New Years Eve Family style

Today was a very chilled out and quiet day for us. We played at the house this morning. Ellie was particularly keen to have Daddy play with her in her new castle and be the wicked queen to chase her (a game Mommy's not too keen on playing.) I ran some errands during naptime. Then for the evening we did our little trip into Baker Park with a dinner at the Pretzel Time place, a family favorite. It was an early dinner and downtown was rather quiet. On the way home Ellie asked if we could please go see the Christmas Lights display at the local place, so we did the drive through. I think we all enjoyed that actually - a bit more then I remembered/or thought we would. When we got home we had a family desert (where Max was the cookie monster and Ellie enjoyed a nice ice cream sundae). The kids were in bed around normal time and David and I have really been chilling out. It feels a bit quiet. I enjoy my little family very much, but it does feel just like any other Friday night here. I've definitely experienced more exciting New Years, but never had so many little beings I loved so much! I think the kids have really enjoyed my time off work, as I have. This makes me happy. My goal for 2012 is stress less and try to share a bit more happiness with the family. This is going to require me learning to ignore things that are not perfect, so this will surely be a challenge. I hope to at least improve. Happy New Years!

Blueberries

Max loves Blueberries. We hadn't had them for a while, but the store recently have had some that looked decent. When I put them in front of him for the first time recently he was so excited. It was nearly like I had dumped a bowl of M&Ms onto his tray. He says, "Buuuu barreeees!" Then he pops them into his mouth as quick as he can. Sometimes he even leans towards his try to get close to them and make it quicker. He finishes what he's given and scans the table for more. He will take them from anyone who's willing and even those unwilling with his persistant request and sometimes screams. It's quite funny. I'd definitely have to label these Max's favorite healthy food! <br/><br/> Although this isn't a picture of him enjoying Blueberries, this is a favorite photo I snapped over the past few days of him enjoying some fresh banana bread just after waking from an afternoon nap. <br/>

And, she did not...

sleep the night in the castle. When I went up to check her at 11:15 she was wide awake in the tent. So, I helped her to the bathroom and settled her into her bed, much to her dismay. She needed some sleep though. I imagine she's going to be exhausted by 10am.

Princess' Castle

One of Ellie's many Christmas gifts was a Disney Princess Castle. It's pretty big; large enough for me to be in there with the two kids and they can move around me. They can even stand up. They both had a lot of fun playing with it today. As bedtime approached we knew what was coming, "Can I sleep in my castle tonight?"

After a bit of debate, we decided to let her try it. She's currently nestled on top of a quilt, with several pillows, her pink soft blanket on top of her, her moon nightlite inside the tent, and her tissue. We have warned her she needs to get to sleep, or she's back to bed. WE'll see what happens.

First family outting for a big purchase

This evening we trapsed the kids with us to Sears to look at dishwashers. We must have been there for 90 minutes or more. The kids tried to be patient. They were in pleasant moods. But after 90 minutes of questions and 30 minutes of purchase stuff, they were spent. David spent some time running around after them while I investigated things a bit. Overall, I was frustrated while standing there, but there were no screaming fits, no squels and Ellie even had a smile on her face, so I'd say they did pretty well.

Simple and fabulous morning

Today was the first day I stayed home with the kids alone, without any work responsibilities, and was able to just play with them. It was such a great Mom morning. Even though Ellie's sick and coughing and Max is also under the weather, the three of us really had fun relaxing and enjoying each other's company. I even managed to get a few cleaning items in here and there in between activities. After breakfast we colored at the table. Max tried out his new toddler stacking crayons which proved loads of fun for stacking but didn't see much coloring. We transitioned to a little cleaning where the kids actually helped me pick up toys and vacuum. After a while we headed to the basement to play with the new big Christmas toys - the trampoline, the blocks, the seesaw and such. I even got a little bit of back exerising in while they played. I can see visions of the room working like we planned it here in the near future (kids play while I work out for 20 minutes.) The three of us enjoyed a nice and healthy lunch together and a couple Christmas cookies after. We played a bit more with the new toy cars and trains. I even started reading Ellie a special book about Heaven (A topic she's forever curious about these days). The kids are in bed for their naps, though Ellie is coughing non-stop (poor little thing) and I'm going to embark on some banana bread now that the laundry is folded. If I'm lucky, I may even get to try out my new sewing machine. I'm playing at stay - at - home - mom today and I'm enjoying it tremendously. My kids make me laugh. They give me lots of cuddles and wonderful smiles. I love when they try new things and succeed. I love to watch them learn and play together nicely. What a great morning! I'm a lucky women!

