Christmas Eve

Traditionally, we spend Christmas Eve at my parents house. We gather as a family and have dinner, then we take turns opening our gifts. Hailey really enjoyed that part! Not just opening hers, but helping everyone else open theirs as well!

Santa Visits

Even though we weren't sure that she would, Hailey made it on to Santa's nice list this year! :) Santa visited our house and left her all kinds of wonderful gifts. We awoke to find a 2 sided art easel set up with all the "fixin's"- paints, markers, crayons, an art apron, and paper roll. There was also a new dolly (which Hailey had been asking Santa for), and a doll high chair, and a new pink cruiser wagon full of gifts. She was most thrilled by the art easel, and wanted to start drawing and painting immediately. In fact, she forgot for a short bit of time that she still had many gifts to open up under the tree. She kept getting distracted when she did finally start opening the other gifts too. She would want to open each one up and start playing with it, immediately after she tore the paper off of something. Her favorites from the morning at our house were her new doll house, her pink vacuum, and of course, the easel. When she woke up the day after Christmas, the first thing she said to us, was "I want to go do my painting!" Who knows, we may have a budding artist on our hands!

White Christmas!

We awoke to a (very) white Christmas this year. We peered out the window of our bedroom to see big, fluffy white flakes falling. Like a scene from a holiday movie, it continued snowing throughout most of the day, finally stopping in the late evening. Even though we all dream of having a white Christmas, the occurrence is actually quite rare, only happening 12% of the time (even here in Colorado!) So much snow fell this year, that the snowfall record for Christmas day was broken- 10 &1/2 inches!! Although it made traveling throughout the city a bit more difficult, it was beautiful, and so nice to have a picturesque white Christmas.

Dance, Dance, Dance!! (Oh, & presents)

We signed Hailey up for dance last week. She doesn't start until January 4th, but that doesn't stop her from practicing by dancing all over the house! She will ask me to put on her "dance dress" (she calls it), and her dance shoes. Then she jumps all over the house, and kicks her legs out, and moves her arms up and down like she is dancing. It is so funny!! Of course, today when she was dancing, she got distracted by the Christmas presents (see previous post...) and had to take a few of them out from under the tree. She was shaking them, and listening to the sounds they make. When she resumed her dancing, by trying to dance and jump all over the packages, I had to put a stop to it. We put all of the gifts back under the tree, and danced some more. After a bit, she flopped down on the floor, telling me she was done. Then, she proceeded to strip her leotard off. I hope she doesn't do these things during the class... hopefully she will keep her clothes on!

The Holiday Spirit

With Christmas less than one week away, we are getting into the holiday spirit around here. The fact that Hailey understands more about it this year, and talks about Santa non-stop helps to keep it on our minds. We have been watching all of the holiday movies (over, and over....and over)! She has been helping to wrap the presents. Mostly just telling me that they are all for her. She will say "that one is Hailey's....and this one is Hailey's....and this one is mine!" Then, she will say "this one is not for Daddy. This is one is for Hailey". Apparently she is concerned that she won't have enough gifts this year. Maybe she wants to make sure that no one gets more than her! I think more so, she is just excited about all of this Christmas business. It all started when we put up the tree.
She has been obsessed with it. I can't tell you how many times I have told her to leave things alone, or get out from behind it, or "put that ornament back". She
just can't help herself. She also loves to start singing Christmas songs. Like Frosty the snowman, or Jingle bells, those are her faves. Even though some of these things drive me crazy (mostly the constant tree "hovering"), I love how into all of this she is this year. How she understands that Santa brings toys and presents to the good girls and boys...although I am not entirely convinced she in on the nice list! This has always been one of my favorite times of year. I love that we will be sharing all of this magic and wonderfulness with Hailey now. All of the Christmas traditions, and past times. I hope they will be things she will continue with her own family one day(a very long time from now!).

