First Tooth Fairy Visit!

Last night, long after the time she was supposed to be asleep in bed, Kenzie came downstairs holding her first lost tooth! It had been extremely loose since she ate an apple yesterday, so it was no surprise.

She was so excited to leave her tooth for the Tooth Fairy, but was perplexed (along with the rest of us) about what on earth she wants the teeth for.

This morning she was thrilled to find a dollar and a little stuffed Bolt on her windowsill. She sure is proud to be growing up!

Arnold Family Christmas Party

Well, it happened again. I forgot to bring my camera to a holiday event. Must be getting older! At least Chris has a camera on his phone. Anyways, Monday the Arnold clan got together to eat cheese and croissants... and open presents, too, of course.

I thought this one was cute with some of the girls all clustered together, waiting for their present.

Captain America was very pleased to have a mask to go along with his shield. (Isn't my little superhero so manly sitting atop his blankie?)

And finally, this is the sign of a rip-roarin' good time. Two three-year-olds, both lounging on the couch playing games on some form of technology. That's our Christmas in a nutshell!

Christmas Morning

McKenzie was up long before sick Parker this year. She was very good about not opening anything early, and got ready for church instead, but she did see her new stuffed kitty sticking out of her stocking and reported to me about it several times before Parker woke up and joined her. She was also very happy to see Santa had left her a note thanking her for staying on the nice list.

After church, we were finally able to really see what Santa brought! The Thor Hammer was very important - Parker had written it on his note to Santa.

This present from Great-Grandma was as big as Kenzie! She was beyond thrilled, especially since the box contained a whole array of new Barbie furniture!

Parker loved his new Clifford dog from his grandparents. McKenzie really wanted school supplies from Santa, so I thought it best to preserve on video her excitement over a roll of tape!

I think this is my new favorite picture of Parker.

Parker with most of his loot.

McKenzie with her own pile!

Christmas exploded upon our front room. (I said, "Smile!" and Parker said, "I'm tired of pictures!" )

Speaking of tired, Daddy set up Parker's tent and he took a 2-hour nap that afternoon. He never naps, so we were glad he got some rest.

Christmas Eve

When evening rolled around, I found myself saying, "Wow, I haven't taken a picture all day!" I was too busy making dinner, I guess! Poor Parker had a cold, but he still was happy to exchange presents with Kenzie.

This is McKenzie's zany excited face. Parker picked out a package of Barbie Squinkies for her, and she picked out a baby Zhu Zhu pet for him.

I loved the note McKenzie left for Santa. If you can't read it, it says: "To Santa From McKenzie. This candy cane is for you. The other is for Mrs. Santa Claus. Love, McKenzie."

They left their Oreo snowmen, and Santa even got Kenzie's prized mug (from her friend down the street) and candy-cane straw for his milk! McKenzie claimed she wouldn't be able to sleep until midnight, but it actually only took her about 15 minutes!

Cookies for Santa

This photo of Grumpy Parker is for the benefit of anyone out there operating under the delusion that this family is all smiles, all the time. I'm not sure who would think that... but this is what I got when I suggested, of all the offensive things, to dip some Oreos and make snowmen for Santa.

So we ignored Grumpy Parker while he polished off a few Oreos, and Happy Kenzie decorated away.

And look who came to join us for the last cookie?

"Mom, the chocolate chips keeps falling off!" He had so many chocolate chips on his that it made me think of the word "infestation" rather than "snowman" but he had fun, and rather than eat it he wanted to save it for Santa. Only two more days to go!!

What Parker's Been Up To

He's such a funny, random kid. Here are some recent, random things:

Here he's posing, like he's been trained to do. Moments earlier, I'm told he was frowning and saying, "I miss Mommy." (In my defense, I thought having lunch with Daddy sounded like more fun for him than going visiting with the Relief Society presidency!) How do you like his reading seat? (He's sitting in the bin we store his library books in.)

Playing Duck Hunt (remember that game?) at Uncle Wes's house.

And finally, all wrapped up next to the Christmas tree. "I look like Baby Jesus!" he exclaimed. He makes us laugh, the goofy kid!

Date Night

And now for something completely different: a post with no kids! Once in awhile, my sweet husband surprises me with a date night. I was puttering around in my slippers Friday evening when he came in with a pizza for the kids. Our friend Dari was right behind him, as she'd agreed to watch the kids for a few hours. We went to Thai Basil (where yes, the conversation was mostly about the kids...), played a round of black-light putt-putt (and took a picture of ourselves like the awkward teenage couples around us - see below), and then got shakes at Arctic Circle.

I know I'm old and boring because I was so tired afterwards! haha But it was fun, and I was surprised! Good job, Geeb!

Lights at Temple Square

Last year, Chris and I went on a date to see the lights at Temple Square, and the entire time we kept mentioning how much the kids would like it. So... this year we brought them along, and they were thrilled. Parker especially was enthralled.

