Maybe a lefty...

I know they say it is not determined if kids are left handed or right handed until they are older, around 2 or 3 years old but I think Andrew is a lefty and I've been saying this for quite a while.  For as long as I can remember he seems to use his left hand more...such as for eating.  He uses his right some too but definitely not as much.  Neither Thomas nor myself is left handed but Thomas' mom is left handed along with his brother and my grandfather was left handed and so is my niece so who knows...we'll wait and see.

Cute Little Elves

Two cute little elves getting ready for the Holiday season with his and her elf jammies.  

And Andrew is trying to escape.  Julia does such a great job of trying to get him to sit but it doesn't work...he's a man on the move.  Maybe someday I'll get a cute photo of them together.

Visit from my Brother

My brother and his family, along with my mom, came into town the day before Thanksgiving and we were so excited to have them visit.  Unfortunately Julia wasn't feeling good and even threw up shortly before they arrived but luckily after that she slowly starting feeling better and spend the day in her jammies.  Since they drove here from New York overnight everyone just caught up on some sleep and relaxed so it all worked out.  At night her fever spiked again and she was uncomfortable for a while but thankfully her fever broke and when she woke up in the morning she was doing great.  Since it was Thanksgiving we watched the parade and relaxed a bit but she was feeling great and we were thrilled.

Julia and my niece Chelsea relaxing and watching Annie. Apparently my brother has seen that movie a ton and knows many of the lines.  Thomas is still yet to see it but we'll change that soon enough.

Amicalola Falls

What better way to spend the day after Thanksgiving than going for a hike at Amicalola Falls.  It was such a beautiful day and it was something everyone could enjoy.  Andrew was quite persistent on walking and didn't want to be carried.

Julia did quite a bit of walking and I was impressed with how much she did and going up the steps but she was lucky enough that Uncle Chris carried her on his shoulders some too.

My older brother and his wife Sherry.

Thomas stayed with Andrew while most of us when ahead.  Andrew wanted to walk up the stairs by himself and that's what we let him do.  After a while Thomas carried him up but he was adament about wanting to walk himself.

Julia and Mommy right in front of the falls.

Uncle Chris, Aunt Sherry and Julia in front of the falls.

Andrew enjoyed walking around one of the viewing areas on the way up to the falls.  He loved pulling himself up on the bench and did it again and again.

Group photo minus Julia and Thomas since they headed back to the car for a snack and of course me since I took the photo.

 My niece Chelsea and her friend Michael.

 Relaxing on the swing.

Group photo minus me.  Back row Mom, brother Chris, Andrew, sister in law Sherry and front row Thomas, Julia, niece Chelsea and her friend Michael.

The four of us!

Honey Bear

In Julia's class they have a bear named Honey Bear who travels to each child's home in the class.  The kids tell their parents what they did and the parents write it in a journal and include photos if they want to.  The first time Honey Bear visited the Browns we played outside and showed her our playground.

Honey Bear enjoyed going down the slide with Julia.  When we had to bring Honey Bear back to school Julia was very sad...she didn't want to bring her back.

Last week we had another chance to bring Honey Bear home again and Julia was ecstatic.  Here she is with Honey Bear in the car on the way home.  Her huge smile says it all.

As Thomas and I were getting dinner ready for us, Julia was busy getting dinner ready for Honey Bear and Elmo.

All smiles holding Honey Bear and Elmo.

After dinner Julia made Honey Bear a necklace.

The next day we went to story time at the library and brought Honey Bear along.  The story time was all about Thanksgiving and we even saw a puppet show.  When we had to go to school the following day Julia said she didn't want to go because she didn't want to bring Honey Bear back.  Looks like we may be getting our own Honey Bear someday.

Thanksgiving Feast

I'm a little behind in getting pictures posted from Julia's Thanksgiving Feast at school since it was over a week ago but better late than never.  Here's Julia's place mat she made at school with her hand print.  We even got to sit at the same table as Grace and her family.

Julia's turkey with five things she is thankful for this year:  Mommy, Daddy, Andrew, House and playing with my baby brother.  How sweet!

Before we got to enjoy the feast with the kids they sang a few songs for us.  Don't they look so cute in their Indian attire?

Julia was standing by some of her best friends at school.  Lily, Julia, Alex, Grace, Samantha and part of Chloe.

