129 + 25 Weeks, and Christmas!

We had a lovely week leading up to Christmas, with great weather (one day was actually a heat wave), and two kids who only drove me mildly batty.  Arley has started turning onto his tummy as soon as you put him down for a sleep, and then cries in frustration because he can't turn back over nor can he sleep.  It is a game of continually turning him back over again and again until he gives up and conks out.  Carmen went through about three days where she was an absolute devil child - she brought me to tears on many occasions, and then suddenly she is back to normal, which is really just a regular two year old having regular tantrums.  Does anyone know if toddlers goes through 'wonder weeks' too?  I am thinking that perhaps that is what it is.  Either way, her behaviour over the last few days has been great, and hopefully it will stay this way for a while!

Christmas was yesterday.  Carmen has been very excited for Santa to bring her a scooter and an umbrella. He brought her these, and more.  The look on her face when she woke up and I told her that Santa came was priceless.  It was so nice to see her enjoying the 'magic' of Christmas.  Arley on the other hand didn't know what was going on, which was lucky for him because he was outdone by Carmen with presents about 20:1!  After presents we went to the farm to have lunch with my parents and sister, brother-in-law and nephews.  Mum put on a lovely lunch (which Carmen and Arley both napped through!), and we all opened more presents - I don't think Carmen knew it was possible to get so many gifts in one day :)

Anyway, I hope everyone reading had a lovely Christmas!

Short video of Carmie after nap time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lzAsJ54UYc&feature=youtu.be

Carmen opening her stocking:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPFTzemH5Ug&feature=youtu.be

Arley in his new Jolly Jumper:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1KSuo__lvQ&feature=youtu.be

 Little Bo Peep again

 At her school's Christmas party.  Carmie was the last man standing, she got the jumping castle all to herself.

 Bath time fun with big sis

 Dressing up, for a change ;)

 Christmas morning

 She LOVES her magnifying glass

 At Lolo and Dida's for lunch (wearing her new dress)

 Trying out her new umbrella

128 + 24 Weeks

Well, this week we had our yearly visit from the kids' Oma and Opa (my dad and stepmother, for those of you who aren't in the know).  It was so great to have them here, but far too short.  Sadly I didn't get any photos of them with Arley (shame!), so I am waiting for them to send me some.  It was Arley's first time meeting them, and Carmen's third.  She took to them much better this year, and talked about them for days.  They gave her a Little Bo Peep costume, which has become her outfit of choice.  She puts it on and then says how beautiful she looks :)

Carmie also had a play-date with her friend Hannah.  They came over here, as I am rather housebound at the moment.  Jeffrey has been working a lot, and half of the time the kids' nap schedules don't synch, so I don't have much opportunity to leave the house, or even take them for walks.  Carmie had a high fever one day and has been complaining about tooth pain, so I think maybe her 2 year molars are finally coming through.

Carmen and Arley also had their photo taken with Santa.  Carmen was very excited to go see Santa, but as soon as she saw him, she got very nervous.  To give her credit, she did go sit on his knee, but it was like pulling teeth to get a smile out of her.  She is very excited about Christmas, and knows that 'her' Christmas is happening next week.  I'm excited too :)

Here are two videos of the kids from earlier today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkq5WLy6Hi8&feature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5B0U22DXz0k&feature=youtu.be

Oma & Opa

 Little Bo Peep

 Carmen and Hannah playing dress-up

 Pugsly Addams