Pictures with Santa

For the third year in a row we went to the Ellipse just down the hill from the White House to visit Santa and his workshop (for free, might I add). And once again we didn't wait in line. It was awesome. We got there right as they were opening and were actually the first kids in line. There were 5-6 adults before us who wanted to get their pictures with Santa. 

Calder insisted Colette go first. She happily sat on his lap and took a picture. It was obvious her happiness was about to tank just in time for Calder's turn. He was so giddy. He jumped right up and smiled for his picture and then told Santa he wanted a rocket and space station for Christmas. One of my favorite things about Christmas with Calder is his surprise requests from Santa. Last year he kept insisting he wanted a certain toy and then told Santa he wanted a drum. He had never mentioned a drum before. This year he has mentioned the rocket before but Santa doesn't buy anything until Calder tells him what he wants. He is also very vague. Calder hasn't seen a toy rocket and space station at the store that he wants. He just thinks having one would be cool. 

After Calder's turn they invited Colette back to do a cute sibling picture. And cute it is. She totally lost it.

As we were leaving I asked Calder what would happen if Santa didn't get him what he asked for. He said "I wouldn't be disappointed, I would still be really happy!"

Movie and the New House

 Calder recently went to the movie theatre for the first time. He absolutely loved it. Funny enough Colette went for her first time too. It's funny how the second kid doesn't have to wait as long for such activities. We saw Kung Foo Panda 2.

 Here are a few pictures of the new house before we moved in. We moved about a mile from the apartment. It is still walkable to the metro and will actually be about $500 cheaper than the apartment. We love this house a lot and are having so much fun here. 

 Calder loved helping the cable guy. I think the cable guy looks like Weird Al. 

 We play croquet. 

 Blow and rake leaves. 

 Climb trees. 

 Ride bikes in the basement. 

And catch caterpillars. This house is so perfect for what we need right now. I'll take real pictures and give a little tour soon.

Halloween

 So Halloween happened. Calder was a pirate, Colette was a parrot. It was fabulous and fun.

 We carved a pumpkin. 

These kids are fabulous and I love them!

Calder's Birthday

 About a month ago Calder turned 4. I know. It's lame I'm just now blogging about it. Anyway he did a pirate theme and he only wanted to invite two families. I am trying really hard to let him be in control of his birthday, so that is what we did. It happened to be a week before we moved so I appreciate that it was pretty low key. We went on a treasure hunt, had a barbeque and ate a pirate birthday cake. Unfortunately Calder was so anxious and excited he threw up right before dinner. Let me tell you, nothing shuts down a party like the birthday boy throwing up. We quickly cleaned him up, plowed through dinner, cake and presents and our guests ran out the door. Just kidding. It wasn't that bad. 

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! I am so incredibly thankful for so many things.  I am blessed with a fabulous and beautiful life. I love my sweet husband and appreciate all he does to make our life happy. We have two beautiful kids that I feel so honored to be their mother. I am so thankful for the love and joy they bring to my life. I'm thankful for our parents who raised us and taught us to work hard and set goals. I am so thankful for so very much and enjoyed spending the day thinking about how lucky I am.

Here are some pictures of life lately:

 We took a boat tour of the Anacostia River this summer. They required that each person on the boat wear a life jacket. Colette's was very cute. 

 Calder pretending to be an elephant. 

 Visiting museums with Calder's great friend Charlie. 

 Colette sizing up with her friend Caelen. They are one day apart. 

 Calder and Charlie had a paint party. Calder loved it. Charlie tolerated it. 

 This massive poop-splosion happened at church. Nice. 

 Jump time. 

 Talk like a pirate day at Krispy Kreme. Calder got a free box of donuts for dressing like a pirate. He was thrilled.

 This happened not far from our house. 

 I woke up to feed Colette at 3:00 in the morning and found Calder here. He said he woke up and thought it was close to morning so he was just going to sit here and wait. 

