So How Are They Getting Along?

People frequently ask how Riley and Colin get along with each other. They answer is they act just like you'd expect a brother and sister to act. They watch each others back in public and shove each other in the back when they get home. Riley likes to tell people, "This is my brother, Colin." Colin will likewise point to Riley and utter, "I-eeee." They can fight like cats and dogs but can also be a great comfort to one another. Recently, while playing around the house, Colin bumped his head on a doorway. He started to whimper, and Riley ran over to sooth him. She did not witness his injury but decided for some reason that he must have hurt his finger. She rubbed it and gave it a kiss, telling him not to cry. He was quite happy about this attention. When he noticed I was watching, he must have wanted additional sympathy because resumed his whimpering and ran to me holding his "injured" finger aloft. 

Here is a video I recently shot of the kids. They had been playing happily together with a pizza box (Why do I bother with toys?) so I decided to capture a scene

 of blissful harmony in our home. This, naturally, was the result. 

Here are some recent random pictures of the kids.

Colin quickly switches between being "niiiiii" to the cats and trying to run them over with his dump truck. Maebh is the most tolerant of the three. 

Riley and Maebh have a close bond. Maebh can often be found cuddling with Riley on the couch or curled up on her bed at night. 

Colin was so proud for putting on a hat and gloves all by himself. 

What a doll. (If you look carefully, you can see Hobbes' head sticking out from underneath the chair.)

Jeff took the kids out to play in the snow. Riley loves rolling around and making snow angels as is evident from all the snow on her suit. Colin didn't really know what to think of all the white stuff and basically stood right where Jeff put him and look confused. It could have been because I had him bundled up like Randy on "A Christmas Story" and he just couldn't move very well. 

Riley is quite skilled on the computer. She loves to play games on the Playhouse Disney and PBS Kids websites.

Jeff has taken up photography as a hobby. He took these pictures of the kids while experimenting with his new flash.

And now for some Riley quotes:

Riley (looking at photos of my parents): Why are they kissing?

Me: It's their wedding. They're getting married.

Riley: I want to get married.

Me: You do? Who are you going to marry?

Riley: Jesus. 

Riley: Mommy, are you OK?

Me: Yes, I just sneezed.

Riley: No, you're not OK. You are very sick.

Me: I'm fine. I just had a little tickle in my nose.

Riley (very insistent): No, you are sick. You have a bad cold and your head hurts and your nose is running and your tummy feels yucky. 

Riley is becoming a bit of a hypochondriac.

Christmas Morning

We had a quiet Christmas (relatively speaking) at our house. Riley woke us up a little after seven to inform us that the sun was up. This is her signal that she is allowed to get out of bed. She was excited about the gifts under the tree and was disappointed to learn that she had to wait for her brother to wake up before she could begin to open them. Once Colin woke up and both kids had their morning chocolate milk, the tearing of paper began. Despite the fact that this is Colin's first Christmas home, he seemed to know exactly what to do with a wrapped gift. Both kids were very appreciative of their gifts. My parents came over later in the morning for brunch and the kids were thrilled to show off their new toys. I'm happy to report that several weeks after Christmas, the toys are still being enjoyed. Riley likes to use her Tag reading pen during rest time and Colin loves to play with his "guys" and their construction equipment.

Riley is trying to wait patiently for Colin to get up.

Colin really liked his fire truck. He was quite content to play with it still in the box. 

"I've got the sitting part- now how do I make it spin?"

"Do you think Switchfoot needs another band member?"

These electric toothbrushes were a big hit. The kids seem to think they're toys. Nothing like a little covert oral hygiene. 

There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays

It's been way too long since my last post, so I've got some catching up to do. Here are some of our Christmas festivities. My mom, my sister-in-law Robin and I got together before Christmas for some baking. We were able to crank out quite a few goodies. We let Riley and my niece Maria get in on the fun too by decorating some cookies. I think more frosting than cookies were consumed in the process, but they seemed to enjoy the activity.

Riley was very careful with the placement of the sprinkles (which were quickly picked off and eaten.)

Maria actually ate the whole cookie, unlike her cousin who just licked all the frosting off.

On the Saturday before Christmas, the whole family met at my parents' house. I love our family gatherings. We are such an informal, laid-back group. Common topics of conversation are deer hunting, stupid stunts (whether performed by a family member or someone we know), and bodily functions. Some people have turkey or goose for their meal, but we had our traditional Coccia House Christmas pizza. I love my family!!!

Here's some of the family getting ready to open gifts. Pictured are Dad, Justin, Riley, me, Maria, Mom, Richard and Aunt Pam.

Riley and Maria both received princess costumes.

Dad, Richard, Justin, Grandpa, Riley, Mom, me, Grandma, Aunt Pam, Maya and Robin

I love this photo of my beautiful sister-in-law and new niece enjoying her first Christmas.

Here are the young, hip, twenty-something cousins, Cara, Katy and Morgan. Katy and Morgan are getting married in the spring but I already consider Katy my cousin-in-law. (Is that a real word?) 

"But they're cousins - identical cousins" 

This isn't the best picture of Colin and I, but I wanted to show the cute outfit he was originally wearing because . . .

Colin ended up wearing this lovely outfit by the end of the night. The poor little guy suffered a massive diaper failure, and naturally I had just removed the spare change of clothes from the diaper bag a day or two before. I had to put him in a hoodie that Riley had received as a gift. One day he will look back at this photo of himself in nothing but a diaper and his sisters purple velvet shirt and cringe, but for now, he doesn't seem to mind.

I will leave you with this cute video. Grandma and Grandpa started dancing to some music and Colin just had to get in on the action.