Christmas Eve

I love Christmas Eve!  I love that the entire day is filled with lots of family things to do and there is such a sense of excitement and anticipation in the air.

We spent the morning just hanging out.  We did a little bit of cleaning and a little cooking but the most significant thing we did in the morning was build the annual gingerbread house.  Colton was not into this at all so Dan and Brynn ended up making the gingerbread house while Colton and I played.

Hard at work

Ta-Da!

Aunt Patty and Uncle Ross joined us after nap time.  We had a great time hanging out with them.  It's a long standing tradition in our house that Santa always drops off new jammies for everyone staying in our house on Christmas Eve.  After an attempt at the entire family having a Wii bowling tournament in the basement, we came upstairs to find this... 

It appears that our elf delivered the jammies this year.  We all got changed into our super fabulous Christmas Jammies.  This was Ross' (future brother in law) first time spending Christmas Eve with us. Though, he had been warned about the Christmas jammies, I'm not sure he was fully prepared:-)  Welcome to the family Ross!

After that we had some dinner (Mexican night) and some birthday cake.  Happy Birthday to Ross (really it's on the 2nd).

Next on our agenda was to go outside and spread reindeer food.  We had made some at home and the kids also each made some at school this year so I know the reindeer were well fed when they stopped at our house.

We then came back inside and baked cookies for Santa.  We had already made lots of cookies but we always have to make fresh cookies for Santa.  I'm not even going to lie...I totally cheated.  We bought the kind that you just break apart and put on the cookie sheet.  Don't judge me...the kids were happy and Santa liked them too:-)

After that we it was bedtime so we all sat down to read the Night Before Christmas.  I always think this is going to be one of those sweet serene moments that you always see in movies.  Yea...not so much.  Brynn did sit nicely for the story but Colton could not have cared less and just ran around, screamed and tried to take the book.  Oh well...maybe next year.

After that we were all exhausted so it was off to see visions of sugarplums...or something like that:-)

Christmas Vacation Kick-off

Christmas was amazing.  So much to blog about but let me start at the beginning...

Friday was the last day of work before vacation but there wasn't a whole lot of work getting done around my office building.  Fortunately we ended up being dismissed at noon because I was invited to a Mommy and Me play date at 1:00 with a group of my girlfriends. 

I couldn't wait to get there.  What a great way to kick-off Christmas vacation...Girl Time...Yay!  I went to my Mom's house to get the kids.  Brynn was super excited to go see her friends but Colti opted to stay and hang out with Grampie.  Unfortunately the party was north of Dover and it ended up taking me an hour and a half to get there thanks to all of the last minute slackers who were trying to get to the mall.  I REALLY needed some girl time by the time we got there. 

We had such a great time!  We laughed, did some crafts (aka: decorated our wine glasses), watched the kids play, talked about men and old times, drank wine and ate lots of junky food.  The party was supposed to be over at 4:00 at which time I was going to go home and spend the evening with my hubby but none of us were ready to end the evening.  I called Dan who very graciously offered to go get Colton so I could continue the evening with the girls (best husband ever!). 

When we finally did leave (at 8:00!) I felt like I was on top of the world.  It's amazing how spending time with great friends is so good for the soul.  Thanks girlies...we HAVE to do it more often!

Happy

Over the past couple of weeks it has become the norm for Brynn, Colton and I to have a Christmas Caroling Party on the way to school in the morning.  What this means is that we belt out Christmas songs as loud as we can. Sometimes they are traditional ones and sometimes we just make up our own...because anytime you can insert Elmo into a song, it's just hilarious to Brynn and Colton.

So this morning we continued our routine and belted out tunes.  We had just finished a rousing round of Jingle Bells when Colton yells, "Mama!".  I say "What Colti?".  He responds, "I happy".  Me too baby...me too!!!!

Pajama day at Colton's school

Getting some love from his big sister<3

 

Best Christmas

Like any mom I want my children to have the best of everything and that includes Christmas.  This desire always makes me go a little overboard on the gifts.  To be truthful my children want for nothing. They get toys,clothes and presents all of the time so they don't really need much of anything. And on top of what we get them, they also get gifts from their Grandparents and Aunts and Uncles. So this year Dan and I set a pretty low budget for the kids gifts and then quickly blew through that.  I was worried that they would be disappointed so we (ahem...I) went over the budget and bought more.  If I am being honest this is pretty typical of me:-)

Well then we learned of an acquaintance whose house had burned down to the ground.  They (including their 4 year old son) lost everything.  They were literally left with the clothes on their back and each other.  It broke my heart.  Dan and I, along with others, did what we could to contribute financially but it really made me think about what is really important about Christmas. I feel really guilty that I was allowing Christmas to become more about the presents and less about God's love and the things that really matter...just being with the people you love.

