Sleepover

The girls were itching to have a sleepover at the end of their winter break.  They apparently had a plan to get after we put them both to bed and move to their sleeping bags.  I would have been okay with this except that in order for that to happen, Millie would have had to wake Merrill up.  When I found out about the plan, Millie was upset and exclaimed that Merrill messed everything up.  I suggested that maybe PLANNING a sleepover would be better :).  So, the last Saturday of their break (which was supposed to be the last non-school night of the break, but didn't turn out to be because of their two snow days) they got to have their sleepover.  This was their agenda: pillow fight, makeover (nails and hair), movie and snack, bed (on the floor in their sleeping bags).  I could handle that.  I think they had a pretty good time :) (though at bedtime they opted for beds instead of sleeping bags).

These two really enjoyed all of their playtime over the break and while I won't say they never argued or fought, it is clear that they are best of friends right now.  It makes me so very happy to see that.

 supervising

End of the Year Fun

Sunny, unseasonalbly warm days, lots of play time with new Christmas toys, old toys, outside, brewing beer, fireworks, seasonalbly cold weather, dinner with friends all added up to a fun end of the year.

 Brew-master in (early) training

Warm and sunny in December after Christmas ... it didn't last long, but it was nice to get a brief break from winter before all the snow hit!

 dancing with her shadow

Dinner at Billy G's followed by hot chocolate and fireworks in downtown Kirkwood on December 28 (the last of the warm days!)

 embracing the chaos of going to dinner with 3 families (7 kids under the age of 6 and 6 adults ... somehow we even got complimented by another customer on how well-behaved all of the kids were!)

yep, these kids ;).  

ready for some fireworks!

 and zucchini cookies

New Year's Eve with friends -- we didn't make it to midnight, but we did stay out past 10!  

 The kids alternated between watching t.v. and running through the house having fun :)

 Teddy was happy to join the big kids -- seriously, being the youngest has its perks!

ready to ring-in the new year!

Happy New Year!

{Christmas}

We had such a wonderful and joyful Christmas filled with lots of time with family, lots of traditions, lots of time to play, lots of Christmas movies, lots of food, and lots of love.  The girls are at an age that they were happy to go off and play together or with Peyton with their new toys (or watch movies in the basement) and Teddy was happy to play with anyone who would get on the floor and play trucks with him.  Christmas continues to be one of my favorite times of year and I love that my children are getting to experience all of my favorite holiday traditions with their grandparents and extended family.  It's the best gift I could get and I cherish it every year.

Christmas morning at home

 a new table for all of Teddy's trains

 the girls opening their gifts for each other

 playing was more fun than opening presents

 Millie was SO curious about what was in this bag in the days leading up to Christmas -- it was an art kit :)

 So happy to get the jammies she wanted

SUPER excited for this gift as well

 Millie made a journal for Merrill -- she made gifts for everyone in the family

 Teddy wrapped Raggedy Andy up in his new shirt to put him to sleep :)

Best gift ever