Boys will be boys...

We're 2!

Where did the time go! It's hard to believe that Tanner & Reese are 2 already- they are so big.

With the month of celebration - their birthday was right smack dab in the middle of it all. We had decided to keep things simple this year, so they got to celebrate with their friends at pre-school, and then we had a small party with some of our favorite kiddos.

Reese was excited about the birthday celebration, and hat. :)

Tanner, taking a moment to pose for the camera.

Their birthday present- a trampoline! I don't think they got off it at all the first day we got it home!

Saturday's festivities were simple, balloons, coloring, and time at the park with some of our favorite folks. And there were even cupcakes and candles!

They were a hit. Tanner ate all the frosting off of his and then handed it back - all done!

Our friend Lucien.

Even the pets got into the celebration.

Phew! I think a good time was had by all- and even now 10 days later, they are still singing happy birthday - here's looking forward to the next rotation around the sun!

Chuankkah Fest 09'

Every year the Berkman clan descends upon Yuba City for LatkeFest - the potatoes peels, the fry pans were ready - and Aunt Lil had been trained on the West Coast way of latke preparation. A good time was had by all - Grandpa Fred started training Tanner how to steal latkes from the kitchen, and both kiddos were showered with gifts from their family.

It was fun this year to watch the kids feel more comfortable with everyone - and be able to enjoy the holiday.

Tanner doing his mitzvah and helping with the dishes.

prayers with said...

Then let's open presents!

Reese modeling her new princess wear (about 2.5 seconds after opening it)

But not to worry- she is going to be a hard-core construction type princess. :)

To really make the trip exciting - Uncle Dan made the kids day by letting them sit in the fire truck. There were lights, and buttons to push - really what's not to love!



We had a great time! Stay tuned for more adventures -

Snow....in Santa Cruz?!?

So it seems that every year they bring a snow machine to downtown Santa Cruz- and every family with children in a 10 mile radius comes out to enjoy their 10 minutes of fun. Unfortunately, with toddlers it takes 8 minutes to figure out what is going on and how they feel about it, 2 minutes are then left to enjoy - and then it ends with a few tears.

But all n' all - we had a good time

Thanks Nikki for coming out and playing with us!

Maeva had a great time!

Tanner and his friend Jeff...

I Know a Weanie Man...

Thank You Auntie Lil- We Love our new Hot Dog Stand!


Sing along...

I know a weanie man, he owns a weanie stand, he sells most everything from hot dogs on down...
boom, boom, boom

New Traditions

A little of this- a little of that -

and you have what is known in our house...Chrismukkah!

We are grateful to Melissa's grandma for adding two new stockings to the mantel for Tanner & Reese. We have been talking to the kids about the holidays, their birthdays- it's a lot for an almost 2 year old to keep straight. (Tonight, Tanner kept trying to blow out the Chanukkah candles.)

But they get a little of this, a little of that - there's talk of decorations and Christmas Lights, and menorah, dreidels and latkes.

It's beginning to look a lot like the holidays...

boo boo

Poor guy - his first real injury.

He was off playing in the backyard when his foot slipped from the toy he was playing with and his head ran into the cement patio.

At first, it did not look so bad (no blood) - then 5 minutes later we had this...




Quite the bump! Good thing that the swelling is starting to go down - hopefully it will not be totally obvious for all of the birthday/holiday festivities.

Bonk

just another evening around our house

The Paper Bag Prince

One of my favorite books is the story of the Paper bag Princess. It is one that I read summer after summer while directing camp. Lately, we have been able to start reading a whole new set of books to Tanner & Reese - including the Paper bag Princess.

It's been fun to watch stories unfold for them - and see when they have a new level of understanding.

Our Prince.

And then - this is what happens after you read the story for your toddler one too many times.

Sneak Preview

For the holidays this year we decided to update our family photo for my dad. Thought it was time for him to stop carrying around the pictures of Cori and myself circa 1996.

It was a beautiful day, and we took the pictures in Dad's backyard. Unfortunately, Tanner & Reese did not get the memo and were not too sure of this entire experience. We did end up with some great shots - it just took a bit of effort to get there! Thought we would share some shots from the day.

Who Needs Toys?

When you have a cardboard box?

Precocious

Main Entry: pre·co·cious

Pronunciation: \pri-ˈkō-shəs\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Latin praecoc-, praecox early ripening, precocious, from prae- + coquere to cook — more at cook

Date: 1650

1 : exceptionally early in development or occurrence
2 : exhibiting mature qualities at an unusually early age

Or -

I think this just gives us a glimpse of what is to come 13 years down the line. My mom is just sitting up there - laughing - knowing all the grief I gave to her is coming right back to me. :) Sigh.

We sure do love this little feisty one.

Raggedy Ann and Andy

Drum roll please....

We were having a tough time trying to figure out what Tanner & Reese should be this year. Knowing that this will probably be the last year that we get to decide what their costume is going to be - we wanted it to be good. We had lots of ideas - but the idea of going the 'twin' route won out - so without further adieu ...

Raggedy Ann and Andy.

Reese, or Raggedy Ann - or Betsy Ross.
(I"m going to save this costume and try and talk her into that idea in the future)

Raggedy Andy

A slightly grumpy bumble bee - Maeva. :)

Unfortunately, neither Tanner or Reese were in the best of moods. We are working on our final molars in our house right now- I'll be VERY happy when all of their teeth are finally in! That is why we were never actually able to get a picture of the two of them together- and why they look slightly disgruntled in all the pictures. sigh.

One funny story- I sent their costumes with them to pre-school on Thursday. When I got their to pick them up - I was informed that Reese insisted that she wear the Raggedy Andy costume, and Tanner got stuck with Ragged Ann. He wasn't too pleased with the entire costume idea at that point- so to get event went and ate all of Reese's yogurt. funny.

And again - just a little perspective on the past.

Thing 1 and Thing 2- October 08

Little Punkin's

Well - Let's start with a little trip down memory lane.

Tanner & Reese 10 Months Old - October 08'

Reese, Tanner & Maeva - First time at the pumpkin patch!

Now- Let's fast forward to this year.

It was a beautiful day, and together with our dear friends Hamsa, Jeff and Maeva we went out to visit one of our local pumpkin patches. It was the same one we had been to last year, but this year it was a very different experience. Last year we had babies that were crawling - this year we had three toddlers who were VERY willing to help explore and pick out their own pumpkins!

Everyone wants to help!


We explored fun tunnels, pumpkin patches, and played on the hay bale tower...


And we did try to re-create some of the same shots from last year- but again, we had three toddlers who had their own ideas of what we should be doing.

Maeva, Tanner & Reese -

Maeva and Tanner sharing a secret...

When we got home - we tried something a little new with Tanner & Reese. I couldn't find any special pumpkin paint for them to use, and thought they were a little young to help carve their own pumpkins - so instead we decorated! (crafty, i know)

While we cut out all the pieces, Tanner & Reese put them on their pumpkins - all by my themselves! Ta-da! Our final works of art.

our little man

A big thank you to our friend Jeff for the great pictures- these were taken on a camping trip we took this past summer.

I love this little face.