Big Girl Bed Update

Well, to my surprise and amazement, the girls are doing GREAT in their big girl beds. Both didn't leave their beds at nap or bedtime today. They settled in, played with their blankets and sang a few songs. I actually think Evelyn does better in the new bed (it's actually the old crib with the toddler front)...she hasn't made a fuss one bit. Yeah for Evelyn and Sylvia.

Next Challenge? Staying dry at night! We tried a few weeks ago and they weren't ready. We will try again next week.

Big Girl Beds!!!

Santa suprised the girls with an early Christmas present -- their BIG GIRL BEDS (crib converted to toddler bed). We have been building this moment with great enthusiam since it's obvious they needed access to a bathroom during naps, so Mommy had to come to terms that it was time. 6 trips (3 each) to potty last weekend during nap was tiring us out.


Mommy ordered a cool new video montior for each room with talk back capability, further secured their bathroom drawers, reversed the locks on the doors (so we can lock them in) and converted the beds. Voila! Big girl beds. They were sooo excited (see videos). The first night was great. Evelyn got a little upset and threw all of her blankets/babies on the floor, but then put them back in. Sylvia discovered her room and bathroom like Curious George (going to the potty 3 times). I talked through the monitor and told her "go to bed" and we hear the pitter patter of her feet as she scurried back. Evelyn looked at me this morning and said "thank you for my big girl bed, Mommy." Then, she ran into the family room and told our stuffed Santa the same. So sweet.

I'm dying to know what happens at naps tomorrow!

Girls' Day

We invited Clara over for an all day playdate a few Saturday's ago. What good fun we had!

Catching Up

It's been 2 weeks since I've posted. I've been very busy. We had lots of family visiting for Thanksgiving and I've been wiped out. Slowly, but surely, I will catch up.

Few highlights and videos:
*The girls LOVE Christmas and can't get enough of Jingle Bells. This video was at the end of their screaming and dancing show that on for about 15 minutes.
*We all had fun at the Postal Museum and they danced on the post rail car.

Botantical Gardens

After Thanksgiving we put up our tree, hosted Angela's family for dinner on Friday and on Saturday headed to the US Botanical Gardens for their holiday exhibit. Very cool! The girls loved it, and playing in the fountain...before Evelyn fell and got all wet!

Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving was awesome. Grandpa Benson and Grandma Debi arrived from Fort Wayne, Indiana on Wednesday and stayed through Sunday night. David's brother (Aaron), his wife (Suzette) and the girls' cousins Brandon and Aaron also came Thanksgiving dinner and stayed through the night. I made a big meal, the girls helped Debi make a pie, we played football, and enjoyed smores and fire, the girls and Brandon raced down the hill over and over, ate pie, and then made gingerbread houses. And, check out that sunset!

It's Fall

We had a great time playing in the yard Sunday afternoon (and Sylvia taking a spin on her bike -- they can now peddle!). We raked some leaves in a big pile and we all enjoyed rolling around in them. We also started a fire and enjoyed spiced cider until it was dark and cold. What a great end to Daddy's birthday weekend.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

David turned 41 on November 12th, the day after Veteran's Day and 2 days after the Marine Corps 236th Birthday. We had a date night out and enjoyed a nice dinner and lots of drinks on Friday. On his actual birthday we went out to lunch, enjoyed cupcakes, and ice skating in the evening. The girls LOVED Daddy's custom ice cream cupcakes. They wouldn't take their eyes off them! Happy birthday Daddy, we love you!

Preview of Holiday Pictures

We had our pictures taken on Friday (Daddy's birthday). Here's a preview of a few I took. We got great ones of each of them individually, together, and one as a family.

Ice Skating

For Daddy's birthday, we went ice skating. The girls LOVED it. It was part of a holiday festival and the girls got to go on a horse drawn wagon ride, play in the "snow," see Santa and Mrs Claus and a few other characters (which they wanted NOTHING to do with), and jam out to holiday music. We will definitely ice skate again soon!

Gum

Believe it or not, the American Dental Association recommends chewing gym with xylitol after meals (in addition to normal brushing and flossing). They said even my 2 year olds should do it. We tried it. Evelyn swallowed her first (half) piece, but did great on her second try. Sylvia is a pro. Not sure if we will do it often, but it kept them occupied in the car.

Drawing

The girls LOVE to draw in the driveway with chalk. Sylvia made this really cool drawing on her own. Notice the head, eyes, nose, mouth, arms and legs. A budding artist? I was pretty impressed. You'll also notice a bunch of E's, Ps and Qs. Evelyn made the Es.