P is for

P is for Par-Tay and programs!! Any holiday or really any season seems to bring its fair share of parties. And do our kids love parties! Okay I don't mine them either as long as I'm not the one cleaning or cooking! Ha!

Just me and my favorite boy!

Our first party was really an event. Harrison and I attended the Children's Sugar Plum Fairy Ball followed by a performance of "The Nutcracker." The luncheon is a fundraiser for our city's ballet school. We rode a bus to Union Station for our fancy lunch!

There were a lot of "princesses."

Harrison was one a handful of boys but that's okay. I think he had a great time and I had fun too! All of the kiddos got a gift. While the girls received a fun gold, doily crown the boys won the jackpot! Harrison had a play sword, trumpet (noise maker), a bandana complete with mouse ears and earrings and an eye patch!

So happy to get his face painted and to eat chocolate and a cookie for dessert!

We had a nice lunch with a performance by the ballet school. Then we headed back to the performing arts center to watch "The Nutcracker."

My mouse king!

Needless to say he passed out 5 minutes into our drive home. We tried on his mouse king costume that night!

Arrgg!!

Next up we had a get together with my coworkers and their families. It's an awesome time for us to relax and all the kids to play.

Finley spent her time playing on this picnic table and cleaning it with napkins. 

On to the next party - this time it was Harrison's Christmas program at preschool. I wish I was sitting closer for the pictures but alas we weren't there that early. All of the kids did a great job! I had fun watching Harrison sing his little heart out.

At least he's looking at me right?!

That same day we had our all church Christmas Party. I was lucky enough (or dumb enough) to co-chair the event. Thankfully my co-chair was amazing and did most of the work!!

Harrison had a great time playing all of the games.

While Harrison went to the party with me - Finley stayed at home with Nana. It was crazy enough without crazy girl there!

Santa round 2. And yes he still asked for the same 3 items!
A snackee, a hide away pet and a swing set.

It was a long afternoon but we all survived! And clean up was a breeze - that's always a bonus!

More face paint!

As if our weekend wasn't busy enough the next day Harrison sang again at the Children's Church program. This happened last year as well. I don't know how he kept all of the songs straight!

Oh yes - next year he's old enough to wear the costumes!

After we recovered from our last Christmas program, we headed to a friends house to go NUTS decorating sugar cookies. I may have eaten 2... I mean 3... Okay fine I think it was actually 4 cookies.

Definitely not cheesy. Nope. Not at all. 

How lucky are we that we have friends that like to make messes (and host those events!).

And so the decorating begins.

There is just something about homemade sugar cookies and icing. Give me a spoon. A bowl. And a few cookies. "Get in my belly!"

Sister was tired of waiting on Mom. She got someone else to feed her.

Well we technically have 2 more parties to go but we'll classify them under family Christmas.

I'm on a roll. Over and out. 

Emily

O is for...

I know it's backwards but let's do October! Might as well right? We started October with some fall rain. 

Yeah for puddles (at daycare!).

Harrison also had his Fall Festival at preschool. They set up games and had an obstacle course in the basement. That's his favorite!

The infamous obstacle course!

The classrooms had different crafts and activities.

A corn sensory table.

And it isn't a preschool function without a fire truck! Last year the truck got a call and had to leave early so we were excited to tour this one!

Being a tough guy!

I went to a conference the first weekend in October so Adam got to play super Dad and took the kiddos to the mall to play.

They love each other so!

The next 2 weeks of October were all about cheering on the Royals to the World Series! I can't ever remember being so excited to baseball!

A playoff game with my mom - yes they won!

Seriously amazing!

We had the best weather for our games!

KU basketball coach - Bill Self. I about wet myself. 

After we clinched the AL spot in the World Series we relaxed a little and enjoyed a Deanna Rose outing.

The token waterfall picture!

Feeding the fish.

She's almost tall enough!

As we were out and about, it was so exciting to see how proud KC was of the Royals! Holy Blue October!

