Decorating the Tree

We gathered at the kid's place on Saturday to help decorate the tree. Well, mostly we sat back and took pictures while the kid's -with a little help from Mommy and Daddy - decorated the tree. Smudge was really into it this year, but Jboy had other things on his mind, and when he did go near the tree he removed the decorations instead of adding them. The rascal!
Don't you love the placement of the animals...
and the concentration it took to get them just right?
Smudge really took the job seriously this year.
She helped Daddy and Auntie Carly get things just right.
When Daddy had a bit of trouble getting Santa on the tree top...
Smudge had to lend a hand.
She was very pleased with the results.
Amma helped Jboy add decorations to the very bottom of the tree...
and Smudge continued to perfect the placement of the stuffed ornaments.
One last adjustment to the mirror ball...
and a tweak of the ribbon garland...
and the tree was decorated to perfection.

Busy Weekend

It's been a very busy weekend and lots of pics are on the camera, but haven't had a minute to upload and arrange any yet. Sorry Grandmama! Hopefully I'll have new pics of the Santa Claus Parade and Tree Decorating Party to share with you tomorrow. Stay tuned.

In the meantime here is a Good Morning hello coming your way from the munchkins while they eat breakfast.

Strange early morning sighting...

AC is usually up before me in the am, so when I groggily stumble out of the bedroom into the hall each morning, this is the sight that usually greets my sleepy eyes as I glance at the den doorway. Makes me smile every time!
I almost expect to hear chanting wafting out into the hall when I see AC in his winter-morning garb.

Haircuts

The Impy-Doodle has one fabulous head of hair, but Mommy thought it was time for his first hair cut, so the appointment was made for this week. I don't think Jboy was he was thrilled about the idea.
I took the picture below just before we left for Goobers Hair Salon and the big event. As you can see, his bangs don't have much curl, but the sides and back cascade with tight ringlets. Hmmm, what kind of cut to ask for?
We arrived at Goobers and big sister went first to show Jboy how it was done. Amma helped too.
Look JJ, you do it like this. First of all, chin down...
then look straight ahead, and keep as still as you can.
Jboy wasn't interested in the hair cut at all, he just wanted to ride in the fancy cars. Zoom! Zoom!
After some discussion between Mommy and the hairdresser...
Jboy's hair was sprayed with water...
and the golden curls began hitting the floor. Sigh!
As you can see, lots were left on his cute little head at the end of the cut though.
I'll try to get finished product pics to post tomorrow.

Ah magic

Smudge came for a sleepover last night and was quite excited to discover that the magic of Christmas lights and decorations had arrived at Amma and Buppa's house.
The lighting for this picture wasn't the greatest, but here she is sitting on the floor by the carousel listening to Christmas music while she watches the horses and polar bears and reindeer dance round and round on the Merry-go-round.

Amma and Buppa enjoyed watching her watch the lights. What fun!

Breakfast shenanigans

The kids ate a healthy breakfast and polished off the Weetabix and the Shredded Wheat on the same morning. Goodness knows, we don't want to let fabulous empty boxes go to waste...
so...
a new fashion statement was born.
I think it just might catch on.

Ready to take flight

A friend of Mommy's gave Smudge some butterfly wings and I would say that Smudge loves them.
She looks pretty darned pleased doesn't she? Thanks Carly!

Playtime with Winnie and Waggs

Quite often when we put the music on Smudge will run for Waggs to be her dance partner...
and Jboy runs for Winnie.
After the dancin' comes the relaxin'.

Good morning hugs for Buppa

The pictures say it all. The kids love their morning snuggle time with Bupps!
Bupps likes it too.
Yes, Smudge is in this picture too. The rascal.

Getting into mischief

Things were pretty quiet in the bedroom the other morning so I walked in to see what was going on. Oh oh, Little Impy Doodle was up to no good.
As soon as he saw the flash he had to turn and check me out...
flash me a smile...
Then go back to scoping out the back yard.
A little later the same morning, guess who else was getting into the act.
Impy Doodle's Sister!
They keep me on my toes they do.

Lending a hand.

Smudge was creating a masterpiece the other morning and she asked Jboy to lend a helping hand...
literally! It involved him climbing up on a chair and then onto the table, but he gladly obliged.
Cute huh?

Surprise

Seems like every day last week the first thing Smudge said to us when we got to her house in the mornings, and the last thing she said when we were leaving at night was "Can I come to your house for a sleepover?" We kept promising one soon, but she just wasn't getting that message. She wanted one NOW!

So, last Friday we surprised her, and picked her up at school and told her she was coming to our house for a sleepover, after a trip to the library. She was VERY excited to say the least.

She enjoyed reading with Buppa, and we brought three books home for her bedtime story that night.
She loves reading with Buppa, and then fixing her make-up in the bathroom with Amma.
I managed to get two little clips in her hair for two minutes while she was fussing with creams and lotions...
but they soon came out so I think she is headed for a hair cut this week.

Taking care of Molly the dolly

Molly the Dolly had a sore finger the other day so Amma had to find a bandaid for her, and wrap her up in a blanket. Smudge then took Molly into the bedroom for a rock and some comfort. Jboy had to help Sister so he rocked Piglet while Smudge rocked Molly. Of course Amma had to take a picture.
...and a video.


Then Smudge wanted to take a picture of Amma giving Molly a snuggle. She didn't do a bad job at all.
I am happy to report that Molly is feeling much better after all the attention.

Toast and hats!

Smudge asked for a piece of toast the other morning, but it wouldn't do for Amma to make it for her. She had to "do it herself". So we hunted up the helping stool, and Smudge got the bread herself, put it in the toaster, pushed it down, watched it cook, lifted it out, buttered it, helped Amma cut it then sat at the table munching away feeling very proud of herself.
While we were busy at the kitchen counter Jboy was happily playing in the bedroom. I was just about to go check to see what he was doing when he came out to see us - modeling his latest fashion statement.
Goodness he makes me smile.