{Things I Love}

Short and sweet.

I love red noses and rosy cheeks.

Don't you just want to pinch 'em?

{Link} Do's and Don'ts when encountering parents of multiples

Here is a great article from a blog I follow religiously, Multiples and More -  Multiples Etiquette 101: Do's and Dont's.  Couldn't have said it better, myself.  Thanks M& M!

Every once in a while, a multiple-mom blogger will ask fellow multiple moms what the oddest, strangest or rudest comments they have ever gotten were.  I always love reading the responses.  We have all heard them, and sometimes we've answered, ignored or just plain winced.  One of my all time favorites is someone telling me that their children, born 18 months apart, was practically just like having twins.  Although I'm sure it wasn't easy, I can assure you that it was NOTHING like having twins.  Normally, I enjoy talking to people about my children, but please don't just walk up to me to tell me that your husband's brother's wife's friend's dog has twins, too. Seriously?

So now it's my turn...
Is there any comment out of the ordinary or rediculously invasive question that someone has asked you about your multiples?  Please share!  Sometimes it just makes me feel better knowing that I'm not the only one dodging questions and avoiding all possible eye contact in the grocery store!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours.  May 2012 bring you prosperity and much happiness.

xoxo,

Margie, Dan, Wesley and Andrew

Photos with Santa/Build-A-Bear

Here it is, folks!

The yearly Santa Claus visit, captured on cheap photo paper, yet costing a rediculous amount of money.

I thought this would definitely be the year for the 'kids screaming on Santa's lap' photo, (and I'm not going to lie, I kinda really want one of those pictures just to look back and laugh at years down the road), but I was totally wrong.  I thought exposure was the key in the boys not feeling intimidated by the Big Guy in Red, and as it turns out, they were all smiles for every Santa we saw this season.

Every. Single. One.

All 6 of them.

This photo was Santa visit number 5, but Santa #1 and #5 out of 6 (meaning we saw him on 2 different occasions.)  He was my favorite (pretty, authentic and so good with the boys), but the first time we visited him, I tried to cheap-out and use my cell to take a picture, which  wasn't allowed on "the set", hence the blurry images were captured from far away.

In defence of my cheapness, we had just finished up spending lots of "green" at Build-A-Bear, where the boys each chose a pink teddy bear.

Not a typo...pink bears.

And there's more.  Wesley named his bear BOB.

Funny? Indeed.

What's even funnier?

I'll tell you...

Andrew named his pink bear, (oh, so appropriately) GREEN.

Our Half-Naked Tree

Just  like that little Charlie Brown Christmas tree, you almost can't help but feel sorry for our Christmas tree this year.   I tried putting what I thought were non-breakable ornaments at the bottom for the boys to enjoy, but soon found out that even non-breakable stuff breaks.  And to add insult to injury, the dogs chewed the bottom strand of lights beyond repair, so after several years of re-wiring, replacement bulbs and electrical tape, the strand of lights was finally removed.

Soo...This is what a Christmas tree looks like in a house with two 2-year-old boys and three nutty dogs.  Sorry Christmas tree, maybe next year you'll be better dressed!

"Elfie" on the Shelf

This is going to be a very exciting Christmas.  The boys are talking up a storm and now are starting to really understand what all the holiday hustle and bustle is about.  Before I was even pregnant, I bought The Elf on the Shelf at a local card shop for 75% off after the holidays one year.   My mom swears I paid more for it, but I'm certain I got it dirt cheap.  I brought it out last year, but the boys were more fascinated with tearing paper than behaving for an alleged helper of Santa Claus.
This year, though, things are different.   They know who Santa is and that he brings presents to GOOD girls and boys.  We watched the Elf on the Shelf special a few times, and I think they "get it".

Insert "generic Elf with wimpy felt body" here....

This thing has total vintage cuteness, yet is creepy at the same time...  How can that be?   Anyway, I had plans... big plans...  There's not much this momma can't do with a little sequins, sparkles and a hot glue gun ;)

Our Elf got a girlie makeover!

Why should I be the only chick in the house?

For less than $5, I used what I had around the house (and a few purchased goodies) to give this Elf an extreme makeover (and shoes, because what girl doesn't want a new pair of shoes!)

I love the outcome!

The Elf made her debut the very next day - the boys LOVED her!   I was very excited about naming our new visitor from the North Pole, but Andrew was just concerned about not being able to give her a high-five (wouldn't want to take away her magic by touching her, now would we?)

So, for now, we call her "Elfie".  Cute, but I'm hoping we can be a bit more creative next year with the name.   I do love hearing, "Elfie is watching" from both of the boys.   They know she is on a special mission and required to report back to Santa all she sees (naughty and nice!)  It's working.... and she might just stick around our house well past Christmas!

Stay tuned for more holiday excitement from the P house!

{Sneak Peek} Holiday Photos

I mentioned last week at the end of my Shutterfly plug that we were having our pictures taken last weekend.  I've only seen five of the pictures so far, but I couldn't be happier with the results.  I think we (and by "we", I mean the twins) shocked the photographer with how active "we" were.  She was great with the boys and I'm thinking she got some really beautiful pictures (muddy knees, and all).   She created a few holiday 'sets' at a campground near our home... Think little log cabins in the woods, rocking chairs, pine cones, ornaments and Christmas lights.  It looked so homey and inviting.  I loved it.

Here are some of the photos she shared. Stay tuned for more ;)

I told you.  They're so handsome, aren't they? Now I just need to be patient and wait for the rest, and then pick out the winning photo that makes our family Christmas card this year.  (...and maybe a new blog header?)