Leia has officially reached her name writing milestone! She's been writing all the letters in her name in the correct order for a week or two now. The only slightly off thing is that her lower case "e" is upside down, but it's exactly the right shape in the right place, so I don't even count it as off. So proud of her. We had the funniest little episode this week. Leia was having some sort of minor freak out about something that Arwyn and I were properly ignoring because we were eating at the breakfast table and Leia was in the living room, and Leia says, "Jesus, somebody get Daddy! Jesus, Jesus!" To which Arwyn replies (with that characteristic perplexed look on her face), "Daddy not Jesus." I couldn't stop laughing!! Leia was very excited for Uncle Cody to come visit. She did not ever go into his room first thing in the morning (like she does with Grandma and PopPop), but she did bond with him right away, and was happy to hang out with him if he was up and we were asleep. Leia was also really excited for the Santa Brunch at school this week. But then when we got there, she was too shy to sit on his lap or give him the rainbow she drew for him (I had to do both). We had a napping first this week: Leia's first time ditching nap. Now that might not sound like a first if you know how much Leia usually protests and tries to come up with creative options around nap time, but this really was a whole new ball game. I put Leia down for nap, and instead of heading upstairs to nap myself, I headed outside to load the car for a dump run. I know that Leia occasionally comes out looking for me, but when she doesn't find me, she usually just goes back to bed and forgets about whatever scheme she was planning, but apparently this day, she claimed to have seen me outside and decided to lay down on the floor behind the stairs to take her nap. But I ended up leaving for the dump and a haircut, and Poppy came inside to stay with the kids. He later reported that all of a sudden, shortly after I left, Leia snuck up and "boo'd" him from behind, and told him she'd been napping behind the stairs. He didn't know I'd only just put her down, so figured she'd napped enough and that was that. When I got home she told me her story about "napping" behind the stairs, and I didn't quite know what to make of it and brushed it off. But not long after that, she had a totally ridiculous meltdown, continued to be cranky all evening, and it became quite clear that she was very tired and had not really napped, and probably had been telling me a true story after all. Little stinker. I don't think she'll do that again too soon because I don't think she liked being that tired and irrational. It was pretty funny though because in classic Leia style, not long after calming down from her freak out, she was able to matter of factly report to my friend Liz that, "I had a little freak out earlier, but I'm calmed down now." Leia continued to behave uncharacteristically poorly for a lot of the weekend, but I can tell it's a direct result from a lack of Mommy Time. We've all been sick and busy with holiday things, and just didn't make Mommy Time a priority like we should have. Both girls are suffering. I made a point to give a lot of extra Mommy Time as soon as I was able to, and it really helped out with Leia. She really behaved much better the rest of the week, despite having to go to school 5 days in a row. Leia's new big thing is making her own smoothies. In my opinion she picks very inconvenient times and won't take no for an answer. But she's actually quite independent about the whole process, really taking charge and getting out all the equipment and food that she needs. And her smoothies are quite delicious. All in all not a bad habit to get into! We had second Santa sighting this week, this time at the Squaw Fire Station. Leia did much better this time, getting much closer to Santa and talking to him a little more than the first time.
