Jessica's Favorite Things 2010

It's time for the my 3rd annual Jessica's Favorite Things list! To view pass lists click here:

Jessica's Favorite Things 2009

Jessica's Favorite Things 2008

Circo and Graco Umbrella Doll Strollers:

For the second year in a row, these are some of the most used items in the house. Hayden and Madison continue to love their baby dolls and want to take them everywhere! Sometimes, Daddy and I tease that we have two little bag ladies because they like to fill their purses with small toys and hang them on their stroller handles along with large blankets. They gets so full and heavy that they often topple over!

Little Tikes Shopping Cart:

Every time we went to the house of a friend who had one of these shopping carts, the kids went crazy over it. We finally decided we should get one ourselves and it has seen constant action ever since. The kids continue to play and cook in their kitchen daily so this cart fits right in!

Little Tikes Endless Adventures Fold 'n Store Picnic Table:

We had every intention of putting this table outside on our patio to replace our smaller one but it has been a perfect fit in their playroom. It's really nice to have benches that can't be pushed, moved, broken or stolen from another child like chairs are.

Melissa and Doug Slice and Bake Cookie Set:
The kids also loved this cookie set every time they played with it at another friends' house. I thought it would be great for us given that it has so many pieces to share and can help teach the kids about counting, sorting, etc. They love to bake them, serve them, share them and even hoard them. I often find cookies tucked away in the girls' purses!

Melissa and Doug Deluxe Standing Easel:

The Sweet family gave the kids this easel last year for their birthday, but I waited half a year to bring it out until I felt that they were ready to share and be responsible with their markers, crayons, chalk, etc. They were ready for it this fall, and it has been drawn on almost every day since. It's very versatile as it can be used with chalk, magnets, dry erase markers or dry erase crayons and can hold paper for crafts, painting, etc. Plus it's big enough to have two children use one side and one child use the other!

55" Trampoline:

This trampoline is in the corner of the kids' game room, and it is a great way to shake those extra sillies out before we start our bedtime routine.

Old Navy Reversible Vests:

These vests have been fabulous for two winters now. The kids can now put them on and take them off themselves and need just a little help getting the zipper started. They keep the kids warm but give them more freedom to move than regular jackets with sleeves.

Crib Tents:
These tents have kept us all sane, and I don't want to even imagine this last year without them. If we didn't have the crib tents, the girls would be injured from repeatedly climbing out of their cribs and would, no doubt, be constantly cranky due to the late night parties they would have.

Monogrammed Nap Mats:

The kids love their fabulous nap mats handmade by Mimi Made It Designs. All three kids always take their naps when they are at school thanks to these super soft and comfy nap mats (and thanks to their teachers' efforts, of course!). We get compliments on them all the time and we even used them as their beds on our last trip to Grammy and GP's house.

Other things we love:

- DEX Dura-Bibs (catches food well and is easy to clean)

- Fisher-Price Healthy Care Booster Seat (a great fit for the kids and for our table)

- Vtech 3-in-1 Smart Wheels (they still love this thing!)

- Kitchen and play food (a staple in this household)

- Magna Doodles (magnetic drawing boards that are great for the car)

Christmas Day

This is the first Christmas that the kids asked Santa for a particular present. And, surprisingly, they kept their same request all month long. Payson asked for balloons, Hayden asked for a rabbit and Madison asked for a doggie. Sure enough, there was a balloon man, stuffed rabbit and stuffed dog with accessories awaiting them downstairs on Christmas morning. The kids were thrilled to see that while Santa had sampled their cookies, he left three behind for them to enjoy just as they had said he would. They each enjoyed finding all of the surprise goodies in their stockings including character socks, craft supplies, musical recorders and, of course, a little bit of chocolate! We gave the kids several classic board games this year including Hi Ho Cherry-O which they wanted to play immediately upon opening.

The suitcases were big hits and actually provided us with a great way to organize the Christmas chaos. After the kids would open a present they would run and put it in their suitcase!

Footwear was a theme this year as each child got new tennis shoes, rain boots and slippers! They loved having Grandma there so they could show off all of their new things.

Payson loved his new OU football gear, especially the helmet. Here he is sporting his new helmet, tool belt and rain boots!

After a few hours of presents and playing we enjoyed a big brunch at home before heading over to my brother's house for naps and Christmas with the Cooper family.

Christmas afternoon was filled with lots of playing, food and presents. Hayden and Daddy bowled together on Xbox Kinect. It's amazing that you can now play video games without a controller. Getting ready for the annual dirty Santa adult Christmas exchange. The kids instantly loved their new Pillow pets and now sleep with them evey night! Payson recently got a new Hot Wheel ramp from a friend and then received this garage from his cousins for Christmas. He was getting a little bored with his cars but now he can't get enough of them again!