I guess writing this has made me reflect on what Christmas is all about. How thankful I am for all that we have. Our wonderful, and amazing, families and friends, who we keep in our hearts the whole year through. It isn't about the presents and gifts, it is about keeping the magic and spirit of Christmas in our hearts. Every year around this time, I tend to think back to all of those Christmas moments we had growing up. Leaving out the cookies and Dr. Pepper (yes, Santa drank Dr. Pepper at our house), and waking the next morning to see that the cookies were gone, and Rudolph had munched on the carrot. There was always something magical about thinking about Santa coming down the chimney, and into our family room to leave our Christmas goodies that we thought of all year long. I can remember running in to wake my parents, excitedly showing them what Jolly Old St Nick had left for us. I just can't wait to re-live that magical feeling through the eyes of our daughter.

Disney on Ice

Yesterday we went to the Denver Coliseum to see the Disney on Ice show. The show was all about the princesses...Hailey's favorite! She was so excited about going! She had been talking about how she was going to see "Cinderelli", Princess Aurora, and Snow White ice skating for a the whole week leading up to it! Before we went into the arena to locate our seats, we took a picture with a Cinderella statue (yes, a prop... I was a little surprised too! It was Disney after all, they probably could have provided the real thing...especially since it cost $18 for the souvenir photo! Oh well, I digress!). Then Papoo bought her a big Flounder she was eyeing, and the show program. The day would not have been complete without the cotton candy, or dippin' dots ice cream though! Hailey finished hers, then came down to share mine! Looks like she takes after her Mommy on that one. Dippin' dots is one of my favorite things! Since you can only get them at events, I always get them when I can! Anyhow, the show was great and we all had a good time. Hailey loved seeing all of the skaters and props. She especially loved the dragon that spit real fire on the ice! When the show was over, she told us that she wanted to see it all again. Of course we had to leave, but we did go to Casa Bonita for lunch. It was her first time going there. She loved watching the divers and fire jugglers from our table while we ate. It was a really fun day. We all enjoyed ourselves! We are looking forward to next year when Disney on Ice passes through again!

I am an Auntie!

Kaleb Martin Wilcox has arrived! Even though we weren't expecting him for another couple of months, my new nephew made his arrival into the world last Saturday, December 1st. He weighed 2 lbs and 2 oz... such a tiny little guy. He will have to spend the next 12 weeks or so in the NICU, where he is in very good hands with the amazing nurses caring for him. I can't wait until he is strong enough for me to hold him, and kiss him. It is so amazing seeing one of your siblings become a parent. What an wonderful little blessing and miracle little Kaleb is. We are so glad to have the new addition to the family. Now, we can't wait until he gets to come home! Please keep Kaleb, and his mommy & daddy in your thoughts and prayers.

Today, we are offering a great deal on a 2 year old little girl...

FREE, but only to a good home!

Just in time for the holidays!

Does your house need that constant "lived in" look? Well, look no further, we have the perfect thing for you! If you need to add more house work to your day, then you will definitely enjoy this! If keeping up with the laundry, and dishes, and cleaning isn't enough, and you would like to be picking up the same toys, puzzles, books and movies all day, then you will love this!

If you have a dog, this is a plus! She loves dogs (especially big ones- like labs). The dog needs to be calm and able to put up with LOTS of torturous things. For example: being sat on for long periods of time; having it's tail & ears pulled and yanked; being bothered while it is eating; being chased by a toddler...repeatedly. Oh, and let's not forget it needs to be able to put up with the screaming and shrieking as well (from the 2 year old, that is). A plus would be if the dog could also double as a horse for the "cowboy toddler". It will have to endure lots of the child sitting on it's back yelling out "Giddy up cowboy!" Also, it would need to enjoy sharing meals with the 2 year old, sometimes even licking off of the spoon she is eating with! *yummy (insert you getting a new spoon from the drawer each time this happens...) If you think your dog (& yourself) would pass the test, then read on...

