Merry, Merry Christmas!

 

Vivian

It was about time for some pink and bows!  Vivian Rhys arrived on the 21st, just in time to come home for Christmas Eve.

 Big brothers and big cousins are all thrilled to have our new Vivian to love and kiss!

Caroling, McG Style

Getting in the mood for the holidays we listen to a lot of Mitch Miller on repeat since Taffe likes hearing the "mens' sing.  We heard a nice little jingle of songs at Taffe's school Christmas party. Awesome rendition of a bell song.

To wrap up our musical moments of the day, Taffe and Kingston jammed on the piano.  Harmonizing and making a duet... I promise it doesn't sound like banging at all.

Tea for Two

Taffe is quite the little mimic these days.  He carries his cell phone in his poket and needs to check "something on my computer." Since I have tea almost daily, Taffe likes to take sips.  But once he found this tea cup (which is actually an ornament!) he insisted upon having tea "in my own cup!"

 Kingston was just excited to be part of the tea party.  No tea needed... just some cups to bang around. And he is 9 months!!! 3 teeth, and just starting to scoot around!

Kids' Christmas

Our playgroup's annual Christmas Party.  Success!

Big Kids

We've gotten so big we now have 2 separate photo sessions.

Babies

Moving... but not yet crawling!

Pajamas and party clothes

Thanks J family for hosting this fun morning!

School is In

Taffe was most excited that he could see the seal from the book in this picture.

School is so very cool.

The Look says it All

I think this may be my favorite Santa picture to date. Priceless.

Conversations

 Being almost 3 makes for great conversations with Taffe.

Bedtime conversation about his friends:
T: Delaney wears a bow.
N: Yes, she does.  What color bow?
T: Pink!  McKenna wears a pink bow, too!
N: That's right.  Would you like to wear a bow?
T:  Yes.  A 'boy bow.'
N: Oh, ok.  Is a 'boy bow' green or orange?
T: No, pink! 

Taffe has a new elf, which he named John. John the elf is from the North Pole. In an attempt to get Taffe to believe he is really from Santa...
N: I just saw John the elf wave at me!
T: No, he can't wave.  His hands are stuck together.

After a trip to the pet store:
C:What did you do today Taffe?
T: I went to Walgreens.
C: Anything else?
T: I went to the Pet store and saw too many fish.
C: Wow! Were there any other animals there?
T: No, just fish.
C: Do you want a fish?
T: No, I have pretend fish.
C: Do you want any real animals?
T: Yes, a piglet.
C: Are you sure? Not a fish or a dog?
T: No, a Piglet.  He will sleep on the floor and eat rocks.

Church St Stroll

On a balmy 66 degree night, we welcomed in the holiday season down on Church St.  The highlight was Santa riding in on a vintage fire truck.  At which point Taffe said, "Is Santa a fireman?"

Boys & I in front of the caboose

 The street was closed to traffic and instead there were caroling groups singing Christmas songs.  The boys loved it!

caroling group

A petting zoo (random?) and marshmallow pits were packed with little ones up past their bedtimes.  Have I learned nothing in my almost 3 years of parenting? Staying up late is risky business. big brother's meltdown at departure time was monumental, but baby brother was ready to party on!

Marshmallow!  Taffe roasted his marshmallow for about 3 seconds.



Party animal Kingston (check out my cute teeth!)

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are so thankful for all of family!

Making Stuffing

cousins

grandma & grandpa

sharing pie

Let's Go Hoos!

Wa-hoo-wa!

Sitting Handsome



...and one handsome boy running away!

Dad's Day

Taffe and Daddy

Taffe's preschool holds a Dad's Day in which all the children get to show dad what school is all about.  Taffe was beyond excited and wore a "work shirt with squares"... just like daddy. The morning consisted of Christopher getting to see Taffe do puzzles, make a craft, listen to a story and play Bingo.  Taffe optionally chose not to sing songs as he was "just listening."  A great day for C to get a peek into Taffe's school life.

8 Months

Our sweet baby Kingston is 8 months old!

Sitting Tall!

Kingston has a nice covering of blondish hair, is great at grabbing everything in my hands, and loves his big brother to pieces!

He looks just like Daddy too, dontcha think?

Risky Business

Harvest Party

Kingston and I attended Taffe's Harvest Party at school last week.  Wow.  Ten 2 year olds and all the moms... it was crazy! As soon as we showed up Taffe went and got his bag so that we could leave... hard concept that K&I were going to stay at his school for a bit.

Taffe and Ryan getting leaf tatoos.

 It was definitely neat to see him in his school environment.  He knows where to put things and he sits and eats snack with his friends.  And when his brother was there, he was very excited to play with him.

Taffe "bobbed" for this apple and shared it with his brother.

King of the playground!

The Daily Debate

A previous discussion takes place determine that Taffe needs a new diaper and he refuses the diaper change. In an attempt to cajole him into the change,  I offer choices.

Me: Do you want your diaper changed in 1 minute of 2 minutes?
Taffe: Not.
Me: Not?
Taffe: Not one minute, not two minutes.

Evidently choice aren't working...
Me: Ok. How many minutes until we change your diaper?
Taffe: Two minutes.

Right.  Now 2 minutes is acceptable. Got it.
 

Fall into Fun!

A gorgeous fall afternoon, and my 2 boys:

 Once all the kids got home from daycare and school we ventured out to the big pile in the circle.  According to our 6 year old neighbor Maeve, this is the best leaf pile ever!

Kingston & Garrett

Maeve, Taffe and Colin