santa was here!

Christmas 2012 was a success!  Santa came and delivered some pretty awesome gifts.  He ate our cookies and drank our milk - even left a thank you note.  R was most excited about dress up clothes and Doc McStuffin's.  K was excited about Doc's friend, Lambie.  I think because she is soft and cuddly, she even says "I need a cuddle".  R was overwhelmed to be able to open so many gifts at once and was helpful with K's as well.  K didn't care too much about opening things but he likes playing with his toys.  We also went outside to try out R's new scooter for a few minutes.  Overall it was a very fun holiday - spending time with our families, lots of great gifts and fairly good weather.

leading up to christmas...

Leading up to Christmas was a very fun weekend filled with family and, of course, presents!  We saw some snow fly on Thursday, which caused some treacherous driving for the Wolff boys but an opportunity for R to see snow.  Over the past 3 days we were able to spend time with both sides of the family, leaving Christmas day for just us.  R made a snow angel, threw snow balls and ice sickles and was pulled around on her sled - something we did not have an opportunity to do last winter.  She was in heaven.  We ate lots of good food and cookies over the past few days and opened lots of presents.  K didn't care about gifts, but did like food and entertaining the uncles.  K & R are snuggled in their beds right now in anticipation of the "big man's" arrival. We left milk and cookies - his favorite, chocolate chip!

first haircut

 It was hard, but I finally let C cut K's hair.  It was just a trim because his little curls were getting out of control!  We took R to get her haircut before the holidays and K didn't want to be left out.  He did not want to sit by himself, so I had to get in the chair with him.  He stayed still when sitting in my lap, but I think part of it was because he was sick.

breakfast with santa

Today we went to have breakfast with Santa at the Franklin Park Conservatory.  It was magical!  The food was a very good buffet (the orange chocolate scones and peppermint rimmed glasses of hot chocolate were the highlights).  K ate everything on my plate and R ate two strawberries and 2 cookies that she decorated.  Oh well, I guess we know we get our monies worth for K when buying a buffet.  We sat with our friend S and her mom.  And another family, that family had a little girl the same age as R and a little boy the same age as K, with the same name!!  I thought we picked something unique.  After a delicious breakfast, cookie decorating and coloring - we went into the conservatory and sat with Santa.  He walked around the room earlier, but this was our chance to take photos and tell Santa what is on the list this year.  R, of course, said "doc mcstuffins" and she said that K wanted a green dinosaur from Toy Story (which is what she is giving to him).  K tried out the big man's chair before he sat down.  Both kids sat with Santa with no hesitation, but K actually lunged for him which surprised even Santa (he is obviously not familiar with K's preference for grandpa like men).  K also tried to climb into all of the beautiful plant arrangements, oh little guy.  This was great fun and a family tradition we will continue for years to come.

thanksgiving 2012

Thanksgiving weekend was a success.  Thanksgiving Day we went to Grandma and Pop Pop's house.  Dinner was delicious, and the company was top notch.  K enjoyed his first Thanksgiving dinner, last year he had a bottle.  R was not as impressed.  The next day U Jordan, U Nathan, Kim, Grammy and Grandpa came down for a visit.  It was great to see everyone and Kim even brought a festive craft for the occasion.

The Polar Express

Saturday night R donned her new pajamas and we headed to the North Pole to see.....Santa, of course.  R, Grammy, Momma and Dad took a train ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.  They did a reenactment of the book, Polar Express.  R got a gold ticket and as the train pulled out of the station, the friendly elves read the book for us.  After the book, we were served hot chocolate and cookies.  This was R's first cup of hot chocolate and she enjoyed it.  We then pulled into The North Pole.  There were lots of lights and many elves there to welcome us.  We also saw Santa and Mrs. Claus.  We then started the ride back to Akron.  On the trip back we sang songs and did the reindeer hooky poky.  We also got a special surprise -- Santa boarded the train when we were stopped in the North Pole.  He visited each car and each kid.  He asked R what was on her Christmas list and  R gave him a big hug.  He gave her the "first gift of Christmas" - a bell from his sleigh.  She was so excited about the bell that she has not let it out of her sight for a moment.  It was super cool!  The conductor even punched her ticket to make the trip official.

Halloween 2012

Halloween was cold and wet, but that did not deter R from a sugar filled night.  After a fun Halloween party at school (and by fun, I mean - R running in circles in the parking lot from so much sugar). R came home to refuel and go out for trick or treat.  R's friend S came over with her mom, along with R's grandparents.  We had a fun dinner and headed out despite the rain.  R, S and K all went up the street to our neighbor's house, but K quickly got tired and headed home with Pop-Pop.  R and K continued on in the rain.  R loved to knock on all of the doors and ask for candy.  She did not want to stop until her bucket was full.  She also ran up to someone and said "I'm a beautiful strawberry!!"  It was a very successful evening, despite the bad weather.  Great time, thanks Grandma and Pop-Pop for handing out candy so we could go out with R!!

cooking party

R's friend at school invited all of the girls in the class to a cooking party at the local Young Chef's Academy.  It was a fun activity on a cold, wet Saturday morning.  It is hard to believe that earlier this week, we were wearing short sleeves.  R made an apple dumpling and pigs in a blanket.  While the food was cooking, the class read books and colored pictures.  The letter of the day was "Hh" for Halloween!

BOO! at the Zoo

The weather was chilly but sunny on Sunday morning -- great weather for a trip to the zoo.  R and K were so excited to try out their costumes.  Many people commented on the adorable strawberry.... a girl after my own heart.  R collected a lot of candy and quickly mastered the maze made of hay bails.  There was also a gymnastics booth where R tried out her tumbling and balancing skills.  R did not enjoy the haunted mansion this year.  Since it was a little cooler, many of the animals were out which was very cool.  K spent a lot of time in his stroller, but he didn't mind - he is great at people watching.  After a fun morning we went to BW-3 for lunch then came home to take naps.  A great fall day.