Santa lives in Kentucky?

We started our 10-day Christmas-Family-Extravaganza in Kentucky.
I could hear Holiday Road playing in the background as we pulled out of the driveway...

Paintsville to Cleveland to Charlotte to home, followed by visits from Mia and Poops for Christmas morning, Grandma M, and the Florida branch of the Messal cousins. We are loving it!

First... Mia and Papaw's house, where we faked it like Christmas Eve was December 15th.

We happened to arrive the same day as Mom's work Christmas party, where Santa always comes. We dressed the girls in Santa gear, and headed to the party.

Cora acted hesitant about Santa. Then when he called her name to come up and get a present, she acted like he was her long lost Papaw Jim. Straight to his lap, arms outstretched, ready for presents.

I threw Quinn onto his lap, too...

Afterwards, enjoying her loot.

Then checking out Santa from above.

Over Thanksgiving, the girls helped Mia & Papaw put up their Christmas tree. They saved the star for "Christmas" weekend. My parents have my mom's grandmother's star (a simple sturdy star that lights snake into), and Matt and I wrestled each other up the stairs for years to be the one to put the star on. I'm declaring this year's a win for me :)

Dad's face here is classic!

Baby's first Christmas! By January 1st, she was an old Christmas pro.

This is actually Cora's THIRD time on Santa's lap while in Kentucky. During the daytime on Saturday, Dad took Cora for a drive hoping she'd nap. Instead, he realized that Santa was taking visitors at a gas station (random), so he pulled in and Cora got to say hi.

Later that night, Santa arrived to deliver Cora & Quinn's kitchen. .

Her look here suggests she was thinking...

Quinn also seemed intrigued.

Aunt Erin brought a gingerbread house to make with Cora on "Christmas Day". If I had of started this craft, Cora would have been frustrated in minutes. With Erin, she sat for about an hour decorating the house.

Later, when we were in Cleveland at the Botanical Garden, we saw a gingerbread house competition. Cora walked past one immaculately crafted and stated nonchalantly, "I made one of those at Papaw's House". Yes, Cora, something like that.

Over the break, Cora was very into tracings.

A few more pics, added from my iphone (or maybe Dad's camera?)

Dad's phone was still a razor. True story.

This new phone system was delivered to Dad from "Santa"

Wrestling with Uncle Shew.

Opening presents.

After getting her kitchen, Cora spent the rest of the night making sure everyone was well fed.

Cora's fourth Santa siting.

This time, on a fire truck driving out through the country.

Given that she'd seen Santa 4 times in the past 2 days, you would think we wouldn't have been so excited for this one. We were. Maybe more than she was.

My parents have battled ladybugs for years, especially in the winter.

While in Kentucky, Cora also becomes a warrior.

Cora's new "Pack Back"

On Sunday, December 16, we realized we were low on milk. Dad wondered out loud what stores were open on Christmas Day.

He was serious.

We pulled off Christmas 10 days early really well...

Quinn: 9 month update

My monthly Ode to Quinn is late. 

It's not because she hasn't been loved.

My mom's song that she sings to Quinn is

"Oh my Quinny, Oh my Quinny,

Oh my Quinny, Quinny Pooh. 

You're my Quinny, 

My shiny penny,
You're my Quinny, Quinny Pooh." 

On Christmas Eve, during the day, Cora got the song stuck in her head on repeat. 

What a great song to hear on repeat!

Tonight, I was giving Cora a bath. Cora was wild tonight, and making big splashes. I'd told Cora several times, "No splashing! Keep the water in the tub!"

I grabbed Quinny and put her in the tub with Cora. Cora started trying to wash Quinn, pouring water on her back and shampooing her hair (such a good sister!). Quinn started to splash, and Cora gave her a few "No Splashes". Then, she got frustrated, and gave a "No splashing! (in her toughest voice... followed by a sugary) Babydoll". I love her. 

Quinn is everywhere Cora wants to be. Quinn follows Cora around, and when Cora settles into a spot to play, Quinn usually settles right up against her. It's wonderful, but Cora understandably gets frustrated. We try to intervene as little as possible. Tonight, as Cora tried to play with Quinn squished up against her, Cora got frustrated with all of Quinn's grabbing. She kept telling her nicely to stop, then reached over and grabbed Quinn's hand firmly. I could tell that she really wanted to pinch or claw or squeeze her hand hard. Instead, she stopped herself, then her face turned happy, and she pushed Quinny's little hand against her mouth, then kissed it, then leaned over and gave Quinn a big, tight, hug, and covered her face in kisses.

This morning, we dropped the girl's off at daycare for a few hours. It was drizzling, so we left Quinn, but took Cora with us on a quick jog to the fort and back. As we started, Cora's repeated question (there is always a repeated question these days) was "Where is sissy?" 

I think Cora is smitten with her baby sister.

Is that what we sound like?

Landon and Cora were spending some time coloring together this morning.

Cora: Daddy, what color is that?

Landon: Green.

Cora: Good job!!!


And, one more story...
Cora was in my bathroom, and asked to wash her hands. I sent her to the front bathroom where her stool is kept. She came running back to me:

This is what I heard:
Cora: Mommy, the dog's in there.
Me: OK
Cora: But the dog's in there!
Me: Well go tell the dog to go lay down!
Cora: OK. Mommy, the dog's in there!!!
Me: Where is the dog?
Cora: I don't know. The dog's in there!
Me: The dog's in where?
Cora: I don't know. It's DARK in there!

A little this, a little that

Thanks for the cute dresses, Mia.

 Not sure what was going on here...

 This weekend was the first weekend where they played together. I thought I was just being crazy, but Landon brought it up. Their favorite game was a game of crawling tag. Cora would take off crawling across the floor, and Quinn would chase after her. At one point they were wrestling happily in the living room.

Sisters.

The table has been Cora's sanctuary, but Quinn is now easily pulling-up to it, then standing there as if to say, "What do you want to do next?!?!" Sorry, CJ, but you'll have to start putting your projects away.

Caught eating a present. Uncle Shew's, to be specific.

 Pearl Girl.