Max and Music

Max has an inclination for music. He danced standing at the shelf before he walked. He loves the piano. He always asks me to sing things over and over again. He tries to turn on the radios himself now. He just loves music. The other night I put him down on the drumset at Laura and Vince's house. I showed him how to hold the sticks once and then helped him do about 4 measures of beats (5 seconds or so). Then I let him go. He was such a natural. I was suprised to see him successfully alternating taps with the alternating sticks. He was even nearly in beat. To top it off, after a measure of beats on the drum he would end with a tap on the symble! I'm not sure I want to encourage the drums, but I can't help but be amazed! I was so thrilled we videoed it!

Stockings from Santa

Christmas was so overwhelming with so many presents and two days packed full of visits and busyiness, that we didn't get to our stockings until this evening. I think it was a good plan becuase Ellie really enjoyed the little things she found in her stocking. I believe her two favorites were, "My very own pink nail polish." and "My first Tick - A - Tacks!" Max was less then impressed with anything except the small bottles of hand sanitizer that Grampa found in his. It's nice to draw Christmas out. We did this as a kid and I'm glad to share that tradition with my kids too. It's been a really great Christmas and I'm happy to have more time coming to just enjoy being home with the kids. I'm with them for nearly two weeks and I'm so greatful for this time!

Ellie art

Ellie explained this picture to Grampa as follows, "The big one is me. The little one is Mommy." Grampa found this very funny and it shows who's the center of the world in Ellie's world - herself, with Mommy right beside her. I wonder if I will get smaller as the years go on :-)

We gave this painting to Grampa to take back to Glasgow with him becuase he finds it so amusing.

Christmas Day 2011

The morning started as any other. The kids weren't overly excited; I don't think Max really expected much different. After getting over the focus on clothes, we were able to get down the stairs and let them admire the huge amount of stuff that had appeared under the tree. Ellie was excited when we got downstairs and did want to start ripping open presents. Max was more interested to just play with the toys that he has, opened, on the shelf already, instead.

The morning was long. They kids enjoyed their presents slowly and we did stop to play with a few things along the way. This was good for both of them. I'd say Max's favorite was probably the gear thingy Santa brought and Ellie I believe is torn between many things. She really likes her Princess doll and matching dress from Santa and Rudolph. She also talks a lot about her camera from Grannie and talks to her "talking Benjamin bear" from Grampa often.

We had a small lunch and then the kids had naps while I prepared for the evening visit from my siblings, their familes and my dad. It was really relaxing. Things went smoothly and all things were prepared in time. I realized there is a rhythm to this Turkey Dinner stuff, much of which was helped by my preparations during naptime on Christmas Eve. David was a big help and so was Bob - he was on Potatoes - 2 kinds as a matter of fact.

Everyone started to arrive around 4:30, starting with Jerred and Vicki. They were all in a great mode. We all sat down around the same table around 6pm for dinner. I think everyone enjoyed it. The kids did a great job of waiting patiently for gifts. Then they proceeded to get a little wild, but Aunt Katie was able to keep them calm and run the show. Ellie wasn't feeling well becuase she was starting with another one of her ear, sinus, cough things. But she did well hanging with her cousins and also sharing. The kids were all over the house - playing some upstairs in Ellie's room and also some in the basement. It was a nice use of the house this year as well. Most of the kids, except Max, were able to go downstairs and play by themselves. Later in the evening David even had some takers on the Kinect. He had fun challenging Danny to it. Followed by Erika and Ellie also having a go.

