Jack's Birthday Party

Birthday Boy Jack

The girls' friend, Jack, turned 2 last week! Grammy, the girls and I went to his party at the Mountlake Terrace community center. Jack had a whole huge playroom just for his party! The girls were very shy at first, and slowly warmed up over the time we were there. But they mostly stuck together and to Mom and Grammy.

It was interesting to observe them in this setting, as there were a few other kids and lots of adults they didn't know. Emma was a little more adventurous, but neither of them really interacted with the other kids, even Jack who they know. They definitely clung to what was comfortable.

Emma checks out the ball pit with the other kids. She was very adventurous!

Emma had fun throwing the balls.

Mia preferred the kitchen setting. She whipped up dinner for us.

The kids enjoy "naks" and cupcakes at the table. Clockwise from left: Linnea, Emma, Mia, Caden, Jack. (Maggie not pictured.)

The birthday boy and his super cute mini train cupcakes.

Double Trouble: Mia and Emma check out the playhouse with a bridge and slide.

Emma gets ready to slide.

Mia looks cool as she prepares to slide.

Best of friends.

Christmas Comes Early

We celebrated Christmas a little early with Grammy while she was in town.

Mia and Emma check out all the ornaments.

Their favorites were Elmo, Big Bird and Cookie Monster, of course. Looks like Emma spotted one in the tree!

Mia finds Cookie Monster!

Emma checks out the cool toy Grammy got her.

Mia very carefully opens a present.

Grammy gets help from the girls.

The scene.

Emma kicks back on the chaise while waiting for breakfast.

Mia and Emma "help" Daddy cook in the kitchen.

Emma gives Elmo a kiss. Mwah!

Mia shows off Big Bird.

Mia focuses on using her big girl fork.

Emma feeds Daddy some cinnamon roll.

The girls play with puzzles that Grammy brought them. They were Mama's when she was little.

The girls: Grammy, Emma, Mama, Mia

Girls' (Day &) Night Out (includes must-see video!)

Grammy visited us for an early Christmas. We all had a great time! After a girls' shopping trip on Saturday, the girls read books and played with their new toys on the couch. Grammy treated each of them to a new Christmas toy they picked out at Target. Emma chose a Sesame Street See 'n Say, while Mia chose a Jack-in-the-Box.

Mia is content with her book, and Emma looks on while playing with her new See 'n Say.

Mia and Emma are both content with each other's toys for a moment.

But then, Mia starts thinking Emma's toy looks pretty fun. And the sharing/taking turns cycle begins...

But in the end they're always friends.

Saturday night was girls' night while Matt was at the Husky basketball game. Grammy, the girls and I drove to a nearby neighborhood to see Christmas lights and then went to dinner at a local pizza place. (Our servers included women who were identical twins; the entire staff at the family-owned restaurant were all mesmerized by the girls).

Once we got home, we put in one of Grammy' favorite Christmas movies - Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas. The girls loved the music! We caught their absolutely adorable and hysterical dance on tape. Enjoy it here!

Storytime

After an exciting day decorating cookies at school, the girls settled down for some stories before bedtime. They chose their favorite Sesame Street books, which are very well worn and well known by now.

Mia and Emma cozy up for stories on their pillow.

Aw, so sweet!

Daycare Christmas Cookie Party

The Toddler 4 Class at the Mermaid's Lagoon hosted a cookie decorating party this week. All the families brought cookie supplies or snacks for the party. The girls will move to a new class in January, but fortunately, most of the same kids will join them. They're lucky to be on the same transition schedule as most of their friends.

Grammy was in town and Matt was able to make it, so the girls had all three of us there to represent. The 3:2 ratio was a bit foreign to them in that setting, but they certainly didn't complain about the extra hands and attention.

Bring on the frosting and sprinkles! Clockwise from left: Mia, Cedar, Izzy (Isabella), Emma

Emma wasted no time going for the sprinkles, and sprinkling them everywhere. Mia took a more cautious approach, careful not to get too messy.

Emma and Mia pose with their Toddler 4 teachers, "Nell" (Channelle) and "Yiley" (Riley).

Daddy checks in with the girls.

Mama and her girls.

Grammy holds tight to her girls.

Emma had no trouble diving into the frosting.

Mia was a bit more dainty, but also loved the taste of frosting.

Sunday with Santa, Dasher & Blitzen

We made our second annual trip to nearby Swanson's Nursery for the Reindeer Festival. This year, we met the Roddas there. The setting is just beautiful - at least from what I could tell, as I was chasing the girls through the aisle of flowers and plants. It was a blur of poinsettias.

Preview of our Christmas card photo. (photo credit: Melissa Rodda)

Miss Mia in her pretty, green coat

Tom, Melissa, Jack and baby Emmett Rodda

We posed for a family pic with Santa, himself, and visited Dasher and Blitzen, who were resting up for the big day.

Jack shows Emma the way to the reindeer.

There they are! I think Blitzen is on the left, Dasher on the right.

Afterward we all went to Starbucks. Jack introduced the girls to his favorite - hot cocoa...yum, yum!

Em & M discover a new treat!

All Dressed Up for the Holidays

Em & M model their new, holiday coats.

Emma is pretty in pink.

Mia in festive green.