Word Girl

For the past 3-4 months while our house was being built and we were in the rental house we didn’t have cable/satellite TV for the first time in like 7 years.  While Susie and I felt like we were missing “all our shows” the kids on the other hand fell in love with PBS.  It was one of the 4-5 channels we got.  We were so used to having the Disney channel, Nick Jr., etc. that we never watched shows on PBS in the past.  Maggie fell in love instantly with the show Word Girl.  That was fine with us because it is more educational than the stuff she would normally watch on Nick Jr.  At the end of every episode for like a month they kept advertising that Word Girl was coming to the Mall of America and you could go meet her.  Of course Maggie heard this and asked to go just about every day.  We dangled it over her head like a carrot for about 3 weeks (worked wonders for staying in her bed all night :) )  and then the day finally arrived when Word Girl was going to be there.  We headed out to the mall last Sunday and not only did we meet Word Girl, but Tommy also got his first taste of the rides at Nickelodeon Universe.  Let’s just say we officially have two ride junkies. 

Maggie is finally 42".  42" is the gateway height to some pretty big rides at Mall.  She tried out two "big girl rides" all by herself.  This one was pretty scary and she told me her tummy hurt afterwards. 

This was the other big ride she did.  She looks like such a little peanut next to the other kids.  She liked this one much better than the first one.

Tommy and Mommy Susie on the back of the truck, Maggie is driving

 

Tommy taking one of multiple rides in Swiper's Cars.  He loved them! He was laughing so hard.  It was so cute.  When we got off he started using his sign language and signing more. 

Tommy's thumbs up.  It is so cute

This was about the 4th time on the same ride

Tommy and Maggie also both still love the carousel

Meeting Word Girl for the first time!

She was in love

They also had a writing contest/coloring at the event.  Maggie worked really hard on her picture and writing her name for about 45 minutes while we waited to meet Word Girl.  Much to my surprise Maggie wanted to give Word Girl her art work. 

 

Word Girl was flattered.

Tommy passed out during the Word Girl part

Still looks like a baby at the end of the day

Catch Up Mash Up

Here are a few random pictures from my phone that I never got around to posting before.  After this one I should be caught back up, and I will get back to blogging more regularly or at least I have intentions of doing so… 

This was a cold but bearable day back in the beginning of December, pre-snow.

The kids on Thanksgiving

Tommy getting his 3rd haircut

 

He is becoming a pro

Maggie at the dentist.  She thought the glasses were cool.

I took the kids swimming on MLK day since their daycare was closed.

It was Tommy's first time swimming since he learned to walk.  He loved it.  He was wild and no fear of going head first into the water.  Maggie is getting pretty daring also and kept disappearing to the deep part to jump in.  It was kind of stressful trying to watch both of them by myself but they both had a blast.

Post-swim lunch.  Tommy's favorite food

And by favorite food, I am referring to ketchup.  He just uses the same fry over and over again and licks the ketchup off.

 

My big 4 year old.  She was a great helper and listener this day.

Grandma McNamara got Tommy these cars for Christmas and he loves them

Susie puts them away every night and he digs them out the next day.  He loves to push them on the wood floors and make noises

 

Tommy getting his 4th haircut

Mommy Susie took him to Sport Clips.  He gets the Junior Varsity haircut.  Don't know why but the name makes me laugh.  I also heard he really enjoyed watching ESPN while getting his haircut.

I will admit it was the best haircut he has received so far (we have tried 3 different places).  He looks really handsome as you will see in future posts.

Tommy's 15 Month Checkup

Tommy had his 15 month well-child check up yesterday.  It was confirmed that he is a pretty big boy.  His height measurement is incorrect but the doctor said we didn’t need to redo it since he will be back in 3 months anyways.  He is a wild, healthy boy.  He is starting to speak a lot of Chinese, or minion, as the doctor referred to it.  He is definitely active and only wants to walk or run these days.  He is Mr. Independent until nap time or bed time rolls around, then he melts and needs cuddles.  We learned this week that his bed time is now about 6:30.  Any later than that and you better get the pumpkin home.  He still adores his sister.  They are best friends.  He would follow her off a bridge and smile while doing it.  He is at the age where he is changing so much every day.  He is truly developing his own personality and is such a flirt and a ham.  We love you Tommy!

Tommy's Stats:

Growth Percentiles

Weight: 73% based on CDC 0-36 Months weight-for-age data.

Length: 16%based on CDC 0-36 Months length-for-age data.

Weight for length: 99%based on CDC 0-36 Months weight-for-recumbent length data.

Head Circumference: 82% based on CDC 0-36 Months head circumference-for-age data.

BMI: Body mass index is 20.54 kg/(m^2).

 

Mega Magna-Tiles

Maggie has loved Magna-Tiles since she was about 2.  We have several sets but still that was one of the top things on her Christmas list.  More Magna-Tiles.  Luckily she was good and Santa brought her a whole another big box.  Now she can build really big things.  Here are her two latest creations:

 

This was shortly after our visit to the zoo.  This was the polar bear cage they built.

Two bears inside, an added bonus.

 

Maggie's giant tower.  She was on kitchen stool for most of it.

General Mills Holiday Party

Susie’s training team at work held their holiday party on January 11^th at the Como Zoo.  It was one of the best work holiday parties I have been to and it was especially nice that the kids were invited and had specific activities to keep them entertained.  We had a great dinner and got two private animal meet and greets.  First there was polar bear training.  We got to watch the trainers interact with the polar bears.  Tommy was in awe.  He definitely needs to go back to the zoo this summer.  He didn’t take his eyes off the animals.  The second animal we got to meet was an armadillo from South America.  It was like a zu-zuh pet gone crazy.  It basically spun in circles for 1 hour.  It was pretty neat when it curled up in  a tight ball for the kids.  All of the kids received a stuffed polar bear to take home as a bonus.  It was a great night. 

Sleeding with Cousins

 Christmas Day after brunch and presents all of the cousins wanted to go play in the snow.  Grandpa and Kelly were nice enough to brave the cold and pull them around behind the gator for a really, really, long time.  The kids are getting to the ages were they never get cold and never seem to get tired.  All of the cousins participated besides the 3 littlest.  We might need a 3^rd sled next year!

Maggie riding with Grandpa

Lauren, Maggie, Lucy

One sled wasn't enough, so they added a 2nd sled so the kids didn't have to wait as long between turns

Grace, Maggie, and Ella on left.  Lauren and Leyton on right.

Leyton and Lauren in one and Cal, Luca and Aunt Kelly in the other.