More Holiday pics

Have to include the "I'm crying cause you dared to wake me up" photo of Brennyn. The tears quickly dried up after she started opening her stocking, and the elmo phone! There was even a kiss for Daddy.
We do live in Canada, so the mini hockey sticks shouldn't be a surprise. Avery also got a sword and shield that she would not stop playing with (it's Styrofoam). Daddy made the sword holder and even had her name on the shield "sir Avery" (just like her favourite Frankl*n book).

EDIT: As usual, I loaded the pictures in the wrong order.

Holiday recap

Can't believe it is over already, but a great time was had by all. To say Avery was excited is an understatement.
Apparently, she knew she was going to get her Doctor kit. There was no way Santa was not bringing her that gift! She said on Christmas Eve "I can't wait to play with my doctor kit tomorrow". Blair did mention that Santa can't always bring what you ask for, but Avery said he would bring her a doctor kit. Good thing Santa came through (totally bought the kit while we were in China, shhhh).
Brennyn did not have a clue what was going on, and she was a tad grumpy when Mommy got her out of bed at 7:00am on Christmas morning. I swear I thought she was already awake, honest!
Brennyn loved her Elmo phone and doll from Nana.
Both girls have a love of chocolate just like their mother.

I was spoiled by my husband this year, and he even pulled a fast one (not easy to do, because I tend to be nosy).
Blair built up this last gift for me, in a nice big box. I started to open it and noticed it was a toaster. Now, not to be ungrateful, but a toaster was just not what I was looking forward to at Christmas. I tried to put on a happy face (let's just say that a few days earlier I had given Avery the talk about saying thank-you and being polite even when you open a gift you don't really like) but failed. I was a little annoyed with Blair, I mean really, a toaster. Plus, my mom had just given Blair a toaster a few days before and his mom bought us a convection oven (yes, we did need a new toaster).
Anyway, Blair told me that their was one more present in the other room. I recognized the wrapping and the shape of the box (I do work in a jewellery store).
I opened the box and started bawling like a baby.
I finally have my family ring, and I love it! Still amazed the girls at the store were able to keep it a surprise.

It was a wonderful Christmas with our two beautiful girls. I still pinch myself that I am a mother to these 2 girls and I could not be happier!

Merry Christmas

From our house to yours, have a very Merry Christmas!
Not sure who is more excited, the kids or Mommy and Daddy?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Okay, so Blair's birthday was actually the 22nd but better late than never right. We celebrated a day early since Blair had to work nights on his birthday. On the positive side, he does have Christmas Eve off now instead.

Avery picked out the cake for Daddy, although she did want to get him a star trek cake. Funny, they were fresh out of those at the DQ so the train had to do.

I think I'm almost ready for the big day. The first year I'm not working crazy retail hours, and I am still not organized. Somehow, I think I've been better prepared when I am working because I have no choice but to have everything done ahead of time.
Still have to clean the house, buy the last minute groceries, wrap the Santa gifts, set the table, etc.
At least the presents are all bought and cards have been sent out.

Avery is so over the top excited for Christmas. She even received a letter from Santa in the mail yesterday. She is going to leave out a cookie (that she decorated herself) and some chocolate milk for Santa. Avery has also watched the TV special Rudolph 500 times. I couldn't figure out why she was saying "Eat, Eat papa". Apparently, Mrs. Clause tells Santa to fatten up. This led to Avery asking me why Mrs. Clause wants Santa to be chubby, and I had to attempt to make something up. Although, Avery came up with a good reason "because he needs lots of energy to deliver all the toys".

Both girls are loving the Christmas tunes, especially the Christmas in Hawaii song. Avery LOOOVEs it. Brennyn just loves to dance, so any song will do!

Playing around with Daddy's paramedic dress uniform

Christmas, Christmas

Avery had her big Teddy Bear school Christmas pageant today. Nothing like watching 3 and 4 year olds on stage. Some sing, some hide, some may pick their noses(I swear it wasn't my kid), play fight and dance. It's a classic show.
Avery did great this year, she sang along (very quietly)and did the action moves. Such an improvement from last year. I just could not get over how big my little girl looked. She is growing up so quickly!
Unfortunately, Daddy had an appt with the doctor so he missed out. Grandma had to pass and poor Nana wasn't feeling good. Lucky for them I taped the whole show! Can't put the pics of the actual concert on the blog, don't feel comfortable showing pictures of other children.

It just wouldn't be a Christmas pageant if some child didn't throw a massive screaming temper tantrum though. Oh wait, that was my kid. Long story short: Snack table, dropped snack, massive freak out. On the positive side, she doesn't scream nearly as loud as she used to. Although, I'm sure the other parent's may try to argue that.
I think there was too many people in that room for Brennyn, and the food situation is not totally resolved. Brennyn could not understand why I would not let her graze at the snack table. The food was out there, why shouldn't she eat it. At least, that's my guess.

EDIT: Yes that is the only dress Avery owns (in case anyone has noticed that she had the same dress on when the girls visited Santa). She is a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl!

Christmas pics

We made some paintbrush cookies the other day. Avery and daddy had fun painting, Brennyn was bored after 5 minutes, but she did enjoy eating them!
Not sure if any of these pics will make the Christmas cards. May have to do retakes!

