Evi Under the Tree

Evi is a big fan of "Holly" the Christmas soldier.

The Nice List

Maura got her first message from Santa via the Portable North Pole this year. Here's a link to the video and then two videos of Maura watching. She was very surprised when Santa knew her name and I think a little nervous waiting to find out if she made the nice list. My frenetic turning back and forth is because Evi is off camera trying to eat a magazine.

Maura's message from Santa

Part 1

Part 2

Hanger Time!

It's the simple things, like discovering the joys of hangers.

Up and Up

Evi is wasting no time with this moving thing. Here she attempts to defy gravity.

Up and... Crawling

Evi is on the move! And Maura is getting her stuff out of the way.

Trot Ol' Joe

Auntie Bebs caught Maura singing along to her favorite song, "Trot Ol' Joe" in the car today.  Whoa Joe!

Out for a Walk

Several weeks ago Maura took a liking to a certain small branch in the yard and named it "Puppy Stick".  Puppy Stick is now a full member of the family you gets regular walks and lots of love.

Auntie Bebs was visiting this weekend and took Maura and Puppy Stick for a walk around the block.  They also brought Maura's car and an umbrella.  Bebs caught several videos of their adventure.

Walking/Driving feet.

Maura and Puppy Stick reprimand the neighborhood dogs.

Puppy Stick gives up, but Maura keeps on the dogs.

Mother's Little Helper

When I got home from work last night, Maura took my hand and led me into the basement.  We went over to where we keep the dust buster plugged in and she clearly said to me, "Vacuum."  So we got the vacuum out and decided together that we should head upstairs and clean up around her chair.  She quickly took control of clean-up.

After she finished, she showed off a new skill- scooching down the stairs.  (I have to be very covert with my camera work or she starts crying that she's not also holding the camera.)

There's something on your Face

Auntie Bebs has a really hard time keeping her own face clean.

Call Her Maybe

There's nothing like a naked dance party to bridge the gap between bath time and bedtime.  Maura's a little late to the party, but call her maybe? 

Christmas with the Scots

One my of my favorite holiday traditions is the Scottish Christmas Parade in Old Town.  We were excited to have Grandma join us for the festivities this year.  (We met up with Auntie Bebs post parade too!)  Lots of tartans, bagpipes and holiday cheer.

Grandma, Maura, Jason and his mustache enjoy the parade.

Westies win best dressed.

Bagpipes slowly sooth Maura to sleep.

The airedales are having fun.

And she's out.

Santa and Mrs. Claus close out the parade.

Little Helper

Maura helped me pick up sticks in the back yard this weekend.  Doing wood must run in her blood; she was a natural.

How does this thing work?

Am I supposed to put the sticks in or take them out?

Okay, I think I've got this now.

Mom, I'm trying to work here.

Saturday Night Dance Party

Ah the joys of dance...

And the discovery of dizziness...

Pretty Little Peacock

Halloween was a success at the Tourtellinger house.  Maura happily wore her costume and went to about a half dozen houses trick or treating.  Her first choice was a snickers bar and she held onto that for the rest of the night.

Costume practice before the big day.  Should Hobby Horse trick-or-treat with us?

Anxious to get started on our adventure.

You mean this crinkly wrapper can be all mine?

Fall Fun

We raked up a small pile of leaves for some backyard fun before Hurricane Sandy came to town.  I only caught her eating dirt once.  Mostly she was fascinated with the sticks.

Preparing to attack

Dowsing for water

Dad, wait for me!

Leaves make a great noise

Dancing Queen

She and Daddy have been practicing their moves every night after dinner.

Peek-a-boo

Plum Crazy

Maura loves a good plum.

Little Librarian

I like to called this game "Closed Stacks Librarian".  She goes to the box of books and then pulls them all out one by one for optimal viewing.  I suppose we'd help ourselves if we actually put the books away somewhere, but if the living room floor wasn't covered with books, you could see how badly we need to vacuum.

Another fun game - find yourself in her picture books also spread out behind her.

Thank you Graham for sharing these great stories!

Sweet, Sweet Corn

Maura has learned to enjoy one of the great joys of the American summer - sweet corn.

Mom, can you hold this thing for me?

No, mom, I can do it myself.

Wait, which of these things is for chewing?

Oh that end looks tasty.

With a corncob pipe and a button nose...

Do you want some?