Christmas Visitors

We have had the most fun week!

Can you tell? 

This ladybug tent from Nanny was a total hit. 

I really love having a tent in the middle of my house. 

So does Myshka. 

Nonnie and Moe have been here visiting from Iowa. 

They have been playing non-stop with Peter and Clara. 

Peter painted this cool picture with Nonnie's help. 

He also helped with some gardening. 

Peter asked to hold Clara in a picture. What a nice brother. 

He's a good holder. 

These kids love their Nonnie and Moe. 

When can you guys come back?

Merry, Merry

Merry Christmas from California! 

Merry Christmas from this little kitchen helper. 

And from this expert chili maker. 

Yum! Nice job, Ben. (He made both. Seriously.) 

And Merry Christmas from the number 1 cookie taster. 

Ben came home with these pajamas for the kids today. I absolutely love Peter's. Hysterical!

Fingers crossed they're on the Nice list. 

I think she's probably safe. 

"Can we open one present early, please?" 

Cookies, milk and a note for Santa. 

The cookies were irresistible to Clara. 

Clara, I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to be eating chocolate, yet. 

Merry Christmas, everyone! 

Performing

When Ben picked Peter up from school on Friday, he was dressed head to toe in red fleece and looked like Tony Soprano. 

These pictures were in his backpack. 

How cute is this group? I love that the woman who runs Peter's school took the time to get little matching outfits for all of the kids and had them learn a couple of songs together. I think this is "Jingle Bells". 

Peter is right between his two favorite friends, Lucy and Lucy. 

Close-up of Tony - I mean, Peter. 

 Meanwhile, while Peter was a school, Clara and I hung out at home and practiced crawling.

"OK, time how long it takes me to get from here...

 ... all the way over here." (10 seconds)

Some Things Never Change

What a difference (or not) a year makes!

OK, so it's technically only 11 months, but please check out these two videos and let me know if you think Peter's interest in the fountain in a front yard near his school is bordering on obsession.

January 2011



December 2011



What do you think the people who live behind that wall think every morning when they see Peter spying into their front yard?

The Apley Christmas Tree 2011

It's Christmas tree time! Today, we went to pick out our tree. 

Pretty fun, isn't it, Clara? 

Can you guess what the most fun part was? 

Running through the rows and rows of trees. 

This tree is headed to our living room! I wonder how many times it will be pulled over between now and Christmas.

A Visit to Santa

Santa Claus visited Los Angeles this weekend, so we went to go see him at the mall near our house. 

You might not be able to tell how excited everyone was in this photo, but I promise, they couldn't wait to see Santa.

There he is!!

"How much longer do we have to wait, Mom?"

Finally, it was Peter and Clara's chance to sit with Santa Claus. 

Peter told Santa that he wants a truck for Christmas. Clara just wanted to tug on his beard. 

No smiles on these kids, but they're still cute, aren't they? 

Merry Christmas, everyone! 

Picnic

 The other day, I took Peter and Clara for a special picnic at our favorite park.

We were the only ones there and it was a beautiful day. 

Our picnic was so fun. 

And delicious, too. 

Hey, Peter, I think there's a little something on your face. (Peanut butter and jelly)

What a fun day! We'll have another picnic again soon.