Christmas

So this is Christmas. Crazy as every year. Still amazed at the way we cram it all in, but we never seem to want to change it.

Again wonderful because all of our family was together.

First a Christmas Eve at Nonna and Papa's house with my sister and her husband.

Then a wild Christmas Morning there...

Quick goodbyes and a drive to our home which resulted in Baby Boy falling asleep and missing Santa's visit while Baby Girl opened her goodies...

Packing up once again to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house...

Enjoying more wrapped surprises...

And ending the week with another New Years Eve at home.

The house is still recovering, our gifts were great, the mess is greater.

But the memories...all worth it...

Who's Coming?

Blimptastic

Last Saturday Dr. Dad suggested we participate in Toys for Tots. Actually, he very excitedly called me and enthusiastically suggested we go because we were going to be able to drive through an air dock and see the Goodyear Blimp up close and personal.

We live in close proximity to two Blimp air docks, the one we drove through is smaller than the main one...but still an impressive building.

We see the Goodyear Blimp all the time, and it is no secret that Dr. Dad very much enjoys seeing them. We have many, many pictures of them.

Like pictures at the beach...

and pictures at the tall ships...

Anyway.

We drove through the entrance to the air dock with great anticipation.

Even I was amazed to see the Blimp this close.

We were so amazed that after we handed our toy to some very (handsome) Marines, we fished around for some cash and went back through a second time!

If they do this again next year, we will definitely be back!

Say what you will about living in the middle of nowhere...sometimes it has its advantages!

Where Ya Been?

Well hello there.

Where have we been for this past month? Busy Busy Busy. Not a place, I know, but November is just about gone and I thought I should offer up proof that we've been doing things.

First is was the annual Cinderella ball for Baby Girl. Bonus for us, she got to wear her beautiful flower girl dress again!

Then it was Dr. Dad's birthday. Celebrated with pie...so good.

Then it was general sickness...ear infections, pink eye, coughing, etc. Didn't think you would want pictures of that. You can thank me later.

We went to Breakfast with Santa and the Tree Festival. Baby Boy does not share his sister's previous fear of the Man in Red. It was good all around fun.

Finally, it was our annual Thanksgiving weekend extravaganza!

Friday night dinner at Luigi's...

(We all love Luigi's)

...followed by a trip to the Peanut Shoppe...

...ending in the freezing cold watching fireworks downtown.

Let's hope December offers up a little more time for updating you on our never ending exciting life...oh, who am I kidding...let the Christmas Madness begin!

Pirate, Farmer Girl, Ladybug, Cinderella, Dancing Cow

Some people need costume options...

...and some people are content to just be the cow.

Really, really, content to be the cow.

Things I Don't Want to Forget

The way you say "I hold you Mommy" when you want me to pick you up.

The way you scrunch up your face when you try and look angry.

The way you sing "Tonight's Gonna be a Good Night" at the top of your lungs.

The way you ask us "You happy?" when you think we might not look so happy.

The way you have to sleep with blue blanket, other blanket, Scout the dog, and a race car in each hand.

The way you say "See you later" when you leave the room.

The way you exclaim "It's Pink!" when we ask you what color something is.

The way you laugh hysterically at the dog, even if she is just sleeping.

The way you love dinosaurs, trains, cars, planes, and, for whatever reason, Tinkerbell.

The way you get excited about everything, especially when your Daddy comes home from work.

The way you scream "CHICKEL FRIZES" each and every time we pass a fast food establishment.

The way you walk like a duck while saying "quack, quack."

8 Years

It's amazing to me. Being the mother of an 8 year old. Such a funny age.

For your birthday we went to the zoo. It was 15 kids and family and it was a lot of fun. But I am glad I am not the parent of 15 kids. Keeping that herd together was a little nerve racking.

As a special surprise your favorite person in the whole world (other than your Dad, maybe) flew in from LA to celebrate your birthday.

I think your reaction to her leaving a few days later perfectly sums up your age. You were really very sad, until you realized she had left you a dollar to get a snack at the local Speedway (you really love to do that...who knows why). Then it was all "so, can we go to Speedway after school today?" You are up and down in the blink of an eye. Gee, can't wait for those magical teenage years.

We bought you a new bike since you learned (finally!) to ride a two wheeler this summer. Apparently your legs grew a thousand inches and the bike you were riding was like one of those little clown bikes, your knees up to your elbows. You picked this bike out...due to its "cool" factor.

You are happily 44 pounds now. Only 5th percentile. But in another 12 inches you will be as tall as your Mom. Sometimes I still take off your Dad's wedding ring and peer at that little round opening...remembering how your whole hand once fit inside.

This year will be amazing. You will start Brownies soon, you are still dancing and will start piano lessons. You will make your First Communion and probably do a million other things.

We are proud of you and excited for you and love you. Lucky us.

Here's What You've Missed

So. I guess I haven't been updating very often this year.

I realized (in August) that I stopped monthly blogging about Baby Boy's progress in the growing up department. I think after 2 years the fact that he is still eating/sleeping/walking/talking is pretty much a given and you probably aren't missing the monthly play-by-play.

Of course, I am also not blogging about other things, like, say, Baby Girl turning 8 (!) or going apple picking or dressing my kids up like pirates and taking them to Chick-fil-a.

Therefore, I am going to break it down. Starting with the pirates. Because I can.

Some Pirates are Tough

Some Pirates are Hungry

But Most of All: Some Pirates are Just Cute

The View From Here

Never a dull moment in our yard.

Vacation State of Mind

I walked Baby Girl to the bus stop today and it was sooo chilly.

I have my first cold of the season.

I started pulling out sweatshirts and jeans for the kids to wear.

This was a crazy crazy summer. Just now do I feel like I have a grip on everything and am ready to relax...

But it's back to school and fall activities and - thanks to every single store around here - the reminders of the impending holidays are everywhere.

Why do I still have vacation on my mind?

Maybe remembering our annual week at Lake Erie would help...

Thinking about time with family...

Reliving old traditions...

And how we created new ones...

Dreaming about the cottage we stayed in...

Pondering how fast all the cousins are growing...

Wishing once again for sunny days and swimming pools...