Christmas Break at Crown Center

Christmas Sweater Party 2011 & Sweater Mishap

This one snuck up on us a little. The goal is to add a little something to our sweaters each year. We missed the deadline for sweater changes, but I found some new accessories and Kev opted to pass on the dickie this year. Instead he went with a matching scottie dog turtleneck. We also felt compelled to wear matching khakis and loafers, which proved to complete the outfits nicely.

Kev was actually fortunate enough to wear his festive sweater twice this year. He had the opportunity to participate in the first annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Day at work. Unfortunately, his inability to match events with dates on the calendar got the best of him. He was a flamin' sight in red with black scotties as he left for work Friday morning. On the walk through the office, he noticed that no one else at work was partaking in the holiday joy. After a quick phone call to the holiday powers that be, Kev learned that the event took place three days prior, on Tuesday. 

Gym Update

With the winter break came the end of another gym session. Up next, Kendall will have gym with Madison in her class following the long-awaited (by Kendall, not me) dance class. Tap and ballet shoes have already been purchased. Max is also excited to be taking gym classes once again after what seems like an extremely long hiatus. 

Come Jan. 4, Wednes-day = Fun-day

Max's Christmas Program

Max is a pro at these now. He walked up, took his spot, put his hands in his pockets, and didn't miss a single word or action. Bravo, Max!

Kev's 33rd Birthday

This guy must be getting old. I'm not talking about the number, I'm talking about this being the most uneventful birthday ever. He didn't want presents or to eat out. The kids and I baked cookies, drew pictures and signed cards while Dad was at work. Adrienne came over for dinner, we had meatloaf... seriously... and cookies for dessert. That was that.

Happy Birthday, Kev! Hope it was everything you dreamed it would be :)

Play Date

Max had his first official play date. These two are the lone boys in a class of 12. Max kept requesting some "boy time", so I finally made the arrangements.

DEEP THOUGHTS by Max

{Max had been in bed for about an hour when we heard hysterical crying coming from his room.}

Kev: "Hey buddy, what's wrong, are you ok?"

Max: "I had a bad dream."

Kev: "You're ok, tell me what it was about?"

Max: "I got a new toy and I had to take it baaaaack."

DEEP THOUGHTS by Max

{after getting out of the bath}

"My fingers and toes look like they're old."

DEEP THOUGHTS by Max

{This post was written by Kev... I think it might be time to start sharing blog duty}

The scene opens in the car on the way to the visitation. Mom is on the phone and half listening to the conversation between Max and Dad.

Max: So, Dad, Grandma Tootie went up to heaven, right?

Dad: Yes, buddy.

Max: Are we going to ride an elevator up to see her?

(only hearing Max’s last question, Mom looks at Dad wondering what is going on)

Dad: Well… no, we won’t be able to visit her in heaven, that’s why everybody is so sad, we’re going to miss her.

(Max is looking out the car window, thinking…)

Max: So, are we going to see her on a TV screen?

(Mom glares at Dad, who, in her opinion, is not handling this very well)

Dad: Um… no, see… When Grandma Tootie died, her soul went to heaven and we can’t talk to her anymore. Her body is still here though.

(Max, thinking again…)

Max: She won’t have a head?!

(Mom, making hand gestures now, clearly not happy about how this conversation is going)

Dad: She still has her head, Max. Your head is part of your body too.

Max: Oh, okay.

(More thinking...)

Max: Dad, what's a soul?

(Mom gives Dad the glare that translates to "Stop talking now. Ignore him and I'll fix this mess later.")

Kendall's Christmas Program

We knew she liked to sing and dance, but....wow! You'll be hard pressed to find someone with more Christmas spirit than this.

(I think I made a bad decision by telling her to stand in front of the part of the tree Max decorated.)

(I had to divide the video of this song into 4 parts because it was too big to upload. Be patient, it's worth the trouble.)

Family "photo shoot"

This is as good as it gets at this stage, folks

Imposter

Someone snuck into her brother's room after bedtime again... this time she used him as the bed.

DEEP THOUGHTS by Max & Kendall

Max: "Mom, we took a picture of everyone and I sat by Spencer."
Kendall: "Spencer? What's Spencer like?"

Max: "Spencer? I don't know... he's Spencer-ish."

Thanksgiving and Grandparents

I am Thankful for Thanksgiving Day 2011.

Thankful for safe travels

Thankful for food on the table

Thankful to spend the day with family

Thankful for this picture taken on that day

and Thankful for my Grandma Tootie's last Thanksgiving, last day, last hours... because they were spent with all of her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.

I am Thankful that is how she was able to spend her final hours, and I'm Thankful we were fortunate enough to spend them with her.

She could be a wacky lady, but she was always fun. I learned many-a life skill from her

how to shuffle cards

how to crochet

how to gamble

how to deep fry french toast (all-time favorite food, btw)

how to deep fry everything else on the planet

and how to play 64 cards at bingo at one time

just to name a few

She always made me feel like being my Grandma was the most important thing in the world to her. When we were around, nothing was ever more important or something we were too little or young for. As a kid, you really can't ask for much more than that.

I will always be inspired by the sacrifice she and my Grandpa made when they chose to adopt my aunt, Debbie, and care for her in their home for 43 years.

