Its beginning to look a lot like "Mis mis"

I can't believe its less than a week & a half away!!  We're trying to get into the Christmas spirit, but I still feel like it should be 3 weeks out.  This time of year just flys by!  I finally got a few presents wrapped, though they are on top of the entertainment center, not under the tree.  I don't trust those 6 little busy hands!  I have a few odds & ends things yet to get, but we're for the most part ready.  We haven't been doing anything super special to prepare for the holidays.  We talk to the kids about it.  They know who Santa is (& sometimes call bearded men at the store Santa!).  And while they love to talk about him, they don't like actually meeting him.  Livi knows who Baby Jesus is, as in she knows who the figure in our Manger is (or "Jesus house").  The boys know, kind of, but not like her.  She is so intent on knowing everything there is to know.  She knows Jesus's mommy is Mary & daddy is Joseph.  But usually calls them "Jesus mommy" & "Jesus daddy" & she enjoys taking the wooden characters to bed with her.  And if you ask her whose birthday is on Christmas, she'll tell you "baby Jesus!"  She remembers everything... as in there are a few presents for other people she knows what they are.  And if you ask her what we got ______ for Christmas, she just might tell you!! 

We've been staying busy.... and healthy!  Trying to have fun & not get wrapped up in all the stress that sadly comes with the Holiday season.

It was very cold & since we have had sick kids, we rather brought the snow IN to play with.

 Hayden thought it was pretty silly

 Livi says "Burrrr."  However she gets confused & says "Burrr.... hot!"

 YUM!  They ended up each eating 2 bowls full!  {Don't worry, it wasn't yellow!}

 Logan quite enjoyed it.  Next time we get snow we better be healthy enough to get out & try out our new boots!

I know we just went through a growth spurt.... and they are looking a little chubby with their shirts off here!

 We have been loving horsie rides.  Mostly on daddy's back.  But "Maas" can actually give Livi a ride for a few steps!!  They both enjoy it.

 Boom!

 And teething.... apparently on my kitchen chairs!  OMG!

 I've been doing some crafting.  Which the kids call "workin'."  They like to do their "workin'' too.  A few cut up pieces of construction paper can keep them busy a long time. 

 Wearing our winter coats!!

 Got a land line!!  Hope to never have to use it.

 They are almost ALWAYS asking to have their diapers changed.  "Change butt."  "Owie butt"  "Pee potty"  "bi-per" or a variety of other phrases mean they are getting close to potty training time.  YIKES!  Livi trying to put her own diaper on before bed.

 Some little $3 tractors from Walmart are keeping the boys busy.  They have mastered the art of putting the wagon on themselves!  Very impressive I think!!  Awesome fine motor skills.

 Takes some serious concentration.

 We've been stealing eachothers stuff.  Everything from toys... to breakfast!

 Coloring!! 

 "Mis Mis Tea"

 Don't dream of doing anything without a car in hand Logan!

 Molly & LeeLee came to see Santa at the mall with us.  And bring us some new Christmas shirts from GG.

 The boys had to take a little break from waiting in line.

 Almost our turn.  "Nanta!"

 They enjoyed his little workshop.  Trees & presents....

 But the big guy, not so much!!  3 tearful tots.  Maybe next year??

 Afterwards some "bak bak" {chicken nuggets} & "fries" from Burger King got us some cool hats.  Lay down the back seat in a double stroller & you have a seat for 2!  Until the kicking starts.....

Their little brains are still on fire.  Repeating everything.  Coming up with new words daily & speaking often in 3-4 word phrases.  Even Logan.  (Though I have a harder time differentiating his words & understanding what he is saying.)

Do you remember as a kid there were words your parents hated.  (Like shut-up or stupid!?)  Didn't understand it as a kid, there were such worse things out there we could have chosen.  Well I have my first word that I'd like to never hear again.  I hate "MINE!"  All day "mine, mine, mine."  Makes me dread the years ahead that I'm sure will include lots of shut-ups & stupids. 

They have started telling eachother NO.  In regards to things other than stealing toys.  Like "NO" don't climb on the kitchen table. 

Logan has started taking us by the hand to bring us somewhere when he wants something.  He does this to his siblings too, often to their dismay.

This morning I asked Olivia what she wanted to wear.  I wasn't really expecting a response, however she replied "Cat shirt."  So I pulled out of her closet 2 shirts with cats on them & asked her which one.  "Pink cat shirt."  I was infact holding in my hand a pink shirt with the Cat in the Hat on it.  I then turned to the boys & asked what do you want to wear today?  To which Livi piped in & replied, "Ma-mus shirt" {Thomas}.  And they agreed.  {She is such a little mother!}  Things are changing around her way too fast.  They are SOO not my little babies anymore.  {Though if you ask them they'll sometimes say "mommy baby," as in they are my babies!}

Livi is loving her little Leaptop computer.  She is starting to learn some of her letters.  She can find O, P, D & her favorite is W!  She has done this ALL on her own with the help of her computer, I only wish I could take the credit for teaching them to her.  She'll even say "O" "O-ya-ya" because now I tell her O is for Olivia. 

We were reading some Thomas the Train books tonight & they all surprised us with some other knowledge.  There are a variety of different train characters on Thomas the TRain & when we started naming names, they could point all 4 of them out that were in the book.  James, Percy, Thomas & Gordon!  And keep in mind, Gordon & Thomas even to me look very alike, both blue.  Gordon is bigger & they have different numbers on the side.  They could even point out which was Thomas when all they saw was the back 1/2 of the train with his #1 on the side!!  We have never, ever discussed that with them.  And I promise we don't watch DVDs constantly.  I am amazed they picked that all up!

They get so proud of their accomplishments.  And get so proud when they show off something new they have learned, even a word.  I'm having a blast with this stage {most of it!}  I'm so proud of them!

I think for the most part they'll make "Nanta"s NICE LIST this year.

P.S.  Jeff is done with this semester of classes!  Meaning only 1 semester left until he is done.  Hip, Hip, Hooray!!