Santa

After a failed attempt last weekend because Santa had to take a nap and we would have to come back to see him (South Coast Plaza with weekend crowds + 2 tired kids + over an hour wait = disaster.) Last night, after eating dinner with friends, we decided to try Westmister Mall and attempt to take the kids once again to see Santa.
Kaelyn was so excited on the way over. We stood in a short line for maybe 30 minutes. Kaelyn couldn't wait to see Santa and tell him what she wanted for Christmas. Jack seemed to be excited too. He kept pointing at Santa and in his talk (grunt) saying Santa. I was so excited because I thought we might actually get a happy picture.
It was our turn, Kaelyn and Jack grabbed my hands to walk up to Santa and the struggle began. With a little tugging on my part I got both kids up to Santa. Jack started screaming as I picked him up to put him on Santa's lap and never stopped. (Can I just say that this Santa was pretty strong. Jack is not easy to hold down when he is crying and wants to get away) I put Kaelyn on Santa's lap and she was a little uncertain. Calling my name and reaching for me. She looked at me with this terrified look on her eyes. Not quite sure if she should cry or smile for the picture. We tried everything to get them excited and smile at the camera but this is what we got. Classic!

Getting over a fear

My brother Cory and his wife, Jennifer, have 2 bunnies. (Max and Maddie) Ever since they moved back out to California, we (I mean Kaelyn) get to take care of the bunnies when they are gone. It has only been twice, but Kaelyn loves them. Jack on the other hand is another story.

We go over there a lot and the first thing Kaelyn does is run into the guest room where they are to go and feed them. For the longest time, Jack wouldn't even go into the room. Seriously of all the animals to be afraid of, bunnies wouldn't be on the top on my list. I just think he didn't like that fact that these small things could move so fast and he wasn't quite sure what they were. So he would stand at the door and watch. Any time that one of the bunnies would hop or move he would turn his head and hide. Slowly we have been working on him and he was actually going into the room but wouldn't touch them or feed them. I was just happy that he was in the room.

Well then on Sunday, we went over to their house for Sunday lunch with the fam. With help from my mom, Muah, he surprised us all! I walk into the room and there standing in the cage, holding out his hand for Max to take a banana chip from was Jack. I think my mouth dropped I was so shocked. I just couldn't believe it. Not only was he in the cage, but he was feeding the bunnies right out of his hand. Kaelyn didn't even do that yet. He had the biggest smile on his face and was so happy. I think he was just so proud of himself. I yelled for Rich to come in and document the occasion.
Here he is petting Max.


It only took him about 4 months, but he is finally not afraid of Max and Maddie!!!

Little faces

Kaelyn is our little artist. As you saw from an earlier post for her birthday party we had a art party. She loves painting, coloring and drawing. She has really mastered the art of coloring. She definitely gets her artistic side from her father. She really only likes to color between the lines (which is unheard of for a 3 year old), But she has been like that for a while. She will come out of Sunday school with pictures, and I can tell when a teacher helped her color her paper. I will see pink crayon just scribbled on the page, like most toddlers draw, and then in another section carefully colored picture with the crayon only between the lines. It is too funny! She is a perfectionist! Here are a few examples from the past few months.
Here she is carefully coloring in little lady bugs and caterpillars.

(No I didn't help her with this one, She did it all by herself)

When I think she was 1 we gave her this little book for her to draw in. It has become her little doodle book. Every page is filled with little drawings. She adds to her masterpieces almost daily. The other day while I was in the kitchen cooking she came up to me to show me what she had drawn.
"Mommy, look at the faces I colored!"


I was so amazed! I kept thinking to myself...did I draw those for her? But I didn't. She did it all by herself. Rich was so impressed when he got home. He couldn't believe it either.