Bend it like ..

Chloe has been taking soccer lessons for a couple of months. I think she will probably soon be a soccer drop out (too many boys in the class I'm guessing, Chloe only likes "gurls".)

Anyway, here's a video of happier soccer times! Enjoy!

Another first

Today was Chloe's first visit to the dentist. Craig found a pediatric dentistry practice close to our house and let Chloe pick her own dentist from the pictures on the website. Of course she choose the dentist with the yellow hair and blue eyes, Noelle.

Chloe did really well. . their goal was just to get her comfortable with being there. They have a lot of fun things such as animals they can sit on, clocks with animals brushing their teeth, flavored colored gloves and of course, Chloe got a goody bag with a toothbrush and her own flosser.

All in all, a good visit. No issue with her teeth from her thumb sucking, so that is good to know. We go back in 6 months and then they will try to do a bit more. They were able to do a little brushing..Chloe was super brave!

Sitting in the dentist chair for the first time. I loved the stuffed animals everywhere. . they even have ones you can sit on top of!


A yewyow toothbrush. . yipee!


The dental hygienist showing Chloe what it will feel like to have her teeth cleaned


Chloe was brave enough to let her actually clean a few teeth.


Finally meeting with Noelle, her dentist.

A very sad day . .

Even though we had un-decorated her on Friday, today she was brought to the curb. Little Ms. Chloe shed a few tears, so we decided to go outside and take one last picture with her. This tree was good to us. . she barely shed any needles during her 2+ weeks with us.

I think only Zack was happy to see her go. . as she occupied the space usually occupied by his bed.

Playing Hide & Go Seek with Chloe

is quite funny! Tonight after I hid and she made Craig help her find me, she announced, "Now it is my turn to hide. I'm going to hide in the bedroom under the covers." And so we played.

Of course, and I'm not biased, she is also quite smart. Chloe has really been pushing our buttons at bedtime, anything to delay her being left alone in her room. The latest excuse she has come up with was that all the kisses I gave her wore off. Fortunately, Craig, the master story teller, found a good solution to that one. Last night he told her that the kisses float up to the ceiling and then come back down and kiss her all night long. Chloe really liked that answer. . we'll see what she comes up with next!

New Year's Eve

I don't know many people who actually stay up until midnight anymore on New Year's Eve. The friends I thought might actually left a party before midnight so they could be home before all the drunk drivers got on the road.

No worries for us, we were home well before 9 PM! We celebrated New Years with the Broadfeet and the Springgates.

The girls had fun playing together . .


but this guy had the best time. Callum sat in his high chair and ate for 2 hours straight. Applesauce, peaches, cheerios and Cooks Illustrated Lasagna. You go Callum!

Let it snow, let it snow,

let it snow!

Portland was surprised this afternoon with a whole bunch of snow . . so of course, we bundled up to take advantage of it. Good clean family fun!

Christmas Day

When Chloe woke up this morning, she said, as usual "It's morning time". I went into her room and she told me she heard Rudolph on the roof last night and asked me if Santa came. And he did!

So we all came downstairs to open our presents, and what a haul!

Chloe got a new purple fish tank with a guppy she named, appropriately, "Chloe". We had to start out with just one fish, for some odd new fish tank reason, and in a month Chloe and Craig will go back and pick out 2 more fish and 3 little African frogs to complete the tank. Craig got the tank at this great fish store near the children's gym called The Wet Spot.



After seeing the fish tank, we went on to opening up our stockings. Chloe's stocking was filled with Hello Kitty and "button" socks (socks with little rubber dots on the bottom that Chloe calls buttons) and light up Hello Kitty Stampers. And, of course, some coal (chocolate popcorn).



After Chloe opened all the presents in her stocking, she started helping us!


So just in case Chloe ever complains about her lack of stuff, here she is with everything she got this year for Christmas!

From her Aunt Karen and Cousins Carly & Jarred, 3 books and a stuffed animal:





From her Nana & Poppa, a guitar and Calico Critters.


A live Butterfly Pavilion which we will get caterpillar eggs for and then Chloe can watch them go through all stages to butterfly


A "Where the Wild Things Are" floor puzzle:


A "Fancy Nancy" Book:


A cool round floor puzzle from Franny:


A personalized memory game:


Zingo, a fun game from Max & Ella (plus Candyland!!! from Bea)

Craig and I did well too. Craig got some new Timberland boots. About time as he was impressing people by the duct tape that was holding his old ones together. He also got a Garmin GPS, which is a fun toy, and a couple of coffee mugs, which he needed.

Craig surprised me with a backpack. Ok, I asked for it and told him quite in detail what I wanted, but he came through, along with a gift certificate for a custom designed bathing suit from Sofada! And he rounded it out with a booklight, and a Walgreens Special Ove Glove.

And, after opening all these wonderful gifts (well not all, we actually did take a break), I started a new tradition of making cinnamon rolls which turned out quite excellent and we'll have every year!



Then we met the Springgates and Broadfeet at the park for a little chilly playdate, then came back home for lunch and to open the rest of the presents. All in all, a really wonderful sunny Christmas!





When I asked Chloe what her favorite Christmas present was, she said the mouse. Her Aunt Karen once again scores with the best gift.

Chloe fell asleep watching Frosty Returns, and I carried her up to bed where she is now, I'm imagining, dreaming of a very wonderful Christmas!