New Year's Eve

This afternoon we celebrated at the Children's Museum
They held a noontime countdown.

We secured a great spot in the front, near the musicians.

We were packed in this room and there was a scramble for balloons and confetti after the initial shock wore off.

Ringing in the new year with a little bubbly.

Sparkling grape juice for me?

Cheers to a great year!

Michael and Elizabeth decorating cookies.

They each did one but had ideas for what they wanted me to write on the cookies. The most popular was the clock showing midnight. Michael saw this in a magazine (they are upside down in the picture).

New Year's Countdown
We told the kids they could stay up until midnight, but it was really 8pm.
Wishing our friends and family a happy, healthy 2011.

Christmas morning

The children raced downstairs this morning. For awhile they played with the toys Santa left until they remembered there were gifts under the tree.
Andrew had a blast shredding the wrapping paper and climbing through the tunnel.

Elizabeth has been asking for a particular doll that she plays with in our gym's child watch. She was thrilled to finally have it, and kept it tucked under her arm while she opened other presents and played.

A joint effort opening presents.

Her "doctor baby." She wants to be a doctor when she grows up, but she is so bossy we think she will make a good chief-of-staff, following in her Papa's footsteps.

Thank goodness my dad remembered the stockings. The chocolate was half melted by the time James passed them out. Elizabeth made us listen to the Yo Gabba Gabba CD while having our breakfast of bagels and lox.

At church, there was a newborn in the next pew. Elizabeth gasped then exclaimed, "It's baby Jesus!" She wasn't too excited about this nativity season after mass.

Watching a new DVD and holding three of her four new dolls.

Cheers!
It's hard to believe this is Andrew's first Christmas. He is into everything. He ate smoked salmon for breakfast, tried every appetizer throughout the afternoon and enjoyed beef tenderloin with bearnaise and ended the day with traditional Christmas pudding.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Christmas Eve

The children opened one present the day before Christmas.

Michael realized it was a baby toy and started building a fort.

Fake smiles!
Trying to let Andrew play with his toy in peace.
After this picture was taken Michael made a roof and steeple and said it was a church and that he was God. We tried to convince him to be someone else, he decided on Father Michael, the priest in his church.

Andrew has been walking for a few weeks now, and he's gotten much better.

Michael and I built this gingerbread house, or as other kids called it a mansion. We took a class and Michael was most concerned that we construct the largest structure. He wasn't too bothered about decorating it, though he did sample most of the candy.

11 Months

It's hard to believe Andrew is one month away from his first birthday. Then again, he has been so busy learning new things - I guess he is growing up. In his tenth month he has really been trying to keep up with his siblings. He blows kisses, plays peek-a-boo, and has started using a fork/spoon. He says Mama and Go! and babbles what I swear sounds like Andrew. A few weeks ago he started standing up and would do the surfer, where he would put his arms out and balance himself.
On December 8th, he started walking!

Here we are in the water room of the Children's Museum. He refused to wear the raincoats, but was a happy camper in his onesie splashing and playing with the other kids.

Enjoying a chocolate covered pretzel from St. Nicholas.
Notice how he's kicking his feet up.

He loves going up the stairs. If he is being carried he will throw himself out of your arms so that he can climb. We call him the stair master.

I have been trying to get video footage of Andrew's first steps. Every time I try Elizabeth practically knocks him down trying to ham it up for the camera. I agreed to let her sing Jingle Bells and she was so excited. Of course she made me wait while she put on her boots.

Here is an example of me taking a video. Andrew is taking two steps with Elizabeth's help.
Andrew takes 6 to 8 steps, but I don't have proof. Soon!
Over the weekend we went to see A Musical Christmas Carol. Michael loved the plot, and Elizabeth did pretty well too. But Andrew spent a lot of time in the theater's foyer. He was walking all over the place there. Maybe I should start carrying my camera around.

Breakfast with Santa

After eating, Santa made his appearance. Michael was the only one brave enough to pose with him at first. Andrew was happily eating while all the commotion was going on around him.

The kids loved the puppet show.
(Michael was trying to block kids from stepping on Andrew.)

Santa joined the children for the Hokey Pokey

Elizabeth warming up to him.

Santa gave each child a snowman that sings Jingle Bells.
Gee, thanks a lot Santa.

They are very serious about the craft.

It was our lucky day. First Michael won a holiday bag, that he plans to give his teacher. Then both kids won a raffle prize. Elizabeth chose a big Spongebob saucer sled.

Elizabeth posing in her "Santa dress." Last month while shopping she insisted that I buy her this dress. Glittery hot pink with fake fur, perfect for a two year old. I think her exact words were, "Mommy, I NEED this dress."

We had another great visit with Santa. Maybe next year we will get a picture where all three children are tear-free. Michel planned on asking Santa all sorts of logistical questions, but when he met the big guy, he was nervous. Santa told Michael that he should help clean up his own room. Michael's eyes nearly popped out of his head, it was so sweet.

December 6th - St. Nicholas left some yummy treats for everyone.

Playing in the snow

Snow angel

The swingset is more fun when covered in snow

We have had snow every day for nearly a week. Michael gets bundled up and plays outside by himself building mountains, roads and tunnels. Today I put Andrew for his morning nap and took Elizabeth. She liked putting on all of the accessories but seemed to prefer the apres play: cocoa with marshmallows by the fire.

The Christmas season
is upon us

Family Portrait 2010

Elizabeth had a lot of diva moments. At least we got some shots that were tear free.

The boys, on the other hand, love the camera.

The last toothless grin, Andrew's first tooth came through last week.

Michael "the poser"

Michael is really getting into the holidays this year. He asks a lot of questions about Santa, especially what his house is like in the North Pole. He helped me to pick out toys to give to less fortunate children. We have started to receive presents for the kids and he asked why we need so many toys. He said that he only wants one thing, and he is asking Santa for it. Others could learn a lesson from this five year old. May we hold onto the true spirit of Christmas.