 Skating

 Golfing

 Crabbing

 There is a really fun place in DC called The Playseum. We have been there 3 or 4 times and we love it. They let you decorate cupcakes, make lip gloss, do art work and a ton of other activities. There are also tons of little rooms with toys and books. Oh and a little grocery store. It is the perfect indoor play area.

 Abe goes to the Playseum. Colette loves Abe. 

Colette at 4 Months

Time goes by so much faster with the second kid. Colette turned 4 months on September 19. I took her to the doctor to celebrate. Lucky girl.

She is 12 lbs 11 oz and 24.5 inches long. She grew 3 inches in two months. If you want to compare that with Calder's 4 month stats go here.

Colette,

You are the most beautiful little girl I have ever seen. I love you more every day. You are also the happiest baby I've ever met. You smile at everyone we meet, as long as Daddy or I am holding you. If other people try to hold you, you cry. It seems you were born knowing who your parents are and having a very strong preference for us.

You love our bedtime routine. It starts with getting you and Calder into pajamas. Then we brush Calder's teeth and read three books. Even though these are Calder's choice you are totally enthralled with them. Even if they don't have pictures, you love story time. You like to lay by him and listen. Then I tell Calder a story, say prayers and then I feed you one last time while Calder goes to sleep.

You are getting better at car rides. You can usually go 15 minutes without crying if you aren't tired or hungry. For some reason the car seat just isn't that comfortable for you. I'm sorry about that.

You seem to want to eat food but I'm not ready yet.  You grab at my plate, my ice cream cone, my drinks, my fork and just about anything else in my hands. I do occasionally let you have a dribble of water. That makes you quite happy.

You're still loving bath time. Now your favorite thing to do is kick your legs and eat the rag full of water.

I am so happy to be your mom and receive happy smiles all day long.

I love you,
Mommy

Family Pictures

 My sweet friend Liz took pictures of our family last weekend and I LOVE them. Here's a few of my favorites.

Holding Colette

 Calder loves to hold Colette. He doesn't do it all that often but when he does he is very excited about it. I love this little photo series of our two sweet kids.

 In the one above Calder has lost interest and Colette is starting to get concerned.

 Calder is trying to figure out what to do with her now. Colette is still concerned.

 Calder is saying "look, no hands!" Colette is petrified.

With just cause.

30

I turned 30 last Saturday. I know a lot of people struggle with 30 but I'm thrilled to be this age. I've always thought 30 was when you became a real mature adult. I had a great time in my 20s and am ready to be a real adult. :) I'm thrilled that I have a fabulous husband and two kids to celebrate with. 

We spent the morning taking family pictures. I think this might be an annual activity. Even those who greatly dislike having pictures taking are nice on your birthday. *wink* And they turned out perfect!

Then around lunch time Jason and my dear friend Robyn organized a birthday party with a group of friends. It was so fun! I don't think I've had a birthday party since I was in high school. I loved it. 

And then we went out to dinner at our favorite sushi restaurant IKKO. It is conveniently located across the street from our house. 

We had the perfect day. Jason really went out of his way to make it special.

Calder Goes To Preschool

 Preschools are kind of a big deal here. Not only are they expensive but they are hard to get in to. We spent hours going to preschool fairs, touring preschools and agonizing over our choices. All for our son to play in a mud pit, do puzzles, play "stuck in the mud" and have a snack. He LOVES it and we are so happy with our choice. 

The Audubon Nature Preschool is an amazing place. The two teachers are fabulous and I feel like they are meant to be preschool teachers. Calder adores them and feels very comfortable with them. The preschool is located on the 40+ acres of land that is home to so many animals. We see deer, turtles and frogs all the time.

 I was nervous about the first day and hoping he would do well with the drop off process. He did fantastic. It is challenging to get him to go to class at church without me but he just says goodbye without looking back at school. In fact he always says "have a great day mommy". He has had "the most fun ever" every day since he started a week and a half ago. And every day as we leave school he tells me how much he loves it.

I can't believe how big he is getting. He is very independent and so much fun to talk to. I love hearing about his mornings at preschool.