Jonah Nicholas, 55 Months, and Tessa Rose, 29 Months

Growth: We won't have official numbers for several months. Sorry folks!

I promise they're growing!...but actually they do fit in Bitty Baby's crib. Together. With smiles.

And this one fits in Bitty Baby's box. Yes, really.

Sleep: Overnights have been pretty consistent, but Jonah is becoming less and less likely to actually nap at naptime.

The definition of morning people!
Usually Jonah is up around 7:30 to snuggle and watch a show. Tessa get woken up about 8:15.

These silly goofballs work a private coffee shop for Mommy each morning.

But don't we all apply makeup in bunny ears?

They emerged from the bedroom in search of breakfast (which they never admit being hungry for) holding hands.
My heart.

They're both wildly excited to use the toaster!

Eating: They've been more likely to "complete" a meal at the table this month without asking for more food right before bed. Their behavior has been so good that a few times recently Mommy has taken them to lunch after school.  All parties had a genuinely good time at Peking Dynasty one day and at Cosi after looking at the hole where City Hall once stood and a new grocery will be built. They still try pretty much anything with a little reinforcement. Tessa has found the first food she doesn't like: olives.

Heck of a hole and some great trucks working!

The chefs at Cosi love showing the kiddos what they're doing and offering snippets of bread.

Darling dining partners. They even wait until the end to eat the cookie without a word from Mom.

Grandpa picked out this silly straw contraption Jonah loves to piece together. It's so Jonah!

Personality: It's been a fairly "dry" month without a lot of T-storms (temper tantrums). Tessa still has her moments, but they seem a little more manageable. She's still funny as ever and cute as ever. Jonah has actually been quite good about getting dressed with almost no complaints ever since his sticker chart. Occasionally there are issues with certain garments but on the whole he's been much better. He is almost always as sweet as can be, especially when it comes to Tessa.

This boy is so clever! He invents games like this one: "dreidel hock"

Baby has had SO many baths since getting a tub from Mimi and Poppy

 The kiddos love school. Tessa isn't so keen on drop off (see also: clinging and crying to Mommy), but then it's all happiness, playing, and learning.  Tessa dances her tuchis off at Shabbat assembly and loves playing ponies and babies and making art. Jonah learned to go underwater in swim lessons, has been on many awesome field trips, and plays with all the children and has found a few good friends.

A Chanukah trip to Krispie Kreme? Yes please! The next week it was the art museum.

This particular aspect of the book fair terrified Tessa. Jonah specifically requested a photo. The books, on the other hand, were a huge draw/major speed bump in leaving school every day.

Books: The kids have broken out their Star Wars kids books, as well as Chanukah books (both books about Chanukah and books that they received as gifts for Chanukah).

Speaking of the preschool book fair, Mommy and Daddy bought a stack and Aunt Lauren cleaned up!

Jonah was so excited to set straight to work on "Don't let the Pigeon Finish this Activity Book"

Play: The kids love making up scenarios for rescues with all of their Paw Patrol toys. They got a Paw Patroller for Chanukah from Grandma and Grandpa, and they love it! Jonah has gotten a few new Lego sets as well, and despite being "too young" he can assemble them pretty much unaided. He happily announces when reading the age range, "I'm not even six OR twelve!" Tessa got some new ponies that she loves. They play so well together, one day disappearing up to Jonah's room for a full hour without interruption or asking for a parent.

Tessie asked for her first mini manicure and she was delighted!

Milestones: Jonah got some new "Hot Dots" learning books (the kindergarten level) and is really quite good at the math especially. He's definitely ready to move on to the next level in school! He has been doing some more writing and is becoming quite good. Tessa is getting better and better at using the potty; she's consistent on, um, number 2s, but only pees in the potty at school.

We went to the zoo for Wildlights and Jonah agreed to ride in the stroller but he has decided he too old for it most times.

Tessa is officially over her animal fear and was ecstatic to ride the camel.

Events: Of course this month we celebrated Thanksgiving. We are thankful to have Grandma and Grandpa as our guests for a weekend of togetherness, food, and one tough puzzle.

Jonah is finally old enough to make a Thanksgiving cook book with Mimi!

We baked 4 pies in preparation and the kids were very involved.

For the OSU/Michigan game we had our good friends over to watch and play.

These ladies managed to pose for a picture WHILE watching the game

Pizza picnic party!

The kids and Mommy got to hear Poppy perform with the OSU Alumni Marching Band at Dodd Hall.  

It has been a HUGE month for baking! The kids were gifted a gingerbread house kit from each set of grandparents, which ended up working out great so then they had one to eat and one to keep.  Also (spoiler alert!) they're been baking one recipe after another of cookies as holiday gifts.

Number One: Trader Joes house, from Mim and Poppy

And number two: Chanukah gingerbread house, from Grandma and Grandpa. Tessa learned to pipe icing.

And then there was cookie decorating at a friend's house. Tessa did not tire of this activity one bit! She did think that the icing containers looked too much like applesauce packs though...

Jonah made one cookie. And fed it to Cooper.

And then we baked 5 kinds of cookies

Chanukah was filled with sweetness, togetherness, and love.  Tessa delighted in blowing out the match with a light puff of air and a stiff nod.  Jonah helped Daddy light the candles.  We had Lauren with us one night, Mimi and Poppy another, and joined the Bendlers at their house one night.

Latke lesson from Daddy, a good man to learn latke skills from!

Jonah has taken up photography

We got in the holiday spirit with a PBJ and Jazz concert.  

The kids attended both their first drop-off birthday party and their first yoga class in one. Jonah has been talking about it and showing off his poses ever since. Tessa was ready for Mommy after about an hour.  It was SO CUTE!

It was a good month! And we are bringing it to a close with Tessa fighting a fever and this little dude helping teach Fit Together. See you next month!