CINEMAGIC

I've been waiting and waiting and waiting for a rated G movie to emerge in the local movie theaters.  Finally, over the holdiays I noted that Monsters, Inc 3D was being rereleased.  As an unprepared mother, I organized our New Years Eve fun to include an early evening showing of this film without even knowing a single thing about it. 

When we entered the theater, I noted that the rating for this movie was "PG."  My heart sank ... how could I have misread this in the papers?  I immediately searched reviews on my phone, finding that, indeed, it was a G movie, but I also read the movie plot for the first time ... And just when you've convinced your youngsters that there are no such things as monsters, here comes Monsters, Inc!  What was I thinking?  By this time, JP and AA were giddy with excitement of being inside the dazzling lighted theater.  A and I made a split decision just to go ahead with it.

And so one big bucket of popcorn, 2 lemonades, 4 pairs of 3D glasses and 4 movie stubs (and $40!!!) later, we found our seats. 

The look on JP's and AA's face once the big screen started was priceless ... they were so excited!  JP lasted the entire movie (I asked him time and time again if the monsters seemed a little scary, to which he shook his head "no.")

AA just kept eating and eating and eating the popcorn ... I don't think she was totally into the movie.  When her tummy was full (half way through the movie), A took her out for some time as she didn't really comprehend the whole whisper concept.

All in all, our first family movie outing was a success ... and I don't think that any of the monsters followed us home!

FARGO FUN

Sometimes it's not where you go, but what you do that makes life exciting, right?  With a little logistical help from Grandpa A and Grandma K, we stayed at a hotel with a waterpark and flew home on an airplane.   The kids were in absolute heaven!   JP and AA lasted over two hours in the water; we watched a movie and took a nap all cuddled up on a king size bed; we ate snacks and drank juiceboxes; and, we flew home in 45 minutes flat! 

Where did we go?  Well, Fargo of course! 

My kids now think that Fargo is the "funnest" city ever.

SUPERHERO

Goodbye Thomas and Percy.  Goodbye James and Gordon too.  So long McQueen, Mater, Doc Hudson,  Jeff Corvette, Luigi, Guido, Miles AxelRod, Nigel Gearsley, Max Schnell, Fillmore and Sally. And don't even think about Abby Cadabby, Big Bird or Elmo.  JP is just so, over you.

Yes, it's here ... ready or not, my little kid has apparently turned into a big boy overnight.

Hello, Superheros.

PIPSQUEAKS

Instead of bike rides, wagon wheels, and long afternoons in the parks, we spend our winter days filled with many indoor activities ... library story hour, soccer world, bounce house, or ....

Pipsqueaks!

For $2 the kids can play with trains, race up and down slides, and drive little cars.  They burn off so much energy!

SNOW DAY

What better way to avoid the cold dreary weather outside?

Play make believe inside!  

(Despite boxes of new Christmas toys, these two kept busy for most of the morning with their princess/superhero gear and a magic blanket!)

CHRISTMAS: PART II

Next stop:  Grandma K and Grandpa A's house (and even a visit from Grandpa T)!

Just couldn't be a gathering without baking with Aunt K!

After waiting ALL day, sitting (relatively) quiet through Christmas Eve service, and attempting a holiday family photo (for way too long!) ... 

it was ALMOST time to open presents.

Well, after eating dinner with Grandma's Christmas dishes.

The kids held out ... and the chaos began.  I cannot imagine what it will be like when JP and AA have a few cousins to join them on this side of the family!

I asked JP to leave out a special snack for Santa ... he carefully chose a few cookies and insisted that Santa would want a "spicy" beer to drink.  Smart kid.

Santa mom and dad had clearly been out gifted by the grandparents the night before, so there was a bit of explaining to do in the morning .... some day they'll understand, right?  

CHRISTMAS: PART I

We began our Christmas festivities this year at Grandma S and Grandpa J's house.  New toys, boy cousins, and plenty of love from the grandparents made JP and AA dance with excitement.

What a cute bunch of kids!

ELF ON THE SHELF

During this season of Christmas anticipation, "Boots" (a.k.a. The Elf on the Shelf) visited our home.  He actually arrived last Christmas season, but the kids were a bit young to grasp the concept of his presence.  The Elf also happened to make his appearance at daycare this year, thus enforcing his magic.