Are your shopping trips boring? Could they use a little livening up? We have just the thing to make those grocery shopping trips, or quick runs to the mall much more fun! She won't sit in a shopping cart whatsoever, and prefers to walk (and run) all around the store. If you don't let her, she will scream and cry and carry on. If you like people staring at you, and passing judgement on your parenting skills, you will really appreciate this! And, don't you worry, nothing works to get her to actually sit in the stroller or cart. Nope, not even bribes. Rules and "deals" will be broken and disobeyed, but you can still give them a shot. So, if you think that you would enjoy trying to shop while constantly having to chase, and grab a snotty 2 year old, or better yet, if you enjoy cutting your shopping trips short because you are so frustrated you want to run screaming from the store, then you would love this. Seem like something you might enjoy? Read on...

She loves baths, and brushing her teeth, but especially loves having her hair done. Mostly pig tails, but only if you wrestle her to the ground to get them in with her flailing and screaming. That is her favorite way to have her hair done.

The best part about her is her listening skills! She doesn't have any. Especially when it comes to listening to fix bad behaviors. Rest assured that you will have to tell her at least 4 or 5 times to get her to do something, or most often, to stop doing something!! Also, let me tell you that she WILL sass you...and talk back to you! She can roll her eyes, and pout with the best of them! And, when it comes time for discipline, she thinks everything is a game. Time outs are fun, a light swat on the butt is funny. But, the best part is trying to get her dressed. If you think it sounds like fun to take up a good 20 minutes of your day trying to dress a 2 year old, then you are in luck. We can provide that for you!

Don't be fooled, she may look sweet and innocent, but we can assure you, that is not the case!

If you think this sounds like a good fit for you, and your family, contact us right away! Serious inquiries only! Hurry though.....this one won't last!! If you catch me on the right day, I might throw in the dog too!

Santa Visit

Yesterday we went to the mall to run some errands. I had no intention of going to see Santa, but as we walked by, Hailey seemed quite interested in paying him a visit. As we waited in line, she kept getting off of the path to explore the scenery and "snow" (fluffy cotton with glitter in it). Even though she talks about Santa all of the time lately (about how he will come and bring her toys and presents), I thought she would be nervous to see him. Last year she freaked out, and squirmed all over trying to get away from him, so I was hoping for a better outcome this year. She went right up to him, and held his hands as he talked to her. She did not say anything to him, rather she stood there and looked him over very carefully. Then she got up on his lap and took a photo. Of course, she would not smile, which is very typical of Hailey right now. It is rare that I get a photo of her with a good smile on her face these days. Anyhow, seeing her up there with Santa brought me back to the days when I used to sit upon his lap myself, and how magical each one of those moments was. It is so amazing to experience it all again- the magic and wonder of Christmas, through the eyes of a child.

The Robin

So, Hailey has a new favorite restaurant... Red Robin. It is funny, because we go there all of the time, and have since she was born. In fact, it was the first restaurant we ever took her to when she was just a tiny newborn. Lately, when we ask her what she wants for dinner she will say "macaroni and cheese". If we ask her from where, she will say "from the restaurant". Then she will say "from the Robin". She does love their mac & cheese, and their french fries (yes, with ranch), but I am thinking the main reason she really loves to go is because of the balloons. It is definitely NOT for the big red bird that comes around to the tables on Tuesday nights...she hates that "robin"!

Here is a recent photo of us having lunch at "the Robin"

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

The Christmas preparations have been in full swing over the last week. We have most everything all decorated and complete. Tony hung the outdoor lights on the house last weekend. Then, last Monday we went and picked out a tree. Hailey had fun running up and down all throughout the aisles, and in and out of the trees, while Tony and I pulled each one out to try to find the perfect one! Once we selected it, we put it in the car (yes, IN-as opposed to previous years, when we tie it on top...Apparently Tony preferred to deal with vacuuming the car out rather than tying the tree on top of the Jeep??....) and drove home. Hailey didn't much like riding with a tree sharing the back seat, and she let us know about it the whole way home! We did finally make it home, and get it put in place in the family room. We spent the rest of the day getting the lights on, and decorating it with our ornaments. So, we are officially ready for Christmas. The stockings are hung, the lights are strung. The tree is ready for gifts beneath. I need to get wrapping...and shopping (my favorite!!). Anyone up for a shopping excursion?

