Naughty or Nice?

Well I have several things to tell you since the last blog! First, Vivian has mastered her cartwheel!!!!  In October her gymnastics teacher said she could move up to Mini Stars.  This is a class for 4-6 year olds and you have to be asked to join the class by an instructor.  I didn't even know what the class was, but we were excited for her and I think it's kind of a big deal.  She gets to use much more of the equipment than her previous class.  She does the rings, and bars, balance beam, etc.  Her teacher said there was a Cartwheel Class the kids could take to work on their cartwheel skills.  So I signed her up.  She did good in class and just kind started trying to do them at home the last couple of days.  And hot damn! She got it.  She goes all the way over and lands on her feet.  Her legs aren't all the way straight but pretty close.  I told her tonight before bed that I was proud of her and she said "I'm proud of me too mom"  Then I explained that when you practice and practice that's how you learn to do things.  She said "But mom I didn't practice I just tried it and did it!"  Sure whatever works.

Second, we've had several talks with the kids about being good and Santa bringing lumps of coal if you haven't been good.  We have the Elf on the Shelf book and our Elf's name is Oswald. He showed up after Thanksgiving and Vivian seemed pretty sceptical this year.  So Santa emailed Dan a video from the North Pole saying that she was not on the nice list yet.  Santa pulled her file and put it into the machine and it didn't come up good.  Thought that might enforce the necessity of being nice to get gifts from Santa.  Since Henry keeps hearing us say "if you aren't good your gonna get a lump of coal from Santa" he keeps repeating it or asking if he's going to get "a lump of cold" instead of "coal." It's so cute.  Of course Vivian is quick to correct him and say it's coal not cold.  Then Henry just replies and says that "she is gonna get a lump of cold from Santa and then she gets all upset.  Henry= Masker= Teases......Vivian = Sazama= Doesn't Handle Teasing Well.  Makes for a wonderful combination of oil and vinegar!

Since we are pretty much listening to the same 3 Christmas songs in the car on repeat (super fun for mom) Henry has started singing.  Vivian sings all of the time, but it's a first for Henry.  He sings Santa Clause is Coming To Town.  Dan and I were pretty much laughing until we had tears in our on Saturday night as he stood on the kitchen chair singing the song and dancing.  He doesn't get all of the words but he's trying.

Saturday night we took the kids to see The Muppet's Movie.  It was a long shot if Henry would sit through the movie but we tried.  After 25 mins of previews he only last about 20 mins into the movie.  I left with him and Dan and Vivian stayed to the end. I asked Dan if she liked it and his response was "I don't think kids today find entertainment in puppets" Which is sad if you think about it but probably true considering the age of technology they are growing up in.  Don't get me wrong my kids love puppet shows but not in the movie setting.  Guess it was the nostalgia of the movie that drew me to it...and thinking the kids would like it since that is what we grew up with as kids.

Sunday afternoon Vivian and I went to see Clara's Dream for the second year.  It's a version of the Nutcracker.  Her dance studio puts on the ballet performance.  We went last year and she really enjoyed it.  So I've decided to make it a tradition with her and I - for as long as it lasts or until she is a teenager and doesn't want to go anywhere with her parents. :-)

Hard to believe it's almost a week until Henry's 3rd Birthday!  He's very excited about his party! He's having 3 kids over to play with trains, etc for his Thomas the Train party.  It's his first "friend" birthday party. 
Here are some pictures from Thanksgiving and a pre birthday celebration for Henry.