Sadie may look very serious in this picture, but don't let her fool you! She can flash you a smile in the blink of an eye! But she does like to look people over really well first!
Jonas is becoming a very solicitous big brother. He will retrieve soothers, ply her with toys and can make her laugh uncontrollably. 
When I asked Jonas what kind of a cake he'd like for his birthday, he unhesitatingly said "Blue Puppy". I asked what it should be on the inside - chocolate, carrot, or what? He replied "Black". From that I assumed he meant chocolate, so that's what he got! It's "Blue Puppy" as opposed to Pedro, who looks identical, except that Pedro is brown and Blue Puppy is - blue!
Didn't you know that party hats are actually party noses, to be worn on the nose? Well, now you know!
OK, time to get down to the business of cutting the cake. Grandma Eidse checking the icing...or something!
Jonas received a "Frog & Toad" book from Uncle Scott & Auntie Kim. I've noticed in the past weeks that Elliot often picks this book to be read to. 
Jonas enjoys all kinds of books. Sticker books are always a hit.
I just realized this is probably the first picture of Elliot after his haircut on my blog. He looks so different now - like a boy instead of a toddler!
Great-grandma Eidse brought a dress for Sadie, so of course, Sadie immediately wanted to model it! It is ever so soft and warm. Perfect for winter. So, how does it look?
She seems quite pleased with how it feels!
Later, we haul out Jonas' new game, Rummikub, and we have a go at it. Papa explains the rules (somewhat modified) to Jonas!
I was babysitting Sadie one morning and we were having a good time.
I was on the phone with someone, while Sadie was laying on the floor. I happened to poke at a leftover birthday balloon with my foot and I guess Sadie found it irresistably funny!
She laughed uproariously every time the balloon came near her and tried to hold it with her hands.
It's hard to believe, but yes, Larry's Mom turned 97 on November 13th. We just had to celebrate the occasion!
The years have been good to her and she hardly seems to have aged at all. She is mentally alert and enjoys being wherever the action is! One of her favorite activities is going out for breakfast and having people stop by at our table to talk to her. She knows a LOT of people!
Last Christmas, I started a new tradition with Jonas. I decided that we would shop together to fill a Christmas shoebox for a child who would otherwise not receive any Christmas gifts. So, here we are, set to go.
My first question was - do you want to shop for a little boy or a little girl? I was not entirely surprised when he decided on a little girl!
He loves all things pink, and this cute little purse certainly got his vote! He was a very good shopper and it didn't take us long to fill up the box. Then what? Well, going out with Gigi usually means we'll stop for a treat somewhere!
Last week, Dave, Jody & Sadie left for Calgary for 4 days. During this time, I looked after Jonas & Elliot. Larry was away, as well, so I had them all to myself! This picture only tells part of the story! It was a time one morning when I could actually get my camera out and had time to take pictures!
The first two mornings, they wanted my full and undivided attention. By the last two mornings, they had settled into a bit of a routine and didn't need me quite so much! 
One evening Jay and Andrea came over and read bedtime stories. Jay is in the process of being prepared for fatherhood by these two!
The last time I decorated a gingerbread house was with my kids, many years ago! I'd forgotten how tricky it is for little fingers to place a candy just right (even almost right!)with enough pressure to make it stick and not too much so as to bring down the roof! Or worse yet, it doesn't stick quite right, so let's just eat it!!
I think the boys had a good time. They must have because I'm sure half the candy ended up in their mouths! You can see how much effort it takes on their parts not snitch another piece! Hands tightly folded...!
And then there was the second morning when I had just brought it to the table to continue where we left off the day before. As you can see, the house & snowmen are perched on a pretty weak, flexible piece of plastic. Well, I had just turned my back for a moment to retrieve the candy, when Jonas made a warning sound. I turned around to see Elliot holding the entire gingerbread house at a crazy 45 degree angle, on his lap. It was obvious that in another two seconds it was all going to come crashing to the floor! I managed to dash over just in time to rescue it from imminent destruction! Whew! Usually, a person is just a second too late.
Since we don't have a bathtub in our house, other than our hot tub, Sadie is having a bath in the kitchen sink. She doesn't seem to mind the smaller space.
I love when babies come out of the tub after their baths, smelling so fresh and clean & all snuggled up in their towels!
Yes, Sadie likes it, too!
