3 year checkup

Another birthday came and went...that means another Doctor's visit for the next check up. Today was the day for Marcus. We dropped the girls off for a play date with one of their little friends and Marcus and I went to town to see the doctor. Poor Marcus, he was not happy to be left out of the play date. He did promise me that he would be a good boy at the doctor though. If you remember last year's checkup didn't go so well...he kicked the doctor and screamed the whole time. I was terrified this would be a repeat...but it wasn't! He was an angel! He did everything he was supposed to do. The weighed him and measured him and even had him do the eye chart. He cooperated with ALL! He even let the doctor check him out. What a good boy. Unfortunately he did get 2 shots, but he was even a good sport with those. He laid down nicely and when the nurse poked him he shouted "That Hurt!" and did cry...I said "I'm so sorry Marcus" and between his tears he said in a sweet voice "It's Okay." He weighs 33 lbs (2 lbs heavier than Emma's current weight) and stands 38 inches tall. He is 75% in weight and 60% in height. What a big boy! Overall, he's as healthy as can be...a normal little 3 year old boy!

Gingerbread House Disaster

We bought a Gingerbread House this weekend and that was our project for our first day of Christmas Vacation yesterday. The kids each got a little character to decorate while I proceeded to put the house together. Problem was the house was a mess. We opened the package to find all the pieces were broke. The roof was broken in half on both sides which makes it difficult to stay together...but we gave it a shot. Marcus did well decorating his snowman. He didn't even try to eat the candy.

The girls did quite well too. While I was cursing (not really) at the house, they just quietly took to decorating; Emma had a gingerbread man and Olivia had a Christmas tree.

We managed to get it all together for one quick picture...Olivia is literally holding the roof together. Right after this picture the house caved in and fell completely apart. I was so frustrated I threw it away. Then Daddy called and made me feel guilty for throwing away our $10 purchase so while the kids napped I fished it out and brought out the big gun...hot glue gun that is. I put a box in the middle of the house for support and glued all the pieces to it. When the kids woke from their naps, they found this...

They were so excited...it was worth the frustration after all. So, it's not the prettiest gingerbread house I've ever built...but it has a lot time, energy and love put into it so it will do :-)

Lights on the Lake

We took a trip to beautiful Coeur d'Alene last night to see all of the Christmas lights. It truly is spectacular. We boarded the Cruise Ship at 6pm and off we went. Our friends, the Starks, came with us too. We started with hot chocolate. Emma was so excited to have a "coffee" cup...she kept saying, "I need to drink my coffee."


The boat went across the lake to The North Pole where Santa and Mrs. Clause greeted us. Santa told all the kids they had to be good little boys and girls. He told them they need to stop fighting and start cleaning their rooms better and especially to listen to their mommy and daddy. Then he read all the kids' names from the "good" list.

Talk about some excited kids! Olivia heard her name on the good list!!!

Emma's name was called out too!

Marcus was a little worried...but sure enough, his name was called out as well.

Yeah!!! We are all on the good list!!!

Kylie, Courtney and Karissa were even on the good list!!! Hooray!

Here is a sample of some of the light exhibits on the lake. So pretty!

The kids didn't mind the cold at all. The stayed in front of the boat most of the time as it was coming back into the dock. Mainly because the Grinch was running up and down the dock to greet them. They got a kick out of that.

It was such a fun night. We sang Christmas Carols the whole way home (about an hour drive). Emma asked if we could do this again next year and we said of course! I think this is a great event to make an annual tradition. The best part of the Coeur d'Alene is when they actually "Light the Coeur d'Alene" the day after Thanksgiving. They do a spectacular fireworks show and everything! We didn't go this year due to bad roads, but we will try next year...so stay tuned!

Hot Chocolate

My boss gave me some old fashion Hot Chocolate and Vanilla Marshmallows for Christmas. They were from Williams Sonoma. It is chocolate shavings that melt in hot milk...YUM! We decided after naps yesterday to give it a try...it was a hit! Marcus particularly liked the marshmallows. He put the whole thing in his mouth all at once...