Uh-oh!

Not quite sure about what to do.

Once the singing was done we fixed the necklace...good as new.

It is nice that Daddy works so close to Julia's school and he joined us for the feast as well.

Julia and her good friend Grace.

Family photo at the end of the feast.

Julia asked me to take her picture with her teachers so here they are.  Julia and one of her teachers Ms. Dana.

Julia and her other teacher Ms. Marjorie and Samantha too.  We're so thankful Julia loves school and for her teachers and all the hard work they did to put the feast together. We had a great time!

Reindeer

Two weeks ago we went down by North Point Mall to a local toystore to see Santa and his reindeer.  We didn't sit on Santas lap that day to tell him everything we wanted for Christmas but just checked out the reindeer instead.  Looks like there might be two Santas in the picture.

My sweet girl getting ready to celebrate Christmas.

One sad boy...

Often times while we're trying to make dinner Andrew is unhappy.  He knows dinner is coming but isn't interested in waiting.  He always wants to be held or wants to eat junk but of course we say no and hence the sad face.  Many times Thomas and I pass him back and forth but at times neither of us can hold him and this is what happens.  Cute but very sad.  Julia even tries to cheer him up at times by bringing him a toy...sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

Atlantic Station Tree Lighting

I'm a bit behind in posting photos since I used up all the space on my other blog and it took me a while to figure out how I wanted to proceed.  Anyways, I'm back up and running but it will take a little bit of time to get caught up.  So....back on November 17th we went to the tree lighting downtown at Atlantic Station. This is our third year going and I always think they do such a great job and they have the train ride for kids which Julia and Andrew loved.  We intended to go grab some pizza for dinner at Pizza Antico before heading to Atlantic Station but the traffic was much worse than we expected and people were lined up out the door at Pizza Antico.  Unfortunately we didn't get to have Thomas' favorite pizza for dinner and I felt awful since I know he's not the biggest fan of going downtown but you have to make the best of all situations. 

Instead we grabbed dinner at Moe's which is right at Atlantic Station and got in line to ride the train before they lit the tree. 

Waiting in line for the train.  This was my first time riding the train since I always stay behind and take photos instead.  Everyone was excited for the train ride. 

Andrew definitely enjoyed his first train ride.  What's Andrew holding?  Well, it's a spoon.  Julia had one of those light up necklaces and Andrew wanted one but we didn't have another so we gave him a spoon from Moe's and he was happy holding that instead.  Note to self...next time have two light up necklaces. 

Julia still enjoyed the train ride.

Mommy and Andrew on the train ride.

Quick photo with my two little cuties in front of the Steam Engine Express.  I know Julia doesn't match at all but she really wanted to wear a Christmas outfit and I should of had her wear her white coat but oh well and we brought the gloves at the last second just in case it was cold.  Such a fashion no no. 

 The beautiful tree downtown.

Let the holiday season begin.  Merry Christmas!

Playing Outside

The Little Tikes car is always a big hit and Andrew loves it too.  Last week we enjoyed a little time to play outside before picking up Julia from school.  Most mornings when Julia is at school Andrew takes a nap once we get home and I pick up a few things around the house.  Once he wakes up we play for a while and then maybe do a few more household things and then have some lunch and play outside a little before we leave if it's nice.  I'm enjoying my one on one time with my little guy.    

Model Airplanes

Last Saturday Thomas took Julia and Andrew to see some people flying their model airplanes.  From what I understand Andrew absolutely loved it which was no surprise to me.  If we're playing outside and he hears a plane he looks up and points at it.  Even if we're playing inside he'll stop what he's doing and listen.  Thomas was such a nice Daddy and let Julia take her backpack and camera out of the car...if it was me I just say leave it in the car since I always have enough to manage.

 

Andrew's checking out all the airplanes.  I can't believe Thomas let Andrew wear the beads out the car.  He'll wear them at home sometimes and in the car but that's where I draw the line.  Again another thing I would have to keep up with and I already have enough most times.

Andrew pointing at the planes flying.  Sounds like they had fun and you may be wondering what did I do...well nothing much.  Made a phone call to schedule dinner at American Girl and took a shower.  Maybe next time I'm alone I'll do something more fun.  Regardless, I enjoyed the break even if it was just for a little bit.