I ended up putting Max to sleep around 8:30 or so. He was really exhuasted. He enjoyed a little quiet Mommy time for a quick bath, a couple stories and a cuddle before falling quickly off to sleep. I love when I get to rock him before bed and he snuggles in. This is one of the best mommy moments of everyday, but even more special on my baby boy's first active Christmas. He did enjoy having the family at the house. He tried to snatch some cuddles from them all and was great about sharing his toys.

Ellie lasted until the last person left, but was a mess and quickly ushered to be without a bath. She was tired but had a nice Christmas. She had some questions about how her cousins did things differently then we do. I tried to explain best I could and just have to laugh at these things. How should I tell Ellie my rules are sometimes a bit different and on the tougher side of things around germs. Her big one was not understanding why everyone didn't know the rule about not blowing on her flute (not sharing germs). HOpefully no one else is sick with the same thing. We shall see.

Clean up wasn't too bad really and I ended up getting to bed around midnight. It was a great family Christmas. I'd be nice to have these days more frequently, perhaps without the presents, but with the decorations, family and good food. I'd definitely have to admit that the kids were overwhelmed with too many new toys and presents. I think they only needed a few things, but we all have to make our mark and buy them things, so the tree was really full. I ended up putting some things away for rainy days months down the road. I think they will be more appreciated when they are enjoyed alone, as opposed to mixed in with the other 50 things they got in a single day. Oh to be a kid today :-). Merry Christmas Ellie and Max! We love you very much and look forward to many many years of Christmas to come.

Christmas morning

Before heading down to see what Santa brought, what was Ellie concerned about - nope, not her gifts, not her brother, not her father, not the cat, just the everyday most important question in the world, "What beautiful dress can I get away with wearing today and will all it's specifications meet her satisfactions!" Yes, that's what we started to get into before heading down for gifts. Could she be satisfied staying in her Christmas Jammies until later, eventually, but it took some convincing. I do believe I'm in serious trouble becuase I already can not handle this focus on her clothing demands.

Christmas Eve 2011

Today was a pretty good Christmas Eve with the Childen (other then Great Grandpa having 2 strokes). We started the morning with Grandma's Christmas bread and followed closely with giving them there Christmas Even gift - a big climber. At first, they were not interested at all in the new toy, but the ones that had been on the deck for the summer. Finally after about 10 minutes they indulged in the new climbing toy and had a little fun with it.

We then headed down to visit Great Grandma and Grandpa and deliver some cookies and their gifts. Great Grandma looked cute in her festive shirt and was sitting near the tree with friends. Everything seemed calm except Grandpa wasn't there. I knew something was up and was right. But we stayed with Grandma for about 15 minutes and helped her enjoy opening her present and watching the kids dance.

After a long visit with Great Grandpa where Gramma took over, we headed home for lunch and a little Gingerbread house decorating. (Daddy took on the project of making it structurally sound this time and it went very well.) Ellie was quite excited when she saw how good it looked. She let out a cheer that went something like, "Isn't Daddy so good at putting the Ginger houses together." (as she put her arms up in the air and smiled greatly). They did do a fabulous house. Ellie even let me do a little decorating as well. Meanwhile, Grampa and Max played in the kitchen.

After naps we rushed off for a drive thru dinner and church. We ended up going to the old church since we couldn't get everyone fed in time for the children's service where we've been going. They kids did okay in church, all things considered.

After church we had some cookies and Ellie made a plate for Santa. We enjoy our CHristmas cookies very much. Next was cleaning: I had successfully convinced Ellie that Santa won't come into the house if it's messy. So when we arrived home Ellie decided to clean the house with vigor. She was so determined to get everything put away that when Max decided to play now and again, she nearly had a fit. I wish I could pull that trick once a week at least. But the play room / living room does look clean. We had a little play in the living room and some photos.

The kids were having fun and a little riled up, but they settled in nicely. They had a story with Grampa, one with Daddy and some songs with Mommy. They are clearly asleep and I'm about to head there. It was a great day becuase I had all the wrapping done and much of tomorrow's cooking done in advance. I'm thankful for that. I hope to enjoy a great day with the kids (and that Grandpa is home.) Merry Christmas!

