After dinner dancing

At some point in the past, I heard about a family (and it may have been a fictional one) that had a little dance party after dinner every night. I absolutely loved the idea of that, and having Smith and Addison grow up with those sorts of memories.

At the beginning of this year, we instituted family dinner most nights - where we all sit down together and eat. Normally, there is music playing during dinner time, so its very easy to transition into dance party 2010. Some nights, its all we can do to get the kids to sit still before they start yelling "Dance! dance!"

Tonight's dance song was "Grace is Gone" by Dave Matthews Band (imagine that). This version is quite long, and after a while, Addison moved off camera to read a book. But my boy....my sweet music loving boy. He got into it. And out of the blue, he hiked his pants up and really got into it. So into it, I had time to go grab the video camera, come back, and catch it on film again!

More Halloween

During our first trick or treat stop of the evening, we caught, on camera, Smith actually saying what we consider to be "Trick or Treat." Non-parents may disagree, but it is what it is! :)

This is Halloween, Halloween.

Yes, I know. Really, I do. We've been horrible bloggers. Horrible. Just consider it our summer hiatus, and now, in the fall, we're back with all new episodes. I promise. Really, I do. Basically. But I promise to do better. And Krissee's about to undergo another blogging tutorial so she can take a break from her bon bon eating/Oprah watching all day and update you guys as well.

No doubt our ratings for this installment will be pitiful, since most people probably think we've already been cancelled.

HALLOWEEN

Yep - that the same two kids you've been reading about. It blows my mind that 1) They've gotten so big and 2) I could have any part in making something so darn adorable! M&Ms, by the way? Big hit.

They loved the candy, yes, but most of all? They loved running and playing!

I just think this is the most adorable little picture of Addison.

And finally, Smith - in all his cowboy glory.

Cousin Winn Comes for a Visit

UPDATED: Pictures fixed.

Now that we've moved to the beach, we knew we'd get lots of visitors, especially during the summer. Cousin Winn came to visit (along with his Mom, and his Dad even made an appearance during the weekend)! And Smith Day? Loves. His. Cousin. He walked around asking for "baby? Baby? Baby?" anytime Winn wasn't around.

Smith sharing his toys and crib with his cousin (just for play, they didn't sleep together - safety first guys!)

Addison, in typical Addison fashion, largely ignored Winn and family for most of the trip. On the last night, she sat down right beside him and read her book, and I yelled to Heather to get the camera, since it was a rare occurrence. I think this might be the only picture of all 3 we got all week!

Addison acting the fool.

How sweet is this? Seriously. Smith was so incredibly gentle with Winn all week - he knew he was a baby and couldn't be played with hard - if only more children could come with a trust fund and a nanny, we'd have a hundred more (biology permitting!)

Ketchup

Ok - we've been horrible, horrible bloggers over the past few months. Truth be told, we've having too much fun with Smith and Addison to be worried about blogging! But we'll try to do better, because I know we have lots of friends and family that would like to keep up with them. Please note that there are multiple entries below that chronicle March - present.

Its hard to believe that they'll be two years old in just a few months. Its both exciting and terrifying at the same time. They've definitely moved into toddler territory. They're both talking (Addison moreso than Smith, but he's not mute by any means. Just show him a ball and you'll know what I mean: "ball, ball, ball ball ball ball ball ball ball." Addison's learning shapes (As of today, she knows circle, heart, and star - and sometimes square). She also shocked the heck out of us this week at the pool by walking up to the 3ft and 4ft signs on the side of the pool and pointing to the 3 and 4 and saying them.

I promise I'll try to do better, and if I'm not, a little gentle nudging is normally all it takes!

Annual Family Beach Trip

Just like last year, The Days took the family to Edisto for the week. Addison DEFINITELY is a water baby, she'd swim to England if we'd let her. Smith enjoys it, but got knocked around a couple of times by a wave and so he's not QUITE as gung-ho about it as his sister. But he still likes it!

I call this one Addison's Saturday Night Fever.

I love running up and down and up and down and up and down and up and down and up and down and up and down and up and down the beach!

I got a shovel. In the water! (Sung to the tune of "I've got some ice cream!"

Why can't we do this every week?

The week went by way to fast, and we're already looking forward to next year!

April and May

April and May were busy - we traveled a good bit, had Dad's birthday in May, and were gearing up for our big family beach trip in June!

We had Cookie and Poppy's 40th anniversary surprise party at a local eatery in Hartsville, SC. They even had these nifty toys there for Smith and Addison to play with.

Addison discovered how yummy crayons can be.

Over Mother's Day Weekend, we went back to Columbia to visit our friends. We stayed with The Rankins and here Carter, Addison, and Smith are lined up in front of the TV enjoying Mickey Mouse!

Finally, on Mother's Day, we visited the Day family to marvel and their fancy kitchen renovations, and Addison discovered how delicious Heineken can be.

Easter 2010

We had a great Easter 2010. The entire Day clan invaded Pawleys Island and we spent the weekend on the beach, going to church, and enjoying Easter with the twosome!

The Easter Bunny Came! Both Smith and Addison got new lovies (see, the Easter Bunny knew that Mom wanted to be able to wash their existing ones, and so backup lovies are a necessity, especially in this post pacifier world!) They also got personalized beach towels!

Addison enjoying a reeces cup. I think she liked it.

