My Climber

We like to call Seth a little goat, because he always wants to climb to the top of anything he can manage. I have found him on top of the tank of the toilet before (he pushed a stool over to help him get up)! He has taken to carrying around the stool from the girls' bathroom! Today, he figured out how to climb onto the rocking chair in his room, and the chair and ottoman in our living room. Check him out:

If this kid makes it to kindergarten without any broken bones, all glory to God!

Growing Up

Seth is growing up so very much right now. Yesterday he yelled "no" for the first time (oh, dear...here we go)! He's trying to say so many words. I was sort of hoping he would be a bit slow to start talking, since there is already A LOT of talking in my world! Oh well. He also really wants to do what his sisters do.
He only wants to brush his teeth on the stool at the sink, just like the girls! And he's very pleased with himself when he does!

He also really loves to give the girls hugs. In the morning, when we go in their room to get them, he wants to hug them so badly, which sometimes they aren't quite ready for! Oh, here's an adorable moment; the other day when we went to pick the girls up from preschool all the kids where sitting in a big circle playing a game. Seth squirmed to get down, and when I put him down he ran across the room, through the middle of the circle, right to Abby with a big hug. It was just so cute.

Way To Go Haley

I was so proud of Haley today. The girls started ballet class in September, and, towards the end of December, the teacher asked if I could separate the girls (as in, put them in different classes). Today was the first day of Haley's new class and she was very apprehensive. She kept telling me she didn't want to go, and, of course, I don't want to force her to do it if she really doesn't want to, but I was pretty sure she'd enjoy it (she always had fun before). Plus, I think it's so good for her self esteem to do things she's afraid of doing. Anyway, I had to walk her in and put her hand in the teacher's hand, but, she did it. She participated and had fun and was very proud. Hooray, Haley:)

Rainy Day

At the girls' preschool they really let the kids enjoy the rain and mud on rainy days. So, today, when I picked them up, I went straight to their cubby to get the zippies of muddy clothes I knew would be in there. When I picked up the bag with Abby's clothes, I had to laugh because it was SO heavy. Her clothes were sopping wet. Laura was with me and said that Abby probably laid down in a puddle. Sure enough, teacher Johnny told us that she had grabbed a boogy board and was "surfing" in the puddles. It sounded like she really entertained the teachers! Also, they frequently do face-painting at school, and apparently they let the kids do their own today. Haley gave herself a mustache, and Abby's was so wild, it was almost painful for me to look directly at her!

The Wagon

Here's a good reason to have three kids:

Christmas

Christmas began on Christmas Eve for us. That morning we went to my parents' house to celebrate Christmas with them and a had a delicious breakfast together. Then, that evening, the kids and I went over the hill to my family's traditional Christmas Eve party. They had some fun Christmas-y things to dress up with.




After that we went to the Christmas Eve service at our church. That night, after the kids went to bed, I decorated the house with streamers and balloons to celebrate Jesus' birthday. I wish I had a picture of Abby's face when she saw it in the morning. It was the most adorable look of wonder and she said "Wow, mom. It looks bootiful."

That morning we opened stockings and gifts and had such a fun time together.


Isn't this the CUTEST sister picture?!

After riding bikes up and down the street for a little while, our dear friends, the Orlandos, came over for a little birthday party for Jesus.


After the party and naps, we headed up to Carey's parents' house to have Christmas dinner and open more gifts (and spend time together, of course)! We had SO much fun with them. The kids loved playing with their cousin and their aunts and grandma and grandpa.
Cousin Brannon
Thank you, Auntie Kelly for reading to Abby for SO long!

Oh, and a tip for those of you that are parents; band-aids. I put a box of band-aids in each of the girls' stockings (Abby got Curious George and Haley got Dora), and let me tell you, that was the best $5 I spent on Christmas gifts. They LOVED it. When we were asked them later that day what the best Christmas present ever was (going for the answer of Jesus) and they immediately shouted "BAND-AIDS". Everyone that they have talked to about Christmas they have started off by showing them or telling them about the band-aids. Who knew?!

Boogers

Today in the car:

Abby: Why you don't eat boogers everyday, Haley?
Haley: Some days I do like boogers and some days I don't.
Abby: Eat a booger Haley.

A few moments of silence.

Abby: Did you eat one?
Haley: Ya. Today I don't like boogers, Abs.
Abby: Eat a booger, Haley.

Later in the booger conversation:

Abby: Haley, give me your tissue.
Haley: No. It's a snotty tissue, Abby.
Abby: I want the snotty tissue.
Haley: You can't have it, Abby, 'cause it has caffeine in it.