Hello, Hello, Hello

Max has a really cute way of saying Hello very clearly. It's his best, most articulate word right now. Recently a few people have picked up on this. Especially since Grampa has been here. Grampa started saying to Max, "Hello. Hello. Hello." Then, Daddy started saying it to Max a lot too over the past couple days. This morning, I woke up to the sound of Max saying to himself over and over again, " Hello. Hello. Hello." This mixed with him doing something funny that made himself laugh and hearing him actually telling himself to do it "Gin." Too cute.

Chocolate

I made some homemade fudge the other night. Max hasn't really had too many rich sweets becuase they seem to cause his stomach some problems. However, I could not resist giving him a nibble of the homemade stuff. Once he had a taste, I think I created a monster. He scarfs this stuff down like it's a potato chip. He chews it up so fast, chocolate drool coming out of his mouth, and then immediately asks for more. It's funny. He's really gotten the hang of eating it over the week and has grown accostumed to his little after dinner treat. Tonight I gave him three of his own little pieces. I think it might have been too much becuase he laid in his crib jibber jabbering to himself for a good 40 minutes before falling asleep. This was a first time!

Gift giving Ellie style

This morning Ellie announced she wanted to make Cailyn a Christmas present when we got home. So we selected paper and she set out to work. I am so impressed with the picture she has drawn. So is David. I think this is the most detailed drawing she has done ever. She used her new art kit with mixed format - oil pastels and drawing pencils. SHe has described it as a Christmas tree. I think there's also an Angle here. She wants to wrap it up and take it to Gramma's for the next time she see's Cailyn. She's very sweet.

Learning to print

Today when I picked Ellie up she was excited to show me this paper where she had written the complete alphabet for the first time. I am so proud of her! She's really trying hard to learn her letters. She's a cutie and a smart one too.

Max sat still - a Christmas Miracle

Tonight after dinner Max "asked" to have the Russian dolls to play with. I indulged becuase I wanted to sit still and play with him for 2 seconds. Turns out, those little dolls kept him sitting still on the couch for nearly 30 minutes. He concentrated so hard on taking them apart and putting them back together. It was amazing.

Big Clothes

I have a nice big baggy VT sweatsuit I like to wear to be comfortable. Ellie doesn't approve of it so much. When I recently put it on for the first time of the season she eyed me up and then asked something like, "mommy, why is that shirt so big?" I told her it was my comfy sweatshirt. She just sort of looked at me. Then the following week I put it on again and Ellie says, "You are wearing your Big clothes today mommy."

Four is a good year for Christmas

I've decided that four is a good year for Christmas and the tree. Ellie is really into it this year. She really truly enjoyed helping me decorate it and place the ornaments in just the right place. She has commented many times how pretty it is. She's also remembering some things from years past, like where we hang the stockings the night before Christmas. She's also been really enjoying the Advent candle too. Max is a bit of a different story, as everything new requires new rules, which he is against right down to his core. Oh well, I'll try to focus on the positive this year. If I can keep him and Lady Grey from pulling down the tree and breaking any meanighful ornaments, than I will call it a success!

I tried to take a picture of the kids in their new Christmas PJs. I couldn't get them to sit still for anything.

Getting the Christmas Tree

We headed across the street to select a tree tonight. I thought Max would be pretty into it. He didn't like the feel of the pine needles at all. Each time it got near him, he reached back to me and held on so tight. It was funny sort of. I doubt he'll keep that fear up long enough to help me keep him away from the tree though. We selected a tree pretty quickly. Ellie wasn't that into selecting, she was cold and wanted to get home. However, when we got the tree home and in the house, she was more interested. She put her stethascope on and said she needed to check it's heart to see if it was good and we could keep it. So I let her. She listened and then said it was good. (Luckily, becuase it wasn't leaving.) It's nearly 10 foot tall. And to think I entertained the idea of a small tree.... ha ha ha

Ellie's first Ballet

David and I decided to take Ellie to see the Nutcracker as part of her birthday gift. We wanted her to get a taste of how far this dancing thing can go if she's interested. Today was the day. Ellie and Mommy were off for a 2pm show in Frederick. SHe was very excited and I was too. The walk from the car to the theater was about the top point for her I think. She was nearly pulling me along the streets. She couldn't wait to see what this was all going to be about. We got our tickets and went inside. SHe stayed close becuase it was really packed. We had good seats. When we sat down she wanted to know where the Nutcracker was. (We had read the story to prepare.) I told her it was appear after the show starts, taht it hasn't started yet. So she waited patiently.

