Can You Say Stinker?

Nicholas was helping me clean by picking up all the magnet letters.  Abby thought she'd help out...

Santa Train

This was our first year doing the Santa train. Mommy's dropped the ball the last 2 years and was always too late. But not this year. Told you we were on top of things.  Nicholas loves all things Christmas and this was no exception.  I love his enthusiasm.  He gamely lead the car to a song of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" without hesitation.  I've attached a video, although I wish you could he him singing on it.  Scott said you could really hear him where he was and that Nick was really into it.

Abby did not joining us this year, but she'll be ready next year.  I think she would have torn that train apart or worn us out at the very least.  Thanks to my family for watching our little squirt.

Ready to get rolling.

My cousin and his family joined us for ride.

Tea Time With The Von Robinsons

It's a known fact that Nicholas loves to sing and dance. Looks like Abby's taking after her big brother, at least in the dancing department. The Von Trapps got nothing on us. I'd post videos of me and Scott singing, but it would become an internet sensation and our lives would forever change. Alright then.


This first video is of Nicholas on his harmonica and Abby's interpretive dance.

This one is Nick teaching Abby some new dance moves.

This one is Abby getting down. Yes that is Tootsie Roll playing. What's your point?

I taught Nick the teapot song and he has been singing it nonstop, in a falsetto voice. I hear it in my sleep sometimes. I'm posting 3 videos because I want you to have it in your head all day, too. I love the last one w/ Abby in the background.

Lately...

It seems as if Abby does something new everyday.  They're little things, but you know it's always the little things you love and often quickly forget when they grow up so fast.   While I can't capture everything on video, I try my best.  She's just got the funniest personality.  It suits her perfectly.

Uncle Huy and Aunt Shannon

We got to spend some time w/ Huy and Shannon over the weekend.  Yay!  Shannon was in town house sitting.  Huy flew in on his birthday to surprise her.  She and some friends were singing happy birthday to him on Skype.  He played along, the whole time he was hiding in the other room.  Everyone was shocked and started laughing, including Shannon.  Except she thought that they were laughing because they had lost the feed.  She didn't even notice he was the one that blew out the candles.  Her expression when she realized it was him was just priceless.

Nick and Abby had a good time w/ their aunt and uncle.  They earned extra points w/ Nick when let him play on their Ipad.  Angry Birds on the Ipad, Nick was in heaven. 

We are so glad we got to spend some time w/ you!  We miss you guys and hope you decide to move back here soon.  The kids miss you, with or without the Ipad, but hopefully with.  Can't wait to see you all at Christmas.

Hi

Bookworm

It pains me to admit that we have not been as committed reading to Abby as we were with Nick, especially at this age.  But she has developed a love for books despite our poor parenting.  She understands when we tell her to go get a book.  She will bring back one and then back her little bottom up to us so she can sit on our laps.  It is just the cutest thing.  Here she is "reading" her favorite book.  I adore the sound of her sweet little voice.

Fall Update

I honestly cannot believe it's the middle of October.  Where did the time go?!  Lots of big and little things to update everyone on.  I'm hoping I'll get caught up here and stay caught up.  But you know how these things go, especially now that...

**ABBY IS WALKING!!**
She took her first steps a week after she turned 11 months.  I had hoped this day would come later rather than sooner.  I'm so sad, she's growing up too fast.  And I'm terrified.   Everyday she finds something new she's not suppose to get into.  All joking aside, a huge milestone for our little peanut and we are all excited for her.  You should have seen how excited Nicholas was.  When he saw her take her first steps, he shouted, "Abby!  You're a toddler now!"

I have a video of  Abby walking to me, but it was taken sideways and I don't know how to fix it.  Darn smartphones.  Anyway, here are a couple of videos.  The first is of her walking w/ Nick and her cousins cheering her on.  Second is a week later.  You gotta love her orangutan walk!!

**LITTLE KICKSTER**
We signed Nicholas up for soccer for the first time this fall.  There weren't any games, just a huge group of kids out there following directions and learning the basics.  And allowing the moms to admire their cute little punkins in uniform and the dads to live out their coaching dreams.  The last fifteen minutes of practice the kids would "scrimmage."  All 30 of them.  Ask me later how I feel about that.

Nick was pretty pumped for his first practice.  But after his first water break he asked why it was taking so long.  This was pretty much how his first practice went.  He did do most the drills and, I have to say, looked pretty darn cute out there doing it.