Finally, I'm Thankful for Grandparents. After having lost all four of them in the last 4-5 years, I've realized how much they meant to me and how lucky I was to have them all... because I would have been lucky to have any one of them alone. I'm glad my kids' grandparents had such great teachers.

Rest in Peace

Grandma Del

Grandpa Fritz

Grandpa Dean

Grandma Tootie

DEEP THOUGHTS by Kendall

"Mommy, where's my blanky? I just had it a moment ago."

Turkey Plates

made by little turkeys

thirTEEN

How did we go from this...

...to teenager???

Adrienne had a fun-filled birthday weekend. The Japanese steakhouse tradition didn't make the birthday celebration cut this year, so the five of us kept the tradition alive and hit Sumo on Friday before the official celebrating began on Saturday. Dessert consisted of Smallcakes cupcakes that we had zero room for after dinner, but enjoyed anyway. Saturday morning we had a breakfast feast complete with friends (Dan and Madison), waffles, eggs, bacon, fruit salad, candles, and singing. Saturday night Adrienne and friends headed to the plaza in a stretch limo for some shopping, dinner at Brio, and a sleepover.

Well, Adrienne, you are growing up, whether we like it or not. We are super proud of the person you have become so far. You are an extremely bright kid with many great qualities and talents. You are the girliest girl around and I swear you will one day roll the car with the violent, flailing movements you call "dancing" to songs on the radio. We are most proud of how your humor has progressed over the last few years. There is still room for improvement, but you've come a long, long, long, long, long, LONG way :D

You have definitely become extremely fond of the social freedom that comes with teenhood. We're excited for your future and all the fun times to come. Remember to stay true to the kind, fun, generous person that you are. We will always be here for you - even when you don't want us to be.

Hope your first weekend as an official teenager was wonderful!

Night of the Living Farm

Deanna Rose at night

candy

hay ride

games

animals...

a spooktacular night!

Sharon's Last Visit

Sharon started visiting us over 5 years ago shortly after Max was born. She came to us from Parents As Teachers and would visit every month or two with fun activities in tow to track Max and Kendall's development and answer our questions. We enjoyed our time with her and are sad to see our visits come to an end.

The End of Fall Soccer

Medals!

Great first soccer experience, we're proud of you, buddy!

And Then There Were Two

We went from a 4-car household to a 2-car household literally overnight.

So long "Rodeo Drive". You were a great first-car-that-I-bought-on-my-own-with-my-first-real-job. It was a great 10 years!

Turquoise F150.... it's a sad day when you can no longer say "we own a turquoise truck".

Best of luck old friends!

Hello empty curb and driveway!!!

Kendall's First Visit to the Dentist

no sweat

Halloween at BATS 2011

(we made many attempts at a good pic... just wasn't meant to be, this is as good as it gets)

Max's School Halloween Parade

3rd Annual Maximuk Halloween Party

costumes

friends

games

sweet treats

another year of Halloween FUN!

Kendall switched to her backup costume at the end of the party... tranny Dora...yikes!

Stumes 2011

Max as Alfalfa

Kendall as Dora the Explorer

and

Lily the squirrel

Alfalfa was a huge hit. He had 3 strangers ask for a picture and won 2 costume contests!

Cutey Pie

Look out ladies!

Kendall's First Visit to the Dentist

No cavities and LOTS of loot!

Birthday Girl

After all of the celebrations, the actual big day had finally arrived. Our baby girl is officially 3!

Mom and Kendall hit the toy store and the American Girl store to play and pick up a couple fun toys in the morning.

After picking Max up from school, we had lunch at Jersey Boyz (Kendall's choice), then grabbed some yummy cupcakes from Smallcakes.

We met Dad at the mall and hit Build-A-Bear. Max and Kendall picked up a few accessories for their bears. Boots and a jean skirt for Ophelia, and rain boots and roller skates for Marbles.

You can't go to the mall on your birthday and not ride the carousel.

We had dinner at Red Robin where Kendall was serenaded while wearing balloons on her head. We left the restaurant just in time to catch a fireworks show, somebody must have known we were celebrating a birthday.

Oh Kendall,

I can't believe how fast these three years have flown by... probably because our lives became much more wild and crazy the day you were born- you keep us too busy to notice the passing of time. You are one funny little girl who has us laughing out loud every day. Good or bad, you don't do ANYTHING without going all out. Happy, mad, generous, sad, silly... when you do them, you do them times 10. We love that about you... we question it, but we love it :)

We hope you had a fabulous birthday week!

What in the World?

I hope this is them getting it out of their system now and not them practicing to do this on a bar in front of cameras filming "Girls Gone Wild" in 18 years.

Sleeping Monkeys

Hmm, put Kendall down for a nap in her bed and found her and Max's monkey, Steve, tucked in laying on the floor when I checked on her. I don't know... I think Steve looks guilty.

Gym

School Birthday Party

Kendall wore a birthday hat all day, the entire school sang Happy Birthday during music, and Mom brought treats to share with her class. I think she was feeling pretty special.

Kendall's 3rd Birthday Party

We started with a present from big brother

a Snow White princess dress!

the birthday girl ready for her princess party

the cake, cupcakes, and cookies

Adrienne gave Kendall a makeover

lots of great presents!

Happy Birthday to you!

I found an awesome sparkler candle in the shape of a 3. As you can see, the kids didn't think it was so awesome.

tea time, princess style

friends