Conductor

Our little guy loves trains. Well, and tractors too. And cars. But out of the three vehicles of interest, mommy decided she would focus on trains for his upcoming 2nd birthday.

Thanks to the you're-just-a-copycat-but-can-pretend-you're-creative world of Pinterest, I dug in our closets until I found the perfect combination for a special two-year photo shoot for my boy.

So, now I present the cutest little conductor of all time:

Although truth be told, when we are walking places he usually brings up the rear. He meanders, taking in the sights (unlike Sister, who charges full speed ahead).

Mommy has taken to calling him her "little caboose."

Whether conductor or caboose, running the show or bringing up the rear, I'm just glad it's a train that I am on too!

Wordless Wednesday: Merry Christmas from the Moseses!

Daycare Christmas Party Part 2

On the day of the Daycare Christmas Party, my lovely husband sent me these adorable, amazing photos of the kids. I loved being able to share them right away.

Now, I have even more to share!

First up: Santa seen through the daycare door, arriving in his magical red suit. I love how he has a personal door opener.

See Victoria, turned around facing Lou and Karsyn? Our shy girl ... of course, later on she would be all smiles for Santa.

Alex was equally nervous. He hung back, cautious about this stranger. 

I don't like this strange guy in a beard.

But ... he's offering me a present. I ... guess ... I'll ... take ... it ...

Now I have to get away quickly with my loot!

Victoria seems to be accepting her gift gracefully.

The kids waited until everyone had theirs before opening them.

And at the end, posed for a group photo. So adorable in their PJs!

Thanks, LouLou and Santa!!

the Longs

Matt's best friend for a very long time, and best man at our wedding, is Mike Long. Shortly after Matt and I met, we attended Mike and Wendi's wedding. They have since had two adorable little girls, Sydney and Kaylen, and have come to visit a couple times lately since Mike's older daughter, Payton, is now attending St. Scholastica.

On one of their visits, the girls did manicures.

And played in the basement:

(and Alex wrestled:)

On the most recent visit, all three girls signed up for the dance camp put on by the CSS dance team. Here's V and Sydney holding hands:

Kaylen having a great time (with Sydney not far behind) ...

Victoria cracks me up. She really didn't want the t-shirt all the kids got. She begged and pleaded to change into her leotard and tights.

My girl ... she looks older and older all the time ...

They loved learning the dance steps, especially since the song they would be performing to was from Frozen.

Towards the end of the dance camp, the parents all came back, and they got ready for their performance. Here they are waiting their turn (the older kids went first)

The younger girls did their stint ...

And had to hustle off the floor for the next group. Unfortunately, Victoria got bumped on her way off the floor! Here is the video of their performance. You can see that V gets bumped on the run off the floor, stays seating while one of the dance team tries to console her, and eventually I quit recording to try and get her.

Bumps aside, we love getting to see all the Longs more often and look forward to many visits in the future!

"Pretend Birthday Party"

For about a week leading up to her birthday, Victoria tried to get it straight in her head ... her "bouncy house" birthday party, which she had been talking about for months (although in her mind it should be at Adam and Megan's house, for some reason), would be the day BEFORE her birthday. In reality, this was because her birthday was on a Monday, so Sunday was the better day for a party. The only way she could keep it straight, though, was by calling this her "pretend birthday." Her "real birthday" would be celebrated at daycare with her friends, and with our family that night.

The Pretend Birthday was at Adventure Zone. We had a room, and they had set it up with tablecloths, cups, and plates. We added the banner, balloons, and cake.

 

 

Alex, of course, was a huge help in decorating eating cookies.

The kids arrived and headed out to Kids Cove. Man, it was awesome to just let them play and not have to stress about the party. Here is a line up the bouncy slide, which was almost entirely kids from our party:

Victoria's BFF, Kylie:

Here's our birthday girl with Kylie's older sister Jaedyn, who often takes the younger girls under her wing at daycare and is much-loved.

The kids liked this fancy schmancy race car, even though to my knowledge no one actually put any quarters in it. Here is V and Jaedyn with Eli:

And then it was back to the ever-favorite bouncy slide.

Love the action shots!

The parents hung out with the ones who were too little to play.

That's me and Alex (who we later found out was sick), with my cousin Brooke and her daughter Eva, and behind us our friend Cassie (Jaedyn and Kylie's mom) with baby Liam.

Alex was mainly tired and cuddly the whole night. It worked out well since we had to keep him out of the bouncy area, but we felt bad when we later found out he was sick (by the time we got home he had a fever of 102). But even a fever couldn't stop him from enjoying the car.

Thanks, Dad, for bringing me over here to play!
 

The pizza finally arrived. It took three huge pizzas to feed the crowd.

V sat next to Ana:

Daddy tried to convince Alex to eat:

Then we finally got to sing Happy Birthday!

Victoria asked for and received a nummy pumpkin cake.

Mommy helped blow out the candles.

Check out the bouncy house! And all the 4s for our 4-year-old!

She could hardly wait to open presents.

The party ran over its allotted time. After presents, the kids raced back out to play! We invited the kids to take balloons home with them ... something that Alex loved:

Everyone had a great time, and I was so happy we could give Victoria exactly the birthday party she had asked for.

Daycare Christmas Party

It is so rare that I get to post something right after it happens! So I'm super excited to share these pictures.

Today was the always-much-awaited Daycare Christmas Party. The kids exchange gifts, do crafts, have special food and treats, and get a visit from ... SANTA!

This year, to mix things up a little, the kids wanted to spend the day in Christmas PJs. I have to say, it looked pretty cute this morning when I dropped the kids off, and they all looked like they were at a giant slumber party.

Amazingly, Alex didn't cry when he sat on Santa's lap!

He looks a little befuddled ... why am I here? who is this guy?

I like to think he is *really* thinking, "What are you saying? You're telling me I have to be GOOD?!?
 

That's right, Bud. Ya gotta be nice. Ha!

Victoria seemed absolutely delighted. She has been looking forward to talking to Santa for awhile.

I imagine she is telling him that yes, she was a good girl. Well, sometimes. And that she wants "more markers, because mine are all dried out."

Thank you, Santa, for visiting with us today!