Movie Time

We went to see The Bee Movie this week at the theater. This was Hailey's first time going to the movies. We have talked about taking her to various movies over the last couple of months, but honestly I just didn't think she would sit through one. I had visions in my head of her getting in and out of her seat, wanting to walk up and down the aisles and stairs, talking loudly- basically being disruptive to everyone else who paid good $$ to go and see the flick. So, we took her to a weekday movie where there wouldn't be so many people there. She surprised me and did great! She went and got her popcorn and icee with Daddy, and sat quietly throughout most of the movie. We all really enjoyed it! Hailey hasn't stopped talking about how she went to see "the bee movie on the big TV." So, now that it's out of the way, and we know she will behave, we will be taking to her to more movies. By the way, who knew going to the movies could cost almost $40 for 2 adults and a 2 year old? I know it has been a while since we have been to a movie, but seriously, I don't remember it costing so much! (Am I getting old?!?)

Quick dinner before the movie... $16

Admission to movie... $27

Small popcorn & icee... $9

Taking your daughter to her first movie on the "big TV"...priceless!

Hailey's first Haircut!

We took Hailey for her first haircut today- it was time! The back was getting so long, and needed a good trimming! We made an appointment at a children's salon called Lollilocks. They had all kinds of cool things to sit on while getting a haircut (including a dragon, a purple hippo, and a pink elephant). This is in addition to their very cool polka-dotted barber shop style chairs. When we first arrived the gal asked Hailey if she wanted to sit on the adorable elephant or hippo. She started to freak out...(maybe it reminded her too much of a carousel??), and ended up having to sit on my lap in the chair to get her hair cut.
I was a little nervous as to how she would behave while having someone cut her hair, but I was pleasantly surprised that she did quite well. And, thank goodness she did behave, since she screams every time I even touch her hair!! Doesn't matter if I am trying to wash it, comb it, style it....she puts up a fight! A major fight. I have actually had to wrestle her to the ground, and pin her with my legs, to get the 2nd pig tail in on more than one occasion....(I know, why bother, right? The things us moms do to have our kids look cute!!) Have I mentioned she is 2?

Anyhow, all went well, and our baby doesn't look like a baby anymore...*sniffle* She looks more like a little girl with her new shoulder length bob. We had a great time at Lollilocks and will definitely be going back! (They have all kinds of fun things that I love...hair bows, jewelry, nail polish, and other "girly" things for Hailey...& me).




Hailey after her cut and style!

Day at the Zoo

Last Sunday we went to the zoo with my parents and some friends. It was a beautiful Colorado fall day. We spent the day walking around and checking out the animals. The monkeys are still one of Hailey's favorites (including the gorillas, which she kept correcting Daddy about, telling him "No! They are not gorillas, they are monkeys!")

She refused to go on the carousel this time. Wish we would have known before we paid for the ride, but oh well. She just doesn't like carousels for some reason. Always wants to go on them, but never wants to actually ride on an animal once she gets on them. Maybe this phase will pass soon!

We all really enjoyed Larakeet Adventure where we got to feed birds from a cup of nectar. They would come right on to Tony's arm to eat from the cup. Hailey was trying to pet them, of course, but we had to be careful so that they wouldn't peck at her! It was a lot of fun getting so close to so many birds. Hailey loved it!

Mommy's Little "Helper"

Hailey, like any other toddler likes to help....with everything. Cleaning, doing the laundry, feeding Abby, getting the mail or newspaper, brushing her teeth- doesn't matter what it is, I can't do anything without the little voice saying "I want to do it", or "Hailey's turn". (And, believe me, if you don't listen the first time, she will let you know about it!) Her new phrase is "I tell you mama,___________ (then fill in the blank with whatever she "told" me!) And, please understand that this is said in a nasty little Hailey voice. Anyhow, there is nothing she likes to help with more than preparing food. Whether it be pouring a bowl of cereal, heating up pancakes or mac & cheese, toasting bread for some toast for breakfast, spreading peanut butter for a sandwich.... (etc, etc) she wants to help.

