Thanksgiving and Joel's birthday

We've had a busy last few days with Thanksgiving and Joel's birthday falling within days of each other.

Ainsley kept telling us she was excited about Thanksgiving, because she would get to eat turkey.  I was optimistic, and thought maybe I would actually get her to eat some, but I should have known better.  I don't think either girl will ever eat meat.

We started off the day at Aunt Doris's.  She had a bunch of Barbies, and the girls loved them!

Ainsley has started "posing"...

 

Lily REALLY liked the ornaments on all of the trees!

Tanner somehow convinced Ainsley into making a snow angel outside.  I'm hoping she learns sooner rather than later, that listening to Uncle Tanner is never a good idea.  She wasn't a happy camper after she laid down and felt how cold the snow was.  She was even more mad after Joel got the broom to dust all the snow off of her!

We left Rockbridge and headed to Jennifer's for supper.  I don't know why Joel and I ate again, but we did.  That's just what you do during the holidays, right?!

Birthdays are a big deal in our house, and Ainsley woke up yesterday morning and was so excited to sing "Happy Birthday" to Joel.  We had to get up, make Daddy a birthday card, bake a cake, and wrap his presents.  Of course, I couldn't just put his gifts in gift bags because "he'll be able to see them".  We had to wrap them.

Ainsley and I went outside yesterday morning before the snow started melting.  We were able to make a snowman.  It was a small one, but still a snowman!  

Ainsley's Pre-K Thanksgiving Feast

Ainsley's Pre-K class had a Thanksgiving Feast the day before Thanksgiving.  Ainsley was so excited about going the night before and the morning of, especially because Daddy was going with us.  Right before it was time to leave, she decided she was really tired and didn't want to go.  We had to fight her into the car, and I think it would have been better to just stay home that day.  She wasn't necessarily bad, but she didn't cooperate with anyone.  She had made a vest and headband to wear while the kids sang their songs, but she was the ONLY one that wouldn't wear it.  I guess I can look on the bright side, and say that it wasn't hard to find Ainsley in the group of kids!  I do have to say that at least she went up there.  There were some kids that put on their vest and headband, but refused to stand up and sing their songs.  I guess you can't win them all.

I was able to convince Ainsley into putting on her headband and taking a picture (only because she wanted to send it to Grandma Shelly, which I never did....oops!)  She wouldn't smile, though.  She gave the "look" to everyone that day.

And, Lily was pretty good through the whole thing, sitting on Daddy's lap.

November fun

I don't know what happened to November, but it flew by.  I know the next month is going to go just as fast with all the Christmas gatherings.  Here's a recap of our November:

The girls got along (at least long enough to snap some pictures!)...

We played outside and took walks before it got down right cold around mid-November.  Ainsley's getting pretty good at riding her bike and tricycle.

I went on a diet at the beginning of November.  It only lasted a week before I had to have my chocolate, junk food, and fast food.  Ainsley enjoyed working out with me, though!

Lily's learned how to take off her pants.  I guess I should be glad she hasn't figured out her diaper, yet.

Joel showed the girls a Jimmy Fallon skit "Tight Pants" after making fun of me wearing skinny jeans.  Joel walks around the house singing the song all the time, and now Ainsley sings it all the time, too.  As soon as Lily hears the song, she usually starts wiggling her hips and dancing.  Here's Hudson and Ainsley dancing to it.    Hudson has some good moves!!!!

I went on a shopping trip with some of the girls.  Fredbird was at the mall, so Alaina and I took advantage of seeing him!

Ainsley had a Veteran's Day program at school, which I missed.  I learned my lesson that day, and I'll make sure to attend all her activities, so I don't have to hear:  "But Mommy, all the other kids' Mommies picked them up from school."

 

We got to meet Elsa, Anna, and Sven (the reindeer) from Frozen.  Ainsley was so excited to see them!  Lily started shaking as soon as we got close to them, so she didn't get in the picture.

Hannah trying to get Lily's hair, since Lily wouldn't leave hers alone.

Lily didn't like Hannah messing with her!

Lily enjoys the mornings that I keep her at the house with me while I work.  Ainsley's in school, and she has Mommy all to herself.  That also means, big sister isn't around to boss her around or take her toys!

Drinking milk and playing with hair before school

We met Joel and Jim for lunch one day.  Lily ate more ketchup than french fries that day.

Lily's also discovered McDonald's (or any restaurant, really) diet coke.  If she sees a cup with a straw in it, she whines until she gets a little drink.  She grabbed my diet coke off the counter one night and was walking around with it for quite awhile until I noticed what she had!

Papa Jim stopped by one afternoon, and had to read the girls a few books.

Mom and I walked a 5k one Saturday morning.  I didn't train at all for it.  I jokingly asked Mom if she wanted to jog a little about a mile in, and thought my legs were going to fall off when she replied:  "Sure!"  We didn't make it far before we started walking again.  As we rounded the last corner and had the finish line in our sight, we jogged the rest of the way.  Of course, I turned and looked at Mom and told her there was no way I was letting her beat me!  I think I finished 20 seconds ahead of her, but she didn't beat me!  For not doing a 5k in five years or so, and Mom had never done one, I think we did pretty good with our 44 minute time!  My legs were feeling that time for a few days afterwards.

We visited Nolan, Jodi, Oliver, and Issac one evening.  Oliver and Ainsley played pretty good together, and Lily loved baby Isaac!  Ainsley even gave Ollie a kiss (on the lips, of course) before we left.

Of course, we did find time during the month to just hang out at home.

Lily had another ear infection a week or so ago.  That's the third or fourth since our appointment with the ENT a few months ago, when he said he wanted to see 2-3 more before he would do tubes.  I called to get another appointment with the ENT, and got right in to see him one day last week. He agreed that Lily needs tubes, and we're scheduled to have them put in on Friday.  I'm hopeful that they'll help with the ear infections.  She's had one every 6 weeks or so, and it's getting old!