Crown Center fountains.

At Deanna Rose!

We took Pawpaw to Legoland on one of my days off! Harrison had so much fun showing off!

Walking around with Pawpaw after Legoland.

We visited the pumpkin patch!

Waiting for our wagon ride to start. 

Big slide!

Yes red boots and yes, she's saying cheese.

Then we geared up for the World Series. I was at the World Series. Do you know how crazy that is to say?

Adam was out of town for Game 2 so I got to bring a friend. Mom's night out!

Such an amazing experience!

It wasn't the outcome the city/country wanted but it was one of the coolest sporting things I've ever experienced! By the time it was all over the city was ready for a weekend of just sleeping. Staying up until 12-12:30am each game night was intense!

Finally we snapped out of our Blue October just in time for Halloween! Harrison was an army soldier and a ninja turtle. Finley was a lady bug. We also went to Boo at the Zoo! 

We trick-or-treated at a nursing home.

We did trunk or treating at preschool! 

This is dress up at daycare - we did go trick or treating too!

All in all, October was pretty phenomenal! We did a lot! No wonder I'm still tired :0)

Emily

N is for...

Wait long enough and it will come to you! N is for November! We had a fun November around here!

When the weather was nice we played at the park!

Harrison is almost swinging 100% by himself! Yeah just one kid to push now :0)

Seriously - when did he get so big?

Finley had her 18mos appointment. She's still a shorty compared to brother but we'll keep her! And she's smart too! As soon as we walked into the exam room she started fussing a bit. She remembered being there before (and probably the shots/prodding too!). Why do our kids remember everything?

Cheesy cheeseball.

Harrison started rookie basketball. Imagine 20-25 four and five year olds. Wow. And talk about a huge range of skill. Things learned - we are no LeBron and dads are definitely not as observant as moms when coaching. I say this as my kid is running circles around the goal or hiding behind the goal.. 

Probably the best shot of the entire season. 

We don't have any trees in our years but thankfully Nana and Pawpaw do. We of course had to go there to play in some leaves!

Hopefully the leaves are clean..

IKEA opened here so we had to go and see what the fuss was about. 

We checked out the food. Desserts were okay. Meatballs are good!

IKEA is like Target. There's no way you can walk in and leave with nothing. Or that you can leave with only the items on your list. 

Coolest thing EVER! It's like an escalator for carts and they don't roll on it!!

We played with our newest baby cousin. By the way, two kids under 2 years by yourself is a lot. But we made it work :0)

Just the girls hanging out while Harrison was at basketball with Daddy.

We had a cousin dinner with our big cousins too! The dads watched football.

Harrison LOVES being a big kid too!

Then of course was Thanksgiving. By this time the weather definitely cooled off but we had fun with all of our family and cousins! Harrison just loves the big cousin and I love that they take the time for him! Makes growing up so special!

This took no less than 500 shots and "Finley look at mama," "Harrison smile at ME!"

I hope you all had a great holiday season. Maybe this year I'll actually finish this challenge... 5 years later..

Emily

M is for...

M is for MY LIFE! I love my life right now. Yes, it is crazy. Yes, my kids are crazy most days. But it's still pretty awesome and the kids are pretty darn cute too!

Sweetest girl I know!

We have had a busy but super fun summer! June brought summer preschool, swim lesson and baseball! Baseball was fun to watch and brought back a lot of memories watching my brother play growing up. Our city has a Me & Mini Me "class." Basically kiddos from 2.5-4yrs and their parents learned baseball skills in a 30min class. Harrison also had a preschool buddy in his group. 

He's learning to step, point & throw!

We also made family trips to the pool! Finley is definitely a water baby crawling all over the pool! No fear I tell you! Harrison's swim lessons helped him warm up to the water faster but we're still working on jumping in by himself (with his floaty on). 

Family pool day!

Now what the heck to write about with "N?!"

Over and out,

Emily