I find Ballet quite strange really. I don't get much without words. I know, that makes me boring, but I'm so literally that ballet can nearly put me to sleep. However, I enjoyed snuggling Ellie and watching her look around and take in the experience. She sat at attention for the first half and really enjoyed it. I am not sure she was all that impressed with the dancing, but she enjoyed the scene and the environment for sure. We had a snack of some M&Ms at the half and I think that may have been the highlight for her. The second half was more entertaining for me. I really enjoyed the snow queen dancing. She got a little antsy at the end. I think it was hard for her becuase it was during naptime. I underestimated how hard that would be for her. But she said she really enjoyed it. I asked her if she wanted to dance like the lead does. Her first response was,"No." Then she watched another 15 seconds and turns back to me and says, "Maybe when I grow up I want to."

It was a great Mommy and Ellie afternoon and I hope to always remember the excitement of taking her on this new experience. Ellie was so tired, that she was asleep in the car before we made it home (which is very unlike her.)

First emergency daycare call

I was a mother for just over four years before receiving that dreadful call from daycare, "Come now, Max banged his head and needs to go to the doctors." (Or something like that). Apparenly he ran full speed into the corner of the wall. It was about 10 am and I had just put my car in to be serviced and was going to work from the car shop for the morning. I quickly rushed to tell the guy I needed my car back and had to go. I was desperate to get to see him and figure out what to do. I ended up calling the doctors in Urbana and they told me to bring him there as soon as I could and we'd go from there. When I got to Sara's to pick him up, I was greated by a little boy with some red left on his face, but happily eating his snack at the table with the other kids. I scooped him up and gave him a kiss. Sara had him bandaged up well and I didn't want to see. I just took him to the car and we headed to the doctors. Luckily my favorite doctor was there. Max acted a bit like a caged animal while we waited - trying to climb on everything, slam doors, etc. It's no wonder we were there after 18 months with something like this. I'm only suprised it hasn't happened sooner based on the amount of falling this boy does. After about a 15 minute wait, she looked at him and decided he didn't need stitches, but could use glue instead. I was a little skeptical, but I trust her and really didn't want to go to the ER for stiches. Max didn't like the procedure, although it was quick (and honestly Max doesn't like getting his nails cut when he has something else on his mind). He was a trooper and the tears stopped as soon as he was freed to return to doing what HE wanted to do. We left with my instructions - to keep him from touching it for at least one hour, and keep it completely dry for at least 48 hours. Otherwise, he's good to go. All in all, this wasn't too bad. I hope it doesn't get any worse though.

Max and I came home to play for a little bit while I watched that he didn't touch it. He did great. He and I then had a little lunch date at McDonalds before picking Ellie up to head home for afternoon naps and Mommy to get back to work. What a morning. He's doing fine and I'm very thankful for how this ended up.

This is how I found him at Ms. Sara's:

This is how he looked when we got home. He was exhausted.

And this was him after his nap, patiently building blocks. This is a new skill he's showed off today.

Max loves to dance

We were playing tonight when David decided to turn on the Kinect to see how Ellie liked it a year later. When he turned it on, immediately the room was filled with some loud hip-hop like music with a beat. Max stopped what he was doing and immediately started dancing. He assumes this cute little position with his arms out to his side somewhat in the air, his legs a little bit apart, his bottom sticking out behind him a bit and begins bouncing up and down and smiling. It was clearly his dance position. He thought it was so great. He wanted us all to dance with him. We mostly humored him. He kept it up the whole time the loading song was on and really enjoyed it. When the song stopped and the game David put on started - soccer - he then proceeded to try to figure out what kind of dancing daddy was doing to the cheering crowd that involved strange leg movements and fast jumps back and forth across the room. He really thought this was hallrious and was laughing so much. That boy is something else!

