Thanksgiving 2013

Like last year, we traveled to California for Thanksgiving. We had three full days to pack in as much family time as possible. I think it was a success. 

When we got into town (after a really long drive), Maggie was a little timid. Henry remembers everyone (and even if he didn't--he thinks everyone is his friend) and ran off to play with cousins. We love spending time with the Holmes family. There are lots of cousins (a total of eleven--ages six and under--six of which live in California), not to mention some pretty fun aunts and uncles. After Maggie warmed up, it was so fun watching Maggie with her cousins. She adored Hannah and followed her around and did everything she did. 

The first full day we had a family gathering for Maggie's birthday. She was spoiled with a lot of gifts, which provided good times for all the kids and grandma. 

Grandma Sheryl is a good sport and is so good about playing with her grandchildren.

They all adore her.

The next day was Thanksgiving with the Holmes clan, which totals 100 people as of this month. Grandpa & Grandma Holmes keep a thorough count of everyone in their family. They have a gigantic list of everyone in their family with dates listed of birthdays for their children and grandchildren and marriage dates for those of us who join their family with a marriage. There were about 50 people at dinner this year and a lot of new faces (i.e. cousins who got married). We had a great time eating and talking while the kids played and played and played. I must have played hard, too, because I went to bed with the kids at 8:30 PM (technically 10:30 PM Texas time).

Our last day with the family, we all went to see the movie Frozen and everyone loved it. Maggie actually watched half of the movie (and slept through the other half) on Grandma's lap. Henry sat on my lap throughout the movie. "What's happening????" he kept asking me. "Why?" was his response when I gave him an answer. After the movie, the cousins were playing together saying, "Your hair is turning white!"

We were on the road shortly after with two very sleep-deprived children. Whenever we visit family and our children get to play with cousins, we remember how nice it would be if we could always have the cousins together all the time. So we cherish the time we do spend together and are grateful for our family ties. And my favorite thing about getting together with family is watching grandparents interact with my children. I'm pretty sure I say this all the time, but there is nothing quite like the bonds between grandparent and grandchild.

Preschool for Henry

Henry started preschool in September.

When I first told him he was going to preschool he said,

"Do I get a backpack?"

I assured him he did.

And he loves his dinosaur backpack.

He was so excited about school before it started.

I told him only big boys who poop on the toilet get to go to school.

It helped. For a little while.

Initially, school wasn't problem free for his teachers or me.

I questioned myself for a week when I dropped him off kicking and screaming.

But he always came home very happy.

Fast forward to half-way through the school year.
He loves school.
His teachers say they can tell his little mind is working.
And not only is he learning academics, but also social skills.
It warms my heart to hear about him befriending others.

Thanks to school teachers, Henry can write an "H,"
identify numbers, letters, and shapes,
and is picking up on some math.

During our Thanksgiving break (in Norco, CA) we went on a walk.
Henry saw two horses, then one.
He said, "Two horses and one horse. Three horses."

I love school.

I love the one-on-one time with Maggie.

She loves it when we get to pick up Henry.

And Henry tells me, "I like preschool."

Henry and Maggie

These two are little buddies.

Henry has even called Maggie his "best fwend" on occasion.

They play together.

They laugh together.

And it's my favorite thing to watch.

Maggie runs down the hall sometimes yelling, "Hen-ee! Hen-ee! Hen-ee! (Henry)"

She says, "Where Hen-ee?" at least five times a day when he's in preschool.

And as soon as we turn the corner to Henry's preschool, she excitedly says, "Hen-ee!"

She adores him.

She says everything he says.

And does everything he does.

                             {playing doggies together}                                 {dressing up like brother}

Henry will often say, "Maggie, let's go play."

They'll go into his room and jump on the bed.

Sometimes, when I peek in, they are both doing their own thing:

Maggie will be reading a book while Henry is pretending to be a lion.

But they are content being in the same room together.

When Henry was nine months old, I remember thinking, "He's ready for a sibling."

And it wasn't long after that that we found out we were pregnant with Maggie.

It's so fun to see their relationship grow.

Sure, there are fights. 

Many fights.

But they are learning so much together.

And they love each other so much.

My heart bursts every time I hear them laughing together.

Maggie Turns Two

Maggie is a sweet spirit.

Content, mild, and calm.
She knows how to have fun.
But saves her display of emotion for those closest to her.

She can be very shy.
And cuddly.
But don't let that fool you, she can get excited.
She even has a happy dance.

She loves when I sing, "Shake Your Booty"
and will sing the song on her own.
Her dance is pretty cute, too.

Singing songs is one of her favorite activities
along with reading books.
Watching movies is not what she enjoys.
However, she will sit to watch Elmo on the computer.

Maggie is (finally) starting to grow some hair,
wears 3T clothing (pants--not leggings--have to be sewn to stay on her waist),
eats very well,
and is hit-or-miss on her naps.

She loves swimming in the tub,
getting in the shower with Mom,
dumping water on her head,
playing in the toilets,
and washing her hands.
It's safe to say she loves water.

Maggie is very girly.
She loves jewelry and purses,
playing with babies,
pushing her new stroller,
talking,
and getting her fingernails painted.

Although sweet most of the time,
Maggie has shown signs of being two-years-old.
Her attitude comes out from time to time
and she is learning how to push Henry's buttons.

But all in all, she has a peaceful temperament
and is very obedient.

She loves her family.
It's hard to say who she loves most.
And we all love Maggie.