Helpers

What, Mom? Standing on top of the dishwasher door, testing out each sippy cup, bowl, & what not for cleanliness does not meet your definition of "helpful"? We can not imagine being ANY. MORE. HELPFUL. 

Love, 

The Cunningham Kids

Connor's first day on the slopes!

Call Us Crazy...

...or brave, depending on your particular outlook in life. We took the three kids up to the mountain for a sledding day all in the name of "FUN!" Connor was a rock star, climbing up the hill by himself & carrying his own sled, sledding down by himself, and giving me his best sledding "smile."  But then again he basically had to, because his two parents were kinds busy. Dealing with other less self-sufficient kids. 

Kaia & Ashlyn had a rough start to the sledding adventure. We started out expecting them to walk a little bit across the snow to the sledding area. It was a bit icy & slick and Kaia immediately bit the dust, and got a small bloody nose. Awesome. In an attempt to cheer her up, I tried to get her excited about the snow. "Look, at the pretty snow!" to which she replied in her grumpiest voice, "No Snow. ICE!" Well, okay. this is true. We decided that walking wasn't really gonna happen for the two one-year-olds, so we carried them. EVERYWHERE. Up the sledding hills, down the sledding hills, around the little sledding area. I think we were kinda a spectacle, but that is no big deal. We're used to it. (Note to self: If you ever consider taking two one year olds sledding again, try to be in the best shape of your life. It will help.) However, once we got them on sleds, they were much happier. And well, that makes good sense. I know that I would have personally been much happier if someone carried me up the hills, then pushed me gently down; rinse & repeat.

We caught some good sunshine, ate some mostly clean "ice" and wore everyone out!

Conversations...

One morning for breakfast, Ashlyn decided she didn't really like what I had fixed, so she started throwing food off her high chair, screaming/crying "Noooooo!!!!" Connor decides to step in, "Sis. You can stop crying now. This is all that Mom is offering & she won't change her mind. Even if you cry. I already tried that." Although that sounds suspiciously like my voice, I'll go ahead and reiterate that I couldn't have said it better myself. At least one of my children is starting to grasp this concept.

This was reported to me by my friend who helps with preschool carpool, on a day that I am at work & either our Nanny or Grandma is home watching the girls, waiting for Connor to be dropped off:
Robin: Connor, who is watching you today?
Connor: Jesus! (long pause)...oh and Grandma!
We were wondering if Grandma was the back-up or if Jesus was. hum?

Kaia & Ashlyn have learned to say "Kaia." They can both say Kaia, but neither can say Ashlyn. And they both know who Kaia is (so if you get them confused, all you have to do is ask them). Lately, when I ask for a volunteer to do some dreaded chore, Ashlyn has the perfect answer...
Me:Who wants to get their diaper changed?
Ashlyn (pointing to her sister, in a nice strong voice): "Kaia!"
Me:Who wants to help clean up?
Ashlyn: "Kaia!"
Tonight, I asked, "Who is ready to get out of the bath?" (which neither is excited to do)
Ashlyn: "Kaia!"
Poor Kaia just looks around with nothing to say, but hopes if she doesn't make eye contact that I will forget she is there. Maybe I'll learn not to ask such ridiculous questions anymore.

This morning I woke up to two tiny voices singing in unison, "Where wiz binkie? Where wiz binkie?" (to the tune: "Where is Thumbkin?"). Unfortunately no one seemed to be able to actually find the binkie, so I had to get up. I was really, REALLY rooting for them on this one.

New Little Family Member

Meet Mylo! Isn't he just the cutest? He is the best kind of new family member...a cousin:) This means that we can visit him anytime, play together for as long as we like, and then leave before we have to clean up after him. Ahhh...such a perfect type of pet. Someday we will probably take him camping, may do some fishing, definitely some snow sledding (as long as his real parents tag along, that is). The Cunningham's approve! Welcome to the family, super cute little one. xoxo

A Growing Up Cunningham Christmas

After hosting two family Christmas get-togethers back to back, I realized that I failed to take a single picture of our celebrations. Fortunately someone found our camera & snapped a few anyway. (P.S. Hosting while also managing 3 tiny people is also a great holiday diet. I hardly had time to eat.) Mostly action shots, mostly of gift opening, or gift enjoying:)

Waiting for the guests!! The excitement builds...

Ashlyn - check out my much longer piggy tails!

This is just Connor's stack. A lucky boy!

Opening something new with Snuffy in tow...

More gifts??

Hum, do those kids look tired or what? Ready for a good night's sleep in new Christmas Jammies:)

Look!!! Santa DID come.

Now to enjoy the new toys. Even the girls found a way to enjoy this Easel. Hiding. Typical.

Merry Christmas Blog-o-sphere!

Happy New Year!

We wish you a very happy 2013! Check out our Favs from 2012.

Connor:
Favorite Color: Orange
Favorite Toy: All my new Christmas ones (but if you had to pick one...) I can't pick. I really REALLY like all of them. (well, okay then).
Favorite Fruit: Raspberries
Favorite TV Show: All of them (but if you had to pick one...). Well, I do like them all, but maybe Mickey Mouse, I guess.
Favorite Lunch: PBJ
Favorite Snack: Z-bars
Favorite Outfit: OSU jersey & fast pants
Favorite Game: I like all of them (this is sounding like a broken record...so If you had to pick just one...) Okay, Hungry Hungry Hippos
Favorite Animal: Daisy
Best Friends: All of them except "_____" (names two from school who are "mean" - usually plays most with Jake & Cailey) 
Favorite Cereal: Coco Puffs
Favorite Thing to do outside: Swing
Favorite Drink: Milk, oh and Juice, but sometimes I just like water (Alrighty then)
Favorite items to snuggle in bed: My blanket, oh and all my Monsters...like Elmo, Zoe, (names all 8 of them)
What would you have for dinner if it was your birthday & you got to choose? Ummm, how about just some leftovers (Hilarious, because we NEVER EVER have leftovers:)
What do you want to be when you grow up? I really don't know yet. Maybe I will decide that one later after I grow up. (Okay, very logical idea. Earlier in 2012 he has had the ideas of Teacher, Crane Operator, Builder like Daddy, and Doctor)

Kaia & Ashlyn (didn't get interviewed, but I can make some guesses for them):
Favorite Fruit: Oranges
Favorite Toy: Minnie Mouse Shopping Carts, or maybe shoes...those are fun to take off, then put on, then take off, then put on...
Favorite TV Show: Sesame Street or Mickey Mouse
Favorite Snack: Z Bar
Favorite Game: Hide (doesn't matter if there is a "go seek" part or not)
Favorite Hiding place: Hall Closet (its always the same one)
Favorite Items to Snuggle in bed: Lovey Blanket which is falling apart, but still much MUCH loved.