When I look back at Christmas from my childhood I very rarely think of the presents that I received.  Sure there were a couple of special things like my Cabbage Patch Doll and Patty Play Pall, but in all honesty I can only remember a handful of gifts that I received.  What I really remember is boisterous family dinners at my grandmothers, playing with my cousins, lots of laughter and yummy food, riding around in the car with my family and looking at Christmas lights, and most importantly that beautiful feeling I felt at the end of Christmas day...that all is right with the world.

So, next year I plan to stick to our budget and focus on the things that really matter.  When it is all said and done I hope my kids will remember things like our crazy elf, our Christmas dance parties, the church celebrations, riding around looking at the lights, the way their Daddy spent hours decorating the house with Christmas lights just to see the smiles on their faces, making reindeer food with Mama, crazy family get togethers and lots and lots of love.  Those are the things that really make it the "Best Christmas".

Hanging out with Mommom and cousins

We found Chippie in the fridge this morning.  He dyed our milk green!

It's pajama day at Brynn's school

Christmas Concert

Last night was Brynn's school Christmas concert.  Dress up a bunch of super cute kids and put them on a stage and I am a goner!  I loved it! 



This is Brynn all dressed up and ready to go. Sorry I can't figure out how to rotate the pic:-(


The whole thing probably only lasted 20 minutes (there are only two classes in her school) but I just sat there and beamed the entire time.

Singing the first song

They actually played jingle bells with hand bells.  I can't imagine how long it took them to learn this but I was very impressed!

Feliz Navida.  Brynn now corrects me when I sing the spanish part because she knows the correct way:-)

After the concert Santa arrived.  He gave each of the kids a present...books and a candy cane.

This is Brynn and her best friend Carley chowing down on the cookies.

 They also served cookies and punch. 

I must say that I don't think anyone enjoyed the cookies more than my Colti:-)

It was such a sweet little show. Brynn loved every single minute.  All 6 of her grandparents were able to make it to watch her and she felt like a star.  Mama, Daddy and Colti were so proud:-)

My ballerinas

For the second year, I am teaching the introductory ballet/tap classes at a dance studio.  My kids range from age 3-8.  I am having so much fun this year!  My students are fabulous and I am constantly entertained by the ways their minds work.  Last week was our first open house of the year.  During open house parents are invited to come into the class and observe so that they can see what their child has learned so far.  I was proud of both of my classes.  I only have pictures from my Intro 2 class (which is Brynn's class) but I wanted to share a few:-)

Getting ready to begin

Stretch!!!

Tap time!  That's my Brynnie practicing heel-toes across the floor.

Doing their Christmas dance

Intro 2...love them!

 

A Christmas Visitor

A couple of days ago an unexpected visitor arrived at our house.  His name is "Chippie Jinglebell String-Elf" (named by Brynn) and he is an Elf on the Shelf.  We woke up from nap one day to find him downstairs sitting on the toy box with his book.

If you have never heard of an "Elf on the Shelf" let me give you a little background.  This little elf is sent by Santa to watch over your children. He is supposed to arrive right after Thanksgiving each year.  Our elf must have gotten lost on the way because he was a little late this year.  You are not allowed to touch your elf but you can tell him as many secrets as you want...like maybe what you would like Santa to bring you.  Each night while we are sleeping the elf flies back to the North Pole and reports to Santa.  He then comes back to our house and finds a new spot to sit for the next day. These days the first word out of Brynn's mouth each day is "Chippie".  She then runs around the house searching for Chippie's new post.

 We have learned that if we leave our elf alone for a long time he sometimes gets into mischief

He drank my last soda:-(

This is how we found the kitchen one morning!  It's hard to see but Chippie is also hanging from the chandelier.

I am so glad that Chippie has come to stay with us for awhile (according to his book he will go back home with Santa when he comes to our house).  I don't know who is having the most fun with this but I'm pretty sure that it's me.  The added benefit of Chippie is that the kids understand that he is watching and it has been great to help them remember their manners. 

Brynn and Colton both are currently on steroids for Croup.  I don't know what this medicine tastes like but from the way the kids act it must take like the worst thing you can possibly imagine.  We usually have to really fight with Brynn to get her to take it.  However, she takes it like a champ knowing that Chippie is watching and will be reporting to Santa (it still doesn't work with Colton).

I will post pictures of our future adventures with Chippie as the occur.  Best holiday tradition ever!!!!

Weekend Wrap-up!

This may go down as the busiest weekend of the year for us.  It was jam packed with activity.

We started out with a wedding on Friday night.  Our friend Joel got hitched at the Carriage House in Wilmington.  We had a blast celebrating with Joel and Lynn and dancing the night away with friends. 