Thanks to everyone in our family for your love and gifts this Christmas. What an exciting one it was!

Christmas Performances

*If you are reading this in Facebook, visit http://keithandjessica.blogspot.com to view the videos.

The kids were in their first Christmas program at school the week before Christmas and they all did such a great job! I was a little unsure about how our three toddlers would handle sitting nicely on the stage for 20+ minutes but they were great at following directions and they really gave their all throughout the program!

The kids were so excited when they spotted us proud parents and grandparents, and we got lots of smiles and giggles when they looked at us throughout the program.

The jingle bells were certainly a big hit. Payson and Hayden both had them in their mouths at one point and Payson bonked Madison on the head once, but, thankfully, she didn't seem to mind!

They were each very animated at different times of the program, sometimes really enunciating their words and performing with big motions and dances.

Madison had just gotten over a stomach bug so she was still a little worn out as we saw from her half a dozen yawns on stage!

See the kids in action in these two videos!

More singing and performing...

The day prior the kids got to bring cupcakes to celebrate their birthday so I made these clown cupcakes to stick with their "Three Ring Circus" birthday theme.

The kids are getting more into role playing now that they are big three-year-olds. A few weeks ago Madison was riding her horse and Payson was pulling her. She decided that she was Mary and Payson said he was Joseph. It was really cute so I helped them develop a Christmas Story play around that. Hayden took on the roll of the angel, Mommy the narrator and Daddy the Innkeeper and, before we knew it, we had a little play on our hands!

The kids had lines to repeat and motions to go along with it. We performed the play several times for our families and while it never quite went as smoothly as it did when we practiced, it was still impressive to see their excitement and hard work pay off! And, of course, the grandparents loved it!

Merry Christmas...

And "Happy Birthday, Jesus!" - Hayden, Payson & Madison

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

For most, December is a fun and busy time of year. It is certainly no different for the Melker family. We have many annual Christmas traditions that we have started as a family, including a visit to the North Park train exhibit.



This year, the kids were tall enough to see through the glass on their own. Funny how they wanted to be held anyway!



My favorite display was the Fair Park replica. They even had the Cotton Bowl set up as an OU/TX game!

Despite the chilly temperatures, we participated in the Journey to the Manger at a local church with Keith's family. The kids loved the various scenes and nativity displays so much that they hardly even mentioned the cold and wind. Here Payson, Mikayla, Hayden and Chloe observe one of the many tents set up in the "Bethlehem marketplace."

Nunie made an "Elf Yourself" video of the kids and their cousins, Avery and Addison. They LOVED the video and I had the pleasure of witnessing all five of them watch the video together. They were giggling and pointing to themselves and each other as they watched it over and over and over!

The kids and I did a little last minute shopping for Dad. I somehow pulled together enough courage to take the kids to the department store by myself without a stroller or wagon as back-up. They did great and even picked out a gift for each other to gift on Christmas day (princess, Tinkerbell and Thomas jammies!)

A few nights before Christmas, we had movie night and watched the Polar Express while eating popcorn (of course!).

Making cookies for Santa was, again, a big hit. These activities are getting a bit easier for us as the kids grow older and learn a little bit more each day about patience, sharing and taking turns. All tough concepts for kids and adults alike!

And, finally, for the grand Christmas Eve finale, the kids set out milk and homemade cookies for Santa! Madison insisted that Santa should "share the cookies." As it turns out, he did, indeed, leave three cookies, untouched, for Hayden, Payson and Madison to enjoy on Christmas morning!

Three Ring Circus!

Yesterday Hayden, Payson and Madison turned three-years-old and last week we celebrated with a Three Ring Circus birthday party!

Hayden was dressed and ready to party (but only after she downed a few juice boxes)!

Each child at the party received a sticker chart and earned stickers each time they completed one of the six following stations...

Pin the Nose on the Clown...

Craft Corner (glue the mane on the lion, color circus pictures, make a paper circus with foam stickers)...

Ring of Fire (toss the tiger through the hoop). Other activities included Bucket Bonanza, Circus Fishing and Temporary Tattoos.

We had circus food galore: hot dogs, candied apples, popcorn, pretzels and shelled peanuts.

The bounce house added bonus fun to the party!

Cake time! We sang Happy Birthday to Hayden, Payson and Madison individually to help distinguish them as the individuals they most certainly are!

Family photo op!

Hayden and Payson bonding over leftover cake!

Me with proud grandmothers, Grammy and Grandma!

Cousin Ryan admiring the Ring of Fire with mom Allison.

Cousins Avery and Brooklyn clowning around with Kristen!

The party was a success! The fun continued even on the way home with a car full of balloons!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAYDEN, PAYSON AND MADISON!