Santa Claus 2011

Sunday evening we were invited to a family gathering at the firehall where Santa comes to visit with all the children. We've done this a few years since Ellie was born. It's a great time for the kids to talk with Santa, a nice Santa, without all the commercial drama and waiting in line. It is really a nice evening.

Santa arrives on the fire truck and brings a few sacks of toys with him. Each child gets called up to sit with Santa, get a photo, ask him what they'd like for Christmas and receive a little early Christmas present. The children are full of energy but generally pretty good as they wait for their turn to see Santa.

Max was one of the early ones to be called, which didn't work out to his favor. I took him up and plopped him on Santa's lap. He started trying to get away and crying. As I encouraged him to stay, it only got worse. The only pictures we got were of him screaming. I finally took him back on my lap and tried to get him to speak with Santa. He starred at him a bit without screaming, but wasn't in the mood to make friends. He was really skeptical. He did get a nice little tool set with a real drill though. He had some fun with that. Amy was called shortly after, followed by Erika, Emily, Lauren and finally Ellie. Ellie did a great job smiling, talking with Santa and taking it all in. She was a pro and remembered to be thankful. She told Santa that she wanted a pincess babydoll. She was then the lucky recipient of a glow in the dark art kit which has been quite a hit.

Max managed not to cry for a family photo at the end of it all. He was tired and he had his Daddy, so that really helped. I'm really happy with this family photo considering the mad chios of it all.

A Daddy Day

This past Saturday I got up at 6am and left the house while everyone slept to go with Mom and Katie on a bus trip to New York City. I was hesistant to go becuase I didn't want to leave David alone with the kids for a whole day, mostly becuase I just miss spending the time with them since I don't feel I get enough time with them. However, I decided to go and enjoy the time with Mom and Katie, and visiting my favorite city in the country.

We had a great time in the city. We saw a lot and endured the Christmas crowds. Our packed day included Top of the Rock, the Tree, sight seeing on Fifth Avenue, then over to Lexington, down to Eataly, further down to SoHo for some shopping and street vendors, dinner at an old favorite pub - Puck Fair - and finally a return trip to Time Square where I fought with a vendor who tried to rip me off before loading the bus and heading back home.

I made it home just before midnight and found David happily holding down the fort. Apparently they had a great Daddy day without tears. Daddy took Ellie for dance class, ran some errands, shopped for himself, got treats at Starbucks, had healthy meals, did lots of playing and even topped the day off with a nice long bubble bath in the big tub. Daddy is a great Daddy and husband for letting me have my day!

Max and Daddy

Max is a happy little boy. He loves to giggle, play and horse around. He and Daddy are buddies. Max may be turning into a Daddy's boy. In the mornings when I go to get him up, he smiles and then immediately asks for Daddy. I tell him Daddy's at work, and he smiles and asks again. We do this many times in the morning. It's cute.

One of Max's favorite games to play is to have Daddy chase him around the house, crawling on his hands and knees. This game is really cute. For the longest time Max would start to run away and then turn around and sort of head butt Daddy and roll over laughing. The game is now progressing to where David will hide from Max and sneak up on Max in the game. Max things this is hallarious. They often play this while I'm preparing dinner. It's the number one thing that is gauranteed to put a smile on Max's face and stop any tantrum! Go Daddy!

My little fashionista

This morning I was wearing a pretty manly suit to work for a couple of presentations I had to give. I had mixed the suit with a soft feminine black top with ruffles on the top. After getting dressed I went it to wake Ellie, which is always a dance of a delicate nature to try to avoid tears. I sat on her bed and she smiled, but then went immediately to my outfit. First words were something like, "Mommy, what are you wearing?" She was eyeing me strangely. I respond, "A suit. Do you like it?" Ellie, "Not really, but I like the shirt. (rubbing her fingers all over it.) I like the shirt a lot, especially these things (rubbing the ruffles)." Me, "But not the suit part huh?" Ellie, "No, not really. But the shirt is really nice."

I am not quite sure how things will go down when Ellie's a teenager. I didn't know four year olds could be this fashion conscious, more less of what their mother was wearing.