I am not sure how much it "helps" me to have her do all of these things. I mean, really, it isn't very easy to do even the simplest tasks with her grabbing at knives to help butter the bread, or wanting to pour the milk into the cereal bowl. But, I go with it, and let her have her moments of "helping". Much to my chagrin, she can now open the fridge and freezer all on her own. I didn't even know that she could open it on her own yet. I thought that powerful suction that the doors have, would hold her off a little longer. Because let's be honest, even I have a hard time opening the doors every once in a while. Since I didn't yet know that she could open the fridge, you can imagine my surprise to find her in the kitchen with her mouth over a can of whipped cream last week. She also felt the need to share it with Abby...yuck!

So far, since she has learned to open the fridge/freezer, she has "helped":



1. get rid of that can of whipped cream- yes I felt the need to throw it away after Abby had her mouth all over it...hey, we didn't need it anyway, right?



2. show me what items we need to keep on higher shelves!



3. keep Abby fed (apparently dogs will fetch all kinds of things including frozen pancakes, pieces of cheese, and grapes)!



4. clean up an egg or 2 that have been dropped on the floor (see #2)




As much as I enjoy all of this "help" I am getting, I may have to invest in one of those child proofing fridge locks...sooner, rather than later!

The little things

As much as I hate to admit it, I have become one of "those moms". Yes, I clean Hailey's face with my own spit covered finger. I wipe her snot with my shirt if I have nothing else to use. When she was still wearing diapers, I would lift her up so I could smell her butt to see if she had pooped. I have let her sit in the actual booth (sometimes even stand up...*gasp*), instead of being in a booster chair at a restaurant. I let her get out of the cart at Target and walk- if she stays right beside me. She sometimes gets dessert even if she doesn't finish all of her dinner...or gets to stay up past her bedtime because she wants "a few more minutes" to do whatever it is she is doing (even though the only thing she is doing, is putting off going to bed). All of these things I swore that I would never do when I was a mom, I find myself doing...most of them for the sake of avoiding tantrums. I have to say, sometimes I am just not in the mood to deal with them! Don't get me wrong, I am no push-over, but there are just times when I would just like to get through my grocery shopping without wanting to pull my hair out...all of it!

Hailey found a few things in my closet that I was putting away for Christmas. A fairy tutu, set of fairy wings (just for the record, it was a not the bright green ones mentioned in the Halloween blog and tantrum), and a fairy wand. As soon as she caught a glimpse of it, her eyes lit up, and she got all excited. My first thought was to stick to my guns, and not let her have it. I wanted to save it for Christmas, after all. But, those eyes...that face...how do you say "no"? I caved in and let her open it and put it on. She was instantly transformed into a "butterfly fairy" (as she called it). She would not take the wings or tutu off the rest of the day... No sirree. She wore it the entire day. During dinner... outside to get the mail...while she watched Ratatouille in her chair...while she had her afternoon snack...all the way up until going to bed. Thank goodness she didn't think she needed to be the "butterfly" fairy while she slept!

Poor Abby!

Okay, so she will have one less thing to open on Christmas... I know she won't feel deprived! Not like she won't have plenty of other gifts to open (and I do mean plenty...have you seen how those grandparents of hers spoil her??) Anyway, she was so darn cute that I don't regret giving in, and letting her have it before Christmas. It was so adorable seeing her dancing around the house all day, and pretending to "fly". It made me smile all day long. It was an early Christmas gift to her...and me!

How would I have ever known, that something I initially did to avoid a tantrum, would bring so much fun and joy to my day? Gotta love that little girl, and all the little things she brings into my world! Y I will try to remember those little moments when she has me wanting to pull my hair out (which is many, many times a day) Hmmmm....terrible 2's? I think so!

"Enjoy the little things. One day you may look back and realize...they were the big things." Y

Rosey comes home

We took Hailey to Build-A-Bear to make a stuffed animal.
We showed her all of the animals up on the wall, and she immediately went for a pink teddy bear with a white heart on it's chest. I, of course, liked a different one and tried to get her to choose that one (a few different times), but she wouldn't put the pink one down. When we got the pre-stuffed version out (or the carcass, as we liked to call it), she had a total fit!. She wanted the one that was already stuffed- and looked like an actual bear. We tried to explain to her that she was going to make the bear and stuff it. With some hesitation, she finally agreed to go over to the big stuffing machine with us (with the display bear still in tow!). She watched her bear get stuffed and come to life (after which she did discard the display model).

