I'm not sure who's more proud of this black playdough, me or Malachi, it was the softest, coolest playdough EVER!! I'm a big fan of the thick icing colorings vs. the food coloring. I might have to invest in a few more colors ...
Other holiday crafts -- our cool friend Kelli Collins gave us these totally cool Gingerbread Family kits (homemade I might add) and so Nathan was pretty pumped about making them today. All we had to do was ice them and stick candies on, which was really nice (and mess free!). Unfortunately, or fortunately, however you look at it, Malachi didn't want to eat the candies on the cookies, so mom helped him out with that one. Yummy cookies!!
Violet didn't get to participate in the fore-mentioned activities, but she's pretty happy to be in her bouncy or high chair and sit and watch ... she's such a good baby! And cute too, wouldn't you say?
Somehow I talked Nathan into getting a Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. I was shocked when Nathan suggested an artificial tree, but I figure saying yes just guaranteed that we could set it up the day after Thanksgiving EVERY year :) So here is our very first artificial tree -- no tree farms for us this year!! Not bad for a $45 craigslist buy ...
I would have pictures of Malachi under the Christmas tree as well, but unfortunately he never stands still anymore. His favorite thing to do is go around and around the Christmas tree, hiding behind it in the corner. I have a feeling he'll sleep out under the tree sometime this month ... speaking of sleeping, he finally took a long nap for me this afternoon ... and, well, it's 11pm and I think I still hear him awake upstairs. So much for the extra sleep ... sigh.
Enter in part of the reason why I'm just in the mood for spoiling tonight. This morning we woke up to a light blanket of snow -- very light, but enough for a kid to have fun with. By this evening, it was coming down in big, heavy flakes. I love looking out the window and seeing "outside" lit up so bright, the moon reflecting off of the white carpet. Snow draped over the evergreens like a fine lace dress. I just want to stay awake and watch it too! That may not be the mature choice though ...
I told Malachi that snow tastes like ice cream (in his case, soy ice cream since he's allergic to milk). He looked at me with a questioning look, and then tried it out. He later told me that it didn't taste like ice cream, but I think he liked the way it did taste because he tried a few more bites.
I just think these two pics are cool -- an accidental camera thing -- captures the movement of Malachi having so much fun in the first snowfall.
Malachi first approaching the snow ... he must have forgot last year :)
Now to the bathroom pics -- we always have so much fun in the bathroom. I don't know what it is -- the fun, no mess, mom just sits there and watch and they have a hay day in a tropical environment -- but we always have a good time (except for today, Violet pooped in her bath ... not so much relaxing ... but that's another story). On this particular day I told Malachi to make a bunch of faces, this is the result.
In case you're wondering, that's an elastic band, that was the toy of choice for that day. Note to self: No expensive Christmas gifts!!
And our cutie pie -- goodness she's cute!!
This setup was Grandmas and/or Auntie's idea. They both LOVE it. They make each other giggle and Malachi shares his bubbles. And I get to just sit there and enjoy it all -- in a tropical environment :)
Nathan was playing ball with Malachi the other day -- it was so much fun to watch. Violet was belly laughing and squealing -- tried to get the video to work here but no luck. .. I'll have to try again later ...
For the first time ever, we made it out to the Merrysville Night Parade -- just Malachi, Violet and I -- a tantrum almost prevented it, but we made it there just on time. Malachi liked this sign too -- anything with lights he LOVES. We're planning a "lights" cruise before Christmas which I think we'll all really enjoy -- there are some perks to it getting dark so early.
Notice the fire truck in the background -- Santa Claus and Mrs. Santa Claus were riding in the bucket, but Malachi really only noticed the truck.
Okay, and crazy mom, someone lost these glasses in the park that night, and I couldn't resist bringing them home. I'm sure you've seen these before, but they're a riot. What we see:
What he sees:
Well, and it's confirmed 11:23pm, and Malachi is still awake. I guess it's time for me to turn in the blog, and go back to mommy mode -- I think this is a record for him ....
Sarah
Can you say bath??
Malachi learning to milk a fake cow -- I'm sure this picture will come in handy 15 years down the road ...
And driving a REAL bus (okay, so it was missing the back end, but still really cool).
Violet's new smile -- with tongue tucked up in her mouth.
Fun in the water!!
Nathan pretending to be "hit" by the 5 year old driver ... I thought it was pretty funny :)
