Busy Busy

We have started off this year keeping the girls super busy. For the most part I haven't been big on taking the girls out to do things because it's a lot of work on me and frankly the two of them entertain each other all day long anyways! However, the girls have really matured and made huge improvements in listening and following directions. Thankfully this means I worry less that they'll run in opposite directions from me :-) Recently we added a music class to our weekly routine (they're still in their gymnastics class).  While we did have a rough second class yesterday (it ended with Emma outside laying on the cement for 15 minutes...) it's been a great addition for them. We also took them back to Disneyland since they did so well the last time. We are trying to get in as many "free under three" days as we can before our passes expire and they turn 3! Here are a handful of phone photos from this year so far:

Music class with p-nut, Lolo, and Grandma

Our first attempt at a puzzle! 

BFF's since birth :-)

Sing-Along to Sick Lickety Split

One second everyone is singing Little Mermaid songs, the next everyone is passed out on the couch snoring with fevers.  Such is the life around here...

M-I-C-K-E-Y

Yesterday we swung by Alex's work to kidnap him for some fun at Disneyland! It was such a perfect day--great weather, hardly any crowds, and we ran into our friends the second we stepped foot in the park :-) 

Emma waves the entire time on the Little Mermaid ride :-)

Disney Junior show with the McCurdys!

Ry-Ry the birthday girl 

Emma trying to convince that boy to dance with her 

Winter?

We have been enjoying this lovely weather! I'm 50% thrilled for the perfect temp and 50% frustrated the girls probably will outgrow every single coat I bought this winter before they wear them once :-) Emma had a spurt and pretty much skipped over 3T so I'm hoping she can wear her 4T stuff for a while. Lu is still my skinny bean pole--the poor thing is rocking high waters most days because she needs 2T for the waist but 3/4T for length hehe. I see a lot of belt-wearing in her future!

She's definitely my daughter...eating ribs with a fork. I'm the strange person who eats chicken wings with silverware so I totally understand her aversion to using her hands hehe. 

5 Year Anniversary

It's hard to believe we've been married 5 years! It's even more incredible to me that we've been together a decade. A DECADE. We have kids!? Who are currently sticking stickers to my very expensive kitchen table as I type this :-) Every year goes by quicker than the last and while that saddens me it also reminds to enjoy every second we have.

We've always tried to incorporate whatever each anniversary's "symbolism" is into our gifts and 5 years is wood. I tried to argue this was a sign it was finally time we got dining room furniture instead of a card table...I was vetoed, boo. Instead, we surprised each other with opposite gifts: I went literal and he went figurative. I gave Alex a wood card that was engraved and he surprised me by coming home with a new tattoo--a wooden heart below the tattoo he already for me.  He clearly won best gift hehe. If any person ever asked me if I thought getting tattoos for their significant other was a good idea I'd say no. I know, I'm a hypocrite. My rational is if you have to ask someone's opinion it's NOT a good idea! I got my one and only tattoo for Alex and I've never regretted it or even really felt the need to defend it to anyone. For me, it just makes sense: he's my forever and I like to be reminded of that :-). I didn't go into this marriage wondering what would happen if it ended because it won't end. We both went into this knowing and agreeing that you never give up, even in the worst of times. And trust me-we've had them. We've been through more than most people ever have to go though in a lifetime but at the end of the day I can honestly say I'm happy for it. I know what we can survive and so the little everyday issues and dilemmas seem so insignificant. 

This year our anniversary was a little more complicated because Alex had been in Mexico for work all week. He came home late afternoon yesterday so we got to spend part of our anniversary together :-) So along with his wooden card I also tucked away a cd in his luggage with instructions to watch the cd on our anniversary morning. If you're ok with super mushy and want to see our last decade summed up go ahead and take a look below.

Festivities!

Here are some pictures from December:

Robinson Ranch breakfast with Santa

Decorating Meema's tree

Making cookies for Santa 

Lu wanted to eat Santa's cookies, Emma telling me she doesn't like carrots...

Lu with all her cars lined up on her tricycle and Emma in her heels :-)

Toddler Problems...

I just wanted to take a moment to rant about the newest problem in our house or as I like to say, the seventh circle of hell we've entered: the my-child-has-developed-a-sense-of-self (regarding fashion in our sense). Now before I rant, let's be clear--I am totally all for a sense of self and independence in small children. What I'm not ok with is the epic tantrums that ensue during these moments of independence.  Don't get me wrong, I would let either of these kids walk out of the house dressed like circus performers if it's what they really wanted but somedays getting from naked to clothed is like trying to square the circle. In fairness, Lu is pretty easy to please and go with the flow...Emma...not so much. I fear for this household come teenage years. An example of her recent assertion of fashion independence: we spent an ENTIRE day last week arguing over a pair of jeans she insisted needed to be rolled to her knees.  We finally compromised with them cuffed at her ankles but it was literally an ongoing dilemma all day. A few nights ago she INSISTED she needed SIX bows in her hair and when I didn't put one in the right spot she made me start over. When I threatened to take them all out she threw them at me. Yaaaaa. In these moments I usually just laugh but then I panic thinking I'm sending the wrong message because the behavior is in fact NOT funny but I digress....I guess where I'm going with all this is that we are all adjusting to some very new issues in this house. The girls want to be in charge of their bodies and clothes and I want to let them so long as things aren't being thrown at my head. I remember when I use to think teething was an awful milestone but nothing could have prepared me for the day they decided they were their own person :-)