The Cox Family Christmas

A quick trip to Bettendorf yesterday...cookies and presents, cookies and presents. The kids loved it! So one Christmas under our belts...and Michael asking when Santa is coming every morning!

Oh, and here's a funny Michael quote from last week: "Huh. A pertz worked it's way into my underpants." His body awareness needs work.

Preschool Holidays

We went to Michael's preschool holiday party today. Lots of kids and lots of little brothers and sisters and lots of parents...many many people essentially overwhelming the room that is perfect for 20 or so children! The kids had fun and I heard "This is the best party ever!" more than once. To be fair to all other parties, it was 10:45 am and we were letting them eat cookies and fudge and chocolate covered pretzels.

Here is Michael with his two teachers: Fran, with who Michael is sort of intensely "sniffing" a puppy, and Jennifer. The little girl is Caitlin, who Michael claims is his girlfriend. They did hold hands at the Halloween party. Her mother and I have discussed it and we think that that's as far as it's gotten. Although Caitlin did invite us to McDonalds today.

Ahh, Sleepy Babies

Could there be anything better than tired babies relaxing (daddy being the lucky beneficiary today) or a sleepy boy just up from a long nap? The rosy cheeks and the mussed hair...yummy. Until he starts singing songs like (to the ABC tune), "Megdee Pegdee, I don't like you, H I J K L M N O P..."

Old Again: Wedding Pics

Some more beautiful faces to get you through your long and dull days.

Old, but Too Cute not to Post

These are from Gretchen and Jakes' wedding...

The Littlest Samauri

Megan loves to have things draped around her while she walks around...clothes from the laundry room, Michaels' baseball hat, underwear, etc. I have decided that we are in favor of decency (and afraid of people stopping by with Megan wearing undies on her head), so I have started letting her wear my scarves, in spite of being slightly worried about strangulation. This particular scarf is a little too long and we have to tie it back...very Tom Cruise.

Thanksgiving Day Bowling

A tradition in the Ploehn family. Michael had a great time...he bowled two full rounds...and was even keeping up with our scores for the first few frames! Megan did NOT like it. The ball hitting the pins made her jump and then scream. She was literally shaking for the first twenty minutes. Then she got over it.

Another First

Meg loves pens of any kind, so imagine her delight when I set her up with paper and some "pens" with no caps! She went hog wild for seven whole minutes!!!

A Bug...in a Rug

So Michael has this wierd eye squinting thing he does when we ask him to smile for the camera...so Dan helped him out a little. And below is his favorite thing to do...curl up under a blanket, a pillow, the warm laundry, the couch cushions...whatever. Here he is, all "cozy comfy."

Peekaboo + Squash = Not Good

Megan LOVES to play peekaboo...but only if she has something oily, buttery or tomato-y on her hands. A few days ago, it was butternut squash. It is an excellent exfoliating mask, according to her. Please also note her very first ponytail. Not a model of neatness, but you try getting a one year old to sit still while you pull her hair into her first pony.

Located in Houston, Texas

On my recent trip down, Gretchen and I ran across this...business? Just thought you all might like to know where you can get things that are really good. And a decent price at that.

Come on Ride the Train

Fun with laundry baskets.

Some Good Michael Quotes

Number One:
Monday was a beautiful day here and I decided we were heading out for a walk. Michael REALLY wanted to go to Eurofresh (where he claimed to need "pears and squash and a lot of foods." As I got Meg ready to get in the stroller, he got more and more agitated, until he finally yelled at me, "NO, mommy! We are NOT going on a walk! This is UNACCEPTABLE!"

Number Two:
As we were getting ready for dinner, Dan went out on the deck to light the jack-o-lanterns so that Michael could see them while we ate. He burned his finger, which concerned Michael greatly. I could tell he was really thinking about it a lot, since he was deep in thought as we started eating. Finally, he said, "You know, you should put a flashlight in there." (as that wouldn't burn Dan...get it?!:)) Dan said," What a great idea! Who made you so smart?" To which Michael replied, "God."

Halloween a la Bob

So a decent picture of Megan is necessary for implying that she has a drinking problem. This should prove that in fact, she is sober. And adorable. Also, a photo of Bob the Builder. NOT Michael DRESSED as Bob the Builder, but the actual Bob himself. I was required to call him Bob throughout the trick or treating experience. Unfortunately, I have been relegated to Pilchard (Bob's cat).

A Drunk Fairy / Ballerina

Isn't she just so cute when she's bombed?!

Meg in the Hat

I mean, could she be any cuter? Seriously? It's making me nuts. She's even adorable when she's naughty.

Megan is on the Loose!

Well, maybe starting to be. Last night she took THREE steps! All alone! She was trying to get at my cell phone (which she loves in a psychotic way) and so she followed me as I scootched away from her (since I was talking on it at the time). Yea!!

Tiger Who?

Michael has been practicing his swing using coke cans lately. They are much easier to hit than an actual golf ball. Maybe a few of you out there could benefit from his idea.

???

I just busted Michael licking a stick of butter again.

Michael and Michael Part III

How cute are they? They were trying to get away from their baby sisters, so they shut themselves in the laundry room and then emerged about ten minutes later looking like this. Funny.

A Tower for Grammie

This morning, I cleaned out the garage and Michael built this tower out of scrap wood for Grammie. He said it was "awesome and beautiful."

Megan Turns One!

The progression of events: First, Michael making Megan's cake with Grammie. Then, Megan thinking it is pretty cool. Next, Megan touching it. Then playing with it with a fork. Hmm. Finally, Megan deciding she hates the way it feels all gooey on her fingers.

She did finally decide it was tolerable when I put some bites on her plate. But then the ice cream got her all fired up again. YUCK! Who knew vanilla ice cream was so awful?

Meg Has a New Habit

of falling asleep wherever. We've been skipping the morning nap and she just can't quite make it all the way til afternoon nap time.

His Favorite Things

This is one of our favorite games...the listing of favorites. Here is Michael's latest interview:

Favorite Tool: saw
Favorite Color: purple
Favorite Crayon Color: green
Favorite Place To Be: California Pizza Kitchen
Favorite Friend: Michael Silvestri...oh, and Caitlin!
Favorite Thing About Being Big: eating good food
Favorite Snack: chocolate shredded wheat
Favorite Drink: lemonade
Favorite Dinner: carrots
Favorite Fruit: watermelon
Favorite Thing to do on Red (parking area in front of our house): run
Favorite Toy: Mack
Favorite Toy Outside: sandbox
Favorite Train: passenger train
Favorite Car: limousine
Favorite Breakfast: pancakes
Favorite Thing to do at the Pool: go underwater
Favorite Thing about Self: jumping

Going on Five Days...

of this face. Meg has been sick, and she expresses her discomfort by crying as if someone is pulling out her hair. Her eyes get all crazy and she screams silently for up to a full minute, after which the sound comes barreling out at ridiculous decibels.