Random

For some sweet reason when Ruby draws girl-people she adds cat ears and whiskers to them.  Here is her family with Mommy and Ruby having the embellishments!

 

 

Two little beaver fans taking a walk

 

Sunday in the park.

Ru Dressed Herself

 

And is quite proud of her fashion sense, too.

(She is her Mommy's Daughter -- Kristin knew what she wanted to wear when she was two!)

Soccer Saturday!

 

What could be better than joining the kids for their Saturday soccer class.  When they first start they sit in a circle, tell their names and something fun about them and  move the ball around. 

 

 

 

In this exercise they were to put one foot on the ball and then change feet, but do a little hop in between. You can see the concentration in Carson's hands as he adds the hop!

 

Some stretching and then walking on the lines. 

 

 

 

 

I was very impressed with how well the twins listened and interacted with the group of children and coaches.

 

Since it was the last day of this session, each child received a "gold medal" for around their neck and then a group cheer! 

 

 

 

And Popsicles for the very end.  They will be starting a new session next week with 4 and 5 year olds (this class was 3 and 4 year olds).  But it will be a real commitment because it starts at 8:00 AM on Saturdays. 

 

 

 

 

Fun Words to Not Forget

I had the twins over to my house this weekend for a sleep over. 

Some fun words I don't want to forget:

1)  "Grandma, you forgot to give us vegetables!" 

 How many 4 year olds remind the adults that there are no vegetables on their dinner plates?  I had forgotten to put the Edamame beans on the table, and Ruby knows her parents serve vegetables at almost every dinner, and they were missing!

2)  Carson and I were admiring the art work they had done for me for my birthday that I had displayed on my pantry door. 

Carson said

 "When you die, you can take those with you to heaven." 

3)  I baked a spinach, ham and mushroom quiche for dinner last night that was excellent.  I had told the kids all day about it, and they were excited to try their first quiche.  Ruby said

"May I have more quiche please?  I love it."

  Carson discovered a mushroom in his, and that was all she wrote.  Even though the kids are great eaters, Carson (like his Great Aunt Stephanie) has a thing about mushrooms and can spot one a mile away! 

Random Photos

 

The kids are LOVING their soccer class.  Carson really is quite the star.  It will be fun to watch him in years to come and see how his athletic abilities develop. 

 

Kristin took this photo of Ruby asleep with her small softie under her chin.  She really is sleeping....

 

 

 

The kids were over at my house this weekend and together we made about 60 Valentine cards.  I saw this idea in a children's magazine, and thought it so cute, since I have been waving the "I Love You" sign to them for years as they drive away from my house.  Until recently, they had a hard time doing it on their own, but their little finger-coordination must have caught up and now they got it.  I told them they could teach it to their friends at school.  I was so proud of them for writing their names in all of the cards.  Ruby even added drawings to all of her cards.  Carson said he only wanted to write "CARS" in his cards, since that is his nickname at school.
 (the little white hand on this card is Caron's). 

 

Happy Birthday To Me!

Kristin invited me over for a taco-fest for my birthday (in January).  Ruby is helping her with my cake (as you can see from this photo). 

 

 

The kids got such a kick out of me celebrating something that is so very special when you are only 4.  Stephanie had given me a rather large present when we were at their house for Thanksgiving, which I had kept in one of the spare rooms.  Both kids would comment about it each time they saw it. When I finally opened it at their house on my b.day, as I pulled the wrapping off, Ruby noticed it was a box  - - - - -  "Did Aunt Stephanie give you a box for your birthday?"  "No honey, there is something inside the box."  They weren't much interested when they saw the new frying pans inside. 

 

 

 

 

 

GIANT Monkey Softie

When Ruby was a baby she got this monkey "softie" (picture above)  that has been her sleep friend ever since.  Even after getting her other animal "softies" she always went back to the monkey one as her fav.  Kristin was shopping for a baby shower gift and came across this  identical GIANT monkey softie (below)  and had to bring it home to Ruby.  She giggled and giggled and said "oh mommy, it's silly!".  But of course she immediately took to it. 

