"Kisses aren't treats. They're love." ~ Zander, Age 3.5

Head-head. . .tomp-tomp. . .tummy FULL!

There are a lot of dance parties going on at our house lately. One of Zander's favorite shows is Yo Gabba Gabba and one of the bits is called Dancey Dance. Most the time a famous person will come on the show and teach the kids/characters a new dance move. The video above shows Zanders original dancey dance moves. He narrates it just like the show. "Head-head. . .tomp-tomp. . tummy FULL!"

Fun facts about the kids at this moment in time:

• Zander can't say his s-blends. (Hence the cuteness that is tomp-tomp. He will also ask for us to read a tory, and let us know when he is cared.)
• Zoey can read just about anything. Today she read all about Helen Keller and was very interested in how she went to college when she was 20 years old!
• Zoey can't stand guacamole.
  
• Zander still doesn't eat much meat.
• Zander has become totally comfortable at church. When I am singing up front, he will just walk up and hand me his garbage or stand next to me or go hang out in front of the alter--just for kicks. At least he keeps things interesting.
• Zander is 3 years 7 months and still no interest in the potty. (I know that he will want to know about this when he is older.)
• Both Zoey and Zander start swimming lessons this week at the YMCA.
• Favorite Movies at the moment: Toy Story 3 and Despicable Me
  

Funny things the kids have said this past month or so:

• Zander woke up at 5:45 in the morning. I told him to play in his room while Mommy and Daddy slept. Every 5 minutes he came into the room asking for something. "Mommy, can I have lemonade in a sippy cup?" Me--"No! Mommy wants to sleep. You have to wait." Zander--"Ok. . . .I'll try daddy."

• Out delivering cookies with Zoey. She played shy with most everyone. I asked her why she is always so quiet around my friends but so LOUD with me? Her response, "Loud is how I say I love you."

• Zander 'wrote' a book called, "How you to find a balloon."

• Zander broke his buzz lightyear doll. He wants me to send it back to Santa's workshop. "Santa will fix it."

• Loves that Zander calls the humidifier in his room "that thing that makes me have no hiccups!"

• In my quest for the "Mother of the Year" title, I decided that it would be FUN to let the kids play around with my kickboxing gloves. Zoey punches a lot harder with the gloves on and Zander was just overheard saying, "Let's go downstairs and I can hit you!"

My bundles of joy!

Feburary 2011

Last weekend we went to the Mall of America. Zoey hated it--she said she nevers wants to go back again. So don't dare take her there. She does not like it!!!! She also told us that she never ever wants to go to Florida or to Disneyland. That would be the pits! (Zoey is reading this over my shoulder. . .it is so annoying to have a kid that reads!)

But truly, we had a good time. Zoey went on her first roller-coaster ride. The whole family went on the Log Chute. Tyler and I had a bet on whether or not Zander would freak out. Turns out the break down came from Zoey. We figured out that it was the fact that there were no seat belts on the ride that really caused the melt down. She is a rule follower--especially when it comes to wearing her seat belt. (Yeah!)

Zoey was proud to show us her ribbon at school.

Zoey's Kindergarten Program

On Feb. 10th, Zoey performed with her kindergarten class at Richardson. They sang many songs and all looked so proud of themselves. The clip above is the kids singing "Skinnamarink." Zoey is somewhat in the center and told me before the concert that she was going to point to me and daddy as she sang the song.

Abracadabra

Love this boy!

Zander is my adorable little music man. He loves to play and listen to music. One of my favorite things about him is how he likes to make our family into a band. He assigns us each an instrument to play. He is usually the drummer and he counts us in. "A one, a two, a one, two, free, four. . ."

What's new. . .

The kids are growing like crazy! Everyday there seems like they are able to do something new. Zoey is reading almost everything, which is making it hard to read to her. She knows when I am making things up and keeps pointing out random words on the pages that she knows!

Zoey has lost another tooth. One of the top teeth and now the one next to it is loose too! She will have the cutest smile in a little over a week!

Last weekend we went to a celebration at the Roseville Library. Zoey got her very own library card. I am positive she will put it to good use.
Zoey also became a first degree yellow belt in Karate. (We didn't buy the belt--because she decided not to continue with karate.)


Zander is kind of working on the whole potty training thing. It is a slow go, but I am sure he will eventually "get it." He seems a little torn (as am I) of becoming a big boy and leaving behind the diapers and sippy cups and stuff.

He has started showing a lot of interest in his letters and reading. He likes to make books. Today he scribbled on about 4 pages and asked me to staple them together. I asked him what his book was called and he said, "Where Can We Find a Spaceship?" It is a page-turner. At the end of February, Zander goes in for his preschool screening--it seems too soon.

Merry Christmas!

December Happenings

December flew by as always and I can't believe all that we snuck in. Above is a picture of Zoey's letter to Santa. Here is the translation: Dear Santa, I want a Tangled Castle. I be good diss year. I already have lots of toys. I help my family on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Love, Zoey. Below is a gift tag that she made at a girl scout function. I'll let you try to figure it out. (The answer is at the end of this post.)

Speaking of Girl Scouts. Zoey is enjoying being a Daisy. We went with the girls in her troop to see Disney on Ice. Her expression is a good clue--if you are wondering if she likes it or not.

Zoey sang at church a few Sundays ago and Nana and Auntie Tammy came to watch her sing. She had a lot of fun sitting with them after she was done.
We attended the annual Cookie Party at Mary's house. All the daycare kids gathered around Santa when he stopped by for a visit.
Zander had no fear and went up and asked Santa for a Buzz Lightyear.
Zoey, believe it or not, was speechless when she sat on Santa's lap. She asked for nothing.
Here is a happy Zander sitting on Mary's lap after opening his gift from Santa and Mary.
We also found some time to go outside and sit in a fort.
(Answer to Zoey's gift tag: Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle All the Way.)

Our Karate Kid/Daisy Girl

The countdown to Christmas has begun in our house this year. We are decorated and ready to get the holiday season started. As is tradition for the past 2 years, I have an elaborate advent calendar that consists of a bag for each night counting down to Christmas Day. Each bag has a very small toy/game or craft inside for me and the kids to do. This year, my idea is to teach them about appreciating the people in our lives that do so much for us. So tonight's activity was making a list of all the people that are special to us so that we can think about them this season and make a small gift for them during our craft times. Simple enough, right?

Zoey was all over this idea. . .she had no problem filling up her page with all fantastic people and then another page after this. Once again Mrs. Kostuch tops her list and the last one is Mr. M the principal at her school. "I can't forget the principal!" Zoey said.
Zander was a little less into it. . .

Our little Zoey is filling up her social calendar with lots of neat events. She is now an official Daisy in the River Valley Girl Scout Group. She has enjoyed the her meetings and events so far. She went to the annual Sock Hop dance--which consisted of 2 hours of girl scouts running around and occasionally finding the beat to a song. It was fun to watch Zoey hang out with friends. Our next scouting event is going to Disney on Ice next weekend. She and I are both very excited about that one.

Zoey has also started her second session of Karate. We bought her the outfit so now she really feels like she has some moves. Watch out!