We took the girls to see Santa at the mall. Brennyn loves Santa, she yells "HO HO HO". Avery told him she wanted a doctor kit and he asked her what else do you want. "Just a doctor kit". Blair tried to explain that sometimes Santa needs to know what else you want in case he runs out of the other toy. Avery again said "I only want a doctor kit". You had to hear the way she said it though.

Now that is a storm

Wow, when they say snow storm, they mean it! Looks like a winter wonderland outside, which is nice as long as you don't need to drive in it. Guess we'll be cancelling Brennyn's doctor appt. this morning.

We are going to bundle up and have some fun outside today!

EDIT: Brennyn was not a big fan of the white stuff or the cold. We'll have to work on that since unfortunately for her we live in the snowbelt. Avery loves the winter and playing in the snow, especially throwing some snowballs at mommy (but this year mommy got her back).

blah blah blah

Have some more posts about our trip brewing, but just don't have the time for detailed, time-consuming blogging.
I have Christmas shopping to do, cookies to bake, Christmas concerts to attend.

I can't believe Avery's concert is next week, yikes. They made gingerbread cookies today at school. I think Avery must have dipped into the icing because she is wired!
Also took Brennyn to her first library storybook time. A very different experience from when I used to take Avery. Brennyn sings along, dances, basically doesn't sit still. She had a blast. Avery used to love it as well, but if you didn't know her you would think she was miserable. My Avery is shy like her mommy.
I'm thinking that Brennyn may have a little trouble in school, just a hunch. I can see her socializing instead of learning. She just loves to get into things and play. She's already figured out how to move the mini chair up to our bed and get up to bounce.

Speaking of the girls, we are having a few behavioural issues with Avery. To be expected, but not very enjoyable. She throws some crazy temper tantrums that girl. I had to pick her up outside the arena the other day and try to safely cross the street with the screaming banshee and Brennyn. Oh well, I only ran into a few people I knew while this was going on, heh heh.
I just love it when my 3 year old says "I don't feel like it, you put my shoes away", or "we are too going to the mall" (after I said no because she was being naughty). This too shall pass. I swear she acts like she is 10!
I wonder why I'm tired??

This and that

Still can't believe how smart my girl is. I may have already told this story in another post so just ignore my ramblings if I have. I seem to be losing my mind these days.

Anyhoo, we were looking at the Santa picture the other day (from the local candy cane fair). Avery casually mentions to me that it's just a person. Alarm bells are going off right away. She clarified that it wasn't the real Santa, but a person in a costume.
The real Santa is busy apparently, and that was just a helper.
Did I mention that she is only 3 (almost 4, but still).

Surgery done, feel okay. I don't even know any results because the doctor had to go deliver a baby or something right after.
However, I'm not supposed to do any heavy lifting or housework for a week. HA HA HA, I have 2 30 pound children, who are they kidding. One of whom always wants her mommy (actually they both do, but Avery is old enough to reason with, sort of).

Are they twins?

In the three years that Avery has been home I've hardly had any comments or questions. Brennyn has been part of our family for 2 months and so far I've had people ask me "Are they sisters". I said "yes". Of course followed by "no, I mean real sisters". I just said "they are now". Was kind of surprised that someone actually asked me that! Then she asked me if I was fostering the girls. Um, no, they are my daughters. Thankfully, Avery was in the pool at the time so she didn't hear any of this.

Yesterday a lady asked me if the girls were twins. I admit that I laughed as I explained that Brennyn is 17 months younger. I guess she thought they were twins because Brennyn is almost the same size as Avery. Really, the girls don't look anything alike. Maybe she thought they were fraternal twins or something?

Anyway, off to spend the day at our local hospital for a little day surgery. Should be fun, fun, fun.

These posts are a little jumpy. It's so difficult to accurately write about our trip 2 months later. The days begin to blend.

Blair and I quickly discovered that the Gloria hotel hallway was the place to be. Brennyn loved to run, and hide in that hallway. I think we heard her first giggle while she ran towards the elevator!
We bought a looney tunes beach ball, for about 25 cents. That was the best purchase ever. Brennyn could play with that ball for days. We would pass it back and forth, watch her attack the ball. Also, the first time we saw her "mean face". I wish I could get a picture of it. She gets this look when she is about to attack, her lips are pulled together, her eyes have this glint to them.
It's not quite as funny if she is about to say, bite someone but at least we can see it coming.

Anyway, back to the story:

Blair needed serious rest, so I would take Brennyn out and wander the streets of Xi'an. I became a pro at crossing the 8 lane road! I also became very familiar to the people at Wal-Mart and at our hotel.
I finally decided to take Brennyn out to eat. The first time did not go so well. I ordered something very greasy (and it was a noodle soup). The chopsticks were plastic so the noodles kept sliding around. Brennyn had a fit, we left. The staff were very, very helpful though. Especially one of the ladies. I wish I could thank her again. I did see her another time near the end of our stay. I wisely ordered fried rice with eggs, so much easier. The lady helped me get Brennyn out of her backpack, brought me lots of napkins, always checking on us. There were so many kind, friendly people in Xi'an. Yes, there were also a lot of people who would stare but that I was expecting. I enjoyed my time walking around with Brennyn, just hanging out. I also got a bonus workout, carrying a 30 pound child around.