We have been pretty busy lately with Kai's birthday party and preparing for Christmas. The kids have been a constant source of entertainment (not intentionally though I don't think) and have provided some much-needed comic relief while we are running around getting organized.

Kira decided this year to ask Santa for a "bike with pedals and 2 wheels" (she has a run bike right now with no pedals), I think Santa will deliver for her! She's very excited to see what Santa will put in her stocking and has been counting down the days until Christmas. She is much more into Christmas this year and it's fun to see her excitement and joy.

Today Kira + I had our dentist appointment. This would be her 2nd checkup, last time was ok, the dentist was only able to clean 2 of her teeth but did get most everything else done. Today she was so excited to go see the dentist that she actually started to pout and cry when she learned that Momma would be going first. She sat beside me for my entire cleaning with her lower lip quivering and her eyes damp. Hilarious. She brightened right up when the dentist took her to her own room ("with my own chair!") before I was done. The dentist managed to clean all of her teeth this time, Kira was even giggling during the process (she said it tickled). Afterwards she got a new toothbrush and toy - she was super stoked. Here she is in the dentist chair - she kept grabbing the dental assistants arm while she was cleaning her teeth.

Here are a few more pictures from various parties we've been at over the last couple of weeks. These include Daddy's company Christmas party for kids, Kai's first birthday party, and a potluck dinner with our friends and their kids. Merry Christmas everyone!

Walking around at Daddy's Christmas party - heading for the bouncy castle

He sure loved this stool

Yep, still loving it

Such a little character

Happy birthday little dude!!! It's not a party until Kai's removed a piece of clothing (he's a lot like Daddy)

Yummy cake, thanks for baking Grandma Rose

He looks a little like his cousin Isabel in this picture...

First pineapple tart!

Daddy is teaching Kira a very important lesson - all 9 members of the Wu-Tang Clan. She's got 2 so far, and somehow "Uncle Brian" made his way into the group. Well done Uncle Brian!!

Oh, this box looks like fun...

Maybe I can stand up....

Haha! Yes I can! Now how do I get down.

Kira fixing her hair while posing for the camera

Today is Kai's first birthday, naturally, he has no idea whatsoever, but we celebrated for him. After I picked the kids up from daycare we went down to Richmond and I got their hair cut, now Kai looks like a little man and Kira's hair is shorter and less likely to be eaten along with her meals. While we were in Richmond we stopped in for a visit with Santa, got a great picture of the kids (surprisingly!) which I will scan at work and try  to post next week. Kira also went for a ride on the little train and merry-go-round that they have in there. She had a blast and Kai loved running around and playing with all the new "toys" in the mall. 

Tomorrow we are having a little birthday party for Kai, I will post some pictures of the party later on. In the meantime, here are some older ones that I finally got around to uploading...

Kai LOVES sleeping with this green monkey, at any given time during the night his monkey is  under his belly or within arms reach. So cute.

Kira helped to decorate the tree this year....

....there were about 15 ornaments per branch which Kai knocked down as soon as he woke up from his nap

Jon purchased a chariot trailer for behind his bike so he can take both kids into daycare on his bike. Obviously it's too cold for this right now, but we did manage to give it a test run back in October. 

Kai heading down the slide with a little help from Mommy

looking at the wood chips and thinking it's dinner time

mmmmm, wood chips

The kids and Daddy heading off to the park

 

I love this picture! Kira loves to dance, but she'll only do it if she's in a "pretty dress". So here she is playing dress up and rocking out to the music. 

More adorable sleeping baby pictures. This purple elephant toy was reclaimed by Kira shortly after this photo was taken.

Kira loves this new swing at the park, she'll lie down and yell to go "HIGHER" and "FASTER", she's a little fearless sometimes, but she has a lot of fun.