Circus Day!

They had circus day during the first week of February at Sarah and Adam's daycare. Sarah went as a clown and Adam went as a lion. He wanted to be a tiger, but I couldn't find anything that resembled a tiger. I did find the lion hat and the yellow shirt, and we made it work. Every time Sarah wears this outfit the boys say she looks like a clown, so I thought, why not, she'll be a clown.


This particular morning was obviously a bad one for Adam. He woke up happy but once he finished eating breakfast things went down hill fast. This was the only picture I could get of him.

My New Seat

Mandy kept the kids one Saturday night for us back in December. We brought Sarah's high chair home that she used at her house. I just put it in the pantry because we use it when we travel (like to Aunt Emily and Uncle Joe's at Christmas). She discovered it and pulled it out herself dragging it through the house. On this particular night, I would put it away and before I knew it she would have it back out. She now drags it into the living room to watch TV or watch the boys play Wii.

She went to the doctor at the end of January. She weighs 25 pounds and is 32 1/2 inches tall. I think she has gained at least five pounds over the past two weeks and her hair has grown a lot! She is almost to the point where she needs the bow to keep it out of her eyes. Just think- we all thought she was going to be bald-headed for life!

Boys Night Out

Kevin took Adam and Jackson to Monster Jam about a month ago. They tried to make it to the "Pit Party" before the actual show started but by the time they got there, they quit letting people in due to the fact that too many people were there. Sarah and I did not get to go- and we weren't one bit disappointed. We stayed home and had some girl time.

We Made History

Sarah got to spend some more time with Gramma and Granddad and the four us went to the Duke vs. UNCG game at the Greensboro Coliseum. Jackson was excited to see a "real" basketball game and Adam didn't want to sit still (no surprise there!). We watched Coach K win has 880th game to surpass Dean Smith's record. Jackson was so impressed that Duke's score was over 100!

The press surrounded Coach K for what seemed like ages and then his team was able to congratulate him, too.

Christmas in... February???

Yes, it's February. And yes, I am just now blogging about Christmas. The Faircloths, the Metcalfs, and Jeanne came for lunch on Christmas Eve. The kids opened gifts from them and then we played our annual game of "Dirty Santa". The five of us then went to the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at our church where Jackson sang in the chior. When we got home, we opened more presents and then went to bed to await the most anticipated arrival of Santa Claus.

The Legos were the biggest hit.

Jackson opening his "Pillow Pet". He got a penguin, Adam got a dog, and Sarah got a unicorn.

Sarah loves her talking dog. We have now programmed it to say her name. I'm not sure who was more excited about that- Adam or Sarah. Somehow Violet ends up in Adam's bed with him.

Sarah really liked those Legos, too!

Santa did come! Jackson got his roller blades (and a Kinex roller coaster and a Mouse Trap game).

Sarah got a baby doll, a tea set, and a vacuum cleaner. Santa also seemed to have brought her a horrible cold and an ear infection. She did not feel well over Christmas.

Adam was excited to get a race track, RC, the remote control car from Toy Story, and his very own Wii remote.

It's time to open those stockings!

After finding what Santa brought, we all piled into the van and headed to Aunt Emily and Uncle Joe's house in South Carolina. We enjoyed the time with the VanDusens, the Corrihers, the Piacentinos, and Nana. The snow that fell that night was beautiful, too and extended everyone's stay an extra night.

Sarah loves her Gramma and Granddad.

Adam finally found someone to play Wii with!

Jackson read the Christmas story this year.

Thanks Gramma and Granddad for the sea-saw.

Look I can ride all by myself!

Santa is Everywhere!

The kids had several opportunities to see Santa Claus this week. Adam and Kevin are participating in a basketball class called "Family Hoops" at the YMCA. This week Santa came for a visit. Notice that Adam gets close enough to tell him what he wants for Christmas but not close enough to actually touch him! He told him he wanted a train. This was news to us especially since he has about three sets of Thomas the Train in his room.

Every year the Burlington City Park has a night or two called Christmas in the Park. They open the train and the carousel for free rides along with free hot chocolate and cookies. They have a live nativity with real animals. Kevin took the boys last night. Sarah and I stayed home due to the festivities being outside on a chilly night. She has had a bad runny nose and some more gunk coming out of her ears this week. Poor kid- I don't think she will ever get 100% well.

Adam takes a visit with Santa. He actually sat on this one's lap!

Jackson visits Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Jackson and Adam on the train.

Jackson riding on the ostrich on the carousel.

Adam riding the giraffe on the carousel.

Today we decided to head to the Streets at Southpoint, the mall in Durham, to see Santa. I thought, we'll get there early, everyone else has seen Santa, we won't have to wait long at all. Boy was I wrong. We got to the mall at 10:30- 30 minutes later than I anticipated- and the parking lot was pretty much empty. We parked one space away from the door. I figured that everyone would be out and about early since the mall opened at 8am. We easily walked through the mall since no one was there- until we reached Santa. Everyone that was in the parking lot was in line waiting to see Santa. I have never seen the line so long. I guess word has gotten out how good this Santa is. We've been to see him almost every year since Jackson was little. I waited in line while Kevin took the kids to get shoes for Adam. They came back after about an hour adventure. They left me Sarah while the boys went to the playground area in the mall. For the first time ever Jackson was too tall to play. He didn't seem too disappointed. They came back to the line and waited about 30 more minutes before finally getting to see Santa. Yes, I stood in line for 2 and a half hours so that my kids could go tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas. Am I Super-Mom or what? Adam asked for a train again (???) and Jackson asked for Roller Blades. Sarah watched intently until it was time for her to sit on the big guy's lap at which time she began to scream. After it was all said and done, we got a decent picture, had some Chick-fil-a for lunch, did a little shopping, and ended up spending the whole day at the mall- not in my plans for today. Sorry, mom, those gingerbread cookies aren't getting made this year. We do have chocolate chip though!

Adam playing on the helicopter.

A cute smile from Sarah while waiting in line. Jackson couldn't leave the "snow" alone.

Adam waiting in line. I hope we don't get this face for our Santa picture.

Sarah's response to seeing Santa with some other kids.This might not turn out so good this year.

Here is the progression of the Santa visit. Kevin was taking pictures while I tried to get Sarah to sit without crying.

Sarah on Jackson's lap. Sarah still screaming. I step in to hold her next to Santa.


I lean over to try and get out of the picture. She finally stops crying...


and then the shoe comes off.

CDC Christmas Program

Adam and Sarah's daycare had a Christmas program one evening. Each class sang two to three songs. Some of them were quite comical. Sarah's group (the toddlers and the babies) performed "The 12 Days of Christmas" and "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star". They all did fairly well despite the fact that the little guy who was the five golden rings ran off stage crying.

Sarah was "4 calling birds". She just stood there looking around which really surprised us.

Here they are doing some hand motions for "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". Sarah isn't having any part of those flashing hands, but this was actually pretty good because I later found out that she cried the whole time when they were practicing earlier this day.

Adam's class (the three and four year olds) sang "The ABC Song", "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", and "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas."

His teacher helped each of them create a sweatshirt using their fingerprints or hand prints. Each sweatshirt had something that began with the first letter of their name. Adam made ants. They were all so cute!

Here they are in action! Enjoy!