Now, let's see if I can get us to the end of 2014...
We finally transitioned Owen's crib into a toddler bed
The first thing he said was, "Ethan, can come in and snuggle with me!"
Ethan's been trying some new tricks with his walker
Ethan's first Starbucks hot chocolate - his day was complete.
Owen loves to help whenever he can
scary face
Ethan and Owen took their first ride on the light rail
and as expected they both LOVED it!
stopped for a brownie at the 7th Street Market
and played a little piano on the way out
Then off to Discovery Place -
I took Ethan here once before, but this was Owen's first time.
the bed of nails
Anna looks sad in this picture, but she wasn't really sad in the moment.
She was just surprised and laid there really still.
I love her face, though.
back home on the light rail
I took the boys with me to vote and now,
whenever we pass the church building where I voted,
Ethan says, "that's where I voted!"
morning bike ride
Owen fell asleep wearing my sunglasses
watching Ethan ride Sammy
Ms. Ellen has been working with Ethan on
creating his own map and obstacle course while riding Sammy.
He is doing really well with it and we're hopeful this will
work to improve some of his executive functioning skills.
Ethan has also been doing awesome with his reading!
Most of the time we read little stories they send home from school
or beginner readers we have at home.
But this day he picked up his highlights magazine from the car
and started reading it all by himself! He didn't know all of the words,
but where he didn't know, he just made up a story from the picture.
He was so proud of himself.
Since the boys liked the light rail so much,
we took them again at least 4 more times over the holiday break.
This was a little trip we took with Brinley
and decided to ride the trolley when we got downtown.
Owen trying out his new rain boots in a big puddle
OT with Ms. Marion
at Bass Pro Shop with Pop
We took Ethan and Cara to the ballet at UNCC
the boys wearing their Thanksgiving hats from school
I took Ethan and Cara for an IKEA cinnamon roll date
we got our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving
on the way to the Santa Train at the SC Railroad Museum
Santa just entered the train!
While I was getting ready this morning,
Owen came into my bedroom
wearing his and Ethan's stockings on his legs.
spiked hair
Over the holidays we took a daily walk around the block
to see the inflatables in this yard.
Ethan's favorite is the Santa Claus taking a bubble bath.
Another light rail day - this time to Imaginon with our friend Luke.
And Santa just happened to be there too!
And Santa just happened to be there too!
As if we hadn't seen enough of Santa,
we took the 4 cousins to the mall to see Santa in their matching PJs.
At Christmasville in Rock Hill...
making reindeer food
Ethan and Tim on the top of the ferris wheel
fake snow
we met Willie & Brinley at the Billy Graham Library
to see the live nativity animals
Ethan has recently started riding his plasma car all by himself!
I can't even begin to explain how proud he is of himself --
this is a huge accomplishment!
We took the boys to see Eric Litwin at the library.
(Author of the first four Pete the Cat books)
And he signed their Pete the Cat Christmas book.
one of our favorite Christmas stories --
we even bring it with us to the doctor's office
play dough with Willie
and they both like to clean up their mess
waiting in the long line at the post office
We took another trip downtown -- this time to see the singing bears.
our annual gingerbread house decorating
Ethan's only contribution to the house this year was eating all of the candy.
Cara "fixing" Owen's hair
Christmas morning
then over to Pop and Nana's for lunch
we had to walk off all that good food,
so we could make room for more
trying out Uncle Cephas' new fire pit --
we didn't have any big marshmallows, so we roasted the tiny ones
a Christmas concert by Owen and Cara
Ethan and Owen playing with their new Wubble Ball
and Owen racing his new trains...in the bathroom for some reason
Ethan and Owen had been reading in their Curious George book
about ice skating and carriage rides during the holidays.
They both asked if we could do that one day...so we did.
took the light rail downtown
and went to the Holiday on Ice outdoor skating rink
and then we all took a carriage ride around downtown,
"with blankets, just like George." - Owen
Owen and Cara telling us what time our train leaves
one of my favorite Christmas break activities --
reading books in bed together in the morning.
trying on lizard goggles at the store
Our friends Mike and Leesa came down for a visit --
they (especially Leesa) always make life more fun!
Owen and Leesa driving a "train" in the living room
Ethan loves these little seats they have at the toy store
One of the best things about the holidays are all the extra boxes
you have lying around the house!
Owen is adjusting the air conditioning vent in his "car."
Oh, and you can't forget all that bubble wrap!
The boys got a gift card to Chuck e Cheese from Grandpa for Christmas.
They had never been there before,
so we decided to take them for New Years Eve.
Owen's first time EVER hugging a big mascot like this.
I couldn't believe how much he liked that big mouse!
Happy New Year!