Happy 2nd Birthday Sarah!

This weekend we had a little birthday party for Sarah who is turning 2! Since we will be away and traveling over the holidays we decided to host it a little early.

Ready for my party!

Sarah is getting very good at opening presents and kept asking for another one. Christmas is going to be fun this year!

After decorating cupcakes, I just couldn't wait to eat one.

Mmmm, sugar. I had enough sugar to keep me up 1.5 hours after my bedtime!

My newest friend baby Lily made it to her first party.

My friends McKenna, Kara, Aidan and Claire had a great time playing balloon volcano. I had a great party - thanks everyone!

Santa!

While on a little outing today we happened to run into Santa and his reindeer. Comet and Cupid brought Santa down from the North Pole to visit the kids in Columbus. Geez, was I excited! Of course, this wasn't planned and mom only had her cell phone camera so quality is a little below standard.


They had a little trolley train where we could go for a ride with Santa, Scooby Doo and Clifford the Big Red Dog. I reinforced my Christmas requests for Santa and even added a new one much to my mom's dismay.



Santa also wished Sarah a Happy Birthday and she told him what she wanted for Christmas. She wasn't shy at all - even showing off her Santa tattoo!



What an awesome little adventure! See you soon Santa!

New Fangled Wireless Technology

This is Claire reporting in today... Dad decided to put wireless technology to work today to improve communication among family members...

Apparently all you need is...
1) Some string (we chose the pink color)..
2) Two recycled yogurt containers...

What you do is...
1) Determine the maximum distance you wish to communicate with someone. Cut the string to this length, but be sure to add a few extra inches..
2) Poke some small holes in the center of the bottom of the yogurt containers, just big enough for the string to fit through.
3) Poke one end of the string through one of the holes in a yogurt container, from the bottom side first. Repeat with the other end of the string for the other yogurt container.
4) Tie really big knots in the end of the strings.

To use, all you need to do is
1) Talk through one of the yogurt containers in a really really loud voice while the person you're communicating with puts the other one up to their ear..


Here is myself and Sarah trying out the first design iteration..




This is Sarah approving of the amazing tonal quality that polypropylene containers provide..



Here I am helping to check the frequency response of the sending unit.

Broadway Here We Come...

Well we found the Santa hat and Sarah is getting her Christmas groove on. Santa Baby wears sunglasses at our house. The girls are amused by singing these days so I thought I would post a few videos. The first is Sarah's rendition of Jingle Bells. Second is Claire singing to Sarah to make her feel better since she had a sore toe.

Never a quiet moment at our house.

First Snowfall

There have been a few flakes in the air over the last few days, but yesterday we awoke to the first snow on the ground. Not even a dusting, but enough to convince mom we needed to go outside and play in it.

By 8am we were outside eating the snow. I had to teach Sarah what to do since she doesn't remember snow from last year.

We had a great time before it melted. I heard my Grandparents have a foot of snow already and I am so excited to go visit soon!

Happy Halloween!

Yipee!!! Finally it is Halloween Time! We carved our pumpkins, went to Boo At The Zoo, a party at the library all in preparation for the big show - Trick or Treating.

Here we are with our friend McKenna at the zoo. We had a little practice trick or treat and a little sampling of candy.

Sarah the cutest little pumpkin.

The princesses - Tinkerbell and Barbie Mermaidia.

And they're off.....

Mmm, barbie I like your hair. Can I rub it while I suck my thumb.

Okay, got the hang of this candy collection system.

Barbie - the classic pose. We loved the blonde wig until I discovered that i get hair in my mouth when I try to eat candy.

Fitting in with her buddies.

See we look like good friends.

We really liked halloween and were all tuckered out by the time we got home. Good thing we had some candy to sample for energy. Sarah has now learned how to run around the kitchen table yelling candy, candy, candy!

Gymnastics

Last week was the last class of fall session, so mom made some videos to document my progress. The funniest part was that our coach Mr. Louis made the mom's participate during the last class so mom had to do everything I did. I thought she was pretty good, although there is no video evidence to post.

Let me show you a couple movies from my latest gymnastics class. I have now mastered Skin The Cat on the bar and jumping into the cheese pit with no hands! In preparation for the 2022 Olympics I have been training hard, although I still don't know which country to compete for.

Thanksgiving

Last week the girls made the trip north to Canada. Since Dad was away on business we thought we should go spend Thanksgiving with the family. We have been waiting to meet Grandma's Peacock, Pete. He has been shedding his tail feathers for fall so I did my best Peacock impression.

We had lots of fun stomping around in our rubber boots, throwing rocks in the river and playing in the leaves. It was exhausting, fresh air does a body good!

Grandma took us for golf cart rides everyday!

Sarah discovered the deliciousness that is a Doritos chip. Mmmmm.

Grandpa took us on boat rides up and down the river.

Then Sarah discovered the yummy taste of halloween cookies. Ymmmmm.

Don't we clean up nice?

Watch out Sarah's driving!

Look, Sarah actually ate something healthy. Well actually she was just using the cucumber as a spoon for dip. Grandpa made her bacon and steak, but of course I wouldn't eat any of that!

Thanksgiving Desert - the best part of dinner. I ate all my pumpkin pie and lots of ice cream!

Mom made me this cool hat while we were in Canada. I think I need a slightly smaller size mom.

We took a long walk along the river, stopping to throw rocks of course. Uncle Tim took me out to the end of the Dam so I could see the waterfall. He thought this picture would freak dad out a little.

Play ball! Aunt Lori teaches me paddle ball.

Always time to throw another rock.

And play with my family!

Hey - were crab legs part of the original Thanksgiving?
We had a great time in Canada and didn't want to leave. We are already counting down to our return trip at Christmas. Thanks everyone!

Bowling!

While in Canada last week I had another first. I went to watch my cousins bowl since they are in a league. It was pretty cool and I thought I would give it a try. Sarah was a little jealous, but since she is too small to even lift a ball there wasn't much we could do.

They even gave me cool shoes to bowl with. Do you like the big grin on my face?

Ready, Set, Roll!! I needed a little help and coaching, but I got the hang of it pretty quick. They even had little guardrails for me so I didn't get any gutter balls.

Maybe next time Sarah. The ball is almost as big as her.

Here is a little video of my bowling adventure. As you can see it is quite exciting to watch me as my ball just flies down the lane! Thanks Aunt Michelle, Uncle Steve, Tyler and Travis, I had lots of fun!

Leeds Farm

This weekend it was time for our annual trip to the Pumpkin Patch. Of course, we met up with our pal McKenna, who had to wait around for me to finish my nap (thanks!) Last year I got pushed around in the stroller, this year I am ready to try everything - no holding me back!

The hay barn is a great place to play, run around and be crazy.

And have a hayfight!

I was a little nervous about trying some things, but my big sister Claire helped me through.

We had great fun rolling in the tubes and getting crazy static hair.

Dad took me on the banana car ride. Can I ride by myself like Claire next year?

Better eat your wheaties Claire, I am gaining on you!

I picked out a great pumpkin, although it was a little to heavy for me.

Then of course, we had to have another hay fight!

Dad caught me as I slid off the haybales over and over and over again!

Then we finished our day with a little popcorn snack.

We had a great time and are all geared up for Halloween now!
See you next year Leeds Farm.

BTW: Did you notice my cute pigtails? It was my first day wearing pigtails and I actually left them in and didn't mess with them. Mom is so proud of me and can't believe how much older I look with my hair pulled back.