Our Magical Elf

 

Our Elf, Jingle, has been bringing Christmas magic and silly stunts to our house all month long!  Once Kaia & Ashlyn swore that they saw him fly. However, the rest of us never see him in action. In fact, the only downside is that there is so much excitement to see what Jingle has been doing while we sleep, that we have occasionally had some early wakers. There are lots of questions too: "How does Jingle color if he has no fingers?" "How does he fly with no wings?" "Does he know Santa?" "Why does he never close his eyes?" Of course the answer to almost all of these questions, is "because he's magic!" which results in many "ohhhhs" and "ahhhhs." Clearly, we have three firm believers this year.

 He occasionally gets into mischief, but never makes a really big mess that WE have to clean up. Turns out he's a pretty smart little Elf, if you ask me. 

 The kids were very excited to see that Jingle had added some decorations 

to their gingerbread houses...

 Although the tape was kinda sticky, Jingle managed to wrap up a 

Christmas CD for the kids, which they loved! Nothing like a little music to brighten up your day. Thanks Jingle!

Connor has written Jingle a few letters too. One to be delivered to Santa (asking kindly for Legos, of course), and another to tell him we are headed to Grandmas. Hopefully Santa gets that memo:) The kids are really excited to see if Jingle flies to Grandmas with us...only time will tell. 

Sledding Shenanigans!

Thanksgivistmas

We don't do tofurkey, nor Chrismukkah but this year we embraced Thanksgivistmas! For us this involved a mini-vacation where we: 

1) Opened gifts:

  

 2) Played with our gifts:

 

3) Attempted yet another *fabulous* family portrait:  

4) Posed in new pink sunglasses

 3) Did some rock climbing:

 4) Climbed on some picnic tables:

 5) Did some "fake" sledding:

6) Did some REAL sledding (which deserves its own blog post):

7) Completed some batman Legos as Batman himself:

 

8) Enjoyed hanging out with our family:

 9) And visited Santa's Christmas Parade, and the big Christmas Tree.

The three tiniest Cunninghams report that some of their favorite memories were playing in the hot tub, sleeping in a bunk bed, lots of goodies and hot chocolates, and waking up with Grandma & Grandpa! 

A Merry Thanksgivistmas Indeed!

A Looth Thooth

Connor lost his first tooth! Although he really wanted to loose it at school (because you get a super special tooth necklace to hold it in & get to share your "tooth story" for the whole class) it just fell out when we was at home....get ready to be shocked...building LEGOS.

The next morning at the bus stop, our neighbor & Connor's classmate noticed right away & asked Connor how much money the tooth fairy left. Connor says, "Oh, I only got a dollar." WHAAAAAAAAT? So, I had to explain that a dollar was a LOT of money for the tooth fairy (and for a 5-year old).

Sheesh. Kids these days.

And the Tables Have Turned....

I just hate it when I've been so good at enforcing the household routine for the kids, that they start enforcing it ON ME. Case in point: I am usually pretty relaxed about pajama wearing in the mornings. We like to take it slow & "lounge" in PJs as often as possible. However, at some point before lunch time, I try to encourage getting dressed, which used to involve me chasing two half naked toddlers around the house & trying to wrestle clothes over their heads, while they simultaneously took turns pulling them back off. It is possible I have even spoken these words, "Well, you can't just wear your pajamas ALL day!" I started offering gummy vitamins to children who were willing to put on clothes, which (although a healthy requirement) seemed to really boost motivation in a serious way, so it has developed into a regular routine. At times I have even secretly patted myself on the back for thinking of such a great motivator.

However, recently on one of my days to stay home it was especially chilly at the bus stop and in the house, so after my shower I decided that I just wanted to put my warm cozy fleece pajamas back on and I did exactly that. However, the girls would have none of that! IMMEDIATELY they insisted I change:

Ashlyn (practically screaming): Mama! You can't wear Pajamas!
Kaia: You already took a shower!!? Where is your clothes?
Ashlyn: Its time to get dressed!
Kaia: You can't just wear your pajamas ALL day! (I cringe to hear my own words spoken by a tiny voice)
Ashlyn (running to my closet): Here is your clothes... (hands me some jeans) 
Kaia (practically pulling off my PJs): Its not jammie time, Mom! Its clothes time!

*Sigh*  Clearly, I have created a monster (or two). I HAD to put real clothes on. Apparently, I have very little personal freedom to make my own decisions. Next on my agenda: Teaching two toddlers to throw caution to the wind, ignore long standing routines, and just chill-lax a smidge about the "rules." Have I ever mentioned that it can be exhausting trying to teach three tiny people how to do everything in life?

Pumpkin Carving 2013

So, we pulled together our team of pumpkin carvers some time shortly before October 31st. Since our last pumpkin carving event our team has grown by two members and by two pumpkins!! (Yes, you followed that link correctly to TWO years ago. Last year we "forgot" to carve pumpkins and no one noticed. Shhhh. don't tell the kids!)

Ready? Get set? MAKE. A. HUGE. MESS!!!

 

 The littlest carvers were REALLY into it. Not too bothered by the goop.

 However, some things never change. 

Item #1: Our most experienced carver still has some concerns about getting too messy...

 Item #2: The mess still manages to find its way off the tarp we carefully laid down...

 Item #3: The kids still have a hard time posing ALL. TOGETHER....

 ...and "smiling nicely" for the camera...

 Item #4: But still just as excited as ever about "their" creations!

Ooooooooooooo Sooooo  Spoooooooky, Team Cunningham!

Things you hear while raising twins...

As the girls are fighting over some toys....

Connor: I'm SO glad that I am just a one.
Connor's Dad: What do you mean?
Connor: You know, a one. Not a twin. I don't really like to share my toys.

The thing is I have always thought that Connor would enjoy a side-kick & at times have felt a little sad that he doesn't have the same friendship/bond that the girls already have. However, I never really considered the other side, always having to share EVERYTHING. Well stated, Connor. Cheers to your independence as "a one." (On another side note: before I had twins I had never heard the term "singleton" which of course refers to a single pregnancy, or "a one." Maybe I'll teach this nifty terminology to Connor so he can impress his Kindergarten teacher later...)

Boo!

Good News! Elmo & Abby got to go to school with their big brother for Halloween! 

Bad News: I didn't bring my "good" camera. Here are the excited sisters heading in, watching (then later participating in) the Kindergarten costume parade, and of course the party. BEST. DAY. EVER.

 

 Later that evening all our cousins came over & they got back into costumes for some good ole fashion Trick-or-Treating. Unlike last year, EVERYONE enjoyed getting candy...even our cousin Nacho Libre (far left; who unofficially won the best costume award by popular vote!)

 Now to somehow secretly get rid of all the kids' candy before they consume it all. Hum...we might need some Jimmy Kimmel "Sorry your parents ate it all" Action.