Dog Days of Winter

The first time I looked out the window and saw Daphne staring in at me, I was a bit startled, but each time after, I just had to laugh! We do have a lot of snow!

Meet of the Champions

Abby competed in her second swim meet today. She had to be on deck at 8:45 AM this morning and the meet didn't end until 2:30 PM. She swam in five events and had a great time. Luckily for us, Daniel was rather cooperative!!

Abby is so proud of her brother and likes to introduce him to her friends. He loves her too (most of the time)!

Abby's last event was a 100 freestyle relay -- her first relay in a competition! She swam in the anchor position (although she didn't know what "anchor" meant, so we had to explain it to her after the fact). She received this medal at the end of the meet and, as you can see, was DELIGHTED. She wore the medal around for hours after we got home.

She placed in all four of her non-relay events -- 25 freestyle, 25 backstroke (Abby has a BEAUTIFUL backstroke), 25 butterfly, and the 25 breaststroke. And she improved her personal best in three of the four events. She was so excited to get big ribbons, but was disappointed to get a pink ribbon. Pink is not a favorite color of Abby's so she keeps trying to give it to me.

And like all champions, Abby gives her medal a kiss!

Daniel woke up from his nap and insisted on joining the Monopoly game. His idea of playing involved crashing the car into my hotels and moving my train and Abby's dog around the board. (In case you are wondering, Daniel and I are in our pajamas and Abby is wearing a sundress! That's how we roll in MN on a snowed-in day.)

Abby LOVED playing outside today!

She did her best to catch the snowflakes.

Daniel was a bit stunned when he first went outside today, but quickly started to enjoy the fun!

Will and his "sack of potatoes."

Still Snowing!

Pretty impressive for a Californian, don't you think? The sad thing is that he's going to have to do it all over again later today or tomorrow because the snow is still coming down with no end in sight!

Picnic anyone?

My Haitian Christmas tree and tree of life in the snow.

Seriously?

It certainly didn't take Abby long to land on Boardwalk! I don't know how she does it, but this girl is a darn tough opponent!

Snowed in Saturday Morning

We are having a lovely snowed-in Saturday morning. I got to sleep in and when I woke up, a pot of hot coffee was waiting. Abby played outside in the snow until Daphne ran her down and attempted to steal her hat and mittens. That of course ended up in tears, but a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows made all things better.

Daniel is being a Daddy's boy this morning and talked Will into reading a handful of books.

Abby forgave Daphne soon enough and the two warmed up by the fire.

And now Abby and I are off to play a game of Monopoly. She's already certain that she will win, reminding me that she beat Noni because she "always gets Park Place and Boardwalk!" Wish me luck!!! The girl's a shark!

Christmas Tree

We got our Christmas tree last weekend. Abby and Daniel were both rather excited about it and Daniel was VERY curious!

They both waited patiently as Will got things set up.

It was then Abby's turn to help.

And then Abby showed Daniel how to use the scissors.

We waited until the following day to decorate because the branches needed time to fall. Daniel took Christmas tree decorating very seriously!!!!

Abby was responsible for hanging the breakable ornaments this year and she did a fine job!!

First Snow

Abby and Daniel were ecstatic to see our first real snow of the season. We had to wait longer than usual this year. We'd had a few sprinkles before, but it wasn't until December 3, 2010 that snow came and stayed! By the time the snow ended, we had about 9 inches. 

Abby decided to teach Daniel how to make a snow angel.

Abby was a great teacher, but Daniel didn't quite get the concept. He was willing to try, though.

And that snow is still with us! As I type this, more snow is falling -- big, healthy flakes. We probably have another 7 inches and it's still coming down!

I went to check on Daniel during nap time and found him sleeping in a most interesting fashion!

Daniel's Winning Lottery Ticket

Will bought us all lottery tickets. Everyone seemed to win something EXCEPT me! Grandma Engelhardt helped Daniel scratch off his ticket. He won $2!!!!

Big Boy's Bed

Friday morning I found Daniel on the floor. How he got out of his crib will forever remain a mystery. We immediately made the decision to get rid of the crib and move on to the big boy's bed. So, last night was Daniel's first night in his bed. He was so proud of his big boy's bed. He talked and sang songs and didn't fall asleep until after 10 PM -- nearly 2 hours after we put him in bed. He stayed in his bed all night.

He has a handy dandy new gate in his doorway to ensure he doesn't go wandering at night.

Daniel loves propping his pillows up and leaning against them. (This is how we read before bedtime.)

All in all, we think Daniel's revamped big boy's room is great!

Nose in a Book

These days, it is rather typical to find Abby with her nose in a book. (It's also rather typical to find her close to the fireplace -- it is starting to get cold here).

Fluffy and Hermione

Abby woke up this morning and asked if she could trick or treat with her friend Olivia (they've been friends since Abby's Montessori days). Olivia's family was very sweet and welcomed Abby on their trick or treating rounds. It was rather cute that Abby was Fluffy and Olivia Hermione. (Will is currently reading the Harry Potter series to Abby and Olivia's dad is also reading it to Olivia and her sister).

I Like to Eat

I took Daniel trick or treating to a few of our neighbors' houses. At each door he said "trick or treat." His eyes got big as he saw the candy and he always said "thank you." As we were walking home I said, "Daniel, do you like to trick or treat?" He answered, "I like to eat!"

Trick or Treating at Aunt Lisa's House

Abby and Daniel enjoyed trick or treating at Aunt Lisa's house.

Daniel left with a full garbage can!!

Carlene -- the Costume Creator Extraordinaire

Fluffy is the fifth Halloween costume that Carlene has made for Abby. Abby gets to choose anything she wants, and somehow Carlene manages to make it work year after year -- octopus, Karner Blue Butterfly, bat, narwhal and now Fluffy -- the three-headed dog from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. 

Pumpkin Carving

Grandma and Grandpa Engelhardt brought two GIANT pumpkins for Abby and Daniel. Abby carved her pumpkin today before rushing off to Korean class. Daniel was napping, so missed out on the fun! Will helped Abby get the pumpkin prepared, Abby then drew her design, and the Mama was given the task of bringing the vision to life!

You

This morning I was in my office, simply trying to finish a book (a murder mystery that was SPOOKY), when two rather cute children arrived with toys, books and bedding. I did my best to ignore them and focus on the mystery, but the following was too positively sweet to ignore:

Abby:  "Daniel, do you need anything?"

Daniel: "You."

Abby:  "What did you say?"

Daniel:  "You."

Abby:  Reaching for his hand -- "I'll always be with you."

Abby then turned to me and said, "I had to ask him a second time because I couldn't believe what he said. I thought he'd say he needed a tractor trailer, but he said 'you'."

Abby's First Swim Meet

Tonight Abby competed in her first swim meet. She swam in four events -- freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. With five swimmers in each heat, Abby placed 3rd, 3rd, 2nd, and 4th respectively! I was so stressed out when I arrived at the pool and saw how "serious" it all looked. Abby seemed oblivious to it all and had a wonderful time. We were so proud of her!

Trick or Treating at Daniel's School

Daniel also had a Halloween party at his school today. He enjoyed trick or treating and we enjoyed seeing all of the cute little costumes!