Mmmm.. Gingerbread Cookies

After making decorated construction paper gingerbread men on Monday at school, Dulaney Day did not disappoint and the boys came home with gingerbread men cookies.  They absolutely love their creations and it is super hard to convince them to wait until dinnertime to enjoy their treats and share them with daddy. 

Jackson inspecting and letting us know that they used chocolate chips to make the face.

Little hands at work. 

Connor scraping around for every crumb......

Taking an actual bite.

Still pointing out the chocolate chips with big smiles. 

Skeptical but enjoying.  Michael confirmed that they were good. Looking forward to more treats from our bakers and what a great way to start the holiday season!

Toddler Made Tasty Treats : Gingerbread Men

After making some beautifully decorated gingerbread men, the boys moved the gingerbread discussion into the kitchen at school and brought home tasty treats. They were ADAMANT about eating them upon returning home from school but I had them hold off so they could share them with Michael.

Pointing out the gingerbread men's eyes.

De-headed.

Inspecting his cookie.

Connor picking up the crumbs.  He definitely liked it and wanted to secure every bit of its yummy goodness.

 Taking actual bites.

This was definitely a baking success.  Both boys ate the entire cookie and there was nothing left to share.  We did try a little and it was really good. 

Thankful

Today, I am incredibly thankful for these two boys.  I'm thankful every day for them. When I think back to a couple of years ago during our struggles to get pregnant and the eventual arrival of our package that will always be double the fun, it was all worth it. 

I still stare at the boys in amazement that they are ours and that I have them to cherish on a daily basis. Often times, I look around as if I'm in a dream but they are still there.  There are days that are incredibly rough and there are days that are totally amazing. It wouldn't be fun without the hiccups in between. I learn more from them than I ever thought I could and have such big hopes for them and are just truly privileged to share the adventure with them as they grow up.

Looking incredibly handsome for dinner at Uncle Joe and Aunt Missy's carrying around the sugar cookies that they made with orange Mickey Mouse ears.

Who needs pie when you can have mini-pumpkin phyllo

The boys brought home treats today from school. They are always super excited about the treat aspect of school, especially Connor.  They generally do not eat the treats but are willing to try.   We never get a sense of what they actually help with during the baking but always ask. 

Their works of art --

It always starts with licking..

They both managed to eat the topping.  We were not sure if it was marshmallow or whipped cream but apparently it was good.  The phyllos were actually very good.

Santa arrives at Towson Center and 1st Concert

The boys and I have been having "dates" at the mall.  They go on the slides and we get a pretzel from Auntie Anne's to share and have lunch in the food court at Chick Fil A.  I notice that they were having a Family Fun Day to celebrate Santa's arrival and that the band Milkshake would be playing.  The boys had never seen live music before and I was excited for them to enjoy it.

Getting situated and scoping out the situation.  Lots and Lots and Lots of people trying to fit into a small place. Happy that we got there early but....

that can lead to little people that really don't understand the idea of waiting getting incredibly restless!

And, the band started. Jackson got a baseball and helped secure one for Connor.  He really is good to him. Hopefully, Connor will start to reciprocate this.

Jackson wandered off to be "in" with the band and Connor hung back, which is part of the reason why he didn't secure a ball on his own.  He is very cautious in new surrounding and despite being there before for Story Time, the number of people overwhelmed him.  It is at these times that picking the appropriate clothes is important. Jackson's plaid shirt easily helped me locate him as do plaid shorts or brightly colored tees, which are essential at the zoo.

Getting closer to catch the snowflakes....

Santa arrived on the escalator!!!

A little where's Jackson.  He was very aware of Santa's location and that he wanted to be as far away from him as possible and if that involved snuggling/hiding behind the guitarist's leg -- so be it.

It was a lot of fun and we will definitely go again next year.  The band was great for their age bracket and the joy on Jackson's face to see them singing and playing instruments was one of those proud parent who loves music moments.

Potty Update for Connor

Connor has done a lot of sitting on the potty in anticipation of getting a reward - 1 M&M. Unfortunately, the sitting has not really translated into anything to be said for in the potty.  He LOVES to read and sitting down and reading are his happy things in life.  We have changed up our method of rewards to encourage Connor and he finally came through, well sort of.

On a random day,  Connor shocked himself and everybody else in the room and started to pee while sitting on the potty.  Now, the location of the pee is most important here.  It definitely wasn't in the potty and landed on Michael's shoe. He squealed with delight and said he peed on daddy's shoes and said "Sorry" in his perfected Pumba imitation.

So, yes, that is a picture of an empty potty and the hardwood which got some of the spray as well.  He was proud of himself.  We will keep trying and hopefully it will end up in the potty.  In Connor's defense, he doesn't drink as many liquids as Jackson so trying to track him down on the potty at the same time is an almost impossible feat. However, I'm fairly certain that Connor knows when he has to go which makes this process so frustrating.  We will have to wait until he is ready!!!

All aboard the Jones Falls Zephyr

This may come as a big surprise but the boys and I go to the Zoo a lot and they have never rode the train.  Out of concern that they wouldn't sit still, I opted against it when I was by myself. So, I jumped at the chance when it was a beautiful day and Michael could join us.  Animals and a choo choo train are happy words for my boys.

Checking out the scenery with daddy. 

Jackson doesn't really have an interest in the chimps other than there proximity to the train tracks.  He immediately runs to the fence to check for the train while Connor and I check out the chimps. 

 

It definitely was a lot of fun and much more manageable than what I thought so we hope to get back on the train before the end of the year.  When you get a smile like this and knuckle biting and shaking from Jackson -- it's worth it!

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Feeding Angel, the giraffe

Feeding the giraffe was on my list for the longest time but I recognized that this was something that needed another adult to help monitor and of course, be there for picture taking. 

Connor held on to the ticket as the boys anxiously waited before walking in to feed Angel.

Connor surprised me as he stayed calm as Angel walked toward him.

Before we knew it, Connor was done and Jackson just walked up and besides needing to be picked up, handled the entire feeding on his own!

Getting a chance to look down on a giraffe.

And, Angel was off to another kid eager to feed her some eucalyptus leaves.

Enjoying his close-up view of Angel.

And, just like that, she is larger than life.

And, this little boy couldn't be happier to tell you how he got a chance to feed Angel.  

Latrobe Park in the Fall

It was a nice day for early November, as in no jackets required, so we took advantage and headed down to Locust Point Park for some fun.  The are always hesitant walking in as there is a dog park on the way in but are immediately reminded of how much fun the park has to offer, including the sounds of the trains.  Both boys will run to the fence enclosing the park almost every.single.time that they hear the choo choos.

Swinging around.
 

Riding the teeter totter

The boys LOVE this piece of equipment at the park and have started to help push it around. It is similar to a Merry Go Round without actual seating but is on an angle. It requires a lot of pushing for it to go and it is so nice to watch the kids and adults push each other around.  Connor is more willing to sit but Jackson loves the idea of running around in a circle.

Connor is definitely getting more adventurous.  He is throwing his legs over the edge of spiraled walk downs and trying to climb things.  It's amazing to watch how much he's grown comfortable with his abilities to climb up and down.