ER trip

Well, last night was one for the books. While we were shopping last night Amelia found a friend and they started running around in circles, in a large open area. A few minutes later, she ran mouth first into a desk. There was a lot of blood and I totally panicked. I'd love to say that I didn't, but I promised Amelia we'd go see the dr and ran to the car. I had her hold a wipe on her mouth and apply pressure while we drove, and she did! 

The bleeding had stopped by the time we got to the ER, and I was able to look in her mouth. I was very surprised to see a 1" laceration right above her top teeth. 

The dr immediately decided she needed stitches. We had to put her in one of those kid straight jacket things to do the procedure. It was so, so awful to see her gum unattached to her mouth and watch all of the numbing shots and stitches going in. She screamed the entire time, but she let the drs do what they needed to do, and was so brave. I couldn't have been more proud. They gave her stickers and prizes after the stitches, and the first words she said were "this sticker is for me , and I'll give these to Kate." 

She was able to smile last night before the swelling set in. 

She woke up today saying "I'm not hurt anymore!" But her lip begs to differ. She's in great spirits, though! 

Kate and the expert

We went to a friends house for Thanksgiving, and over 15 of their relatives were there. Kate found Grandma Teddy (who is 90!), brought her a book, scooted in front of her and had her pick her up! 

Kate knows how to pick 'em. Grandma Teddy's a pro!

Frozen at Target

It just so happened that Amelia was wearing a princess dress when we went to Target today...and they had a Frozen themed backdrop and free Frozen goodies! 

Kate hated the free paper crown but she was all about the gummies. Duh. 

Sleep eating

Baby Kate fell asleep in the car with a yogurt pretzel in her hand yesterday. 

She looked so peaceful and content, so I snapped a picture at a stoplight. 

The next time I looked back I caught her sleep eating. 

Nothing can stop baby Kate! 

Working hands

Did I tell you that I'm selling wreaths at a holiday market this year? Well, I am. And I need to make a new wreath everyday for the next three weeks....which is why my hands look so lovely these days. 

Faux snow day

We were expecting a huge snow storm to hit Portland last night. It turned out to be freezing rain and no snow. School was still open, but I didn't want to risk it, so we stayed home. 

Thankfully, our sweet neighbors and awesome friends did too.

Teamwork, round two

Brandon texted me this picture today during my First Aid certification class, and I almost screamed with joy.

I was wrong and my kids are angels. (ha!) 

Haircuts

We've been trying to cut Amelia's hair for months. After many, many tears and a full size candy bar, we accomplished the impossible. We cut her hair.

Kate got her hair cut the day after Amelia. She hated it, too. 

I love it, of course. Brushing their hair is a million times easier with a trillion fewer tangles. Big props to Grandma Becky for "working" on her vacation. 

Halloween

We had such a fun Halloween this year! Amelia was very excited to wear her costume that I finished at 5:30pm tonight. 

The girls went as Curious George and The Man in the Yellow Hat. 

Rit dye and hot glue were my BFF's today. I had such a fun time putting this together. 

We kept tradition by doing the same route as last year and taking a selfie on the baseball field. 

Maybe I'll learn how to use my sewing machine in time for next Halloween, and make costumes for everyone! 

Mt. Hood!

We had such a fun getaway this weekend. I almost broke my hand, and the entire city lost power for hours on Saturday, but it was a good trip. :) 

Here's the view from our room. 

And our private deck! 

We had an adjoining room for the girls (with a kitchen), and let me tell you - it was heaven. 

The girls had fun and so did we. But, man, we're so happy to be home and back into our normal routine. And "normal" clothes. :) 

Amelia's art

I love the projects Amelia does at preschool. 

This week they're learning about African drumming, so they made their own drums. 

So fun, right?

Teamwork

So, I'm pretty sure that Amelia and Kate worked together to flush my nightguard down our toilet last week. 

I miss it. 

Baby Kate

Everything about baby Kate is big! Big eyes, big smile, big personality and big belly! And even though she's big, she'll always be "baby" Kate. 

I love that girl. 

"Cheesecake"

The girls helped me make a "cheesecake" today, and they were SO EXCITED. It's a dessert I can eat, so it's a loosely interpreted "cheesecake."

They didn't seem to mind a bit. :) 

Robot sandwich

Amelia looked at me today and said "mama! I want to make a robot sandwich." So, we did. 

Pumpkins and tires

After preschool today, we picked out pumpkins. It's amazing how much enjoyment can come out of $4. 

After nap time we got in the car and realized we had a nail in a tire. I took it to a local garage where they told me that it's unrepairable. Not exactly the ending I wanted for today, but I've still got some pretty cute kids. :) 

Stuck at home

Well, we're stuck at home for the next few days because baby Kate is sick. She has hand, foot and mouth, which is contagious and painful. She's a trooper, but the sores on her mouth make eating, her favorite past time, rather difficult. 

We were still able to get a few smiles in today. 

Those darn kids move too fast to get a clear picture. :)

I tried to make today successful, even though we were trapped inside. I made a fall wreath for our front door, and Kate even helped! I'm happy with the way it turned out. 

Sweet girls

Avocado toast is Kate's new fave. 

Amelia and I do kind of look alike. Sometimes. 

Baby Kate

Baby Kate is the cutest.  Here are a few of the cutest photos from this past week. 

Here she is giving Brandon kisses through the fence of his last softball game. 

Things Amelia says

Amelia found Brandon's electric shaver on the couch this morning. She promptly delivered it to me and said "here mama, you can use this to get the pokey's off your legs!" 

Sunday fun day

It was Brandon's guard weekend this weekend, so I tried to treat it like a normal "work" week. We had activities planned and lots of things to do! 

Today Amelia did a trial class at Oregon Gymnastics Academy, and loved it! 

We signed up for monthly classes and got a surprise shirt. Amelia was pretty excited. 

We made a stop at the library on our way back home. Kate's got it down pat. 

And finally, we took a quick trip to Trader Joe's before nap time. All groceries must go in Amelia's cart. 

We also went swimming after naps, but my dead phone = no pictures. 

Onto day 8 of Brandon's work week :) 

It's the little things

It's the little things that make our day fun...like small sinks

And plastic tubs