Too soon?

Nora had her first pedicure while we were in Minneapolis for our goddaughter Gabby's birthday.  I know she's only 2 but I couldn't resist. It was girls day so I couldn't leave her home with the guys. She did great throughout the ped, but just couldn't sit still long enough for the polish to set.  Not even with the Cat in the Hat movie playing 1 foot from her face.

 Her and Gabby got the royal treatment in the kiddie chairs.

 Gabby turned 4 on October 29th.

Happy Birthday, Gabs!

She marches to the beat

of her own drum.  Nora is one-in-a-million.

Sometimes Ross and I stop and think to ourselves, 'did I really just have that conversation with my 2-year old?'

If she wants to know something, she'll ask.  She'll also tell you what she thinks.  If she wants to get out of doing something, she'll tell you that she 'needs a new diap now', because she 'pooped in her diapie', even though she didn't. 

Her latest favorite move is to walk into a room, take off her shirt and exclaim 'ooh, I'm sooo cold guys'. 

 I should consider hiding the markers and all art supplies.

We wouldn't change a thing from our experiences raising Gus, our first-born, in his baby and toddler years.  But the experience you have parenting that second child is totally different (more relaxed parenting is probably 90% of it).  It cracks us up that Nora is the exact opposite of Gus.  It's fun watching her little tendencies start to shine through.

Fall Outing

We bundled everyone up and headed east to the Buffalo River Pumpkin Patch for this year's fall fun outing.  Josh, Christy, and Will met us there.  It was chilly (45 degrees), but that didn't slow the kiddos down.

Gus is almost tall enough to ride all waterslides and most rollercoasters.

Cousins, and moms.

Let's hope this is not a sign of what's to come for Josh and lil' Will.

What have we done?

Gus is officially in hockey.  One hockey camp in and he decided he wanted to stick with it.  Sooo, Gus will start out his hockey career on the Termites team and it starts the last week of October.  For now, he's loving it. 

By the way, if you're late for your ice time, and you need to suit up quickly, it takes 2 guys (a dad and a grandpa).  I need to practice with the gear.  For starters, I need to figure out what each of the pieces are even called. 

He is so proud everytime he gets his gear on and hits the ice.

 He flashed a quick smile to me through the glass.

 And away he went.

Any tips from hockey moms out there are greatly appreciated!

Cute human tricks

Our little nephew, Will, has the most unique way to put on his winter coat.  He taught Nora his trick, and when they did it together, they thought it was the best thing ever.  It was hilarious.

Fall weather is upon us

We had a few chilly fall days late September which meant we stayed camped out inside, remembering what it feels like to make up games to play indoors.  So far we've come up with having family over, reading,

watching movies,

and when all else fails, wrestling.

 

And of course now that fall is back, we can spend our Sundays cheering for the Vikings, and checking how strong our muscles are.

 Go Vikings! 

Gooooaaaaallllllll

Gus played in his final game of fall soccer league the first weekend in October.  He scored a few goals, and he was pumped.  Gus is in green, #72.

Her idol

Nora loves Gus.  She copies everything he does and repeats everything he says.  He could kick her in the stomach and at first she'd cry, but immediately after that she'd think he was cool again. 

Now, the feeling is not mutual, but at least he's getting better at being nice to his little sis.  He tolerates (as pictured below).