After the family all left on Sunday afternoon, we got the kids dressed BACK up in the Easter outfits and went into the back yard to get some pictures.

So proud of his stick.


Sitting is hard.

I love BUBBLES!

Beach Afternoon during the Winter

Since we moved to Pawleys in July of 2009, our late summer/fall was really spent in getting settled and figuring life out.

Both Krissee and I love the beach, so we want to ensure that our children do as well, so we started taking them early this year - on a Sunday afternoon in late March, we braved the beach at Huntington State Park. It was slightly warm, although you'd never know that from the bundles that Mom made everyone dress up in!

Smith lost in thought

Addison LOVED chasing her shadow up the beach. The only problem with that is when it was time to turn around and go back to our spot, there's no shadow. She didn't love that part so much.

Dad and Addison taking a little stroll.

And the next Day - they did this all on their own. Please don't call social services on us. We're good parents. Look at how proud they are!

When its nice, we park

For the first time in what feels like forever, its sunny and warm at the beach (Remember, last week, there was snow on the ground.)

So, we went to a local park to enjoy the outside time.

Addison ran around and had her own little party.Everything was fun, as long as dad was relatively close!

Smithenjoyed himself too, but was more interested in exploring how the swings worked and the ladies on the tennis courts. We made friends with someone who brought bubbles, and he LOVED that.

(For those wondering about the pacifiers - we're golden! The first nap on Monday was a no go, with the expected tears and cries. However, after that, everything is relatively back to normal. They're not napping quite as well, in that many naps are now quiet time rather than actual sleeping, but they're not screaming. Nighttime has been perfect. Just like one would expect of our children! :) )

Pacifiers - its been a good run

We knew this day was coming - and have been putting it off as much as possibly could.

Both of our pediatricians (the one we used in Columbia and the one we use here in Pawleys) told us that 18 months was the cutoff for pacifier use. And we've been planning on when and how. We were going to do it after new Years, and then the next weekend, and so on and so forth.

Finally, at their 18 month appointment, we asked the doctor again (thinking we might get a different answer?) and were told, again, that 18 months was the upper limit for pacifier use without potential orthodontic affects.

The decision was made that after the following weekend, on Monday morning, the pacifiers would be gone. Krissee felt that since she had the luxury of staying home with them, at least it wouldn't ruin OUR weekend, just maybe her day(s).

So, after everyone got up this morning, Dad collected the pacifier's and took them to work. (I like the idea of doing something with one or two of them - maybe putting them inside a build-a-bear?)

(Please don't let the attached picture fool you - these were ALL the pacis that were in the house, and many of them were already in the bag in a cabinet, not being used!)


So long pacifiers. We've had a good run. But my big boy and big girl don't need you anymore!

Snow in Pawleys Island

It figures that the year we move to THE BEACH, we get snow!

We (Krissee and Daniel) had an impromptu date night on Friday - Applebees and a movie. On our way into the 7:20 movie, the snow was coming down pretty good. The weathermen were calling for 1-3 inches, but the being the pessimistic southerners, we didn't think it'd actually come to pass.

Well, WRONG! On our way home, there was already a pretty good dusting, and we woke up this morning to find even MORE snow on the ground. As of this writing (11:30 AM), its already well underway to melting, but of course we had to get out and play in it!

Smith wanted to walk - we were pulling them in the wagon at this point, but he wasn't having any of it!


Addison really loved it. I mean, really.

Really
Smith, on the other hand, wasn't QUITE so sure about it. But he did have a good time.

Dad built a quick Snowman, and we got a picture of it - a few hours later, the poor snowman is dead.

We had a great time in the snow - but the Day's are certainly beach bums and look forward to the lazy days of summer to be spent on the beach!

A week away

For those keeping up at home, Krissee, Smith, and Addison are spending this week in Rock Hill with Chap, Heather, and Winn while Heather goes back to work.

Smith and Addison had a Skype date with dad on Monday - their 18 month birthday! Its hard to believe that they're next big milestone is 2 years old. Anyways, I enjoyed seeing the family via Skype - Addison just sat there and laughed. Smith didn't seem too sure of seeing his Dad in the computer - but he finally came around. It got me thinking about how they'll grow up - and that they will grow up Skyping with friends and family - and that will just be normal to them.

Dad is certainly ready for them to get home, but know they're having a good time up there.

You should see the other guy!

The Day parents have recently undergone what we understand to be a parent of toddler's rite-of-passage: The black eye.

Last week - Krissee called while she and the kids were out and about running errands. They were near my office, and wanted to come by and get a quick visit in.

They came in, and of course were a huge hit! We then took them upstairs to our conference center so they could run around. Everyone was having a great time, and then, all of a sudden, Addison was on the ground screaming.

Neither of us saw what happened, but I can wager a guess, as the desk/tables in our largest room happen to be eye level with the twosome. We then noticed quite the little whelp on her eye and knew we were in for it.

Fast Forward a few days later, and this is where we're at. It doesn't seem to be bothering her at all, but its quite gnarly looking and I think we'll all be a little more at peace once it goes down. (If you really want to get up-close and personal with Ms. Thang's black eye, you can enlarge the below picture).

In the effort of fairness, Smith's has transformed into full on little boy the past few weeks - I caught him here entranced with Mickey after a day out at the playground and riding around town!