Too early for Christmas??

I know,I know it isn't even Halloween yet,but I can't help it.Something has stirred my "Christmas spirit" early this year.Normally I am rolling my eyes about the fact they are trucking out the Christmas before the Halloween candy has even left the shelf.But for whatever reason,maybe the early snow and cold,I am chomping at the bit to start planning and decorating and to sing to my little hearts content.You may think me a little strange.However these last few years have been a struggle for me .I have gone through the motions but the joy hasn't been there.So needless to say I am quite ready to embrace the spirit (Christmas that is) again. It is with out a doubt my favorite time of year! I have already picked up my first new ornament of the year,have purchased some wonderful cinnamon scented pinecones at 70% off and picked up some apple scented candles to line my fireplace mantle.(I am thinking some nice ribbon will add a nice finishing touch).I can hardly wait to start baking shortbread,mincemeat tarts and all the best yummies that make it Christmas.I am looking forward to making some homemade ornaments with the girls and finding presents.This Year should be even more fun beacause "E" will know a little bit more about what is going on.

Now to be patient for just a little bit longer......

First "taste" of winter

I have to admit there isn't much that I like about winter.This year the snow and cold have come much earlier than expected.I just can't seem to keep warm no matter how many hot chocolates I drink or how many hot baths I have.(Yes thats my inside voice complaining already).

But it is truly amazing to see things through the eyes of a child.The simplicity of it all.The joy they feel when they catch a snowflake on their tongue or making snow angels in the fresh snow.The twinkle in their eyes when they have a nice snowball waiting ever so patiently for the next victim.How cute they look, so bundled up you can barely see their faces except for the rosy glow of their cheeks and noses.Hmmmm.... maybe winter is not so bad after all.

Potty training already?!

So "pumpkin pie" is almost 19 months now and some people feel that this is a great time to teach thier kids to go to the bathroom.No more wipes,diaper cream or nasty red rashes.No more gigantic mounds of dirty diapers smelling up the garbage and attracting endless amounts of insects.Its the moment we all wait for with great anticipation.

After my awful experience with "monkey" who only just this past year decided that using the toilet was a good thing(I tried to teach her when she was 21/2)I decided I am not going to push it.The first kid is the "guinea pig" or the test subject if you will.You try things out on them and then you use your successes and failures on the next one.

Anyway I had no intention of even bothering at this time because "pumpkin" understands simple commands but she still does not talk much or know how to undress herself yet.So whats the point it would just be complete misery for us both.

With that being said, someone forgot to tell "monkey".She has decided that in her role as big sister,she needs to take it upon herself to teach her baby sister to use the potty.The other morning "pumpkin" had wandered into our bedroom completely naked.So I inquired as to why "monkey had removed "pumpkin's" clothes yet again(she does it quite frequently).So "monkey" brought me to the bathroom to show me that she had put out the little pink potty and was trying to get "pumpkin to use it.The next morning I heard the girls had woken up so I decided to see what they were up to.Sure enough "monkey" had "pumpkin" laying on the bathroom floor trying to get her PJs and her diaper off.She had the little potty on the floor and the toilet ring on the big toilet with three stools pushed up to it.She was encouraging baby sister to "go potty".I couldn't help but just stand back and watch it was so funny and kind of cute.And hey.If she wants to teach her who am I to argue?.Thats one less thing I have to worry about! LOL. Now if I could just get her to change baby sisters diaper I would have it made!

Getting better

Ok so they aren't perect but I am working on it.These are some very sweet pictures of my little "pumpkin.I sure have gained some respect for photographers who do this all the time.Its hard and time consuming.But each time I do it I get just a little better at it.The day that they ask me(at the printers) whether I have the right to print them or not will be a real feather in my cap! That is my ultimate goal.