Arwyn was very scared of Santa again this year. She didn't want to go anywhere near him or sit on his lap (and totally fussed and squirmed when I tried to force her) when we were at the Santa breakfast. She finally warmed up enough to reach out and accept his present. She too was much braver at the second Squaw Valley Santa sighting, and also sat on his lap all by herself. Her Santa present was a very shiny silver skirt, similar to the sparkly skirt that Leia got, and boy was she ever pleased! It was dress up galore for the next few days. She was a little nervous about having Uncle Cody around all weekend, and wouldn't stop grabbing me and telling him, "My Mommy!" or "My Daddy!" Very possessive and relentless about telling him to keep his hands off us! But you could tell she did like him, and liked joking with him. After we reminded her that he was the one who had given her the mermaid tail blanket, she wouldn't sleep in anything else besides that all weekend. Both girls were very distraught that I was planning to go out and celebrate my birthday without them. Arwyn was so cute when she said to me, "I come with you for your happy birthday dinner mommy, ok?" Arwyn has started this hilarious new act at the dinner table when we are eating. She starts pounding the table and chanting "Trolls, trolls, trolls!" It's something from the movie, that the Bergen's do when they want to eat trolls. What makes it so funny is that this is something that she's picked up all on her own, it's not something that she's copying from Leia. Plus, I hadn't realized how much she paid attention to those movie details because she doesn't usually like to even sit and watch movies that long. The other cute thing Arwyn does these days while walking around with her phone is to scrunch up her nose with this inquisitive look on her face and say, "Who calling me?" She definitely picked up the look from Josh. Like Leia, Arwyn had to go to 5 days in a row of school this week, and by Thursday it was taking it's toll. Thursday was a very bad day all around, but after a little Santa time and a little Mommy Time that night, things were much better on Friday. Thank goodness.
A little late getting the tree up, but luckily we have Uncle Cody to help us!
Arwyn was very scared of Santa again this year. She didn't want to go anywhere near him or sit on his lap (and totally fussed and squirmed when I tried to force her) when we were at the Santa breakfast. She finally warmed up enough to reach out and accept his present. She too was much braver at the second Squaw Valley Santa sighting, and also sat on his lap all by herself. Her Santa present was a very shiny silver skirt, similar to the sparkly skirt that Leia got, and boy was she ever pleased! It was dress up galore for the next few days. She was a little nervous about having Uncle Cody around all weekend, and wouldn't stop grabbing me and telling him, "My Mommy!" or "My Daddy!" Very possessive and relentless about telling him to keep his hands off us! But you could tell she did like him, and liked joking with him. After we reminded her that he was the one who had given her the mermaid tail blanket, she wouldn't sleep in anything else besides that all weekend. Both girls were very distraught that I was planning to go out and celebrate my birthday without them. Arwyn was so cute when she said to me, "I come with you for your happy birthday dinner mommy, ok?" Arwyn has started this hilarious new act at the dinner table when we are eating. She starts pounding the table and chanting "Trolls, trolls, trolls!" It's something from the movie, that the Bergen's do when they want to eat trolls. What makes it so funny is that this is something that she's picked up all on her own, it's not something that she's copying from Leia. Plus, I hadn't realized how much she paid attention to those movie details because she doesn't usually like to even sit and watch movies that long. The other cute thing Arwyn does these days while walking around with her phone is to scrunch up her nose with this inquisitive look on her face and say, "Who calling me?" She definitely picked up the look from Josh. Like Leia, Arwyn had to go to 5 days in a row of school this week, and by Thursday it was taking it's toll. Thursday was a very bad day all around, but after a little Santa time and a little Mommy Time that night, things were much better on Friday. Thank goodness.
Hiked up the Palisades with Cody this week. I am so out of shape, but it was some of the only good skiing on the mountain, and Cody only visits once every two years, so it was definitely required.
Uncle Cody arcing some sweet turns down National Chute.
Apparently these somewhat picky eaters just have expensive taste...two parties in a row they've been all about eating the Caviar and Blinis!
Dec 15, Day 13. Little guy got himself inside the gumball machine!
Password = Leia
Leia is getting so much better at her back floats every week!
My little swim lesson watching buddy.
Everyone was so excited to see Santa, until they did. Leia was feeling nervous and shy (like last year), and Arwyn refused to even go near him.
A little present from the Big Guy himself changed Leia's tune. And then we gave him the rainbow she drew for him.
Ok, Arwyn decided that if he's giving out presents, maybe he's not so bad.
I guess being in the presence of this most honorable man is serious business!
Fun Christmas art projects for the rest of the morning kept everyone happy and smiling.
