It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

This week has been full of snow, holiday spirit, and ketchup. Ketchup? Yea, I finally figured out why so many parents let their kids top anything and everything with this wonderful condiment...because then they'll eat anything and everything! Just another "ah ha" moment in my life as a mom. Again I was judging away at parents who let their kids put ketchup, ranch, cheese, etc. on their food, with little understanding of reality. Reality is that Leila has decided she doesn't like veggies or most protein unless it is disguised with sauce. Here I thought I had a winner in the eating the department, but without any foreseen reason, Leila has changed her preferences to that of a stereotypical toddler. Help! The power struggle begins, and I have to begin my search for ways to outsmart a 16 month old.

In addition to my discovery of ketchup's greatness, this week also included fun in our first big snow of the year, and introducing Leila to all that is Christmas.


Quick text before we head outside to check out the snow...


Not sure what to think


"Home Depot?! This is where we get our Christmas tree? I'm outta here."



Mommy and her helper



Picking out our tree




Later that day...so much snow that she can't even walk!





After coming in from the snow, Leila puts her boots away...



Excited about her new Elmo ornament!



Hanging it on the tree (temporarily hanging I should say, as she insisted on taking in off about 1 minute later.)



Don't you wish looking at Christmas lights was still this exciting? I'm calling this pic, "Christmas Delight."




In other news...

Leila has also been practicing her cooking skills a lot lately.




Cooking doesn't come without its risks...Leila shows off her very first owie and band-aid.