Turkeys

I've helped out at the girls' preschool a couple of times. On Thursday Kendall and Kate sat with me while I helped all the students make handprint turkeys. These two turkeys painted their arms instead.

We've had some really fun days here at home. Kendall and Kate have been playing so nicely together. I love the way Kate plops herself down and watches whatever Kendall is doing.

School Pictures Arrived

I love getting school pictures they usually crack me up.

One day I'll tell you the story about one of my sisters that forgot to wash the conditioner out of her hair on school picture day. Cute.

Some day soon I'll have to mail these out to all the grandparents, aunts and uncles!

Weee

The girls went to a birthday party at a local bounce house. I love these videos, I like to just listen to the squealing and giggling.

For You Mommas & Gran-Mammas

Jennie and I were discussing kid's Christmas gift ideas this week. She and I have similar tastes in kid's toys. We much prefer quality to quantity. I've found that the loud, large and plastic things the kids usually want in the stores are not the things that hold their attention for any period of time. Those usually end up in the bottom of the toy box. On the other hand the things that they play with the most are usually not the thing that they flip out over while opening presents. The trick is to get a combination of toys that will make their blood pressure rise on Christmas morning as well as toys that will hold their attention while I'm cooking dinner every other night of the year ones that will last a long time and hopefully teach them something in the process.

Here are my girls' lists (note: this is the list that everyone buys for them from--including Santa not a list of things that WE alone are buying for her!)

Kendall-- 4:

The Leapfrog Tag reading system, a couple of books and some National Geographic Animal Cards. Both girls are getting one of these this year.

Small legos. She is graduating from the huge Legos this year.

Letter Tiles: Love these! She entertained herself at Barnes & Noble for the longest time making words with these one day. Also fun to use with the Baby Einstein flash cards we have--look at a flash card and then dig through the letters to spell the word.

Build a Bear Gift Card. So far my girls have only walked through and dreamed the big dream of building a bear of their own...on both of their lists

Colored Spiral Puzzle How cool is this? Endless possibilities here: sorting by color or shape, stacking, maybe even some sort of domino-esque falling thing.

Figure Tack Set: Fun stuff, eye/hand coordination, busy making, reuse it over and over.

Wooden Marble Run

Barbie Princess

Movie-Return to Neverland. This came on TV one night close to bedtime. Kendall was enchanted but was only able to watch a short time.

Furniture for her Dora dollhouse

Fancy Nancy dress up clothes and books.

For Kate--2

Elefun: Jennie says that Elefun is an "ele-mess" but her kids love it. Kendall and Kate played with Anna and Noah when we visited. Santa has this in his bag for the girls and I think it will entertain the girls until all the family arrives!

Rainbow Puzzle Stacker: Simple beautiful design but very entertaining!!

Book "How to Build an A" Combines two of our favorite things, reading and 'building'.

Book "My Mommas Tote" also available in Dady's briefcase or Pappy's Toolbox...

Bristle Blocks

Pop Snap beads

Wooden Balance Scale: Fun for playing and learning too!

The Movie UP.

Strawberry Shortcake Doll

Magnetic Puzzle

I hope this helps some Mommas come up with a few ideas!

Trick-or-Treat

The girls had so much fun trick-or-treating. I loved it because we set a big bowl of candy out on the front porch and Brian came along with us. To make it better a friend dropped by to walk with us! Kendall lasted about 4 houses before we were able to convince her to put a long sleeve shirt on under that costume. I had to tell her that was what the princesses did when they got cold..and it was a ruffled turtleneck.

Jennie blogged about this today too. Did you know that you can currently balance a broom upright and walk away?? Something to do with the Autumnal Equinox or something. Pretty cool. Ours stayed like that for about an hour before it fell.

76 Trombones

While we were visiting Gram and Pop we were able to visit a little with Great Grandparents as well. Great Pop used to be a part of a barber shop quartet and he plays the piano VERY well (he claimed he was rusty but I was very impressed). The kids had so much fun dancing along.

I spent almost 24 hours trying to upload a longer video but it never worked. Here is a shorter version, but sadly you don't hear as much of his playing.

Where to Start?

We had a wonderful time visiting Gram and Pop. The girls had a blast visiting family, going to the beach and DISNEY WORLD.

I have a ton of pictures to sort through. Here are just a couple until I have a chance to go through them all.

Momma

We had the best time. Lots of good talks, lots of fun times and evenings sitting together reading (just like we did when I was growing up). I dropped her off this morning and made the hour drive home with my eyes burning and my stomach hurting.

The girls' school coincidentally had a grandparents day presentation while mom was here. They were hilarious. Here is a video when Kate saw us sitting there. After her class performed they moved to the side and sat on the floor. The next class stood up to sing their songs and when there was a moment of quiet we hear, "HI MEMAW!!!!" Everyone in the room cracked up.