Hannah...future model?

OH Hannah....

Last night, I was taking pictures of Emma before her program and I wanted to take some of Hannah.

Here is Hannah's new smile...what am I going to do with her?

Then, I thought I would try to get some of them together. This is what I got...

Is Emma hugging her to trying to choke her?

Sick and tired of pictures

What is the world am I going to do with her? If you haven't gotten our Christmas card yet, now you know why!

Emma's Christmas Program

Last night, Emma had a Christmas program at school. It was quite the spectacle. All ages from 2 through Pre-K came out and sang two songs.

Emma sang very loud and proud. If you can get through the beginning of the video, she has a small solo at the end. She did a wonderful job and we are so proud of her!

Branson

This weekend, we took the girls to Branson to visit Silver Dollar City (or as Travis and I refer to it "Redneck Vegas"). Both of them are obsessed with Christmas lights and this was the perfect place for them.

Hannah stayed in her stroller most of the time as it was SUPER cold. Emma had fun riding the rides. The best thing we did was go on the Train through the woods and hear about the Christmas Story. The ride was wonderful and the girls loved it, despite the 1 1/2 hour wait.

As we were leaving the park, the big Christmas tree on Main Street was doing a light show. It was so neat. There is a picture below of Travis and the girls...they were in awe!

We were so busy the whole time we were there, I didn't take many pictures. But, we had a blast and are already planning to go back this summer.

Slacker

So, I have been a blogging slacker lately. We have been so busy that I have had very little time to post.

Since I keep this as a record of what our family is doing, I am going to catch up.

Thanksgiving was nice. As usual, we spent it in Hot Springs, ate too much and played way too many Wii bowling games. Unfortunately, Travis's grandpa passed away. So, he and I went to the funeral on Saturday.

We got our Christmas tree put up and all the decorations up. It looks so pretty. I am hosting Christmas for my side of the family this year at my house. This will be the first time EVER! I am really excited, but want everything to be perfect. (fingers crossed!)

Emma is getting ready for her Christmas program at school. She is doing great and has been the star student TWICE in the past month. We are SO proud of her!

Hannah is fast approaching two years old. As most of you know, with that come pushing the boundries to see just what she can get away with. She is so stubborn and strong-willed. We love that about her, but it does get her into trouble.

Since it is the the Holiday Season, I am sure I will have many posts with tons of pictures. I will leave you with these of the girls playing outside! ENJOY!

She's a POTTY girl!

My sweet Hannah is getting so big. She is wild and crazy and MUST do everything just like Emma. She even claims her name IS Emma, most of the time!

We have been "working" (not hard at all) on potty training lately. Hannah was interested, so we let her do it. She started to lose interest, but I never forced the issue. She usually only wants to go if Emma goes with her. Yes, girls going to the bathroom together is a genetic trait and my girls prove it!

Last night, I was giving the girls a bath. Hannah let a little toot slip out and looked at me with wide eyes. She said "MOMMY! I go poppy" (potty). I grabbed her out as quickly as I could to make sure she didn't poop in the tub.

Yes, it's happened before and yes BOTH girls were in the tub...

I sat her on the potty. Another potty ritual is we have to sing on the potty...not sure why, but we do. So, we started singing, "I'm bringing home a baby bumble bee. Won't my mommy..." AND THERE IT WAS...a little tinkle in the potty! She went poopy in the potty later that night.

I am still not going to force the issue, but seeing the gradual end to the diapers is really exciting me.

I love Fall!

Yes I did...

I voted today! First time ever...

Please don't lecture me. I figured it was better to make no decision at all than make an ill-informed decision. So, I just never voted.

But, I did do it today, and I made an informed decision.

However, it was very disappointing...they didn't even give me a sticker!

Family Pictures

A couple of weekends ago, we met Dee (our family photographer) at James at the Mill. She attempted to capture our crazy family on film. I think she did an excellent job. We took some at the mill and others at Wilson Park. As stated before...Hannah is not fond of the camera. By the time we got her to look, Emma's "smile" was wearing off. Nonetheless, it was fun! Thanks, Dee!

Happy Halloween

Halloween was lots of fun around our house this year. Emma was a witch and Hannah was a black cat. They were SUPER cute.

Friday, both girls had to wear their costumes to school. Emma had a party and parade for the little kids. Hannah just had a party. I went and helped in both of their classrooms. It was tons of fun.

Friday night, the girls got dressed up again to go trick or treating. They got lots of candy and dove in as soon as we got home. Emma would ring the doorbell at every house, then, Hannah (my impatient child) would try to open their door. However, both of my girls plesantly surprised me with their good manners. They said "Thank you" (or in Hannah's case some form of it) at each house. I was beaming!

**Hannah has rebelled against the camera...as you can see below!

**Yes, that's chocolate running down her chin...

Major Meltdown

First, a little background on my children. Emma, my dear, sweet Emma...she is mild mannered, semi-quiet and never NEVER throws fits. She is my tender hearted child. Hannah, my wild one...now she can throw a fit. She knows how to throw and fit and isn't' afraid to do so.

That being said, imagine my surprise this morning when Emma had her "meltdown". She got up this morning and laid in our bed while we got ready. I went to her room to get her clothes, so she could get dressed. I guess she knew what I was doing, because she said "Mommy, I want to wear my red dress." I said, "No, Emma. It is way to cold outside to wear that dress."

And the fit began. Emma looked at me and Yelled...I MEAN YELLED "YOU NEVER LET ME WEAR WHAT I WANT TO WEAR!" I was standing in her closet and whipped around to give her a look. She was staring at me like I was the devil.

I honestly, didn't know what to do at that point. I told her "Do NOT speak to your mother like that!" She stormed out. I was shocked...I mean...completely floored!

I stood there and thought, "I should have just let her wear the dress and she would have been cold. Then, she would have learned her lesson." "But, I am supposed to protect her...plus, if I give in now, she will think she can have whatever she wants when she acts like that...NOPE...NOT GIVING IN!"

So, I took her clothes to her, which were some super cute dark wash jeans and a fabulous purple sweater. I told her to get dressed. That's when it got worse. Her response, "NO, I AM NOT WEARING THAT"

So, we had to have a talk about being disrespectful, got a spanking and finally, I just MADE her get dressed. She wouldn't talk to me for the rest of the morning. On the way to school, I asked her what was wrong. She told me that she hated her shoes and she doesn't like blue jeans because they button. (say what!?) I just let that one go....

When I took her to school, I told her bye, kissed her head and told her to have a better day than she was having morning. I guess she is still mad, because she just looked at me and I think daggers shot out of her eyes at me!

I didn't know this kind of stuff started at 4!!!!