CHRISTMAS 2010

Eloise has progressed enough in her reading skills that she is feeling comfortable reading to Abby. She is pretty easy going with Abby's desire to start a new book every 2 pages.

This year Eloise was conifident with the whole ask Santa, get presents equation. Once she was done with the formality she was ready to take off, but Mom presuaded her to pause for a picture.

On the first approach, Abby burst into tears. Later she was willing to try again.

Abby has discovered dressing up. She likes the fluffy dress, but she especially likes the hat. She is also doing a lot of pretend play these days. We often have a little kitty or puppy crawling around the house.

The girls enjoyed an afternoon playing in the very large pile of leaves from our neighbor's tree.

Abby discovered the joy of tossing huge armfuls into the air

In the absence of snow, Eloise tried out a leaf angel.

My goal of the month was to get a nice of each of the girls and of the girls together. The girls together quest was especially challenging. This is one of the best.

This is the runner up for best photo in the "girls together" category.

This is a nice, but somewhat sober Abby. She is wearing her favorite dress. In this case, favorite is defined as "if you absolutely insist that I wear a dress, this is the only one I will allow."

Also somewhat sober.

Perhaps not as frame-on-the-wall worthy, but definitely our girl.

Although I probably won't hang this one, it is probably my favorite Eloise of the photo quest.

We enjoyed having cousins over Christmas Eve and making sugar cookies together. Abby was pretty good at cutting out cookies, although targeting was a challenge.

As many sprinkles and m+ms and you can load on a cookie... good stuff.

Strangely, Abby does not like frosting on a cake, but she really likes it by itself in a bowl.

Excited Eloise does her best to wait until we are willing to pull Abby out of bed. Eloise woke up about a quarter to 8. We got Abby up 15 minutes later. Have I mentioned how much I like having children who sleep in, even on Christmas.

Eloise checks out the Santa loot.

Abby liked the Lindor balls. She would probably like them even more if we let her know there was chocolate inside... we haven't told her yet.

Eloise likes her bike, but even better she liked the treasure hunt she had to go on to find it. We wrapped a box with a note in it that sent her scurring around the house looking in various places. Robert slipped the bike in by the tree while she was gone. After staring at the bike for a brief second, she asked if she could play the game again... and there were still presents under the tree.

The wagon from Grandma Jones was a favorite with Abby.

When Eloise took her bike out for a spin, Abby wanted in on the action.

After covering something a bit less than the distance in front of our house (with Mom pushing) Abby gave up the tricycle and went for her wagon.

Eloise enjoyed her new bike. Check out her outfit... she loves her colors.

Anytime Abby finds the bathroom door open, she raids the hair bands. She is getting adept at putting them on.

Eloise wanted a shawl to wear to church. Abby was not about to be left out.

After weeks of serious envy, Abby has a pillow pet of her own. I tried naming it Honey. Eloise suggested Buzzo. Buzzo seems to be winning.

Reading Stories

Eloise has progressed enough in her reading skills that she is feeling comfortable reading to Abby. She is pretty easy going with Abby's desire to start a new book every 2 pages.