And men are that they might have joy...

A Spirit of Thanksgiving

Stefanie asked Afton what she was thankful for this morning...

"My Sleeping Beauty dress...my family...all of my pets." (Of course, by "pets" she meant her stuffed animals, because one of the things her dad is thankful for is that this house has zero real pets)

Afton also told us that Mya is thankful for bottles and pajamas.

Link to video in case it doesn't work:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tuwid8_O8dk

"I just love her"

Little Aftie has loved stuffed animals and toys for a long time. She cycles through most of the "pets" or "friends" that she has, completely latching on to one for a certain period of time before switching over to another one. If she gets a new one, she'll want to hold it constantly and sleep with it for a few days, and then it gets put in the rotation with everything else. She's gone through stages of adoring the Yo Gabba Gabba "dolls", her hippo named Cow (which really is a cow), Buster the dog, a gorilla won at Lagoon some 10 years ago, and even some borrowed toys from her cousins. But a few weeks ago she got a new friend at Build-A-Bear and is still absolutely inseparable from Teddy Bear (the name when the bear doesn't have clothes on) and Aurora (the name when the bear has its Sleeping Beauty dress on).

We hadn't taken Afton to Build-A-Bear before so the process was pretty unique and Stefanie said she was giddy as soon as she walked in the door, and that Afton didn't stop moving the whole time she was in there. She picked her bear out and then just didn't want to stop holding it, bouncing it, petting it, or hugging it.

Best friends already.

Notice the other kids coloring...and Afton coloring while still holding her bear.

The costume for the bear was of course perfect for Afton since she'd just dressed up as Sleeping Beauty for Halloween. It's been weeks since she's had that bear and she will still hug her and whisper, "I just love her so much".

Rivalry Week

Update in Pictures

Cute hair day.

Trying out the jetted tub.

In PJ's to pick up Dad at the airport.

Starting to use those legs a little.

A rare peaceful moment...emphasis on rare.

Still smiling.

Making sugar cookies with Mom.

Belated Enchantment

We had quite the build-up to Halloween this year with Afton. The decorations around the house got her familiar with the typical characters (ghosts, witches, pumpkins, etc.) associated with the holiday. She watched the Halloween version of all of her favorites shows, which helped her get excited about dressing up. Pumpkin carving, decorating sugar cookies, trying on her costume...everything was building up to quite a crescendo for her. Luckily I don't think the day disappointed.

Afton and Mya had their Halloween shirts on in the morning before getting in their costumes.

What should two little princesses be for Halloween? Um, little princesses, of course. Afton asked to watch Sleeping Beauty one day and has been absolutely hooked ever since. She always wants to watch it, has the story down pat, and has no doubt who her favorite Disney Princess is.

Beautimus!

We had a family party at the Holt's again this year. Afton was so excited to see what all of her cousins were going to be dressed up as. Mya...not so fond of the group shot, or just being away from mommy.

Mya didn't have quite as much fun as Afton. She'd been sick all week and still wasn't feeling great on Saturday. That little tear just hung on her cheek forever.

Aunt Karen had games planned for the cousins. Afton loved playing with all of her dressed up friends. She did, however, walk around very carefully most of the day when in her Sleeping Beauty dress and jewelry. Very sophisticated!