New Year, New 'Do

The Before:

The After:

The Inspiration:

Kind of weird how she had the whole eyes-closed, head-tilt thing going before I even found the Rapunzel picture online. I don't want to talk about how the only thing missing is the boy... Sorry if you haven't seen the movie yet and I just spoiled some of it for you.


It's a super-cute movie, kind of more old-school Disney. My favorite thing about it though was that it made Hayley more sure about her decision to get her hair cut. It had been quite the conundrum for her for the last few months: "But Mom, how can I be a princess if my hair is short? All the princesses have long hair." Thanks, Re-Tangled for clearing that up for Princess Hayley.


It's been much easier on the Queen and King around here who have to wash and comb the princess's hair.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas morning Hayley slept until 7:30. Even then, I'm not sure she remembered it was Christmas, because she crawled in next to me to do her usual morning cuddle. After we woke up Dad and Jackson, we headed to the Christmas Tree. Hayley got held up at her stocking.

I thought she'd go right for the Leapster that Santa got her that was laid out on the couch. Which I have no picture of, because once she saw it, she wouldn't look up from it. For anything. That is, until I reminded her that there were more presents for her under the tree, including a house and friend for her Zhu Zhu Pet from Santa on Christmas Eve.

Jackson took a while with his binky to warm up to the plan of getting up early on Christmas,

but eventually, he decided he liked it okay.

After a fun morning, we headed to the Dame Christmas Party, Jackson hung out with Grandpa Dame,


and Hayley hung out with Great-Grandma Dame.


Such fun times with great family and friends!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

After a fun time at the Bachman's (with no pictures, because, sadly, my camera battery died) I think Jackson may have had an agenda in mind for Christmas Eve at Aunt Wendi's. I think it went something like this:

"Mom, I'll play nice with everyone at the party, as long as I don't have to go near that Santa guy again. Deal?"

I figured that was only fair.

So Jackson cuddled up to Aunt Anke,



and wandered over to give my cousin Saskia a big hug, and a sloppy, slobbery kiss.
Which she loved, of course.

Hayley had no problem with Santa.

Because she knows the deal by now, and was very pleased to have Santa come through on one of her Christmas wishes for a Zhu Zhu Pet.

After the party, I tried to get a cute picture of the kids in their Christmas jammies.

I tried really hard.

But it didn't work out.

I gave up.

I'm pretty sure last year was a fluke.

Christmas Eve Eve

Christmas Eve Eve we went to our annual holiday party at Grandma Heidi's house. It was a great time. The food was so yummy, and we were spoiled with presents, especially Jackson and Hayley. They always make out like bandits, since they are the only grandkids.

Grandma loved the Snowman Handprint Ornament that Hayley made for her.

And I was happy to have Jeremy be able to attend a Christmas party with us.



Maybe my favorite present so far though, has been this:

So sweet, especially since she wrote it by herself, and wrapped it up before giving it to me.

Love that Hayley, and love this holiday!

Christmas Crafting

The Crafts:

Stuffed Gingerbread Men (and Tree)

Handprint Snowman Ornament

Candy Cane Heart

Twisted Candy Cane

The Cutest Crafter:

Still on the List:

Trace Hands Christmas Tree

Peppermint Ornament

Pom Pom Ornaments

And for Next Year:

Elf Ornament

Petal and Button Wreath

Memory Jar

Easy Nativity

Holly Jolly Wreath

I never thought it would happen, but I think I've been sucked in to the world of crafting.

P is for Preschool Program

Today was Hayley's Christmas Preschool Program.

Due to getting there on time (not early) our seats, and therefore our ability to see Hayley, were not as optimal as I would have hoped.



She did know and sing all of the fun Christmas songs though, including S-A-N-T-A.

The highlight for us was her speaking part, which she had entirely memorized despite only having it be assigned two days before. I'm amazed how this girl is not the least bit intimidated by performing in front of a crowd.

(If you didn't quite catch that:
"D is for dollhouses, dump trucks, and drums.
Made in the workshop before Christmas comes.")

Another great program, plus a legit reason for me to take a day off of work!

Makin' a List

I confess. I have a list of "fun things" for us to do during the month of December. Saturday we crossed three things off of our list:

First on the list was Breakfast with Santa.
Hayley was so excited to see her friend Sydnee,



but I think she was more excited to see the Main Man and his Mrs.

