs and wake her up and give her a million hugs? She was SO happy and screamed and cheered with us after every single ornament she hung. I am so proud of my little munchkin. Today we met up with 2 of my BFFs at the mall and both girls were angels. At the restaurant, Jax sat politely, eating her mac and cheese, sharing crackers w her sister and drinking her chocolate milk. She even wiped her mouth with a napkin. I am just so lucky to have her. I love you, Pooh bear!!!! She has the sweetest most sensitive disposition.

And Hillers- has there ever been a more kissable face and belly? She does really well at restaurants too these days for her age. We got home and she split her lip on the coffee table. :(

Then the girls played wonderfully with Lincoln and Will. They had a busy weekend and couldn't have been better behaved.