Christmas

 I love this picture of Leah and Juliet on the stairs with their eyes closed. This year they got each other "big" presents. Chris and I had to put together the stuff with them, then close them in a room to put it out. Then, they "surprised" each other for their annual Christmas Eve exchange. Leah got Julie's bed and Juliet got Kit's table and chairs. Both were super excited and spent the remainder of the evening playing with them. 

 Santa came, of course, and brought lots of Shopkins and whatever else was on their "Want, need, wear, read" list. From us, Leah got an I-pod Nano and Julie's bleachers and Juliet got Grace Thomas and a Leap Pad. Both were very excited. Juliet kept tearing open presents, and then asking, "what's next?! What else can I open?!" She was deliriously overwhelmed and it was super cute. 

 Leah and Juliet slept in their new Christmas pajamas. I had a heart attack when Leah walked into my bathroom at 11 at night to ask for more water. I was busy getting things ready in the closet, and it was a too close near miss. Both girls slept in their rooms, and even slept in on Christmas until close to 9. 

 Santa remembered treats for Brain and Annie and a bone for Ollie. 

 Juliet is thrilled to death to finally have 2 dolls like her sister. However, the new "Girl of the Year" is named Lea and everyday our Leah throws out how much she wants her, how she worries she won't be able to afford her, how worried she is that her collection will sell out...We played the Powerball last week and Leah was convinced that she was going to win and then she would buy all over Lea's collection the next day. 

 Leah and her Shopkins. I think they each got 75 or more new Shopkins. Chris and I thought they would keep them in a big box, but both kids insist on keeping their separated. Leah knows exactly how many she has will rattle off their names, interests, and best friends. Juliet lost a slipper a few days ago and Chris and I spent at least 10 minutes going through all the Shopkins trying to find it. It is so funny to watch them play with them. I don't get it at all, but after a few months of everything American Girl, where everything costs at least  $30, not including shipping, it's nice to be able to get a few packs for pretty cheap at Costco.

Merry Christmas!

Girls and Dog Photo attempt 214 and 215

 Right before Christopher's work party we attempted another girls and dogs picture. This might be the best we ever get.

 A few days later we attempted some more. The girls thought it would be cute to attach ribbon to Ollie's neck.

 Ollie yawning, Juliet falling down, and Leah giving some pretty good dead eyes. Nailed it.

Hooky Day

Well, apparently my computer or camera suck. All the pictures I try to upload come out looking distorted. This was the only one that turned up after 213 tries. Oh well.

We had our 2nd annual hooky day. Leah was so excited that she didn't even mind that she was missing "Friday Funday" when they were supposed to watch movies, make gingerbread houses, and play in the computer lab with their "big buddies". Chris and I had a hard time finding a day this year. My school moved Parent/Teacher conferences to December and his work is always pretty busy. But, we found a time and I'm glad we did. Leah will be the first to tell you it's one of her favorite holiday traditions. This year we saw Santa, played at the Frozen Peanut Palace (everything was exactly the same as last year, only with Peanut characters), went to Build a Bear and went to lunch. They had so much fun. I love this tradition. I hope they still want to go when they are teenagers.