Crazy Weather!

We knew we had rain coming today but didn't expect to see this 10 short miles from our home!

On the way to school we saw lots of cars with ice and snow on them. Max and Julia kept asking, "Mom! What's that?!?"

Mt. Diablo State Park

Photo from Adam Lau/The Chronicle

Christmas Party

Last night we attended our Twins Group Christmas party. We've been talking about visiting Santa for a few weeks. Max and Julia have been excited and telling us all the things they're going to tell Santa they want. They also understand that Santa is all knowing and will find out if they're misbehaving and not minding us.

The whole car ride there they talked about Santa. We arrive, sign in and make our way over to visit the big guy. Both kids hang back and cling to us and decide they want nothing to do with him. After a bit Mike suggested we eat and then come back. We never went back. Instead we decorated mini graham cracker houses (think gingerbread houses) and then packed up and headed home. Max made great friends with someone's grandma that was sitting next to him at our table.

The Princess all dressed up

Max more interested in eating than posing

Candy Houses!

I've been trying to get some close up's of Max's injury. He wants nothing to do with it. He yells at me, turns his head or runs off. He woke up yesterday with his eye a bit swollen and today bruising. He is one tough dude.

And in my head I'm still trying to figure out how we're going to get that picture with Santa....good thing we still have a few weeks. It ain't over!

Injured

Max took a tumble off the stage this morning in school. It wouldn't have been a big deal except he was holding a car. I saw the boo-boo report when I walked in the door this evening, read it and thought no big deal. And then I saw his face. I had to look away quickly before he saw my panic. I was NOT expecting what I saw.

When we sat down for dinner Mike said, "Max, did you know chicks dig scars?" Max's reply, "Yeah."

The King

The advent calendars arrived from Grandma and Grandpa. They were both so excited to get mail! Julia gasped when she opened hers and saw the Princesses. We're still working on the gentle opening technique of the flaps. Max just wants to talk about Santa. And the presents.

Proud Princess

Once again I'm playing along with Laura's Phone Photo Friday.

Breaking News! Part 2

More important news in Casa Rohde today: Julia peed in the potty THREE times!!

I've been telling Julia she can wear pretty pink chonies once she's potty trained. I even showed them to her while shopping in Target. I made promises of Tinkerbell, Princesses and Hello Kitty. She gets excited and says she's going to do it and then nothing happens. When we ask if she wants to sit on the potty, she answers, "NO!" Max, the same thing. (And no worries. He was promised Lightning McQueen chonies.)

Julia and her buddy Audrey got into a chonies discussion today and suddenly she was asking to go sit on the potty. We all crowded around her while she sat. I took my seat on a stool and we waited. And waited. Then suddenly she announced she had peed and upon inspection she had!! We all yelled, clapped and slapped her high fives. Her reward after getting cleaned up and washing her hands: pink jelly bellies.

She peed again when we returned home and before her bath while Mike was with her. Max decided he would sit for a bit. I guess he got bored and started wandering around and then I was called to clean the bathroom cabinets and floor. Eh, I'm just glad it wasn't the carpet.

I hope we're on to something here...

Thanksgiving Wrap Up

I'm only a few days behind on this one.

We took the kids to the park the morning of Thanksgiving. Our plan was to run them crazy so they would take a good nap. They ran and got crazy but didn't nap.

We took the long route to the playground through the garden

Captain Max on the train

JJ in her Gobble Gobble dress

They LOVE to drive the train


Skypeing with G&G

I cooked. We ate. The kids were crazy. Just another holiday.

Last night Max woke up a few times in the middle of the night. After trying to comfort him, I pulled him out of his crib and realized he had a fever. He also thought Cheese the mouse (from the Tinkerbell movie) was in his crib. Can you say nightmare? This morning after dropping JJ off at school, we headed to the pediatrician's office. He has a horrible double ear infection and has started antibiotics.

Sweetest moment of the day to make up for this month: Max and Julia telling the Christmas tree "Night Night," and giving it kisses.

Mike's Birthday

The kids woke Mike with shouts of "Happy Birthday," and piled on him for hugs. What a way to start the day! We relaxed and I made a cake with cream cheese frosting (at Mike's request of course.) Max helped me frost the cake while JJ got her beauty sleep.


A big thanks to Lembo for babysitting so we could hit the town and enjoy some steaks!

My pastry masterpiece!

She's excited even though she wanted a pink cake

I only put 9 candles on there. Nice of me to leave out the other 30!

Belated Gobble Gobble!

I can't believe I didn't post yesterday! I broke my streak! After a marathon day of cooking, eating dinner late (Willie didn't want to finish), clean up and a late bed time for Max and Julia we were beat! I hope to post more later today. Even though I'm at work.