Christmas Over and Over!

Bless little William! Such a strong eater and could not get enough food...so we had to move to oatmeal! This was the first night...and John was helping as I was preparing! He loved it!

Well, maybe he looks scared here but he quickly caught on.

And we were off to our first Christmas in Maryland with the Koontz family!

Virginia loved Kendall reading to her!

Sweet little boy....someone told him it was time for presents. He got these two and sat patiently in a chair holding them. He had no idea he had more than two coming. 

Getting ready for presents while John is still guarding his two.

It was a Redskins game day when we celebrated!

And finally...opening!

Then we made it back home. And saw some snow on the way! Thank goodness...now Virginia really thinks it snows every Christmas.

Pure joy setting out cookies and milk and reindeer food!

Santa left us a message...in some poor cursive but I guess writing is fancier up there. 

And we caught a picture of him leaving presents!

The bikes from Santa were a bust. Virginia's tire was broken and John thought his was too big and he did not want to fall off. Like he did in Toys R Us when we tried out sizes to let Santa know. Bandaids were then on our buy list that day.

But the helmets and scooters (from Mommy and Daddy) were a hit!

Who needs a brand new bike....

We were off to Ashley's house for the McCrary Family Christmas. Look at that double chin. Good thing we have friends who are passing on 9 and 12 month clothing since we are now off on what John was wearing this time of year when he was 6 months old, even though William is 3 months old. I just hope he keeps going and can get on John's clothes this summer...when William will be 9 months old and John was 2. And John was no small kid. William will be in 2T before we know it! Chunker!

This holiday, Virginia was desperate for presents. As seen here. 

Thanks Aunt Patty...we missed you!

A new bike....a new scooter....but no...I need my big wheel! Ridiculous!

Finally! On something other than his beloved big wheel! A forced picture....

Watch out for that curb!

Merry Christmas!

As we near Christmas....and my return to work Friday...and holiday travel...I feel that I might be lost on free time! So here is our Christmas card to all...enjoy a safe and super fun holiday!

Virginia

Virginia: Mommy....where are MY gloves!!!!!!
Me: I don't know honey, I am not responsible for your gloves. You are. (P.S. It was 60 degrees today.)
Virginia: Well, I am responsible for my gloves. You are responsible for me. So.....
Me: Well, I guess you will need to work this out.
Virginia: I better find them before Christmas.
Me: Why?
Virginia: Because you told me it snows on Christmas. SO I will need them.

Oh the teacher in me that has tried to tell the kids how the seasons work. And yes, I did say it snows around Christmas time in winter. Ugh.

No three year old should have this logic! Goodness! What will the teenage years will bring!

The Dentist

 So it was a day I have been dreading. For a long time. I made appointments for the kids to go to the dentist when they turned three. I did the smart thing and took them with me to my last appointment so they could see what happens, meet the ladies, bought them a book about Dora going to the dentist...the full show. Then, it turned out that you actually have to sign your kids up for Dental Insurance...it does not just happen when they are born and you sign them up for Health Insurance. Oops. So I had to cancel their appointment. And I was fully relieved. Then sweet William was born and we were able to get them all on for that. Blah. So I knew it was coming and denied it happening until today. As we all know, sometimes they are naughty at doctor offices. Luckily, we have come a long way at the pediatrician. 

But....off we were to the dentist. It was during nap time and the baby was starving. So we get there and they were excited! YAY! Then the lady handed me the paperwork. 7 pages for each...while I am feeding a baby in the bjorn backwards with a bottle. It turns out it is difficult to feed a baby and hold a clipboard. Even a lady that came in asked if she could help. Shame. But we were good....until Penny came out to get us. The fear on Virginia's face was priceless. And horrifying. And funny. John was thrilled....solely because I offered ice cream after. And yes I know, it is the dentist. Oh well.

We went back and I knew John was my only hope of going first or at all. So I told him it was his turn. He politely offered the first turn to William. I clearly explained that William did not have any teeth...so he was not seeing the dentist. Sadness. But I offered to sit in the chair and let John lay on me. That got him! He got up and was thrilled! He did a great job! Virginia on the other hand was making such a stink that the main dentist who owns the whole place and we have never seen before....came by (because he heard her) and offered crackers and jokes. She was having no part of it. 

After much discussion, I forced her onto the chair. She went lip locked. Would not let anyone in there. We only got in there mid-cries. But it was enough. And shamefully, it could have been worse so I was kind of proud of her. The ladies that worked on us just felt sorry for me. And when I said I had my appointment next week, I really thought they were going to say we could just do it now instead. But no, they kindly asked if I was bringing everyone back again. When I said it would just be me...and the baby...I could see the relief in their eyes. And their words...when one who was holding the baby said, "Oh, thank goodness." 

P.S. This was William ready to go to the dentist!

 And we really all got ice cream because everyone made it in the chair. Virginia promised she would try harder next time. I hope she does not have a cavity.

 All of that good mediocre behavior then led to this. I went up to get them at rest time. I did not see them but saw this....

 And found this. Yes, this is everything from their closet short of the clothes.

 But this is fun....under a box with no air. And a pull up at least. No pants.  As Virginia is pushing down on the box.

The effort to clean up....it was an interesting day. And one that needed a lot of patience, a few tears, and a beer.... and a Daddy to come home, hold a baby, and handle these two. On a positive note, I did clean out their closet after which was apparently much needed.

Christmas!

 It has been Christmas time in the Koontz house since we arrived home from Thanksgiving! Today...we decided to make a trip to visit Santa. It went way better than anyone expected!

 Although it looks like this was planned, it really happened because neither John nor Virginia would sit on Santa's lap. I don't blame them. William, however, was a trooper!

And Santa sent us a present...the Elf on the Shelf! It was under the fireplace....and after reading the book, it turns out there are a  lot of rules! 

 John was clearly super interested. Not too far off of how he has treated it all together. I think in his mind he is good most of the time, so Santa will bring him presents. Until today, when he was so unruly we had to start taking presents away from under the tree. Good luck kid!

 After much debate and several attempts at naming him "The Little Elf"....they decided on Frosty as a name.

We were off to see the lights at Lewis Ginter!

 William was clearly a fan.

Record that I got these kids in a stroller in the past two years...only Grandma and Granny B have the touch anymore!