Jackson was much happier to stay with Grandma Heidi than to see Santa again.

Then we headed uptown to the Dicken's Festival with my dad.

It's been on hiatus from Salt Lake for about ten years, but was back by popular demand this year. I danced here every Christmas Season when I was younger, and it was fun to re-live some of the memories. Mostly, I couldn't believe how much bigger everything seemed when I was a child.

And to finish off the day, we headed to Sesame Street Live: Elmo's Green Thumb. My mom was lucky enough to get free tickets from her work, and asked if we were interested.


Were we ever! So cute of a show. I think I liked it even better than Disney on Ice. And that's saying a lot. Even the little rugrat liked it. Even though this was as close as I got to a smile on camera. He's smiling behind his souvineer, I promise.

He's learned early that Grandma is a pushover for overpriced toys.
And we love her for it!

Nutcracker 2010

Hayley did a great job performing as a little butterfly in The Nutcracker, despite totally going to a spot on the wrong side of the stage during the first performance. She figured it out though, and performed even more beautifully the second night.




This lady, Miss Margene, is amazing. She's Hayley's preschool and dance teacher. She is so sweet and patient with the kids, and truly loves each of them.

Hayley loves her too. She told me the other day that she wants to take Miss Margene to Kindergarten with her next year.

Did you catch that?

Kindergarten.

Next year.

Really, Baby Hales, where did the time go?

Butterfly Girl

Hayley is performing in Miss Margene's Nutcracker Production this week. She's in the Butterfly Dance. All of you are more than welcome to attend. It's at Hunter High at 7:00 on Wednesday and Thursday. Both nights are the same show.

Tickets are $4.00, although I think she's pretty priceless!

Jackson's New "Friend"

Last night we headed to the Holiday Festival at the Kearns Olympic Oval. I should have been clued in by the fact that it was free, and by the lack of parking spaces, because it was a madhouse. However, after holding Hayley off at the Festival of Trees earlier that day, I couldn't deny her another visit with Santa, so we braved the almost hour-long line. Jackson did not think it was worth the wait.

He was pissed.

No other words to describe it.

Totally reminded me of this:


Go ahead and call me a mean parent for kind of liking the Crying Santa Pictures.
The lady in back of me in line did.

After the Santa episode, I let Hayley play in the bouncy houses for awhile.



Until some little kid puked in one of them, and I decided to call it a night.
Because nothing says time to go home like vomit.

Patty Cake

Couldn't help but post this.

November Faves

Favorite Food(s): Zefronk Treat: Hot dog bun, banana, PB&J
Favorite Treat: Granola bars
Favorite Friend(s): Marissa ("Arissa" if you ask her), and cousin Ella who we saw at Thanksgiving and hadn't seen in a while.
Favorite Book: Franklin the Turtle Books
Favorite Movie/Show: Toy Story 3 and Tom and Jerry
Favorite Song(s): Turkey Dinner and Five Fat Turkeys
Favorite Thing to Do Inside: Play with Jackson.
(Which lots of times means she wants to play while he watches from his crib so he can't "mess things up.")
Favorite Thing to Do Outside: Play in the snow.
Favorite Thing About Jackson: That sometimes he kisses her.
Least Favorite Thing to Do: Time Outs.
Funny Things She Says: "Mo-hog" for mohawk.
"Holy heck, what's that?!" after seeing the dirty slush that had dripped off of the car in the garage.
"Well, it still feels a little bit like crap" when asked how her tummy felt after she had the 24 hour stomach flu.
While looking at hems of my pants after I'd been outside in the snow "Ew, gross Mom! Did you pee?!"
After falling off the couch "I hit on both sides of my head! I think my nose is in my brain!"

Favorite Food(s): Toast with jam
Favorite Treat(s): Tootsie Rolls
Favorite Friend: Hayley, but he's starting to hold his own with the cousins.
Favorite Book: See-Through Safari
Favorite Movie/Show: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
Favorite Things to do Inside: Play under his crib, or get into whatever Hayley is playing with.

Favorite Things to Do Outside: Touch the snow with one finger.

Favorite Thing about Hayley: Playing in the bathtub with her.
Least Favorite Thing to Do: Throw up. He caught the stomach bug too.
New Things He Says/Does: No new words, but if either Jeremy or I are gone, he'll say Dada or Mama until we open the door to the garage and show him that Dad or Mom's car is gone.