After tying the knot:-)

On Saturday we celebrated my oldest nephew, Ronnie's birthday.  He hit the double digits this year so it is a very big deal;-)  He had a camo themed party.  It was fun to spend the evening relaxing with family and watching all of the kids run wild.  By the way...I can't believe he is 10!!!!  I swear the past 10 years have gone by in the blink of an eye.  It seems like just yesterday that he was this tiny little baby that we would never put down.  When he was an infant he loved to be cuddled so much that he actually refused to sleep in his bed. The only way that his Mama and Daddy could get him to sleep was to put him in his car seat.  Needless to say he slept in his car seat for months!  He has grown into such a sweet boy.  If you try to kiss him he will tell you it's gross but you can tell he secretly likes it:-)  I may be slightly biased but he such a  cutie!  I can just imagine that he is going to be quite the ladies man...which I'm afraid will be here way too soon!  These kids make me so darn sappy but gosh I love him...being and Aunt is the second greatest title I have ever had (of course Mama is #1:-)  )

Happy Birthday Ronnie!

Party Animals:-)

Sunday morning we started our day at Breakfast with Santa. The event is held at a local fire hall and it is our second year attending.  I LOVE this!  They have a fabulous breakfast buffet and then you get to spend time visiting with Santa and Mrs. Clause.  They even take your picture and give it to you at no charge!  Brynn happily sat on Santa's lap and explained what she wanted but Colton refused.  He loved to watch Santa from a comfortable distance:-)Poppop was able to join us again this year which made it extra special

Brynn and Mrs. Clause (Santa was taking a potty break)

Colton LOVED the buffet!

Colton happily watching Santa from a distance with Brynnie

Santa taking Brynn to look at the Christmas tree.

After breakfast we headed over to church and got to spend a little time with Mommom and Pops before we had to had head over to Milford for a birthday party.  Brynn's classmate Olivia was having her party at the bowling alley.  I really had my doubts about Brynn's ability to pick up a bowling bowl and get it down the lane but she actually did a good job and loved every minute of it.

Getting ready to bowl

Granny style

Aubrey, Brynn and Alyssa

After that I was supposed to go to the Miss Delaware fashion show but I just didn't make it.  I really wanted some more family time and Colton is having asthma issues again so I didn't want to leave him.  So, we went home and did a little bit of cleaning and then snuggled up on the couch for a movie...the perfect ending to a crazy weekend:-)

Visions of Sugar Plums...

I haven not written in a while because we have been super busy with the Nutcracker.  Last week we had dress rehearsals on Wednesday and Thursday and then four shows between Friday and Sunday.

This is our (Dan, Brynn and I's) second year participating in the Nutcracker and it was so much fun.  Dan and I were parents in the party scene, I was the second act Mouse King (which means all I had to do was leap around in a circle twice), and Brynn was a party scene girl and courtier.  I am so grateful that we all had the opportunity to participate. 

Several of my friends that I used to dance with were also participating in various capacities and I had a blast spending time with them.  We dubbed ourselves the "Old Ladies Club".  We had a great time laughing at each other as we took warm-up class with the kids each day (I took it only to claim that I had worked out).  Whomever said that dancing is just like riding a bike has not actually tried to do it:-)

Old Ladies Club in the house!

Brynn was just in heaven.  She loved playing with all of her new dance friends and had a blast performing on the stage.  She is already planning the day when she will be Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy. 

Brynn and her courtier sidekick Logyn were supposed to sit on the throne next to Clara for the entire second act.  It's actually a really long time for a four year old to sit still.  They did a great job of sitting still however...the second Act also interfered with bedtime/nap time.  Both girls took turns falling asleep on stage.  Logyn actually fell asleep and fell off of the throne during dress rehearsal.  Brynn fell asleep on stage during one of the shows and was doing some serious head bobbing in another show.  It was the cutest thing ever.

Sleeping on the throne in the middle of a show...priceless!



You may be wondering where Colton was in all of this.  He was not in the show but he did tag along.  He LOVED all of the attention he got from the girls and developed his first crush.  He is now a serious Nutcracker fan and loves playing with his toy Nutcracker that Grammie gave him.

 Sleeping with his Nutcracker

 Colton's first love. This is Emma and Colti followed her everywhere and if she got out of his sight he would yell for her until he found her.  I think he made a good choice:-)

Triple Trouble!!



It was a wonderful holiday time and all of the dancers are so sweet.  I am really grateful that Brynn has such wonderful and positive role models to look up to!  We are still recovering but it was a perfect Nutcracker season...

Christmas Photo Shoot

I am working on a Christmas project with the kids which requires a photograph.  So, the other day I dressed the kids in Christmas jammies and set out to capture a perfect kodak moment.  Let me just show you how our little photo shoot went...

And this is the best one I was able to get...

Oh vey!!!  Do you  have any idea how much I do NOT want to put myself through a second photo shoot?!