Christmas Family Photo

This is what you get when you quickly awaken two boys from their naps; pull them out of bed; beg, bribe, and cajole the three-year-old into wearing jeans (instead of his preferred warm-up pants) and decide not to fight him on the shirt and just let him wear one he'll be content to put on; bring them to the park but tell them sorry, you can't play yet; and then hurry fast before the sun goes down any more.  Personally, I was pretty happy with the results.  Phew!

Thanks to Amanda and Shayla for letting me be the third wheel and only non-photographer of the triple family photo session!

Preschool

Preschool was at our house this week.  (We switch off with the other moms, twice a week.)  The kids were very excited about Ked's new electric train (which he actually received from his Aunt Natalie and Uncle Trevor at his birth).  They were having it go through their human tunnel.  

Ked is the shortest, but he's also the youngest.  He is the only one in the group whose name does not start with an H.  Don't look at where Tyn's finger is.   

Double Cowlick

Ked's hair lends itself to a pretty radical hairstyle, courtesy of his double cowlick.  

And he wonders why I often stroke his head from front to back. . . and then quickly press it down again if we're in public.

Thanksgiving at Oma and Opa's

It was so nice to finally get out to see Sam's parents.  We had a great visit with them and were glad to also spend time with Morgan & Melissa fam, Pete & Emily fam, and Guy and his Allison. 

The kids' favorite game.  Henry, Ked, Pete, Anne, Oma.

 Quick family photo.  Not bad.  I think we're getting a little better at this.  If only we could teach Ked to smile for real instead of saying, "cheese."

 Tyn did not want to pose with his cousins.  Anne and Noelle.

 Love his lower lip and her dimple!

Tyn loves Oma!

Pacifier Blues

I have to admit, as much as it tugged at my heart strings to see my boy so devastated, and as I did all I could to comfort him after his grandparents' dog chewed up his pacifier, I was secretly rejoicing.  Now I didn't have to be the bad guy!  He didn't know I had a spare, and didn't yet realize I could buy another at the store!

Eventually, however, the reality of living in a house that was temporarily home for several families and family members and knowing that Ked was not the only one that was going to be up all night the whole Thanksgiving trip led me to finally pull out the spare.  The offers for a proper burial and ceremony had done nothing to appease him.  And though he eventually tearfully and angrily demanded it all be put in the trash, that didn't mean he had accepted his loss.  Oh well. . .  some day. . .   soon!

Ked 3 1/4 years old