Olivia thought the Chocolate part was Yummy.

Emma loved the fact that she had a real breakable coffee mug. She wants to be a big girl so badly.

Only Emma

Quick Emma story:

Last night Emma, Olivia and I were driving home from the grocery store. I announced only 5 more days of daycare and then we would stay home for 2 weeks.

Emma replied with "Monday, Tuesday, Weds, Thurs, Fri, Saturday, Sunday."

I was shocked having never heard her do that before. I said "Emma, that was great! Where did you learn that?" Here I was so proud thinking she learned it during preschool or something.

My sweet little Emma replied "The Black Eyed Peas!" and then continued with "Party all the time...I've got a feeling, tonight's gonna be a good night..."

I cracked up laughing and she just said "What's so funny? That's right, isn't it?"

Only Emma...

Decorations

We started decorating right after Marcus' birthday. First we pulled out all the Christmas books. Those were a hit. Especially a special new book Nana left behind. It is "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and Nana recorded herself reading it so each time the kids open the book they hear Nana's voice. I often catch Marcus talking into it saying "Hello Nana!" :-)


This year I decided to put the decorations down low so the kids could enjoy them. They are old enough now that they are very careful with the breakables. Marcus can't leave the little Christmas Village alone; he just loves playing with all the little characters. He is very gentle though so I don't mind.

The kids have been begging for lights so I put them up a few nights ago. Not to bad...those little figures peeking out of the bottom are snowmen.

Yesterday we finally picked out our tree. The kids got busy decorating it. They were so excited and did a great job.

They were very impressed with all the decorations.

The Santa hat was a hit too...

Well, with some anyways...Marcus...not so much.

I have no idea what the little head tilt is all about but lately Emma does it the moment the camera comes out. It is pretty cute I guess.

The finished tree! Another beauty, I must say!

Ho Ho Ho!!!

Sweet Santa Success! These kids sure to LOVE Santa. When Santa asked the kids what they wanted Olivia said "Ladybug Pillow Pet". Marcus said "Penguin Pillow Pet and Race Car" and Emma replied with her sweet smile "Whatever you want to bring me Santa". I think someone is trying to stay off the "naughty" list.

Cars Birthday Party

We had Marcus' birthday party last night. He had been asking for a Monkey party all year. Then just a couple of months ago he switched it to Cars. Nana responded with another amazing cake. Marcus was so excited...he LOVED his cake. Nana actually only had the big car on top and 2 cars going around. When the kids saw the cake, they ran to get their Cars characters and added them around the cake to make it complete...so cute!

The kids stuck to the playroom for majority of the party. At one point they brought us down so they could put on a fashion show for us. This is the first time we've seen this...it was quite a show!

I borrowed the amazing decorations from a friend of mine who did a Cars party for her son a few years ago. It really made the party complete. The best part is they were free!!!

We only invited a few close friends and family this year. It was perfect. This is Noah and Isabella who have now permanently moved over here from Sweden. It was lots of fun for the kids to play together; they played very well together too.

Marcus had lots of help opening all of his presents. He got a ton of toys. It's always good to add some Marcus toys to all the girl toys we have.

Everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to Marcus and he grinned from ear to ear the entire time.

Then he blew out his candles. I was sure to hold his hands back so he didn't touch the candles...I learned my lesson the hard way on his first birthday when he touched the flame and I was too slow to react. I vowed to never let that happen again!

Grami and Nana were a big help in putting the new toys together. I really do appreciate that they do that...it can be overwhelming trying to put all the pieces in the right places.

Thanks to everyone that came to the party. Marcus had a wonderful 3rd birthday because of all of you!

Three

Hard to believe it but my baby is 3 years old today! He got to have a little party at daycare and then we had our family party tonight.

We started with presents. We got him a matchbox car track set and cool Lightening McQueen slippers.

We sang Happy Birthday and had some cupcakes...YUMMY!!!

Then one quick group photo with goofy faces...see the cool slippers too...he just LOVES Lightening McQueen!!!