Then she picked out the heart that went inside and the gal sewed up the back. Afterwards, Hailey and D addy went to the computer to name her bear, and make her birth certificate. She was so thrilled with her newest addition to her family of stuffed friends, that she wanted to take it out of the "house" (box) and strap it into the stroller right away. She wanted it safe and sound, and riding in style....&, of course, it had nothing to do with the fact that she wanted to walk....right? If Rosey was taking up the stroller, then there would be no place for Hailey to sit! :) We caved and let her walk....such softies we are!

Anyone ever heard of a Snow White Fairy?

TThis year we decided to stay home for Halloween. Since we normally go and visit our good friends in Virginia, we were sad to have to look for activities to do in Colorado. We finally decided on taking Hailey trick or treating at one of the newer outdoor shopping centers here in town. After a good 20 minutes of "Hailey tantrums", we finally had her dressed and ready to leave the house. In case you are wondering, we had some issues with her wanting to wear some bright (I do mean BRIGHT) green fairy wings with her Snow White costume. She kept telling me "I want to wear my butterfly wings". I kept telling her that if she wanted to wear the "butterfly wings", then she had to put on the fairy dress that goes with them. Last time I checked, Snow White did not have any wings, let alone a pair of huge, and extremely bright, green ones! (** 20 minutes went by this way- back and forth, back and forth...oh, the joys of having an opinionated, independent toddler!!**) Finally, we had the red Snow White head band (instead of the rosebud one that goes with the fairy....), the Snow white dress, and Snow White shoes on her and she was ready to leave. With all of the commotion, and me being focused on getting the "right" costume on, I didn't even grab the camera to catch a shot of the Snow White Fairy (*darn it!!).

So, we did finally make it to the shopping center and met Papoo for dinner. Then we headed out for some quick trick or treating along the stores on Main Street. It was chilly, and since Hailey REFUSED to put a coat on, we didn't stay too long. We headed home and she and Daddy hit a few of the neighbors houses before coming home to help pass out candy (& enjoy some of her Halloween treats)!

So many peoplto see ane stopped us to tell us what an adorable Snow White she was, and I have to agree, but it does leave me to wonder what people may have thought had they seen her with her enormous green butterfly/fairy wings on too! *Note to self for next year...do not allow Hailey to see pieces of other costumes...

Pumpkin Patch

This year we joined some friends at the Pumpkin farm. We have been meaning to go for the last couple of years, but never made it until this year. We stopped at the Cracker Barrel for breakfast, then headed off to the farm. When we first arrived, Hailey got all excited to go on the barrel train ride. I wanted Tony to ride with her, but he didn't quite fit in the barrel. He toughed it out, and managed to shove himself into one to keep an eye on her for the duration of the ride. He only hobbled around for a little bit after prying himself out of it when the ride was over! :) (The things we do for our kids...) Afterwards, we enjoyed seeing (& feeding) various animals on the farm. Hailey's favorite were the chickens. She loved giving them corn through the fence until... one of them pecked her hand while grabbing the corn! We went through various little mazes including the "crazy maze" with brightly colored walls, and the hay bale maze. Then we loaded on to the "big tractor" (as Hailey called it) to take us to the patch to pick some pumpkins. On the way we stopped to feed some huge cows and a buffalo. Hailey refused to go anywhere near the side, as she was scared (visualize her with her little fists in the air, and head shaking grabbing at Tony and I to hold her)! The patch was very picked over since we waited until the last weekend to go, but there were still some decent pumpkins (& various other things of interest to a toddler...tiny gourds that look like oranges, or better yet, balls!!). We had a wonderful day, with some great friends, hanging out at the pumpkin farm! We're already planning the trip for next year!