A Little Volunteer Work

We went and played with puppies on Tuesday morning at the Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc. What a wonderful place and cause. We were able to walk around the facility and interact with some of the most well behaved dogs I have ever been around. The girls loved it!! Kai wanted to run and romp with the pups, but you have to remain on the floor and that is not so easy for a 15 month old. We can't wait to go back and help out any way we can. Andy will have to come next time, so we can walk the dogs around the property.
Just a little Elizaism:
Eliza asked one of the workers what was on the property and what else could she do besides playing and cuddling with puppies. The nice lady told her she could brush a dog or walk a dog. She said she wanted to walk a dog. The lady then told her she couldn't because she was not 16 and that mommy would have to hold the leash. Eliza replied by saying oh good cause my mommy is older than 16. She is even older than 18! I guess you had to be there, but if you know Eliza I am sure you can picture this conversation :)

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so cute

 

 

 

 

Brushing Joseph. They wanted to walk him, but it was too hard with Kai. We will have to back with Andy, so we can walk a dog.

 

Christmas in NY

We had a wonderful Christmas in NY with Nonnie this year! The kids were spoiled with snow, cold air, and lots of fun. I have an awesome new camera to help capture all the special moments. Here are a few of the highlights from our trip.

Peyton built a fort and a pretend fire. A true nature girl!

 

  

Nonnie giving Eliza a sleigh ride :)

 

Swinging in the snow. What could be more fun for a little one?

 

Kai played indoors because of the cold!

 

Very impressive snowpeople!

 

Ice skating!!! The girls loved it and Peyton thinks she is the next Michelle Kwan.

 

Christmas Eve!!

 

Where are the Falvey's? :(

 

Wearing a beautiful scarf by Sugar!

 

Putting out reindeer food on Christmas Eve!

 

WOW!! Santa came!! How the hell did he fit that cheetah in his sleigh?

 

                                                                               Yeah!!

Enjoying the cold Christmas day!

 

Going on a nice brisk walk before a yummy Christmas feast!

 

Building another snowman

 

Kai is sick! :(

 

More ice skating and we all look exhausted!

 

New York Botanical Gardens! So much fun!!

 

George Washington Bridge made out of twigs.

 

NYC made out of leaves,sticks, and other natural materials. Nice look Eliza.

 

 

Super Saturday

Eliza learned how to ride her bike without training wheels today!!!! Yeah! She can now keep up with Peyton and their neighborhood friend, Olivia. Well, almost anyway.  She only took a few spills and wanted to quit twice, but she got the hang of it and took off. We then headed to the park for more practice and a family game of soccer. Kai was the goalie and very good at it.

                                                  

 

Let's Party!

Kai had his playgroup Christmas party and gift exchange today! The boys had a great time and enjoyed the feast the mommies prepared. Getting a group photo was another story.

Landon, Gavin, Gabriel, Kai, & Payton

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notice the beam of light surrounding my little angel!!!

All I Want For Christmas Are My Two Front Teeth.........

Peyton's grin is becoming toothless minute by minute. She lost her other top tooth this afternoon and is very excited for the tooth fairy to pay her a visit tonight! She has been doing so great since she had her tonsils removed a couple weeks ago, so I am thinking the tooth fairy might be more generous than usual.

What is a night without a little drama in the Smith household? Andy told the girls he was heading to Dallas for the next 5 days for work and Eliza immediately went and started to pack her bag. He told her he didn't have a ticket for her and the floodgates opened. She was so sad and angry :(  We all wish we were going with him because he gets to stay at The Gaylord Texan. Must be nice.

neatly folded and ready to be placed in her bag

Kai and His Best Friend

Over It!!!! (I needed to Vent)

I am so over this apartment living! Besides, the cramped living space and complete lack of privacy the kids are, now, not  allowed to draw with their chalk on the sidewalks. Hello people, it is called sidewalk chalk for a reason! A few neighbors complained about chalk on the sidewalk and the manager came and talked to me. I had to apologize and I am shocked she didn't make me scrub the sidewalk with my bare hands. It is not like they drew offensive things. One of the girls  pictures was of a church with a pretty Christmas star on top at our front door. It looked like a house, so anti religious people can't even be offended by it.   A few of the hooligan boys in our building are also at fault, but come on. I can't wait to get a complaint for the kids riding their scooters on the sidewalks. I know that is coming next. Uggg, I am so pissed. Can't you tell? Unfortunately, the kids really can't even play in the grass because there are people here that don't pick up after their dogs and there is dog crap everywhere! People probably think it is our dogs because the piles are so big. Life in the Smith house is stressful enough these days. Is having to worry about what my kids can do for fun here really necessary? I watch them like a hawk! They aren't doing anything illegal or harmful to anyone, so give a mother a damn break!!

From The Mouths of Babes

So, our county was offering free H1N1 vaccines at select schools and the girls school just happened to be chosen. All students had the opportunity to get the shot or mist. Eliza was panicked about getting the shot and was really praying for the mist. Once we were in line, the girls saw a few classmates and were excited about getting the vaccine together. It was nice to finally met Soccorro, Fernando, and Peyton's other friend who is about my height. I only hear about them everyday. Anyway, once we got into the room where the shots were being given Eliza was very relieved to have been told they would be getting the mist. It was quick and painless.

 As we are leaving, Eliza sings very loudly, "Hey Fernando! I got the blow up my nose and it feels so good! Lalalalalalalala............it just tastes really bad!!"

There were laughs, I mean it had a nice tune, but I was so mortified. We hauled ass out of that school. I love how innocent they are now and treasure it, but I can already tell Miss Eliza B. is going to be quite the handful!

Three Amigos!

 Fingers crossed they all cooperate this weekend while I attempt a Christmas card!!

O Christmas Tree O Christmas Tree

Christmas decorating started early in the Smith house. Andy took the girls Christmas tree hunting in search of the perfect tree while I stayed home with Kai. The Christmas tree farms were charging an arm and leg for a small tree, so they ended up at the Target Garden Center and brought home a real beauty. Sure, there was a huge gaping hole on one side, but Andy claimed he didn't see it at the store and Peyton was desperate for this particular one. We were able to fill the hole with a couple big ornaments! Thankfully, the dogs ignore the tree and Lulu doesn't seem to be doing it any harm by drinking its water. Kai enjoys taking the same two ornaments off and then hands them to me..........all day long. I put them on and he takes them off. It is a fun little game, really :) We are enjoying the season and having a tree in the apt makes it feel cozy and homey.

 

 

         Peyton's new found love for reading has made us so excited! Kai loves when she reads to him.