The McDs Go to Santa

Our trip to Santa this year was fairly comical, which wasn't a surprise. When we first got to the mall, Mike and I split up to get the boys haircuts and the girls tights, because I had searched all over the house that morning and couldn't find any (they were in the dryer...awesome). By the time we headed to sit on the jolly guy's lap it was pushing nap and bottle time, and we were ready for lunch!

We weren't sure if all four kids would fit on Santa's lap, but it worked out. Ben wasn't thrilled, but once he got his pacifier he was fine...again not a surprise. Emmie can be a bit of a sympathy crier, so Ben crying upset her and the rest is (recorded) history...

 

 

Christmas Parade 2013

 We kicked off the Christmas season with the annual Christmas parade in our town. It was a chilly night, but it was totally worth heading out. Max is at such a fun age for things like this, and he got such a kick out of all the floats and people throwing candy. Ben is a fan of waving at people, and the girls are content being held so it was a win, win, win, win!

 

 

 Ready for the parade

 

Uh Oh...

 He put a pencil behind his ear so he could look like Handy Manny.

 Blurry Ben!

 Floats, shouting, and marching bands couldn't keep these girls from getting a nap!

Even More Maxisms

Max, now that you are 3 and a quarter years old I thought it was time to do another round of "Maxisms." You make me laugh everyday...and sometimes make me want to pull my hair out. You are such an inquisitive little dude, and if you are around people you  know you never. stop. talking. You think you know everything, and the problem is you are usually right...ha! Luckily, you got that talkative thing from me. I never get tired of talking to you, and I love hearing the things you come up with. I would love to be able to tell how your little brain works. You have the memory of an elephant, and nobody can hide anything or pull anything over on you. Here are a few things you have said lately that make me laugh...

When you are singing B-I-B-L-E, you sometimes sing, "The B-I-B-L-E, yes that's the book for me. I stand alone on the pirate ship..."

You walked in one day and announced...I am SO stylish.

You call your harmonica a zucchini and your microphone an asparagus.

I have no idea why, but it works for you.

One day you were watching Special Agent Oso, and I told you it was time to turn it off. You looked at me, sighed, and said, "I am oso sad, Mommy."

Max: I am afraid of tats.

Me: Did you say you are afraid of cats?

Max: No...I said...wait...yes. I AM afraid of cats. I don't like how they meow.

You had to pee in a cup for your 3-year-old appointment.

You were a little stressed out, because "People don't pee in cups.  They drink in cups."

The first time you tried Sprite your eyes got so wide and you said, "There is something IN this lemonade."

When you don't want to do something you say, "I can't. I'm hard at that because I am three."

You are the worst backseat driver in the world. 

"Mom...the light is red. Mom, stop. Stoooooop!"

"Mom...the light is green...gooooooo!"

"Mom, you are going to hit that car. Stop!!!"

 "Mom you are going too fast."

"Mom you are going too slow."

We taught you that a bear says "Sic em Bears"

One day I told you not to growl, and you said you were being a bear.

 Then, you got very still and said you needed to go get your computer.

You went and opened your Thomas the Train "computer," pretended to look something up, and said,

"Yep...that's what I thought. We've been wrong this whole time mommy. 

A bear doesn't say sic 'em. It says grrr."

Addie and Emmie at Six Months

Addie and Emmie, on November 20th you turned SIX months old. Even though I (seriously...not being dramatic) don't remember much about what life was like with just one or two kids, I can't believe you have been here with us over half a year already! Life is crazy, busy, insane, exhausting, wonderful, amazing, fabulous, and awesome all at the same time. We are so incredibly thankful for your sweet smiles, funny little personalities, the joy you bring to our lives...and even the tears that are inevitable! Here are a few things about you at six months.

Addie at your six month appointment you weighed 16 lbs, 9.5 oz. You were 26.5 inches long.

Emmie you weighed 16 lbs, 3.5 oz. You were 26.25 inches long.

You still drink five bottles a day. No food yet...soon.

You still sleep well at night, and you are taking about 3 naps a day.

Addie

You are wearing 6 month clothes.

You have started playing in the exersaucer and jumperoo. You like it for about five minutes, and then you are done. Done I tell you.

Emmie. You were having a sensitive moment.

You play on the floor together and crack up when you happen to catch glances of one another. You both go after the same toys, and sometimes tears ensue. It's kind of hilarious.

Just like your brothers, you are happiest when we are out and about. Lots of nights you run errands with me while your dad keeps the boys at home.

You are both laughing a lot...most of the time at your brothers

Ben at 18 Months

 Ben, on November 11 you turned 18 months old! We love seeing your personality develop more and more every day. You definitely keep us on our toes (you are a toddler after all), but you are the sweetest little guy too. Here are a few more things I want to remember about you at 18 months old.

You are the snuggliest guy I know. You are a fan of being held...you always have been.

You are currently obsessed with books. 

I think you would love to sit in our laps and listen to us read all day. 

Your vocabulary increases every day.  We hear book, bubbles, yucky, and uh oh a lot. You threw a "touchdown!" in there the other day.

You love to dance. 

Since you were a baby, when you are done eating you start throwing your food as fast and as far as you can. We haven't broken you of the habit yet. Hopefully you'll quit before you leave for college.

A lot of days you will take a nap in your crib but then wake up still tired. You will go back to sleep on the couch, in a chair, on the floor...pretty much anywhere. 

You call both of your sisters Addie...and you have started looking at pictures of other babies (including yourself when you were younger) and calling them Addie.

You love to wave. You will walk through a restaurant stopping to wave at everyone.

You can put on a show, and your smile could melt hearts. And you know it.

You are also not afraid to let people know if you are upset. Sometimes you "yell" at your brother in gibberish that cracks us up. But you know exactly what you are saying.

When you are confused or upset you make the same exact face you have since the day you were born.