The Lindenbergs

Hanukkah started last Tuesday evening and both Pierce and Anna seem to be enjoying it immensely. Aside from the gifts we've been giving, my folks also have sent presents (on a typical evening Pierce and Anna are opening 2-3 gifts). Some of the "home run" gifts the kids have gotten so far:

Pierce: model electric train set, Superman action figure, Blue's Clues inflatable Thinking/Silly chair, "classic" die-cast car (I think its a '57 Impalla), and a talking/driving/reversing Hummer.

Anna: Baby care kit (stroller, carrier, and play pen), Pooh Bear coloring books, an inflatable "moonbounce"/ball tent, and a Blue Care Bear.

On the first night of Hanukkah the kids drew pictures to give to Nora and me as gifts. I don't know if they quite "get" the giving aspect of the holiday, but we're working on it.

Pierce is just about fully potty-trained. He got his last "prize" for going poop in the potty, now he just has to do it for free. About the only time he has an accident is when Nora and I forget to have him make regular trips to the bathroom (that little bladder can only hold so much). Anna has actually had her own success with using the toilet. Last week she kept chanting "potty" (her diaper was dry and clean). I put her on the toilet and she actually had a bowel movement. She's a genius! So far its only been an isolated incident, but of course we're hoping for more.

After the fall Anna had out her bed a couple of weeks ago (she was trying to get out and fell into the night stand) she has been reluctant to try and get out of bed by herself. She's recently overcome that fear and now its murder trying to get her to stay in bed at bedtime. We've had about a week of evenings where Nora and I have had to go upstairs 5-8 times to put her back in bed before she nods off. Mostly its funny, she stands at her door and sings, but we're a little frustrated. Pierce did the same thing at this age, so we know this too shall pass.

Last night Nora went above and beyond the call of duty and made Potato Latkes (pancakes) for dinner. Its a traditional Hanukka food and she did a great job (it was her first attempt). Both kids seemed to enjoy them to.

Hope everyone's holiday season is developing nicely.

-Eric (Dad)

After a grand Thanksgiving dinner we are swimming in leftover Turkey. I got creative the other night and made a casserole with most of it. Nora claims I should make it again, and I have to admit I thought it was pretty good.

Here's the recipe (warning -not carb friendly):

Take a glass casserole dish and fill with shredded/pulled/boneless turkey meat.
Pour a bag of dry stove top stuffing over the turkey.
Spread 2 cans of cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup over the stuffing.
Spread green beans or broccoli over the soup (fresh, frozen, or left-over -it doesn't matter).
Add about a 1.5 cups of water to moisten the stuffing.
Lastly, liberally sprinkle cheddar cheese over the top.

Cover with foil and heat at 375 degrees for about 45 minutes.

Commence eating. A possible enhancement, Nora had suggestion putting leftover mashed potatoes in the casserole too. Mmmmmmmm.

-Eric (Dad)

Another great weekend has come and gone. Some of the more interesting events:

We went to the library Friday night for story night and to check out some children's books. During the "craft time" Pierce made a construction paper Christmas tree with glued on (paper) bells and sprinkles -and lots and lots of Elmers glue. It hangs proudly on our refrigator.

Out of the blue Pierce asked if he could watch Spiderman for movie night on Saturday(we didn't even know he knew who Spiderman was, let alone that we had a movie with him in it). He hasn't been able to watch all of it yet, but so far its a big hit.

We had some comp tickets to Jeepers (an indoor amusement park and arcade) left over from the kid's birthday party. We used them this Sunday. Very fun, all of us were ready for naps by the time we left for home (only Anna and I were smart enought to take them though).

On the way home Sunday evening, Anna made an announcement never before heard from a child of any age: "I'm tired, I want to go to bed". At her insistence we skipped the nightly bath and put her straight to bed. Of course, she didn't go to sleep until about an hour later -instead she sang stories to her teddy bear.

Pierce got a Superman action figure at a holiday gift exchange on Sunday. He likes it so much he had to take it to bed with him Sunday night (only his favorite toys make it to the bed).

-Eric (Dad)

At dinner last night Anna was eating spagetti with a "full-size" salad fork. Nora thought she might have an easier time of it if she used a child-sized fork. I asked, "Anna, do you want a big fork or a little fork?". Anna's reply: "A big fart".

Over the past week Pierce has decided any toy Anna is playing with is the most fun. He hovers over her waiting for her to put the toy down so he can take it (he knows he's not allowed to take toys out of her hands). He'll beg her for a turn. The silly thing is that normally he wouldn't care for any of these toys. Among the toys he "must have" are a minature baby stroller, a broken Mr. Microphone, and a tricycle.

I'm told life gets more interesting as the kids get older...

-Eric (Dad)