First double sleepover...

Mommy and Daddy had a dinner party at their house on Saturday night, so both kids were shipped over to our house for the night. Yikes...a double sleepover, how would that work, and would we survive???

Yes, we all managed quite nicely, but I was more than a tad knackered the next day to say the least.

The first things the kids did when they arrived was to prepare a tea party for Buppa and me. Much time was spent setting the table and setting out the food.
Smudge adds a finishing touch to the plates...
and then JJ called us to the table.
Serviettes were shaken out, tea was poured and we all sat down for a feast.
After the tea party we had dinner, then it was time to get ready for bed.
Once they were all clean and snuggly in their PJ's the kids settled down for a few minutes on their DS's.
Then it was time to join Buppa to watch a video, and have a bedtime story before shuffling off to bed.
I am happy to report that the first double sleepover was a success and both kids settled in nicely. Whew! I need to go have a nap now.

Recovering...

We had our first double sleepover this past weekend, and I am still in recovery mode. There are a few pictures in the cameras, from the weekend, but they sit gathering dust while AC and I catch our breath. Having two little munckins for a sleepover at the same time tends to keep one hopping I must say. I'll post these pictures from last week for Grandmama now, and will get to the weekend pictures in a day or so.

Pretty

After days of dreary, grey, rainy weather it was nice to have this colourful sunset the other night.
Days are getting longer too...yahoo!

JJ's sunshine

Yes, JJ spreads his own special sunshine throughout the house on these dreary January days too.
Don't these pictures just make you want to smile?
Yes, sunshine indeed.

Morning smiles

On these dreary rainy January mornings we need to manufacture our own sunshine. Smudge does her best to spread her sunshine first thing in the morning while she and Buppa have a chat before it is time to get on the school bus.
We tried a new hair-do this morning, and smudge thought it was pretty neat.

Just because...

...I like these two pictures. This is very typical of both kids these days. Smudge playing quietly on her DS...
and JJ enthralled with the Robin Hood video.
I put strict limits on both these activities every day when I am with the kids, but it is only going to get tougher as they get older. I can hardly believe that we are dealing with time limits on electronic gadgets already and they are only 2 and 4!

Ahhhh, sweet indeed.

JJ has such a good nap when he is at our house that I have to wake him up when it is time to go back home so we can meet Sister at the bus stop.
He wakes up all curly headed and rosy cheeked...sweet indeed.

Buddies

Not only does JJ help Buppa in the kitchen, he is also a big helper when Buppa works at the computer.
I think he is doing some photoshop work here.
Then it is time to keep Buppa company while they relax and watch Robin Hood together.

Being silly

You just never know what Smudge is going to get up to when we go over to get her on the school bus in the morning. Here she is giving Buppa's head a rub after she has had a story.
Then it's time to pose for the camera...
and ham it up with brother.

Helping Buppa in the kitchen

JJ loves to help in the kitchen. He especially likes to keep a close eye on things when he and Buppa heat up something in the microwave. Buppa lets him push the timer and start buttons, then they both wait patiently for the bell to ring.
JJ gives a fist-pump and a resounding "YES!" when timer dings...
then he helps Buppa check things out.

For Grandmama...

I know AC has already posted pics of the girl's first violin lesson, but I thought I would add a few more pics for Grandmama's pleasure.

All set...and ready to go

Tuesday was a big day for the Smudge this week. She and Buppa set off for her first violin lesson, and she was very excited from the moment she got into the car.
They arrived at her teacher's house rather early, so she had time to say hello to the bunnies in the front yard.
Time to say good-bye and head in for her lesson.
Doesn't she look pleased to be there?

Two more

The old folks patiently waiting to open gifts on Christmas morning. Asha was keeping a close eye on us...
..and JJ joined us from time to time to help us with ribbons and wrappings.

Pleased as punch

Yesterday I shared pictures of JJ with his favorite new toy on Christmas morning, so today I thought I would post these of the Smudgster with a gift that brought a twinkle to her eye.
Oh wow, her very own make-up kit.
I think Mommy is telling her that she can use this (all except for the nail polish) all by herself.
In no time at all, she and Mommy were digging in to see all the goodies.
Every time I looked over at Smudge during the day, she had this kit on her lap, and she was either combing her hair, putting lipstick on, touching up her eye-shadow, or slathering cream on he hands. Oh my, and she is only four!

JJ's new toy

While the others in the house were very excited about new electronic toys, JJ was pleased with his new train.
We watched the "Polar Express" on Christmas Eve, and after the gifts were opened on Christmas morning JJ went up and down the hall with his own "Polar Express" on a trip to the North Pole.
The flatbed car had two little cars that could be removed, and they were taken on many a journey away from the train and back again.
The best part about this gift for me is that it was all hand-made by our neighbour, Al. The workmanship is absolutely amazing, and long after JJ has outgrown it as a toy, it can grace a bookshelf as a piece of art.

New Year Activity

Guess who got electronic gadgets for Christmas.
Father and Daughter will have to set time limits spent staring at screens during the new year.

Not yet....

I thought I would be up and running by now, but...no...not yet! I have been in a knock-down/drag-out fight with a nasty nasty cold germ since Boxing day, and was knocked down for the count for the whole holiday. Groan! I still haven't quite managed to scrape myself up off the mat yet, but am making a valiant effort.

Hopefully I'll see you again in a week or so...stay tuned.