2016 Holiday Season

I started at The Marketing Arm in June, and they really invest a lot in the agency culture. Yesterday we got to take advantage of one of the cool holiday activities, Cookie Day. The twins came with me to my office and over lunch we got to decorate cookies, color, cut out snowflakes, and eat pizza. They enjoyed decorating the cookies, but were excited when we headed back to my desk so they could share with everyone who worked around me.

A few weekends ago we went to a little Christmas party that had a Santa who read to the kids and let you take pictures. However, since it was at a friend's house, it wasn't a real photo set up and we had a little photo bomber in our pictures. Below is the un-cropped version.

Early in December Chloe had her nutcracker performance, this year as a Candy Cane. It is a big commitment and a lot of work for her, but she already told me she wants to do it again next year.

Cousins at the Nutcracker

Dancing Candy Cane

Heading out to take a bow

Last year after the holidays were over I bought a new tree on sale. Our ceilings in this house are higher than our last place and I thought a 9 foot tree would fill the space better than our original 7 foot tree. I think it turned out great!

Happy Holidays!

Getting in the Groove

So last Monday was the first day of a new school for the twins. Carl and I had been worried about the transition and it was a little bumpy at first, but I'm happy to report all is going really well. The new school is really amazing and I absolutely love the teachers. 

First day of school

As we are getting into the groove of our new school routine, we had a pretty busy and fun weekend too.

Chloe had both a ballet class and then an audition for the Nutcracker. She really enjoyed being in the production last year and wanted to do it again. We'll find out if she made it and in what role by the end of the week.

We plan ahead and Connor has decided he wants to be Kylo Ren for Halloween. The costume came in so we definitely had to try it out. Still waiting on the light saber.

Connor got a little special time with GiGi where I believe they conducted some sort of experiments that ultimately started with play-doh. Sorry about the mess Mom.

During summer field trips at Primrose, the kids got to visit the Children's Aquarium in Fair Park. They loved it so much they wanted to take us to see everything. It is a really great little aquarium. The best part was feeding and petting the stingrays. A really amazing experience!

Lovely weekend!

Ready for a New School Year

This year the twins start 1st grade at a new school. Since we moved they have been going to a private kindergarten, but now they'll start going to the public school down the street. One of the main reasons we moved was for the good school district.

We're getting ready for the new school year. Carl and I registered the kids this week and "meet the teacher" is next Friday. Today I took the twins to get hair cuts.

Before hair cuts

Long hair from the back, before hair cuts

Bahama Buck's snow cones after hair cuts 

So getting a hair cut before school is one way to prepare, but I'm not really sure what else to do. We did buy some new backpacks that neither my Mom nor Carl approve of, but that's a story for another post.

I am worried about this transition to a new school. It will be the first time the twins will be separated into different classrooms and although it is what is right for the kids in the long run, I'm just not sure how they'll react. I didn't worry about the move and the transition to a new school last year and that was a total under estimate of the drama.

Starting at Primrose April 2015

This transition was so challenging we decided to keep them at Primrose for kindergarten to minimize the number of changes. 

They went to school for the first time when they were 3 years old. I think they were too young to worry about anything and, for me, I knew they had each other. First day at Baby Steps post link here.

First day at Baby Steps in April 2012

Hopefully these are just Mommy worries and it will be pretty smooth. My grandmother did say one of the sweetest things to the twins to help prepare for first grade. She told them when she sat down at her desk in first grade and met the girl next to her, Shirley, she became her friend for life. She still speaks to her once a week.

What They're Saying Now: June 2016

I haven't updated this series in awhile, but at 6 years old the twins still say amusing things.

For some reason Connor calls our dog Leo, "Lelo." We're not sure why. He's always done it and hasn't stopped. The rest of us, including Chloe, call him Leo. Maybe it's Connor's pet name for him.

At school the twins learned about the concept of infinity. At bedtime I now get, "I love you infinity." I love that!

Chloe has started using the term, "I'm a fan of..." We've heard the following:
"I'm a fan of nature"
"I'm not a fan of minecraft"

I don't know where she picked up this phrase, but I'm a fan.







If you'd like to catch up on the previous "What They're Saying Now" posts:
March 2012
January 2013
April 2014
July 2014
Summer 2014 with bonus video

Spring Dance Recital 2016

This was Chloe's first full year of ballet. This year's recital performance was the first act of Sleeping Beauty and Chloe's class were bluebirds.

Pretty adorable!

Thank you KiKi and Uncle Martin for coming to Chloe's performance.

Connor was not as excited about Chloe's recital. He did watch her, but fell asleep during the show and is a little grumpy in this shot.

Our little star!

Beach Vacation

A few weeks ago we took a vacation to Pensacola Beach. Both JoJo and GiGi joined us. Additionally, the Louisiana Swan cousins got condos in the same building and all the kids had a great time together. 

Here's a few snapshots of the fun.

The twins are pros at traveling now. Of course, having an iPad helps.

So excited to get out on the beach!

Catching fish (and they actually caught some little minnows)

Cute boys

Team effort!

We didn't spend every day on the beach, one day we headed to the Naval Aviation Museum of Pensacola

I can not get a picture with all of the cousins to save my life. This one is missing Ella and Owen.

Most of the cousins, but still missing Owen

Buddies hanging out

Saying our goodbyes

Owen does not want his picture taken!

Success!

Well that was our beach vacation in picture format. Maybe next year I'll get a few pictures of the adults.

My Dancer

Chloe is taking two separate dance classes. One is with Royale Ballet Dance Academy, which is a more serious class, but also she has a more casual class she takes during the day at Primrose.

A few weeks ago she had a recital for the casual class. It's pretty informal, but it's great to see what the girls have been working on. For the past few months they've been tap dancing.

For the performance, I bring Chloe early so she can get ready and then Carl and Connor join us at show time. We did this once already in the fall and when I walk in with Chloe I realize I made the same mistake as I did last time. All the other parents have flowers for their girls and I totally forgot. I frantically text Carl to get flowers even if it makes them late.

The boys made it just in time. Chloe was a lovely dancer and she absolutely loved her flowers. 

Now hopefully I'll remember the flowers for the big recital with Royale Ballet in June. Chloe's class will be bluebirds for this performance. 

Lovely Easter Weekend

We had a wonderful Easter weekend. 

Kicked off with a Spring hat parade at school.

Connor told me he was the "Mayor," and with that hat, why not?

Chloe with her friend from ballet class, Lily

We LOVE Mrs. Johnson and not just because she made all these fabulous hats!

Easter Sunday was just as much fun, seeing family and having an egg hunt.

Waiting for our cousins

Goodies from our Easter baskets

Hugs for Great Grandmother Cate

Finally time for the egg hunt!

Uncle Carl with baby Malone

And then, after the after party.

Happy Easter!