Silent Night

(Star, and photo of star, courtesy of Ernie. Oh, and she decorated the tree, too.)

Ernie and Santa

She told me later she asked Santa for "reindeer toys." I'll have to ask Santa what that means next time I see him.

To Grandpa's and Back

It's been a busy week for the girls, and it's showing. Joy School, a trip to (Great) Grandpa's, their weekly play time with Grandma and Grandpa (my parents), performing the nativity at a nursing home, performing the nativity at a school party here at the house, a ward party or two...let's just say it's good that we'll have a few days of normal early in this coming week. They are such amazing and wonderful girls, and this momma is praying hard every day for peace in our home.

Parenting is such an amazing journey, looking at these two wonderful little souls every day and trying to learn "how am I going to help you learn and grow today?" Sometimes it's stepping back to see what they'll do, sometimes it's putting them in a situation where I KNOW they can succeed, and watching them (and me) learn from that. Sometimes it's pushing back a little and saying "You can do this. I know you can do this, and we're not going to accept anything less than what we both know you can do." And sometimes it's just saying yes.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a mom.

A Study

So dainty.

So resourceful.

So...wow. I got nothin'.

Baby's First Candy Cane

Is it time yet, Mom?

Piggy Tails

Mimi is an anomoly- if Ernie leaves her bathroom door open, Mimi is there light butter on pancakes, rooting through the drawers for more things to put on her head. Ribbons, clips, pony-tail holders, headbands...she grabs handfuls then lumbers over to me, fists extended "eh-eh-eh!"

It's the universal baby-language (banguage?) for "Look I have something, take it now and do something good with it please. I'm asking you nicely, please do it now, please please please. You know I'm going to scream like a pterodactyl with wings afire if you don't in 5...4...3...2..."

(You like that blue smear? We've given up painting until the spring, when we can open the windows. Unfortunately, we made this decision AFTER cutting in most of the room. I think it will lend an air of disctinction to our Christmas Eve family gathering.)

Now vote: Pig Tails are appropriate for church? Or are they head spikes? Hello stiff Wonder-Family hair!

(When these pony tails fall out, as they inevitably do, their new "do" is amazing. Ernie saw her last night and shrieked "Look! The baby is a flower!" Kind of swirly, kind of twirly. Very nice.)

By the way, am I the only person who thinks baby tantrums are funny? She shrieks. She arches her back and bends her knees, to get better sound amplification. She toddles a few feet, and theeennn THROWS herself facefirst at the ground to show her dejection. Touching.

Ernie's Prayer

"And please help Christmas to come."

Yes please!

The Tale of Birthday Cake

Whoa...here it comes...

Mmm...caaaake....

I'm so excited!

Om nom nom.

Christmas Lights!

Ernie's been telling us all week long that "...on Friday we're going to hang LIGHTS!" Nope, not excited a bit :) She and daddy did a great job! It was her responsibility to plug them in tonight, too. Bliss!

She was quiet

As I cleaned the last of the dishes I heard Ernie in the next room start to ramp up about something- I called her in to help me finish up (she LOVES washing dishes!) She had at it quite happily, then went to go read some more books while I chatted in the front room with Wonder Daddy. Mimi toddled into the kitchen, and I didn't realize she never toddled back out again!

The Berninger!

Our friend dropped by for a surprise visit this morning! She's basically adopted Ernie- she stops by to take her to the zoo, take her to lunch, or just take her downstairs to play dress up.

She and her husband recently moved, so we won't be seeing as much of her (but her husband works down the street from us, so she'll pop by whenever she drives him to work, I'll bet!) She's been a good friend to Ernie.

What to Wear

Turn to Ernie for all your fashion needs this fall- parka, sunglasses, and umbrella. The ultimate in active wear for your nippy Pacific NW walks!

We had a great walk this morning- best we've had in a long time! Ernie and Mimi were troopers and we went miles before we headed for home (our ears were getting a little cold. Mimi and I didn't have parka hoods.)

Mommy's Little Helper

"Don't worry about the pedals, Mom- I've got them covered."

Shall We Dance?