Cookies for Santa

This afternoon the girls and I made some cookies for Santa and what an experience that was!

There was rolling and cutting

Do you think she was happy....yes she was doing the "cheese' face...it comes out quite a lot now when the camera comes out.

some taste testing

flour all over

oh and the sprinkles...

lesson learned, get two sprinkle containers next year. Ava just screaming mine and did not want to wait for her turn so....

while Miss Belle took her sweet time, there was

some tears.

Overall though, lots of fun since my little bakers really got into it as you can see. I have to say they made over 90% of the cookies all by themselves.

Hope Santa (or ho ho as they call him) really appreciates all the hard work.

Grandma's Sweaters

The girls were so stylish in the sweaters Grandma Kees made them and their hair do's done by Gradma too that I just had to document it.

Music Time

As usual, Saturday morning we went to our Tot Tunes class to enjoy some music and dancing and the girls loved it. They are really getting into the instruments now and know what to do next. Today was extra special as it had a holiday flare with holiday songs, dancing like snowflakes, pretend skating on the ice and a great penguin story book!

I guess I see where Ava gets her expressive faces. Who knows what I saw!

Another great day at Tot Tunes!

Teacher's Helper

Friday, the assistant teacher was out sick so I asked to help out to which I gladly replied yes. I was a bit nervous to see how the girls would be in the class but they weren't clingy at all. They did their own thing and had a blast!

I was able to snap a few quick pictures during snack time which Ava and Isabelle brought this week. I was originally thinking I could take lots of pictures during the class but with 8 active 2 yr. olds and lots of activities in only an 1 1/2 hr class, the only time I even could touch my camera was snack time and that was only for 10 seconds before I was redirecting someone that sprinkles stay on the table. Snack time is definitely the highlight for the kids though as they love juice boxes and cookies were a big hit!!!

This was the art activity I was in charge of, baby Jesus wrapped in a blanket placed in his bed full of hay. All 8 kids did very well with this and then everyone let baby Jesus sleep in the window sill (so he could dry).

This was their adorable gift to Dave and I that they brought home. Reindeer ornaments made from their hand prints. The best stink'n ornaments we have on the tree!

So it was a great time with the girls on Friday and I definitely could have been a preschool teacher as this stuff is right up my alley.

Rough Week

This has been a rough week in the Pondillo household. Starting Friday night (or technically Saturday morning) Miss Ava has had a stomach bug that has lasted all week long. However after being couped up all weekend indoors I thought it was only fair to let the girls get some fresh air on Monday during the warm temps. Miss Ava was having a better day and she just loves the outdoors. She asks to go outside everyday by saying snow, door, boots, coat or whatever else she sees that might prompt up to go out. And you can see that Miss Belle just thought the snow was part of snack time.

Oh yes, she wanted to do nothing but eat the snow....she loves her liquids.

The girls wanted to try to make a snowman. Pat, Pat, Pat.

and this was minutes before meltdown. Miss Ava realized dolly was not outdoors and she wanted dolly. So it took us 15 minutes to get dressed for about 30 minutes outdoors but damn didn't they look cute?

Mr. Snowman

Wednesday night I drove home to be greeted by this cute little snowman made with love by my daughters and Grandma & Grandpa Kees. How could this not put a huge smile on my face and just make my day? Then today, Christmas came a little early for the girls. We got some radio flyer scooters for the girls from a twin mom I know who has children a little older. She dropped them off today so how I could I know let them enjoy them right away. Does it count as a little Christmas surprise if they are wearing their Christmas pj's? Boy, did the enjoy riding around the kitchen and family room.

Miss Ava loved the bell!

Santa's Little Helpers

The girls loved decorating the tree this year. They really got into checking out each ornament.

Ava had to kiss every ornament before she put them on the tree.. I could eat her up for her cuteness!

Love her faces :)

Isabelle would show Mickey each ornament she put on

Isabelle's biggest excitement was putting the star on top of the tree. (Oh yes, we did this twice so both girls could have a turn).

Then Isabelle picked up the phone and had an entire conversation (in her own language) with Minnie (I did manage to understand that part). It was adorable as if she was telling her all about it.

Their finished product.