You better not pout....

Please note Teddy to the left, and that fact that the candy cane is already being consumed.

Santa has come to town, and, as we did last year I bundled up Teresa and headed off to the mall to see the jolly old coot for a very cynical photo op. Teresa does not realize yet that her Christmas happiness hinges on this one man (whatever) or that she will receive gifts in his name. Basically, I didn't want to tell her about Santa, and Ken was on the fence, but we caved to societal pressure, knowing that her contact with other kids would bring her knowledge. We don't make a big deal out of it, and focus more on the religious aspect of the holiday. Right now Teresa likes Jesus more than Santa, and I aim to keep it that way.

The morning was spent with Jackie and her boys Porter and Hudson, and a new addition to our tradition, Colleen and Addie. Addie is only four months old, and the only one of our group who actually smiled. All week Teresa knew she would see Santa. We talked about it, read some stories, life was good. We got to the mall early so that Teresa could see him in action, and she claimed she was excited. It was finally our turn, and Teresa burst into tears and refused to leave my side. No longer the amateur, I got Teddy out of my purse, calmed her down, and asked what she wanted. Teresa claimed Teddy wanted to sit on Santa's lap, but she would not. Accepting this compromise, We took the photo you see before you. I still have to feel a little proud.....my daughter will still not sit on strangers laps for candy.

Family Picture

We had family pictures at the church a while back for a directory and got the photo in the mail a few weeks ago and I finally scanned it in as I used it for our family XMas card, which is now printed courtesy of the good folks at Superstore.  For the low price of $40 we got one sheet of pictures!  Crazy!

Anyhow, Teresa is crying randomly more often now, although yesterday she really bumped her head hard on the floor, running and slipping on a book.  Beyond that she has been waiting at the window to see me come home from school which is of course awesome, and she has been asking to go to class (both University & Grant Park) with me.  She still loves going outside and playing in the snow, and we went to the park at night a few days back.  This weekend we will likely go for a little sled ride.  In other notes of super cuteness I saw her vacuuming with mom, and she has decided that I am banana, Cara a tomato, Andrea a pea and she is an orange. She has also been finding imaginary frogs around the house, among other animals.

Cara went to get pictures with Santa today.  When I scan that in Cara will give an update on that story as she actually gets to do the funnerest stuff with Teresa.  Yes, I know that's not a word but I don't care!

Sadly, Rowdy is the best looking Yost in this picture!

At the Dog Park

We went to the dog park for the first time since the snow fall...

She & Rowdy are so cute together.  Teresa is scared of the little dogs, but will play around the large packs. The pics are of mediocre quality due to being taken by the cell phone.

This outfit brought to you 100% by Superstore's Joe line of clothing

Just (literally) chilling...

The two together...

Petting her puppy...

Jack O' Lanterns

As per popular request...

Teresa & mine on the left, Cara's on the right

You can see Teresa's scribble above the left (your right) eye...  She scribbled the left side of the nose, the base of it and half on the left eye.  I took it from there.

Halloween II (Evening)

So after Teresa got back from the school and the sugar wore off, she had a nap.  When I got back up, I had her help we with my Jack O Lantern.  She scribbled on the front of the pumpkin and I used it to guide the nose and one of the eyes...

Ray & Myrna showed up and we got dressed to go out.  We went out for about 45 minutes because I had a football game to get to (we lost), and she was OK going home.  It was hilarious though.  The first house we went to was our neighbors and she tore her jacket off and wanted to play with their kids.  Every time I asked her what to say when she was at the door, should would say "Thank you".  Only for the last 3 houses (we hit 20 max) did she remember to say "Trick or Treat".  She also didn't really understand the whole the people give to you thing - she grabbed at the candy I explained that she had to share.  She also tried to rip a lollipop open and eat it right there, and I had to deftly maneuver it away from her.

I had great fun, but I should note sign of the apocalypse MCXLVII which is that Act II now pre-makes popcorn balls, wraps and sells them!!!  I still haven't opened it.  To be honest, I am kind of scared.  Apparently Teresa also loved our next door neighbor's son's costume as he had the official Curious George costume (but his dad doesn't love him enough to buy the Yellow Man costume :)  Having kids makes Halloween fun again.  Now for a few pics from two nights ago.

Playing a little before we head out

Getting candy from a house a few doors away.

Posing by the 'Scary Tree' as Teresa called it.

Many thanks to Ray who took some pictures.  My dad would be disgusted as he only took about 10 total :)

Halloween - Part 1

Well, I think I told people that I would be The Man in the Yellow Hat and Teresa would be Curious George...  While we didn't get her the officially licensed product, we got something that was just as good.

I got to bring Teresa to school for the morning and we had fun.  My costume was apparently the talk of the school (in a positive sense), and the girls especially enjoyed her in class.  I made sure I wandered about the school and said hi to as many people as possible.  The students in 3 of my 4 classes did learn some stuff too, which was a higher proportion than the rest of the classes.  Teresa ate a pound of candy (mainly Tootsie Rolls, Pops and chocolate bars).  By the time Cara came by to pick her up for her nap I had sugar in my hair.  Teresa was gold all morning, and said hi to everyone she met and said thank you when given food.  She even gave up holding my hand to hold a student's hand and then gave her a hug and kiss goodbye at the end.  I did though have to take her costume off for an hour as it was made to wear outside when it was cold.  She drew pictures with students, and I have been offered baby-sitting services by a number of students.  When Teresa got home apparently she was cranky with rules being enforced and didn't fall asleep for her nap until 2, which is an hour late.

I will post more pictures & stories from the Trick or Treating once I get them from our official photographer Ray of the evening component.

At school with my daughter / monkey

Please note the dichotomy of Curious George holding a CG stuffed toy...  Yes, some people made fun of the amazing yellowness of my suit.  It was made of polyester and was freakin warm.

Teresa found a broken old Slinky and played with it...

Just a quick note in addition, Cara just winced from the baby's kick.  This baby tends to rock & roll around ten at night and has woken Cara up at night.  Oh yeah, and GP lost in the semifinals last night so our season is over.  It wasn't everything we hoped for but we did play well.