He stuck w/ it and enjoyed it more and more w/ each practice.  It helped that his friends, Jack and Keller, were also there.    Favorite moment of the season was during a scrimmage.  Julie (Jack's mom) and I were looking at the swarm of kids trying to locate Jack and Nicholas.  Then off to the side, I noticed Nicholas, Jack and Keller strolling along together, oblivious to the game.  At one point Jack even put his arms around his friends' shoulders.  It was the cutest thing, at least the moms thought so.  Julie had to shout to her husband, who was perturbed his son wasn't paying attention to the game, a reminder that, "He's four, Ben!  Four!"  I about died laughing.

Here are some nifty pictures of our future Pele.  Does that show my age?  I meant to say Beckham.

That's his buddy Jack in the red shorts.



**SO HAPPY TOGETHER**
Now that Abby's mobile and really interacting more, Nicholas has found a new victim playmate.  He's developing the fine art of taunting and mocking.  He loves to move all her toys to areas beyond her reach.  He loves grabbing her hands and feet and not letting go, especially when she yells.  He likes to use her as a coat and hat rack, often seeing how much stuff he can pile on her head.  But don't worry, she gives as good as she gets, maybe even more in some cases.  She will not hesitate to take a swipe at his face if she's displeased or if she wants him to move.  She is quite vocal when he takes things from her.  I once over heard him telling her that it wasn't nice to yell at him like that and she should stop.

It's been fun watching our two monkeys together.  They have their moments, but you can tell they adore each other.  She often looks at her big brother as if he hung the moon.  He calls her "his little Abby" and tells everyone he knows and doesn't know about her.  His face just lights up when she's there to pick him up from school.  He will proudly tell everyone what a mess his little sister is.  He talks to her sometimes like a 4 y/o brother would and sometimes like a grown up.  Can't wait til she starts talking.  They are just the perfect little pair.

**MONDAY NIGHT COOKOUTS**
Every Monday night for the past few weeks, we've been attending a neighborhood cookout/potluck.  Our neighbors, Mark and Mary Claire, have graciously hosted every week in their front yard. We all bring something for dinner, bring our lawn chairs, eat and talk while the kids run around and play.  It's been wonderful getting to know everyone.  We moved here 2 years ago and up until now have only known the neighbors to either side of us.  Now we meet a new neighbor every week.


Mary Claire, our gracious host, in black.

Happily munching on a cookie she wasn't suppose to have.

Whew!  That's it for this update.  Be sure to check back.  I will have Biscuit's birthday and party post up soon!

Frisco Fest

We ventured out to the Frisco Fest this year. I'm so glad we did. The weather could not have been more perfect. Pony rides, street food vendors and free kiddie rides. Well, you know my boys were in heaven!

The best part of the night was watching Nicholas ride the teacups. He and his friends Jack and Sophia were in one cup together. He was good, until they threw in another little boy. And he could not hide his displeasure at the kid. Apparently the other boy hogged the spinner thingy. It was pretty amusing.

As usual, he did not want to leave. Told us we were not being respectful of him. Can you tell we've had a conversation about respect recently? Can you tell he's glossed over some of the finer points of our conversation? It was a good night despite that.

This was his first official pony ride. Grandad, he's gonna need some ridin' boots.

Our friends Eric and Sarah with their sweet kids, Sophia and Jack.

Riding the ferris wheel.

Me and Abbers watching from below.

Waiting in line for the teacups.

She was a good sport. Tired, but rarely complained.

Their fake smiles here cracked me up!

The exasperation on his face is priceless.

Fake Believe

I recorded this video a few weeks back and forgot to post it. He's singing his version of Fake Believe from They Might Be Giants.

It's a keeper. The ending cracks me up every single time I watch it.

Beside the Poolside

This is my friend, Heidi...

She's moving soon and I can't even begin to tell you how sad that makes me. But I will leave that for another post. In the meantime, we're trying to spend as much time as possible w/ her and her sweet little girls, Hanna and Haley. On this day, we hung out at her neighborhood pool. Nick's been to swim lessons all summer, but this is actually his first time "going swimming". And boy, did he love it. It was also Abby's first time in a real pool. I think she enjoyed it, especially when I spun her around.

We had such a good time. Thanks for having us Kaiser girls!

Love this picture of Haley. It's a perfect representation of her.

Patty Cakes

I seriously need to trim her "bangs."

Hanging Out

This is how my kids have been entertaining each other.

Nick pulls her walker onto the carpet thus ensuring she is a "willing" participant during his reading. I love how she's moving her feet trying to get away.