Celebrating the Holidays at 20 Months

So far this past month has been absolutely fun and stressful experience with the girls. They are really starting to comprehend what we say, apply it and then practice it. Just today I was in the kitchen and I watched the girls pick up the broom, one swept the floor as the other picked up the crumbs with the dustpan. The one that had the dustpan (which was Olivia) walked over to the trash can and dumped it into the trash. I was completely amazed by this action. They are only 20 months and they are already grasping the concept of cleaning. They are also talking A LOT more. Olivia is even talking in sentences. So great to see their mental development grow.

Other than child labor, they are in the process of learning how to count and abc's. I made them a Christmas countdown chart and every day we count through the numbered bulbs. They get up to four and can't count anymore, so I help them finish. We try to get in a lesson of phonics in between all the playtime, but it doesn't always pan out that way.

With the holidays I have been in the kitchen cooking and baking. It has been loads of fun having the girls there trying to cook also. I give them pots and pans to stir on the floor as I am working on the counters. They seem to enjoy the motions and making noise. This is not always enjoyable for me, but hearing them laugh, quickly dissolves any tension I may be experiencing at the moment. What joy my girls bring.

 Olivia

Juliana

This year is the first year that the girls are able to experience the Christmas tree. Mike and I put it up in the evening when the girls were in bed and then in the morning, it took them all of 2 minutes to realize that there was something different in the living room. Olivia slowly approached the tree. I showed them both that it was a tree and that we treat it and the ornaments "gently". So far it has been up all week and they have only pulled off one ornament each. I walk them back over to the tree and tell them, we can't pull the snowflakes off and that we need to be "gentle." I think they are getting it.

Over this past month, we have had our family pictures taken and a Thanksgiving adventure. We decided that we would get our fall and Christmas pictures taken all at the same time. Wow, this was quite the task. It took about two hours and a table full of mega blocks. The pictures turned out great however Juliana and Olivia got a cold. Right before Thanksgiving their noses started running and then the stuffiness came. This lead to sleepless nights and a worn out Mama and Daddy. After many prayers by friends and family the girls were able to get over the cold rather quickly. They had just a little bit over Thanksgiving.

The day before Thanksgiving we had Opa and Oma come. What a great time we had with them. The girls got to play with Opa, while Oma helped Mama in the kitchen prepare the meal. Thanksgiving day was wonderful. We spent the time as a family and had a pleasant meal followed by a game of Phase 10 when the girls went to bed. Then it was preparation time to go shopping! Luckily, we did not have to take the girls out. Daddy decided to go in the middle of the night and didn't get home until 3AM with NOTHING bought. Needless to say, he was not a happy daddy. Mama and Oma woke at 4:45/5AM to go shopping. The girls stayed home with their Daddy and Opa. Overall, we had a Thanksgiving to remember.

We can't wait to have our little Christmas at home this year. The day after Christmas, Mama's family from Michigan will be coming for the week. Oh, we can't wait to spend time with them and for the girls to see their Grandma and Grandpa. What a great Christmas this is going to be.

We want to wish you the very best Christmas and a Happy New Year.


God Bless.