Happy New Year

Cheers!

We got the girls some sparkling grape juice for our New Year's party.

We just drank some drinks, ate some snacks and watched TV (and cleaned up the girls' bedrooms).

Don't be jealous of our wild and crazy night!ha

I was really nervous heading into 2011 but it turned out to be a pretty nice year for us. Lot's of changes have taken place for us, but we are a tough bunch and all have done well.

I am so thankful for all we have and look forward to the new year.

Hair and paci

If you wonder what Meghan looked like at two....this is what she looked like.

Meghan fixed Sarah's hair this morning and wanted me to take pictures of her pigtails.

Seeing Sarah this morning was a flash back to Meghan at this age.

My oldest sweet girl with my youngest sweet girl.

(Jenna was off playing with Legos)

Sarah has two "sas" pacifiers. We call them "sas" and Sarah calls them "pink sas" and "ellow sas".

Some days she can't decide which one she wants to use....so she uses them both.

(When Sarah does something funny or looks extra cute the big girls tell me to take her picture!)

2 year stats

I didn't see this happy face earlier today.

Sarah wasn't too happy when we arrived at the Doctor's office for her 2 year check-up. Well, she was happy until she found out she was the one being seen. She asked me to put her clothing back on.

She is 36 inches tall (90%), 27lb 11oz (60%) and her head is 19 1/4 (90%).

She had a great appointment and only needed one shot today. So far she has handled it well and hasn't been fussy. It has caused a little diaper rash...but nothing I can't take care of.

She doesn't have another check-up until she turns 3.

I asked her before I took the second picture if I could take her picture....she said "no" and turned from me.

She was talkative and busy at the doctor's office. She has met and surpassed all 2 year milestones.

She even asked the NP if she could wash her hands too!ha

Playing in her playhut tent with Jenna on Christmas day.

How does my lip gloss look? ha

Christmas 2011

Hope you all had a great Christmas! We didn't get any snow, but it was nice and chilly on Christmas day.

Jenna woke me up at 4am, but I told her to go back to bed. I should have told her a time because she came back in our room at 5am.....I told her then to come back at 6am. Sarah woke up at 530am, so we decided since 2 were up, we would all get up.

Santa stopped by and gave the girls (Rob, Sissy and I also had a few gifts from the big guy) some nice gifts and they loved all of it.

They didn't have long lists this year, so Santa kept it light this year.

While Sarah was napping on Christmas eve, the big girls made some cookies and decorated them for Santa.

Jenna did a little cookie eating too.

Meghan helped me make the icing and picked the colors. She loves helping me in the kitchen and is a great helper. I just need to get her excited about clean up!ha

We all had a great day and loved our gifts.

Sarah was excited to find new toys in the living room. She tried to play with all of the big girls new toys too, but loved her own things more.

2 years old

Happy Birthday to my baby girl (yesterday).

She has grown and changed so much this year.

I love experiencing the toddler years again. The big girls make the whole experience that much more fun.

They spoil Sarah so much and Sarah thinks she is boss.

Sarah LOVES Dora, so we had some Dora decorations for her and she got a big Dora doll. She loves the doll because she can brush the hair and dress (mainly undress) the doll.

Sarah picked out the cupcake flavors at the store. When asked what she wanted for her birthday, her answer would be "a happy birthday cake".

She also thanked all of us a few times yesterday. She is so sweet and was super happy for her big day.

She blew her candles out all by herself!

We didn't do anything big for her day. We just enjoyed our day at the house (and I did a little housekeeping).

Sarah decided she needed to dress up as a princess!

Here are a few pictures of some of her gifts.

Here is Sarah with her Dora doll.....she is in her favorite place, Jenna's room.

Sarah is potty training a little, I think she is around 30 lbs, she wears size 2t clothing and size 6-7 toddler shoes. She talks great and is very independent. She acts like she is a big girl, like her sisters. She is sassy, bossy, lovable and has a great imagination.

I'm sure this coming year will be just as fun and a bit busier with her.

Looking like Christmas

It looks like Christmas in our home....I wish there was some snow, but I know I'll see some soon enough.

I love unwrapping the ornaments and thinking back to when we got it and where.

This first ornament is a new one I made this year.

We got this doll ornament from Busy Bee's nursery school in Beck Row, UK.

My chimney sweep came from Germany.

I was so excited to pick him out when we were in Germany in 2009.

My Brother-in-law is in the Army and while on a duty assignment in the Republic of Georgia , he picked us up this beautiful hand painted egg ornament.

Our stocking are hung by the chimney with care.

Rob and I had our stockings made by my Grandmama. Since she is no longer with us, my Mom had one made with some of my Grandmama's yarn for the girls.

The candle picture on the mantel was cross stitched by Meghan!

My card tree is filling up and I love all the cards we receive each year.

I will be on top of it next year and will send some out from us.

(I also put Sarah's birthday cards on this table, so she can touch them)

May all your Christmas wishes and dreams come true!

Crafting

Winter break started Tuesday at 2:01pm!!!

The girls kicked if off by watching TV, building something with Legos and then did a little scrapbooking.

(at least someone is scrapbooking in the house)

I haven't even finished Sarah's first year or anything after that. This blog is being used as my scrapbook, so I have all the details down......and you thought I was doing this for you! Just joking, this is for you and me.

These are some super cute American girl doll scrapbooks the girls got last Christmas.

They have been working on the books on and off this whole year, but with nice weather they don't sit down to craft as often as they did in England.

This foggy, rainy weather is great crafting weather.

Meghan was telling me about how she cropped the picture a little too much in the corner.

They rain out of double sided tape, so Jenna was showing me how she uses the "normal" tape.

Sarah pulled out an old book the girls worked in and started working so well........

I think this picture makes the mess actually not look so messy. Sarah got into the marker/crayon tub and into a few bags of confetti. I take this as an opportunity to clean out the crayon tub and organize the craft cabinet. Sarah enjoyed herself, stayed in the kitchen (I was cooking), so I didn't care that she made this mess. Messes can get cleaned up......and I want her to get it out of her system.

I wonder what messes we will make today!?!

Friday night fun

I forgot I took this picture Friday night. This is what Jenna looks like staying up late.

She wants to stay up as late as Meghan, but always falls asleep.

........... Staying up late means 10pm.

Busy week

Thought I would show you Rob's beard. It has "grown" on me too. ha

Sarah did a little painting this week. I normally let her just color with markers and crayons, but I pulled out the paint the other day. I was worried she might try to eat it, but she didn't.

She stayed busy for over 30 minutes with it. I think she would have painted longer, but she ran out of paint.

The third graders had a program this week. A local artist went to the school and helped them write a play about math and then on Wednesday they performed it for us. It was very cute and all the kids did a great job.

Sarah actually sat through it too and didn't make a fuss.

Today Meghan's class made and decorated gingerbread houses. Meghan's house looks great!

Jenna was busy this week with homework, gymnastics and her cough showed back up.

The big girls have two days left of school for 2011! Next week will be busy and we are looking forward to a certain someone's birthday!

Cookie cooking

The Christmas cookie cooking has kicked off in our house.

This was the first year that I had three little helpers in the kitchen.

I tried a new recipe, but it isn't a keeper.

The girls like the cookies, but they like anything with sugar in it.

Sarah was so excited to be helping. I didn't use her dough because she licked it, coughed on it and no telling what with it!ha She stayed busy the whole time and Jenna helped her with the flour (if you look close you will see Sarah has it all over her).

We have some big cookie cooking ideas and are excited to make and try them all!