Snow! Snow! Go out in the snow!

I am happy to report we made it out to enjoy the snow today.  I forgot how much fun it is to play in the snow.  Vivian had a bit of hard time given that the snow was about thigh high for her.  She was a bit tentative and it wasn't helped when she did a total face plant and got snow everywhere.  But she was a tough cookie and pushed through to a somewhat enjoyable afternoon.

Adrian had a great afternoon of activity.  He first helped Jamie clean the driveway, then went skating with Jamie and then we played outside.  Needless to say he was a tired boy at supper time.  I think this is the first time he has ever actively played outside on his own in the snow.  I taught him how to build a snow fort out of the snow bank and he was pretty impressed with my know-how.  And I have to admit I had a lot of fun teaching him! 

I went inside with Vivian to make supper and he played on his own.  Another first!  I kept checking on him and he was fine until the last time when I looked and he was crying and stripping off his snow clothes.  Seems he didn't make it inside to the bathroom in time... I can't imagine that felt good!

We came in, warmed up and ate homemade pizza.  A great afternoon!

They even pose in unision

Being silly and making muscles

Vivian has been 'making muscles' since she was old enough to sit up.  Most of the muscle action is in her face.  It is rather endearing.  She definitely thinks she is strong though.

And well of course Adrian has to join in.  This is his 'mean face'.  I hate to tell him it is still pretty cute.

Not sure what is going on here.... but it is a typical weekend morning at our house... silly.

Baby girl is 2!

My baby is 2!  How did this happen?  It seems like only yesterday we were bring her home from the hospital and now she is a little girl with a very big personality.  At the same time it is hard to imagine her as newly two because she seems to have grown up so much more quickly than Adrian.  In fact I think I have been calling her two for the last 6 months.

Sunday was the big day and it started with her waking to a decorated room and dining room.  I watched her wake up slowly, notice the ballons hanging from her light, pop up out of bed and yell 'Daddy, daddy, daddy!' frantically.  It was priceless.

The funny thing is this was the first morning that she was every up before Adrian and as a result she got to watch morning cartoons with him.  Adrian told me it was okay now because she was two.  She sat right on the couch and asked for cereal like she had been doing it every weekend for the past year.

The day progressed as usual until our 'party guests' (the grandparents and Uncle Jerry) started arriving.  Then Vivian was happy to have people to entertain.  We had pizza followed by cake and presents.  Vivian didn't quite know what to think and was just getting into the whole thing by the time it was done.  It was a rather laid back affair but she had fun so that is all that matters. 

While I am a bit sad that baby Vivian days are officially over I can't wait to see what the next year will bring.  Just think, a year ago she was just learning to walk and now she is running, singing, talking, playing, making friends, going potty, dressing herself and asserting a very strong little charming personality.  What will another whole year bring?  I can't wait to see but I won't be rushing it.  I plan on soaking in every second of two-year-old Vivian that I can.

Happy 2nd Birthday baby doll.  Your daddy, brother and I love you more than words can say!

Entertaining the crowd.

Cake time.  As requested she got a Doggy cake.  Adrian and I made it, she blew out the candle like and old pro and then dug in.

This table set was the gift from Jamie and me.  It was a hit.

Opening gifts under the watchful eye of her big brother.  I think he was as excited as she was for her birthday.  It was rather sweet.  When she came downstairs in her party dress he looked at her and said 'Oh Vivian, you look SO pretty!'

A little resistance for bed time.  And the twos officially begin!

Happy Hoildays 2010

Merry Christmas from Jamie, Jan, Adrian and Vivian!

It is hard to believe that the holidays are upon us.  We are so looking forward to a relaxing couple of weeks with nothing to do but enjoy each other's company and refresh our tired bodies and minds.  It has been a very busy holiday season for us but also very enjoyable.  Now it is time to take a deep breathe and relax.

Adrian had his Christmas concert at The Preschool Center and he had a full entourage of parents and grandmothers there to cheer him on.  He had been practising so hard (I knew all of the songs and poems just from listening to him for the past month.)  He got a little stage fright which was amusing because he was fine as long as he wasn't looking directly at us.  If he caught our eyes and would turn around or duck his head behind another child.  (He is the tallest in his class... not sure when that happened!)  Here he is enjoying the 'after party' with his BFF Abby.  (They have been pals since birth and went to the same home care together.)

This past Sunday was our Sunday school concert.  You know that when you get 20 or so young children on stage something funny is going to happen.  It was very endearing to see them doing their best and being so proud afterwards.  I teach the Pre-K class and when we went up I was in a bit of a pickle because nobody seemed to want to sing.  That was until Adrian stole the microphone and did a solo of Away In A Manger.  He did great but unfortunately downed out the other couple of kids who wanted to sing.  (Oh well, they likely didn't know any different.)

Vivian has pretty much refused to wear dresses until Sunday when we got her into this sweet little number.  She got so much attention that she didn't want to take it off after church, didn't want to take it off for the Jones Christmas party and then refused to take it off for her bath.  She now loves this dress and wants to wear it daily.

We are home now for the holidays and enjoying our time together (or at least trying to).  We are keeping busy with last minute preparations and trying to get rested up for the big day.  Both kids are a bit sick so a few days at home will do them good.