Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

Each of the girls performed "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" on Christmas Eve. Both were pretty cute if I do say so myself! :)

Elaina was cracking us up. She was really worried that Santa was going to come before she was in bed, as you can tell! And by the way, the actions are an exaggerated version of her Christmas dance recital performance.

My Elaina Girl

Elaina is growing up and I have mixed feelings about this. Overall, I'm so proud of her and love watching her learn and explore her little world and what she is capable of. On the other hand, she still says "haynguber" (=hamburger) and "smarshmallows," and I never want to correct this! I think it is so dang cute. It's like the last little bit of toddler in her that I'm not going to be the one to change. :)

However, Elaina came home from preschool yesterday with the assignment to read a story to me (one that they brought home from preschool). I sat down with her and was shocked to hear her read the whole thing, with help on a few words. I'm amazed at what these little minds are capable of. I really haven't worked with her a whole lot on reading yet, but I'm going to practice reading with her every day because she loves it and most of all, it's great to see her recognize the potential she has to read on her own. However, I'll hold off on showing her the proper way to spell and pronounce "smarshmallow" and "haynguber" for as long as I can!

Erin Teaches Mommy How To Talk

Erin was trying to teach me how to say "Ashley" and "Steve" (her aunt and uncle's names). Here's how it went:

Mommy, say 'A'
Now say 'sh'
Now say "uley"
Good, now say "Ashuley" (with emphasis on every syllable). She cracks me up. The best part is that she pronounces it wrong herself. :)

Next was Steve:

Mommy, say 'ssssss'
Now say 'teve'
Good Mommy! Now say "Steeeeeeeve"

How would I ever survive without this girl??

Elaina's Lunch Time Logic

The deal is that if Elaina finishes her sandwich (or at least eats more than 2 bites...), she can have an oreo for dessert. Halfway through her sandwich, she seems to get these horrible pains and feels deathly ill. Elaina believes that the sandwich is causing the problem and suggests that leaving the sandwich unfinished and having that oreo now will make this all better. Mom believes that an oreo is definitely not the answer to a stomach ache.

Hmmmm, Elaina is wondering what to do now.

"I just feel a little bit sick. I probably should rest." As soon as these words come out of her mouth, she realizes that this might be the answer to not having to eat that sandwich, but would not solve the problem of how to eat that oreo now.

After a soccer match with kitchen magnets (between Elaina and Erin), and a glass of spilled orange juice all over the floor, table, and chair, Elaina suddenly realizes that Mom is always one step ahead of her and if she'd just do what Mom says life will be a lot happier (I love moments like these!). She finishes her sandwich, and gets the oreo.

Now on to battle Erin, who doesn't logically try to get the oreo; she has a tantrum, and throws herself on the ground because of how unfairly she's being treated. She wears herself out trying to get the oreo and finally gives up. She will learn. Someday she'll turn 4 and try to use logical methods to trick me into giving her an oreo, and finally concede that Mom knows best and she should always do what I say :) And then we will all live happily ever after.

Erin Sleep-Eating

After Steve & Ashley's wedding at the temple, we went to the luncheon. Erin was apparently exhausted because she fell asleep...but continued to eat her roll. It was pretty funny. Mike's Dad caught it on video:

Multicultural Day

We attended a multicultural fair in College Station earlier this fall. Most of the pictures we took were of the Arabian cultures, to send to my parents I guess, but all the booths were interesting. I love these kinds of things.

Mike, wearing a Saudi ghutra

Bedouin Tent

The camels were a big hit!

Playing musical instruments. I can't remember which country these were from

Utah Trip

In October we were able to go to Utah for Ashley & Steve's (Mike's brother) wedding. We were so glad we were able to be there!

Elaina on the airplane

This is how Erin traveled. She drew a lot of attention riding through the Dallas airport like this

This is how Elaina travels

Mike's favorite BBQ restaurant in the world, which is interesting since we live in TX and are surrounded by BBQ!

Ashley, Steve & Elaina

Elaina and Opa (she was a little pictured-out!)

Mike and his cousins

Erin & Staci

I love this picture of Elaina and Ashley!

Elaina with Uncle TJ & Aunt Kelli

Elaina & Grandma

Jonny & Erin
Me and Mike

The girls with Mike's grandma

We were able to spend time with my sister Jen & her husband Jared, and see several of our old friends as well. It was such a great trip!

Halloween

This shows you how behind I am in posting. Here are the girls' Halloween costumes this year. They were both pretty cute :)

I love that Erin decided that this (while Mom is trying to get a pictures!) would be a good time to steal candy meant for the trick-or-treaters!

Elaina is so funny on Halloween. Part of the excitement, for her, is handing out candy to trick-or-treaters that come to our house. This year she got a small notebook in her bag, and as kids would come to our house she would tear a piece of paper out of her notebook and try to stuff it in their bags. Sometimes she had time to color a picture on it, and sometimes she didn't, so some kids just got a blank piece of paper with torn edges along the top. The older kids would look at her like "what's this?" Some even said "I don't want that!" She was completely oblivious. She just looked at them with this huge grin on her face, as if she'd just given them the greatest gift they could ever hope for, and said "it's your picture!" She is such a sweetheart. I hope she stays this way forever.