ALMOST Christmas!!

In the interest of time (as in I DON'T HAVE ANY), I'm going to provide you a quick rundown of some recent happenings. Then, I have a few cute videos to share.

The Great Escape! Nolan surprised us a few weeks ago by climbing out of his bed. He wasn't feeling well, although we didn't know what was wrong with him at the time. The doctor said his throat and ears looked good, but we knew something was up because our usually happy boy was screaming and crying and wouldn't sleep. One night, after hours of trying to console him and even letting him come into our bed (something we NEVER do....but it was midnight on a work night and we were just ready for sleep!), I decided to just let him cry it out in his bed. But, 2 minutes after I got back into my bed after tucking him in, I heard his cries get louder, and louder, and louder....then there he was running right into our bedroom. We were really surprised, as he had to do some major climbing (and likely fell onto the floor) to complete his stunt. So, needless to say, a very bleary-eyed Jason and Kendy spent the next 30 minutes lowering his crib mattress to the last available and lowest setting. Oh, and his 4th tooth popped through a few days later so we're pretty sure that was the reason for his "sickness." Poor kid has had a hard time with his little teeth.

Bailey Goes 'Baaaa' Bailey got to play a little lamb in our church Christmas play. It was a dinner theatre, where the audience was incorporated into the story as guests at the Inn in Bethlehem. Pretty cool. Anyway, as you can see, she is a budding actress. Smile.

Bailey the Heartbreaker

At the tender age of four, our little girl has already loved and lost. She had been telling us that she had a boyfriend in her preschool class. His name is Jack. But, even before we could wrap our minds around what this means in her little 4-year-old world, they had broken up. Now, they call each other names like, "freak" and "weirdo" and he doesn't play with her anymore. While this made me a little sad at first, she finally divulged what had prompted the big breakup. She told me last week that SHE broke up with HIM because, "His breath was always stinky. He never brushed his teeth." Jason and I laughed so hard when she said this (with such a serious look on her face). When I asked if she had told him so, she said, "I told him he needed to brush his teeth and he said, 'I do brush my teeth, Bailey!' and then he ran off to play." Such is the life of a child. But, I don't know about you, but I kind of thought kids were oblivious to things like smells. Perhaps Bailey is developing some refined senses. Keep it up, girlfriend, as there is no excuse for poor hygiene!!!

Nolan and Santa are NOT on Good Terms

We took the kids to take a picture with Santa. We decided to go to Bass Pro, as we'd heard they had a nice setup. Now, I've only gone to this store to buy gift cards - definitely not my cup of tea. But, the kids had fun sitting on the ATVs and climbing into the boats. Plus, there were NO LINES which is the big winner for me. Well, I know these pictures don't give any clues as to Nolan's response to sitting on Santa's knee, but let's just say he was not interested. I literally had to peel him off me and throw him at the poor guy just to get a quick picture of him crying. Maybe next year....We took one of Bailey separately which is really cute.

Nolan Learns a New Trick

Nolan has always been agile and is very tactile in how he learns. He has been kicking and throwing balls for awhile now, and can very skillfully stack blocks. I joke that this is all good since he can't say a single word yet!! Anyway, he discovered this week that he can lift his leg and he thinks this is funny. Watch the video of him trying out his new skill (and both Jason and Bailey doing it as well to encourage him...since you know kids don't like to do things when the camera is on!).

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire

Bailey's new "skill," unfortunately, is telling fibs. I don't know why or when kids figure out that they can get more of what they want if they bend the truth. She keeps getting into trouble for lying - sometimes about ridiculous things. She will knock Nolan over and then emphatically plead the case that she was nowhere near him and he "just fell over from the wind." She told a friend who was keeping her/Nolan while grandma had an appt. that she hadn't had lunch just so she could eat the macaroni and cheese that was offered her. And, of course, the icing on the cake, she toots and blames it on me. Seriously......this kid has spent more time in timeout in her room and probably has a raw butt by now from the many, many spankings she has received over the past 2 years. Someone please tell me it gets better at 5.

And, since I've raked Bailey over the coals, here is my precious little girl singing "Away in the Manger."

Finally, here is a funny video of Nolan getting tickled at Bailey.