 

The GIANT softie is big enough to wrap up in or use as a blanket for a bedroom picnic!

 

 

This morning Kristin peeked into Ruby's room to find her having a picnic on the floor with her friends and telling them a story from her Bible (with a crown on of course).  When asked what story she was telling them Ruby simply replied

"The battle of Jericho, Momma!" 

 

Dance/Tumbling Class & In-Door Soccer

 

Miss Ruby's dream come true -- a dance class  (but one that both kids can be in at same time).  It also includes tumbling.  Grandma Carrie is taking them each Wed. to a studio about one  mile from their home.   Notice Ru's perfect little arms up -- I don't even know what that is called!  And then see Carson in the mirror with his pointing straight up! 

Ballerina vs. tumbler!  Having girl/boy twins sure is a learning experience with how different the two can be.  

 

 

 

 

Now this is more up his alley.  This was their very first soccer class and he was talking about it all week.  He has such speed and endurance, that this very well could be HIS SPORT! 

 

 

 

 Ru lumbered along as well, enjoying herself! 

 

 

Some Fun Quotes Over The Holidays!

CARSON:  "Did you know that Christmas is more about giving than getting?"

RUBY:  "Carson you better be good or you will get on the naughty list!"

CARSON:  "May I please have some more Brussel Spouts!"  (no kidding)

RUBY:  "I forgot to ask Santa to put a cheese stick in my stocking!"

CARSON:  "Mommy, I think the Elf is real because he is eating bread!"

 

When Ruby was given a Christmas gift to open, she would hug the person who gave it to her and thank them, BEFORE she even opened it.  Such sweetness in her heart! 

 

 



Happy New Year 2013

Dec, 31st, was a very cold cold day, but we got outside so Carson could do his new remote control car.  He is very good with it and we went around the block.  He did get tired of the car and wanted to run, so Kristin took over the controls. 

Nanny Rach came for a visit.  Here they are all snuggled in to watch Charlie Brown's Happy New Year before going outside to welcome in 2013. 

 

I had been telling them about banging pots and pans outside to welcome the new year and they could hardly wait.  Carson tried out all my pans and spoons to see which one made the most noise.  We went out at 8:00 PM (which I'm sure must have been happy new year someone in the world) and made some racket.  

 

When I said it was time to go in (since it was in the low 30's), Carson began to cry. I think he thought he could stay outside and bang pans for a long time.  I made him happy by telling them we could go in the back yard too.  I'm sure they will remember this fun moment in their lives, and want to do it for years to come. 
(Notice Miss Ruby's different backyard banging style)

 

It was so terribly cold outside on New Year's Day, that we found inside things to do.  Here they are enjoying the new play dough set I got Ruby for Christmas.  

 

 

This little boy loves his Nanny Rach and was sad when she was saying Good Bye! 

Christmas Evening At Grandma Julee's House

A few more gifts to open.  Grandpa Bill sent Elf On The Shelf items that were a hit.  Since their Elf, Lucky, had to go back to the North Pole till next Christmas, the kids were delighted to have the little snow globes of the Elf to keep in their rooms all year long. 

 

 

Great Grandpa Frank sent Carson an erector set.  He is 92 and was very specific about what he wanted to get for the great grandchildren.  He remembered playing with an erector set as a child.  They have changed in all these decades, but still a lot of building fun for a little boy with an engineer-type mind for building things.  I think he will have hours of fun creating things with this set. 

 

 

Great Grandpa Frank wanted his 3 great granddaughters to receive dolls for Christmas from him.  Over the years Miss Ruby has had dolls, but she has never really been a dolly-girl ------- until this Christmas.  She LOVED this new doll and quickly named her "Rosie".  The doll has gone everywhere with Ruby since Christmas Day. 

 

 

Below is my decorations for the holidays.  I enjoyed having them so much this year that I still haven't taken them down.  I must do it soon, because the dead tree is becoming a fire hazard in my own living room.