Toothless Wonder

Ryan pulled his 2nd front tooth out on Sunday.  He just sat there and pulled it out in front of us and his grandparents, like no big deal.

I thought this very funny since the first one came out in a much more dramatic fashion.  Like screaming and almost passing out dramatic.  In 7 years, I've never had to call David home to help me.  That's how dramatic the loss of the first one was.  David actually left work to come help me after he heard him screaming through the phone.  The boy had been screaming for almost an hour before he made it home.  I did try pinning Ryan down and pulling it out myself, but that didn't work.  I just knew once the thing was out he would realize how silly he was being.  Since that didn't happen David ventured home.  We couldn't find him at first, but after I pulled him out of his bed he screamed so loud he lodged his tooth out and swallowed it.  And then acted like it was no big deal.  Ummm.  It WAS a big deal.  He had me beyond frazzled and his sisters in tears because he was so freaky.  This kid!  He did write a letter to the Tooth Fairy explaining what had happened and that he would never act like that again.  She left him $5.  Are you kidding me?  This Mama was not happy about that  He deserved 5 cents, in my opinion!  I guess the Tooth Fairy and I need to get on the same page.

Anyway, I was really proud he stepped up and yanked the other tooth out all on his own.  And now he officially is wanting his two front teeth for Christmas!  It's so odd to see this toothless grin.

Daddy's Helpers

We LOVE baking Christmas cookies around here.  David had two pretty special helpers this year.  The moment the mixer starts turning the chairs start pulling up to the counter, "Can I help?  Can I help?".

Ho Ho Ho!

We ventured out in our finest to visit Santa last weekend.  There is a workshop in Issaquah that houses a lovely Santa and two friendly elves.  The kids were so excited, then froze when they were face to face with jolly old guy.  Classic.  Kendall and Ryan warmed up pretty quickly, but Natalie remained skeptical. 

As you can see she was not thrilled to be on this stranger's lap, but thankfully cooperated enough to get a few photos taken.  She eventually came out of her shell and started hamming it up but still wasn't super cooperative with the picture taking, much like her siblings with the fake smiles!  Kendall and Ryan worked hard all morning on coloring pictures for Santa and Rudolph, which Santa really appreciated.  It was fun, and they were most excited about receiving candy canes when it was all said and done.

Christmas with The Boehms

We invited Karen and Bill up for a little holiday celebration before we took off for Minnesota, and to watch the Seahawks game.  The kids loved spending time with them, and opening their gifts. 

Karen found a baby doll for Natalie, similar to Kendall's Baby Happy.  Natalie was thrilled.  Her expression about sums it up!  She wanted to name her baby, Baby Happy, too.  We helped her settle on Baby Bella instead.  Things are confusing enough around here!  Ryan got Legos and all kinds of other fun things, and Kendall was thrilled with all the fun puzzles, clothes and toys she received.  I think she thanked Grandma Karen 1,000 times that day.  She is the sweetest.

So thrilled to have her own Baby Happy. 

Legos!

Playing dolls with Grandpa Bill.

Two And A Half

This picture sums up Natalie at two and a half perfectly; a little bundle of joy.  There are definitely those daily moments when she makes us want to pull our hair out, but she lines all those moments with joy, too.

She is one happy, bright little girl.  She soaks up everything.  Watch what you say around her, because she'll be repeating it word for word moments later.  She talks non-stop.  

She has no interest in potty training, which is our next goal.  It might be our hardest goal to reach yet. 

Her self proclaimed favorite color is purple, and she's quick to tell you Ryan and Kendall's favorite colors, too.  She's got it all down, and I'm sure she'll run the world one day.  She's definitely amazing at running OUR world.

She has very specific ideas about things, and it's her way or the highway almost all the time.  She has become very particular about what she wears and is taking initiative to dress and undress herself.  This can be maddening but I always welcome a little independence. 

She thinks she has the best sister and brother on the planet, which she does of course.  She hates when they aren't around, and asks for them constantly until they get home.  This makes my heart smile.  I love how much she loves them. 

Natalie is a great shopper.  She sits so nicely in the cart and takes it all in.  If I had to pick one of the three to take out, it would be her.  You can't get too close to the merchandise or it ends up in the cart, but other than we don't mind taking her on errands.  And she always, always, always asks the store clerks for stickers!

Getting her to eat dinner has become a battle.  She only eats what she wants and doesn't care if she gets a treat or not.  A treat would usually get her to do anything, but not anymore.  This is one of those "pull our hair out" moments, and we have recently decided the battle is not worth fighting.  Her dinner sits until she decides she's hungry.  This too shall pass, I'm sure. 

Her favorite thing to do right now is fill her Dora backpack with books.  She drags that heavier than heavy book filled backpack everywhere.  We are amazed she can get herself up the stairs with it on her back.  But she does.

She still loves to color, listen to music, sing and has the best dance moves around. 

We love this girl so much! 

She is definitely not a baby anymore.

Tear.

Santa Letters

Ryan took it upon himself to not only write his letter to Santa, but the girl's letters as well.  He even included drawings.

Braids

When Grandma Sue was here the girls actually let her French braid their hair.  I never got to see Natalie's finished product as she pulled it out before I got home, of course.  But I did get to see Kendall's, and it really makes me wish I knew how to do it myself.