Christmas trees and rock climbing and the tongue

And Christmas cookies of course. 

Playing catch up after an incredibly busy week. And hard week.

Two Shumei events, dentist appointment 

And then the chewed tongue.

Ya.

That happened.

But before that we had a great time! 

An awesome Sunday hike/rock climb

Radar was into it!

But did not like when he could get to where his people were.

Moxie is taking the whole toddler thing to

New levels. "I did it" is a common phrase. 

She also says possum when she means awesome and ever meal

Is an adventure in cleaning. She's asking to go on the potty too and grew out of her high chair. She hasn't gone potty on the potty yet, but she sure likes to give it a try.

So the tongue. Scroll no further if you have a weak stomach.

While Piper was numb on novocaine she managed to eat her own tongue. 

Like. A piece was missing. 

The recovery has been difficult for everyone because she's 4. And on a good day she can't stand the feeling of her pants. And she can't eat. And she won't let me help. Tonight we made huge strides and she ate quite a bit. But for the last 5 days... Well let's just say I'm grateful I can see the light. Poor kid. I just... Ya. It was bad. 

Photo below of day 4 .....

First Dentist/First filling

This one.

With her big heart and huge eyes she just had her first filling. She was so amazing at the cleaning they decided to just do novocaine. Doc felt she could handle it. We told her the truth and when the time came she bravely opened wide. Big tears rolled down her cheeks and her lip quivered. But she didn't say a word. 

We took a moment to let her get composed and she bounced back quickly. Sat back and did awesome for the actual filling.

She hates the numb feeling though and cried off and on through the afternoon. For a kid who hates the feeling of most clothing and can loose it if her socks feel wrong I can't be too surprised that the numb irritates her so much. 

"My tongue feels wrong mom."

"How does it feel?"

"Like a wet day."

Thanksgiving, Santa, and ridiculous cuteness

Blessed. We are so very blessed. Warm, fed, loved. And while the challenges of parenthood are real. I have happy, healthy, thriving little girls.

And for this I am grateful. 

Piper has been very helpful. Cooking, vacuuming and general pick up.

Her contribution to t-day preparation was real. Love.it.

Her mood swings are intense however. But we are learning that television of any kind and any amount makes them far worse. So I've been doing my best to teach her how to play independently when I can't give her my full attention.

I'm a little concerned it's any screen time. So for now I've stashed away her computer too.

It's not that she watched a lot of TV, but even 30 minutes sets her into several days of temper tantrums. 

We've tested the theory several times. A friend has the same thing with her daughter of the same age and Wow.

Just wow.

But when she's off TV?

So reasonable, sweet and funny.

We're going to go another few weeks before we try again. We'd like to do family movie nights eventually. But one week off and one movie and she was a puddle for the rest of the day unless she had 100% attention. Which just isn't possible. My theory is the screen keeps her so engaged that without that constant stimulation she gets upset. 

Time to old school art project and pretend play!

I had a Doctors appointment this week and came home to Mimi leading the girls in song and dance. 

So blessed...

And this one?

She's 19 months going on 13 years!

She so funny. Most days my sides hurt from laughing. 

Operation no screen time led me to brining the fairy house inside. 

While I prepped Thanksgiving dinner Piper took it upon herself to entertain her sister.

Piper has been making strides with letting me do her hair.

For a frozen yogurt that is.

Aunt Amy gifted us several boxes of her Christmas stuff. Piper was in heaven. Santa dolls from my childhood, nutcrackers and candles. But the big thing? A mini Christmas tree for her room!

This is her O.M.G. face

A few days after T-day Mimi and I took the girls to see Santa. 

And found a fairy tree at the park.

 

Piper was quite concerned about the door being locked.

A little out of order here, sorry about that.

While it was Piper who begged for the dog. It has been Moxie that has played with him the most. She's learned she can bounce balls and he'll chase them and bring them back. Piper. Hyper - Piper plays a bit rough with him and he gets confused. But Moxie's ball trick and mutual love of sticks has created quite the sweet bond.

Don't be fooled.

Moxie was unfazed by Santa.

Piper was less scared than last year. But still wouldn't get close to him unless Saoirse was there and certainly wouldn't talk to him. "Tell him I'll write him a letter Mom."

But she sure enjoyed the candy cane and friends!