1st, 2nd & 4th Christmas

Santa left a little package next to Grace and Madeline's filled stockings containing 2 bottles, bowls, and spoons for their baby dolls. Grace woke us up on Christmas morning at 7:30 showing us her little package and yelling that Santa had come. Sam and I got out of bed and told her to stay in our room until we got dressed and Madeline woke up. While we were getting dressed and getting the cameras we heard laughing and yelling from Madeline's room. When we went into her room we found Madeline still in her crib playing with her little package from Santa and Grace was jumping up and down. After diaper changes for Madeline and Charlotte, we all went into the living room to see what was there.

Even though Grace had been into the living room 3 times before Sam or I had, she hadn't seen the balance bikes that were by the tree. When she did finally see them, there was a lot of excitement. She got on one and screamed "Santa is a GENIUS!" and started riding around the house. Madeline looked a little confused about the whole situation. She and Charlotte (and Gus and Tucker) were very happy allowing Grace to empty their stockings. Madeline refused to reach inside her own, but did try to shake them. Charlotte seemed content in the bumbo with the chew toys from her stocking.

After the stockings were empty, they moved on to the wrapped gifts under the tree and sausage balls for breakfast. I was impressed how well Madeline could rip open her gifts to see what she got. Even the excitement of Christmas morning couldn't keep Charlotte from taking her morning nap.

Gus and Tucker finished their Christmas bones quickly, as usual.

Around 10:30 that morning we heard a knock on the door. A man had a pony in our front yard that was kicking and stomping the snow. He asked if we had any kids in the house who would like a pony ride. Hilarious! We asked if he could come back after they changed out of their pajamas. Madeline wasn't happy about being on "Princess Daisy" and preferred a ride on her bike instead. Grace was thrilled with her 2 rides and asked for another.

We tipped the man and thanked him for the ride, gave Princess Daisy an apple and said goodbye. It was hard for them to be sad on a beautiful sunny white Christmas morning when there are snow angels to make and snowball fights to have.

We had a wonderful afternoon and evening playing and sharing their new (and old) toys, and of course, eating. I will always remember their 1st, 2nd, and 4th Christmases. Grace said, "I'm so happy that baby Jesus was born." I agree.

White Christmas Eve

This Christmas Eve was very different for us. We stayed home and had no family come into town - a first for us, but we had a wonderful treat...snow! It began snowing mid-morning and snowed HARD for over 7 hours. It was too cold and windy to go out and play in it, but it was beautiful to watch from indoors. I enjoyed having nowhere to go and nothing to do but be together as a family. While the girls took their afternoon nap, Sam and I played backgammon and had spiced tea. I know this is corny, but I thought of Jesus' mother, Mary, several times that day and how she "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart"...especially holding tiny Charlotte as she slept on my chest.

A tradition in my home growing up was that my sisters and I received one shared gift (a game of some kind) that we opened on Christmas Eve. Sam and I continue that tradition in our home now. This year the girls got an Aquadoodle.

This was our second year to sprinkle homemade Magic Reindeer Food in the front lawn. We made it early in the day and waited for the snow and wind to let up, but since it never did, we all (except Charlotte) got bundled up to quickly sprinkle it out just before it got dark. Madeline still wasn't feeling good and didn't even want Sam to put her down, so she didn't stay out long. Grace was so happy to finally be out in the snow. She kept jumping up and down and yelling, "It's snowing!!!" then dropping down to make snow angels. After Sam and Madeline went inside, I stood on the front porch to get out of the wind and finally had to threaten Santa's absence that night if Grace didn't mind and come inside. Why aren't kids ever cold in the snow?

After a hot shower and a seafood dinner, the girls put cookies and milk on the hearth for Santa with carrots for his reindeer.

Grace spent at least 4 combined hours writing her wish list for Santa - it was a perfect day for it. She left it out on the hearth with the cookies.

I heard Grace calling for me at 5:00am and I went into her room to see what was wrong. I should have guessed...she wanted to know if Santa had come. In the hopes that she'd go back to sleep, I told her it was still the middle of the night and I didn't think he had come yet. It worked, and it made me so happy to see her that excited!

Christmas is coming

I love Christmas preparations with kids. All the gifts were bought and wrapped early, so we had the last few weeks to relax and do all the Christmas things we could. Crafts, movies, stories, singing carols, baking, parties, and enjoying the time of year.

Grace drew a wonderful nativity scene on our driveway.




Grace and Madeline both looked forward to "crossing off a day" and counting the days left until Christmas.


Madeline and I got a bad head cold a few days before Christmas and we eventually gave a lesser version to the rest of the family. Just after complaining to Sam about how horrible it was to be "sick" on Christmas I saw a commercial for St. Jude's and it brought me to tears. How truly blessed I am to have all my children healthy and home for Christmas. Thank you, Lord!

Date with Dad

This weekend Grace got some alone time with Sam. They bowled 3 games, ate hot dogs and fried cheese sticks, and shared a Dr. Pepper, which was a huge treat for her. Sam said she was thirsty after each of her turns. She had everyone around them cracking up because she'd yell, "Do it ball, do it!" as the ball rolled down the lane. Sam also said she kept correcting his form. I have great memories of dates with my own Dad, so I know it's such a special time for each of them. I think her face here says it all!

Meanwhile, Madeline and I got some quality time together with play doh.

New fish

Meet the newest tank occupants: Kinny (orange) and Rocky, chosen and named by Grace.

4 months

Charlotte turned 4 months this week! She is a big 18 lbs and 27 inches, which is off the charts! This has been my favorite month with her so far, but I have a feeling I will have the same opinion of each month for the next few years. She's so alert and interactive with each of us, and will smile each time she makes eye contact with who is talking to her. She also has a great laugh when she's tickled. She can roll over easily now, and can push up onto her elbows very well. She even scoots 6 inches or so. As you can see from her rolls, she still loves to eat, and she always has a toy or her hand in her mouth. We're all in love with our happy baby!


She's also officially outgrown her baby bathtub.

Star gazers

We've been using Sam's google star and constellation maps on his new phone to try to learn what can be seen from our house (which isn't much in the city). Our interest was further stirred after going to the planetarium. (These pictures were taken last month). I'm looking forward to a warm night in the country this spring!

Grace's star chart...

3 days with Lovie

We were able to spend a few days with my mom last week, which was wonderful since we can't be with them for Christmas. On the way to pick her up, I explained to Grace that Lovie will be with us for 3 days. When my mom put her to bed the last night, Grace sadly asked her..."Is it 3 days?" I wish we lived closer...the girls can't get enough!