Christmas Came Early...

Early Christmas Goodies...

Since we will be traveling for Christmas...(and because the kids aren't into the Santa phase quite yet so we can get away with it) - we went on a bit of a shopping spree and treated the kids to some new toys...and have already set them up and started to put them to good use.

We didn't actually buy the tricycles...they both need to grow an inch or two before their feet will reach the pedals - but it was entertaining to have them test drive the bikes in the store.  I realize we were living on the edge since they weren't sporting helmets - but don't fret - helmets will be fully enforced when the time comes!

  


Brianne is completely captivated by the television show "Signing Times".  We try to limit her to one episode a day....but it's hard since she loves it so much and it does allow some time to prepare dinner or to get a few things done around the house.  She's gotten into the bad habit of standing right underneath the TV....so we decided it was time to get the kiddos their own chairs in an effort to move her away from the TV so she doesn't go bug-eyed. 

In-Store Trial Run - these seats passed the test!

These little chairs make me smile.  So little - so cute!

TV limits will be enforced.......don't want these kiddos turning into couch potatoes - but I'm not opposed to a little Sesame Street so i can prepare dinner!

Cheap $5 baby and stroller from Wally World did not last 5 minutes.....about the time Bryce tried to sit down in it himself a wheel broke off........

Check out the fancy schmancy new kitchen set!

Daddy and B cooking burgers. :)

Even more exciting - check out the BOX that the kitchen set came in!  Yes - the box is still in the living room...anyone want to take bets on how long it will be here?  Certainly lasting longer than the $5 baby doll and stroller set!

TRINITY PARK!

 The weather has been amazing lately - so we ventured out to Trinity Park on Sunday. 

Little guy braved this crazy ramp a few times....gave me a bit of a panic attack to watch - but he took his time and carefully held on while maneuvering across...quite proud of the little guy!

Trinity Duck Pond

 If you live in the Fort Worth area and haven't been here - I highly recommend checking this place out!  Be sure to take a few slices of old bread when you go - it's so much fun to feed the ducks!

Brianne did a great job of throwing the pieces of bread to the ducks.  Bryce must have been hungry - because he kept snacking on the bread himself. :)  

 

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Getting the two little ones to look at the camera and smile simultaneously is proving harder and harder....hoping to venture out to get the yearly holiday photos taken....and fingers crossed that we'll get one of those priceless shots that magically catches both kiddos with their happiest smiles!

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thrilled to have my parents in town for Thanksgiving!  They have been amazing babysitters and chefs - spoiling us by cooking delicious meals and helping out with the kids.

Just a few of the things I'm thankful for...

• Thankful for:  A week off from Daycare drop-offs and pick-ups since Grandma and Grandpa watched the little ones
• Thankful for: Kiddos soft cheeks that are made for kisses
• Thankful that: Brianne and Bryce have learned to give kisses - either blowing kisses or real smooches!
• Thankful for: My job for being so understanding of my ever changing schedule and allowing me to get to all the doctor and therapy appointments and to pick up Brianne from school.  
• Thankful for: The sweet sound of the kids laughter as they chase each other around the living room
• Thankful that: Brianne is walking around like a little champ
• Thankful for:  My wonderful husband who is an AMAZING dad
• Thankful that:  I've been given the opportunity to learn that people with Down syndrome are amazing individuals.  
• Thankful that: we've been introduced to an entire network of people that we wouldn't have known had it not been for that extra chromosome!
• Thankful for:  The Down Syndrome Partnership of Tarrant County for being such a fantastic resource for us and other families in the area
• Thankful that: Brianne is starting to say more and more words.  Her favorites are: Puppy, Bye-Bye, Brah-Er (Brother!), Nana (Banana), and Pees (Please). She's learning the names of her classmates and says Eee-A (Eva) and Emamama (Emma).
• Thankful that:  Bryce is a snuggle bug.  He loves to sit in my lap and just cuddle - soaking that goodness up since I'm sure it won't last forever!
• Thankful for:  Skype!  With all of our family living far away, being able to video chat with them makes the distance more tolerable!
• Thankful for:  the delicious turkey dinner we enjoyed and the fridge overflowing with yummy leftovers
• Thankful for:  The awesome friends we have here in Texas....and for e-mails and phones and Facebook for keeping in touch with our faraway friends.
• Thankful for:  Long weekends!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  We sure did - and the weekend is still young!

Thankful for little boys that like to wear Daddy's shoes

Thankful for wagon rides

Thankful for Pinterest for providing fun recipe ideas

Thankful for invitations to our neighbor's 2nd b-day party!

Brianne is thankful for cupcakes!

Thankful for bounce houses at our friend's b-day party last weekend!

Thankful for kiddos that play together and make me laugh

Thankful to see the kiddos playing with their grandparents!

Thankful for quality play time with Grandpa!

Thankful for Skype!

Thankful for two kiddos that play together nicely. :)

Thankful to watch Bryce build a huge skyscraper!

Thankful for delicious turkey!  Gobble gobble!

Kiddos are thankful for pumpkin pie!

Thankful for little boys in skeleton pajamas that like to sit in mama's lap

Pumpkins and Pancakes

Pumpkins and Pancakes at the Fort Worth Zoo

The Fort Worth Zoo offered a special early morning event to zoo members that included a pancake breakfast and an early admission to the zoo.  It was a beautiful Fall morning - and we had a great time chowing down on some yummy grub and seeing the animals.

The boys :)  So glad that our friends are zoo members too!

 We saw the penguins being fed their breakfast!

 TCU Tailgate and Game

Saturday was a perfect day for a tailgate party with our Kinderfrogs friends.  We had a wonderful time relaxing in the grass (aka:  chasing after two little ones who want to explore) and eating some of the yummiest burgers ever, provided by The Hamburger Man. 

The pack-and-play is a wonderful thing to bring along to events like these...thankfully the kids aren't climbing out of it yet....so until then - we'll take advantage of it!

There are some fancy new Kinderfrogs shirts/polos/t-shirts that are available for purchase - we all upgraded our wardrobe to nice new Kinderfrog attire!

So maybe Brianne's shirt was a little big....but we made it work

 Bryce enjoyed checking out the playground at his sister's school....he's likely a little jealous since the playground is quite an upgrade from the one at his school! 

 

 

Game Time!

 We had a good time at the football game....would have been more fun had our Horned Frogs come away with a win - but what a beautiful evening for a football game!

The fun of family pictures is that we never manage to get everyone looking at the camera....but we tried.

Arts and Crafts

The kids have been busy creating some masterpieces lately. :)

 
 

Little Miss couldn't resist tasting the paint....yes, it's non-toxic, but I'm thinking I should look into those home-made paint recipes I've been seeing on Pinterest!

 Little Picasso took his painting very seriously. :)

 I just love when the kids come home with artwork.  Brianne's class learned about spiders the other week - and this fun piece of art came home with her!  It found a place on the 'door of art'....the pantry door has filled up with things the kids create at school - love it!

 Walking :)

Little lady is still working on her walking....during a weekend stroll we ran into the neighbors and the little gals walked along holding hands for a little bit - super precious!

 Hope November is treating you well and that you are staying warm!  We had to put our heat on last night...and today was the first day of scraping ice off my car....gotta love Texas. :)