Happy Thanksgiving!

This year we did a Thanksgiving lunch at my parents house and Grandpa Mark, Grandma Denyse, Aunt Alicia and Uncle Chris were able to come over too. Brooke had just used a birthday gift card to purchase the game Speedy Diner (thanks Grandpa Ted and Moree's.) So Brooke made sure that each person got a turn to be the chef while she ran around filling orders. Everyone was a great sport to wear the chef hat as they were instructed.

We're so thankful for family and to have many family members so close that we can celebrate with them.

Big Boy Bed

Mike "surprised" me by having the toddler rails on Clayton's crib when I got home last night. Clayton was ready for his big boy bed - I don't think his mom is. He crawled right in, laid down and fell asleep. Then this morning, I saw him on the monitor sitting quietly reading his book - still in his bed! I came in and told him it was okay to get out now. What a huge difference from transitioning Brooke to a big bed...she couldn't stay in bed to save her life in the beginning! We do have to be more careful when we go to bed to make sure all the gates to the stairs are up though because he also learned this week how to turn our door knobs. Such a big boy - hopefully naps and the nights to come go as smoothly.

Dreams

On our way home from friends this afternoon Brooke announces to me from the back seat that when she goes to bed at night she gets to watch movies inside her eyes! I asked what movies she gets to see and she responded that she just never knows. She asked why that happens and the great mom in me said, "I don't know." Her reply was, "Jesus gives me the movies when I go to sleep - that's cool, right mom?" She's right - all things from him. It was such a unique perspective (as most are) from my 4 year old on her explanation to me of having a dream.

I also have to share that Brooke's swim teacher this morning shared with me that she really thought Brooke had more potential than she was showing, but that many times she seems to be in her own little world. Huh...my Brooke...living on another planet...no way! I definitely think we're going to have more luck with theatre and creative writing than anything athletically related.

And Clayton - he's so intent on telling everything hello and goodbye. This morning as I put the blow dryer away he says, "Buh-bye, hair dryer, have a good day." Ah well, I suppose the concept is good.

A Holiday Favorite

So normally my blogs are all about the kids and their latest and greatest, but I have to share with you my latest and greatest excitement. Just before Thanksgiving each year Starbuck's has an Eggnog Chai Tea Latte that is the most wonderful drink I have ever had. I get giddy when I see their sign appear each year that "Holiday Drinks are Here!" Is it bad that Clayton even knows mama gets coffee at Starbucks and that he'll start saying "thank you, have a good day" before we even pull through the line?! Did I also mention how thankful I am for drive-through caffeine! On those mornings where both kids were put into the car screaming, there is no easier vacation from the chaos than a Starbucks drive-through.

Clayton's TWO

My baby is two today...WOW! We've sung happy birthday to him several times today and he just beams with a smile when we do. He went to the Dr. this morning and all is good - except he had to get a couple shots. He's 26 1/2 pounds (30%ile) and 35.5 inches (80%ile). He's speaking 2 and 3 word sentences and his vocabulary is growing by the day. My favorite right now is when you say, "What's your name?" His response is "me" He's also gotten very good at saying "me do!" And I think it's funny that whenever we pass McDonalds he starts chanting "hamburger" followed by "no ketchup" "no cheese"

Here's some pictures of our birthday cake breakfast (tradition in our house.)

Joint Birthday Party

Yesterday we had a joint birthday party for Brooke and Clayton with family and the Seiler's (who qualify as family on so many levels.) We had a spaghetti lunch - a room full of presents - and a the coolest bulldozer cake (that no, I did not make and probably would never even attempt to...it came complete with edible rocks!)

I love that we can laugh at each other as a family. Someone (Grandma Nancy) decided it would be a good idea to capture my mistake in the assembly of Clayton's ride on motorcycle. I thought I'd "help" my dad assemble it while he was at the store buying my last minute grocery list - pretty sure it's not the kind of help he was looking for. I didn't know my own strength and put the back wheel on slightly too tight...okay...it wouldn't roll. So here I am trying to break it in so that it would roll. The vote of the house was that I should just ride home (3 miles) and that would loosen it up just fine. Ha, ha, ha. Dad ended up having to rip the back tire apart and go buy some new parts to reassemble it...definitely not the help he was looking for!

Thanks Aunt Laura and Uncle Eric for the "gear" that matched the motorcycle - we're sad you couldn't be here to celebrate with us.

Caution - Birthdays - Some Assembly Required!

Is it a train? Is it a boat? Is it a lion's cage? No..it's a laundry basket!

Brooke, Clayton and I had more fun with a laundry basket on Sunday than we have with any of their toys in a while! Brooke and I were reading books and then Clayton brings in the laundry basket, sits in it and starts chanting "boat, boat." Brooke and I acknowledged him but kept reading. He then got out, put the basket on his head and started chugging around the living room yelling "choo, choo." Brooke and I joined in the fun and the basket became a lion's cage, the mail truck, etc. AND...I even got a great picture of them together (that's rare!)

Clayton's Date with Daddy

Clayton went on his first official date with Mike last Saturday morning. They went to Monches and walked the Ice Age Trail. Clayton was in a great mood and all smiles for their morning adventure. (Which was fortunate because he's been getting his 2 year old molars and oftentimes less than fun to be around over the past week!)

Can you tell?

Several of our friends have recently posted pictures of their children at similar ages and noting the similarities between the siblings. Here's ours - Brooke was a lion when she was 2 and Clayton was a lion this year. Can you tell who is who?

Brooke is on the right - Clayton is on the left. I don't think I would have known if it weren't for the difference in their eye color.

Trick or Treat

The kids had a great time trick or treating tonight with Grandma Nancy, Grandma Denyse and Grandpa Mark. I'm sure we'll be on a sugar high for the next MONTH!

Brooke was the blue velvet princess and Clayton was a lion. He screamed as I tried to put his eyeliner whiskers on, so we did what any parent would do - we pinned him down and drew whiskers on him. Boy was he happy with us for that - oh well, he recovered quickly back to smiles!