Arwyn's creation was a 10-eyed reindeer...I guess she loves eyes!
Emmett was having fun reading with Santa.
Busy making snowflakes.
A little tired but concentrating hard.
Fun to sit with friends and eat yummy treats.
Thanks to my most amazing girlfriends for taking me out to a fancy 40th birthday dinner at Wolfdales! I sure felt special and loved.
Arwyn looking a little concerned about the headless monster that's walking through our house!
Leia actually did a pretty good job staying covered up in her costume...very scary!
Dec 16, Day 14. Did everyone put their shoes away neatly in the closet?
Serious faced brothers.
Family ski day with Uncle Cody!
He couldn't get a solo chair ride, but Uncle Cody did earn a big laugh and smile from Leia!
Arwyn was also a little leery about getting too close, but again, we got a smile!
Little goof!
Beautiful day for skiing with the fam!
Password = Arwyn
When you're confident, balanced, and having fun, it's good to do a little boogie on your skis!
Sorry Arwyn, there's just no escaping Uncle Cody when he decides he wants a hug!
A little late getting the tree up, but luckily we have Uncle Cody to help us!
After getting a mess of ornament hooks caught in the lace of her dress, Leia decided to just play it safe with no dress for the rest of the night. And Arwyn had to follow suit, of course.
We had a lot of very good little helpers this year, but they did have a hard time actually getting the hooks over the branches.
Star Wars Tree? Leia and Arwyn were not fans of that.
Protecting their tree from the decorating pranks of Uncle Cody!
Another year where all of their favorite ornaments ended up in their rooms rather than on the tree.
Big smiles, fun night.
Arwyn decided to go with the preppy look for this evening's tea party. Love the sweater from Aunt Joanne.
Dec 17, Day 15. Is everyone eating a healthy meal?
Dec 18, Day 16. Reminding us that he and Santa are always watching.
Dec 19, Day 17. Saving Anna and Elsa from a rather large tumble off the staircase!
Leia was very distraught to see her beloved dolls hanging in danger. We had to take them down, but of course couldn't "touch" Bingle, so he just hung out solo the rest of the day.
We had a gingerbread house contest between all the departments at the hospital. So many cool houses!
This was the winner. It even had a stone candy path and chimney.
Chocolate hot tub!
This was my department's entry. Very cool idea, but we had no idea the bar would be set so high by all the other entrants!
Love the pistachio patched roof on this one.
Dec 20, Day 18. Hanging out with Nutcracker Santa.
Fashion show with the new Christmas outfit!
Stop, talk to the hand!
Dec 21, Day 19. Making sure we conserve energy and turn out lights!
She was so excited that Bingle was almost in reaching distance, that she insisted on posing with him for a picture.
Excited for another evening of visiting with Santa!
Anxiously awaiting the first Santa Gift of the season with all the other Squaw kids.
Arwyn wasn't so nervous this time. Actually went right up to Santa to get her gift.
Still too nervous to smile though.
She even sat in his lap finally!
Leia was not so nervous this time either.
Well, presents always make her smile I guess.
Emmett was a little nervous when Santa called his name.
Keeping Dad as a safe barrier between him and Santa the whole time.
Wouldn't even surrender for a present!
This was the closest we could get...still has the barrier up!
My little munchkin. Needed some serious Mommy lap time today.
Silly face as she excitedly opens her present.
The suspense is killing us!
Wow, so fired up to have gotten a sparkly skirt like her sister!
Wanted to put it on right away, and it took quite a bit of convincing to keep the other clothes from coming off!
Big smiles about her fancy new sparkle skirt!
They both changed into leotards and the new skirts the second we got home!
Posing with Bingle again. Arwyn thinks Leia is a little silly sometimes.
This one is just too funny. "Back off Leia!"
Leia's fake smile model pose.
Arwyn's 2017 Christmas ornament.
Trying out our first Blue Apron dinner. Yummy and easy! Thanks Stacia and John!!
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