Each night Boots would fly to the North Pole to report JP and AA's behavior to Santa that day.  In the morning, he would appear in a new spot.  The kids awoke each morning eager to find the new whereabouts of this tiny Elf.  Sometimes, Boots was easy to find ... in the fruit bowl, on a shelf, curled around a lampshade.  Other times, he was sneaky ... behind a milk carton in the fridge, in the Christmas tree.  Yet no matter where he was, Boots had magic.  The story goes that little kids are not allowed to touch the Elf, for this will rid him of his magic.

I wish Boots lived at our house year round ... if the kids didn't want to eat their vegetables, I simply had to glance at the Elf and then back to JP before he started devouring his greens.  When AA started a tantrum, I'd ask her if Boots should tell Santa about her behavior before she quickly erupted in smiles.  It was lovely.

Please, oh Please, Mr. Boots ... come back next year!

RUN, RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN

One of our favorite stories around here is The Gingerbread Man.

 And tonight we made a Gingerbread house.

 Minus one meltdown resulting in a timeout for AA (I wouldn't let her eat the hard candy ... I know, I know ... I'm a Christmas scrooge!), the kids had fun helping decorate.

 I was quite surprised how long they stayed interested.

 Let's just see how long this little house will last!

BIRTHDAY LETTER

To my sweet Adeline Annalee on your 2nd birthday:

Today you are 2!  It feels like just yesterday when my obstetrician told me the odds of you flipping out of your breech position at 37 weeks ... the chance of this happening spontaneously, well, you'd need one strong willed baby!  And that you were.  When I saw you in the correct position on the ultrasound the next week, I just knew what personality God wove you with.  You have filled my heart with such exuberant joy.  Your smile and your raspy, "Morning, Mamma!" make my heart melt each day.

Over the last year, you grew from a barely walking baby to a full grown sprinting and jumping toddler.  Your babbles are replaced with full sentences.  Your wispy pigtails has grown into a full head of hair.   Big girl cups, panties, and hair bows fill your drawers that once held bottles, diapers, and bibs.  You have grown into Jackson's best friend, and you are the best little sister he could ever ask for.

You have more spunk and pizzaz than most little ones, but you are also tender hearted and kind.  You love helping me clean, pick out shoes, and put away laundry.  I leap with joy when I overhear you talk to your babies the way that I talk to you.  You have a passion for Jesus at such a young age.  I want you to stay this innocent and pure forever, yet I cannot wait to see what a strong, successful woman you will grow to be.

May God Bless you all the days of your life.  Happy Birthday, my daughter.

I love you!
Mommy

BLOWOUT

As Addie crossed her eyes and blew her two birthday candles with all of her might (and nearly lit her face on fire), 

I had a flashback of someone else:

(June 2011)

THE BIG 2

And it's official ... AA is TWO!

We started the day by singing Happy Birthday to AA in her crib ... she LOVES hearing this song!  She asked for donuts with sprinkles for breakfast.

Both A and I took the day off to celebrate with our girl.  We enjoyed a quiet, relaxing family day.  We took the kids to Chuck-E-Cheese's.  With a cup full of coins in hand, JP and AA ran from one ride to the next.  The kids learned (for the first time!) that these small little exhibits MOVE when you put money in the slots.  I think we're in trouble now!

And AA's favorite stop?  The telephone toy!  She spent several of her coins on this one calling her grandparents.  That's my girl.

Pizza and lemonade for lunch.  Presents and more singing after nap.  Out to eat for a special birthday dinner.  AA enjoyed every minute of it.  My heart was heavy ... I just don't want her to grow up!

Happy Birthday AA!

WINTER ONE-DERLAND

On the very last day for my sweet baby girl to be ONE, we had our first big snowstorm of the season.

What a great way to celebrate AA ... after all, she was born in the middle of the 2010 snowstorm.

JP was so excited to help Daddy make a snowman.

And despite my best attempts, I just could not get him to stop tasting the snow!

I think the kids will be asking Santa for another sled this winter.

This was AA's last Winter ONE-derland!