"Okay, you guys go by that tree and I will take your picture!" Parker is becoming the family photographer lately!

McKenzie is our 80-year-old woman. Besides complaining of the cold, she found stopping to rest on the benches the most fun of the evening!

We had to follow the fountain all around. We got home by 8pm, but both kids were already asleep in the van!

Festival of Trees

We spent the afternoon walking around the annual Festival of Trees. I have always tried to avoid looking at the pictures of the kids (it is a fundraiser for the Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake, so a lot of the trees are donated in memory of a little patient), but this year for sure it was a bit emotional.

Parker grabbed my camera to take a picture of the "Belle" tree for Kenzie.

Kenzie with the "Up" tree. This one had a constant crowd around it.

Parker is showing off his note for Santa. He worked very hard on it, asking me, "How you spell Thor Hammer?" (His scribbles were well-received by a sweet Santa who took his note and thanked him.) Also, Parker was very excited about that giant teddy bear. As we approached, he asked me, "Can I say hi to it?" I told him he could, so he timidly said, "Hi!" He waited. Finally he turned to me with a bewildered look and said, "It don't speak!"

McKenzie was a little shy and flustered, but she did ask Santa for a Barbie movie and a pencil sharpener. Parker was too shy to speak after handing the note to Santa, but after a second he finally blurted out that he wanted a police car. (Good thing 'Thor Hammer' was already written down, I guess!)

Gingerbread House

Parker the Picky Eater actually ate ravioli for dinner, just because I told him he couldn't work on the gingerbread house if he didn't. The thought of Kenzie working on the kit he begged for was enough motivation!

This was the result when I pleaded, "Give me a normal smile!"

Two goofy kids with their finished house, plus the cookies I made earlier to dissuade them from trying the house. (I can't imagine that packaged gingerbread is as edible as the kids think!) It's starting to feel more like Christmas around here!

Deck the Halls

Yesterday we put the tree up! The bottom half of the tree was very well decorated. Some branches even had three ornaments!

Goofy McKenzie, climbing under the tree to retrieve a dropped ornament.

It seems like I'm backtracking, but today we raked leaves (again!) while Daddy put up the lights, and I thought this was sweet. It does seem a little odd to be thinking of Christmas while only wearing a sweater outside, but I don't want to complain about that!

I had to include this picture as well. Seeing Daddy up on the roof putting up lights, Parker went to get his own tools. He sat out on the lawn and hammered away. I love how much he wants to be like his Daddy. When the lights came on tonight for the first time, we heard an, "Ooh!" and applause from the kiddos. They are, of course, very excited for Christmas!

First Grizzlies Game

Last night we took the kids to their first Grizzlies hockey game. Even though it was a miserable loss as far as the actual score, the kids had a great time. Parker loved watching the zamboni. We were able to get front row seats (which was a first for all of us), so Grizzbee (the mascot) even skated over and waved at Parker. (Parker, ever the shy one, immediately sank down to hide!)

During warm-ups, one of the players even tossed a puck over for the kids. I think he tossed it over to Parker, actually, but he was too shy to claim it. McKenzie was quite pleased, though, and has bragged about it all day. She even plans to bring it to school and ask to show it to her class.

Then Parker grabbed my camera... it was amusing to see him try really hard to take pictures of what he liked. The giant inflatable grizzly was a definite hit (I believe I deleted at least 15 pictures of it!). Before it was inflated, though, Parker was concerned: "Mom, is the polar bear dead?"

I can't even count how many blurry zamboni pictures were on my camera!

He actually managed to get a few good shots of the action as well, though. I might let him use my camera more often.

Still, I had to take my camera back from time to time. I'm sure I should use the word "manly" instead of "sweet" when describing this, but too bad, I think it's sweet. We had a good time, and both kids said they would like to go to another hockey game sometime. Daddy would say, "We're training them right!"

The Leonardo

Every once in awhile, it pays to have connections. Chris's brother, Wes, works for a company called Test Out, which celebrated its 20th anniversary by renting out The Leonardo, a new museum in downtown Salt Lake. The kids were more than impressed by the live band, the exhibits, and of course the selection of treats!The green screen was a big hit with all the kids. (At one point, McKenzie said, "This place is so much fun I just want to live here!") Making Santa "dance" was also a huge hit. Parker wanted to try it, but when it was his turn he was too shy with everyone watching him.

Parker had two chocolate ice cream cones. His shirt is still in the washing machine!

Yeah, we ate a lot of sugar and started feeling weird. (Because we're usually quite normal, of course!)

McKenzie joining the impromptu conga line.

I thought this was funny - Lacie, in her white dress, was definitely not safe near Parker! All in all, a very tiring night. I think the museum might be a tad boring for the kids without the music, their cousins, and all the treats, but this time it was great for them. They were completely exhausted by the time we got home!