3.5

Adrienne is 3 1/2 today! This kid is really something else. She is so hilarious, and loves to make us all laugh. She is almost always "in costume", and I am constantly picking glitter or iridescent sequins off of my clothing because I never remember to pull the costumes out and hang them up instead of throwing them in the dryer. Just this morning I was feeling annoyed with the costume washing, and not thrilled at how tough the sequins were to pull off of a fleece jacket and I was struck with the urge to just be grateful and enjoy this stage. I'm willing to bet that someday I will be doing the laundry and discover some sort of under-thing I don't approve of, and will be washing bras and bikinis. That will come all too quickly. So, my little princess, keep on. I adore you and your 3 year old spunk.

Today was haircut day. When the stylist finished drying A's hair after her cut she was so funny--"Oh, I always wanted smoov (smooth) hair!" and then she was admiring herself in the mirror and inquired, "Is this a wig on my head??!"

The precious princess in her newest attire--a "Wah-punzel"(Rapunzel) dress from Grammy and Grandad.

Christmas Day

Christmas day was relaxing and fun, just the four of us. The girls were up about 6:45, full of glee and excitement. They really took their time opening and enjoying presents this year, and we managed to stretch the experience (with a short break for some waffles) until about 11. We watched Aladdin for the first time (they hadn't seen that one yet and Matt was able to obtain it as a Christmas gift), played games, did more cooking, and packed for Des Moines. 

Bright eyed and bushy tailed --ready to do this present thing

Opening stockings

Matt thought the "Fireplace for your home" show on Netflix was hilarious. Extra warm in our living room!

Santa brought Jenga so we stopped to play a couple games

I had some trouble remembering what was wrapped in what and I accidentally gave Adrienne what I thought would be her favorite present very early in the game.

This picture is hilarious, because you can see that J isn't super thrilled about the gift she opened at the same time that Adrienne opened the Elsa doll.

She's a smart one, though. She quickly found a box that looked the same as A's and asked to open it--she was relieve to see her Anna doll.

New twirly dresses and tights

J opening what she declared her very favorite gift

Her first cookbook--a Disney Princess cookbook--from Grandma and Pop Pop

These were my favorite gifts---personalized superhero capes and masks. Superflykids.com is an awesome website.

Super A and Super J to the rescue!

I mean, really. How can you not crack up looking at this?

Showing off some pretty name/initial necklaces from Grandpa and Debbie

The queen got her ice palace!

Daddy looks good in his new shades

More Jenga--this time pre-dinner with a lovely sunset in the background

We normally bake Jesus a birthday cake on Christmas, but since we were leaving town the next morning I wanted to do an ice cream cake. Then I got lazy. So...we decided that birthday sundaes would fit the bill for the celebration. Adrienne understood the sundaes to be "Jesus' birth sundowns" so that's what we called them. Go with it.

Once again, in a chocolate trance

This kid and her sweet tooth....it's as strong as her momma's

Matt took this time lapse with an app on his phone of the present opening. Super cool. I even make an appearance in it--proof I was there! Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

We were home and hunkered down on Christmas Eve. Jillian had been running a fever for several days, which made going to church and singing with her Sunday school class at church impossible. So things were quiet for us in terms of activity. I did some cooking, we watched some Christmas movies, played games, and had fondue for dinner. The girls exchanged presents to each other (always so fun to see) and they opened their traditional pajamas. Santa Matt was thrilled to not have any assembly required for the big reveal Christmas morning (he's still recovering from last year's doll house), so we enjoyed some game time in the basement while we watched Christmas Vacation in the background after the girls were tucked in bed. 

She doesn't look sick, does she? The 101 on the thermometer doesn't lie, however

Excited to exchange sister gifts

An Elsa ornament!

And....

An Elsa wig!  She was beyond delighted. And yes, Jillian came up with these ideas on her own

"Let It Go!"

Tickled to see how lovely she looked

Jillian was pretty excited to see what was in the big box

A trash can! She had been asking for a trash can for her room for a LONG time. I pulled some options up online and Adrienne aptly selected one covered in princesses.

A also gave J an animal encyclopedia (also on her wish list), but no pic of this.

Enjoying some cheese fondue

This kid really enjoyed the chocolate fondue dessert course

REALLY enjoyed it

Opening pajamas and new robes

Love this of Matt and J. Daddy got pajamas, too!

Adrienne, er Elsa, didn't want to take her hair off

3 pretty important people

I did zero holiday baking this year, so poor Santa just got Oreos.

Pre bedtime pose--had to force the wig off for one shot

Love love love Hanna Anderson nightgowns and Swedish slipper socks. 

The wig is back on

Aunt Angela also sent some gifts that we thought the girls should open before they went to bed. She sewed them FROZEN pillowcases! So so sweet! And the perfect gift for these princesses.

Nothing like a shot of the tree before heading to bed myself. 

One of my favorite moments of the year--quiet, lights, peace, anticipation

We caught Santa in the act!!! Yes, this is our house. No, this isn't Matt. He paid $10 on some website to impose this santa on a pic. Worth every penny for the look on the girls' faces the next day.