This and That

Joey and I had a fun evening kid free and went to see Eric Church.  It was a really good time and we actually didn't have too bad of seats.  Thankful for our time away and together.

This little guy has said his first word and it is "uh-oh."  That's right not momma or dada but Uh-oh

He is working on about 4 teeth right now and got sent home from daycare due to a high fever and ear infection.

The girls had their 4 yo check-up, which meant shots.  Ella had warts frozen on her foot as well, so she had a rough afternoon.  Because the girls were so brave during shots, we went and had ice cream afterwards. 

Josie is 39lbs, 75% for height and weight.  Ella is 33lbs and 25% for height and weight.  Doing our part to round out that bell curve.

And then there is basketball.  I took the girls to a highschool girls basketball game and they were ok, but really paid attention when the cheerleaders came out and dance team.  I got nervous.  I am NOT into those things at all and after some talking on the way home about how they could play basketball I signed them up to play 4-6 yo basketball.  The games are Saturday morning and it is HILARIOUS!!   They don't really have the concept of BB at all, but the coaches/ref do a pretty good job of leading them.  Top picture is Ella "rebounding" and the bottom picture is Josie getting the ball.  I think they liked it and I KNOW they liked running out to get a drink from the drinking fountain.  It is a least a good laugh for me. :)

Josie has been upgraded to the high-back booster seat with lap belt.  Such a big girl!  She can undo the belt herself and I'm hoping it will be easier with the big winter coats.

Great Wolf Lodge

So I decided this year we needed a get away.  Last year we didn't do anything because we added to our family :)  Great Wolf Lodge seemed like it would be something great to do during the lull of the winter months and a short little get away.  I had asked some friends if their family wanted to go and they said yes.  So we worked it out on a 3 day weekend that everyone had off of work except me.

This place was pretty cool.  They had a pretty awesome indoor water park complete with a baby area for Eli and a lazy river for the parents.  I cannot believe I didn't get any pictures of it. 

The kids picked out an animal that they got to stuff like a build a bear.  Josie picked Violet the wolf and Ella picked Sammy the squirrel.  They loved watching them get stuffed.

Eli with his wolf ears.  Everyone got a pair at check in.

They had something for everyone.  There was the little kid area that had things for Eli to stand at and splash and little slides for the girls to go down with out a tube.  There was a hot tub for kids that is at a lower temperature than the adult one they had.  Eli actually fell asleep in my arms while we were in that hot tub.  I bet he thought he was back in the womb with the warm water LOL! There were big slides that the girls could ride down with us and a playland that could be best described as a LARGE back yard playground with water. 

Josie and I on a big slide

Brook and Cohen enjoying the lazy river

Every night at 8pm the kids would go down to story time at the clock tower in the lobby with their PJ's on.  It was really neat and the kids enjoyed it.

At the end of each night they were able to meet a lodge friend.  Here they are with Brinley Bear

All the kiddos with their stuffed friends

With their stuffed animals they got, they were able to do a scavenger hunt with them.  They had a chip in them you would wave their paws at the little computers they had around it "checked" you in and told you the next thing on the hunt.  Some took your pictures and emailed them to you.

Ella on the hunt

Ella at the end with all the friends.  She did it!

I think all the kids had a pretty awesome time.  I liked that there were several other things than just swimming.  We really enjoyed our little trip and will most likely do it again sometime.  It was short but great!

Christmas

We started the Christmas celebration with a school program.  This was just THE CUTEST thing to date.  The kids all stood up in front of church and sang the songs they had been practicing, for us parents.  Ella was quite shy and had her hands in front of her mouth most of the time, but was still singing.  She doesn't like being in front of people and doing this sort of thing.  When she turned 3, she cried when everyone sang her happy birthday.  Josie was in the back row and sang her songs.  After the singing we got to enjoy cookies and open our gifts from our kiddos. 

Later in the week, Santa came.  I would say the girls must have been good because Santa didn't disappoint.  Josie woke up first and had to wait for Ella to get up.  It KILLED her to have to wait. :)

Once Ella was up the opening of gifts  commenced.

Here is the coveted Peppa Pig present they wanted so badly

The girls made sure Eli didn't get left out and they helped him open his presents

Eli got some sweet shades--he ripped them off very quickly.  Hopefully he will wear them for boating

And what is Christmas without candy for breakfast. 

We made it to Ohio for Christmas where we could celebrate with extended family.  Of course, the kids were spoiled there as well. 

My girls

Also, while in Ohio we had a pink eye outbreak and landed in a ready care.  Everyone got it except Joey.  We also forgot Eli's suitcase, but he received many presents early Christmas eve because they were clothes.  I did still have to go to the store and buy a few things but not as much since it was Christmas.  I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas, like we did.