Christmas

Our camera was not cooperating this Christmas.  So we did not get any good pictures.  We had such awesome photo opportunities too.  It just figures.  The kids got a Climb & Slide from Santa.  When they first woke up and saw that, they both paused momentarily and then both started to run. Of course, John beat Ellie. He was up on that thing in no time.  They climbed up and slid down about one thousand times that day.  It was so fun to watch.  John has mastered both the butt slide and the belly slide.  Elinor still likes someone to sit at the bottom to catch her. 

                They also received little trikes that can also be rockers from Granders and Gramp.  They got an art table from Auntie Hil and Uncle Brian.  They opened pajamas, clothes, mittens and The Mitten book from Auntie Kell and family.  They also opened gifts from Aunt Rosie from Boston. This was all on top of the gifts they had already opened from the Smith side.  One of our most favorite gifts, however, comes from cousin Ben.  It is a book called Brown Bear, Brown Bear and it came with audio of Ben reading the book.  A favorite for sure.  Whenever I turn the CD on, both kids stop whatever they are doing to listen.  John gets a huge smile on his face.  He knows that it is cousin Ben, I am sure.

                And as usual, a big Christmas for me.  I was very, very surprised to receive a new laptop.  Andy knows that I would suffer without a compter at home… and my old laptop was slowly dying a slow death. I am so glad I can finally put it to rest.  It has been good to me for the five years I have had it. It got me through grad school and so much more.  So goodbye old Dell and hello new MacBook Air. 

                No plans for New Year’s.  We are okay with that. What about you?  We will soon be blessed with baby boy Lepa coming soon.  Please pray for my sister-in-law Hilary and baby. 

     

          Sorry about the pics. This is all that we have for this Christmas. So not fair!

Wine rack is stocked...

With books, that is...

Oh well... the books get used more these days than bottles of wine in this house.    I really like the contrast of the wine & beer glasses with the children's books....

Holiday Stress

Why do the holidays make some people stressed?  We all have a mental picture of how we want Christmas to be.  Christmas is meant to be a happy and joyful time.  However, there are so many expectations that we or other people put on ourselves.  I know that for me, the first week of December was when the stress started to hit me.  We did not have a tree, there were no lights on the house, no decorations up, my shopping had only begun the week before and I still did not know if I was having company for Christmas. 

Then I thought to myself… do lights on the house and a wreath on the door really matter?  So, we got the tree up and for a few days it only stood there with lights. It was leaning, but it was beautiful! We all loved it.   Then I was able to finally carve out an hour and trim the tree. 

The Christmas cards have not been sent.  I was able to get a photo of the kids together last year. This year may be a bit tricky.  What if I don’t send Christmas cards?  The world does not come to an end.  I can always send them for Valentine’s Day or my favorite, St. Patrick’s Day.  Everyone loved my Paddy’s Day cards last year.

I guess the best way to relieve the stress is to let go of the mental picture of what we think the holiday should be.  This year and every year all I really want is to have a simple holiday, enjoying the sights and the sounds, the snow, little treasures, and time spent with my family.  And that is my new mental picture.   

Best birthday gift!

Our Thanksgiving trip/birthday gift was wonderful.  It was great to get back to the Upper Valley.  I would really need an entire month to see all of the places and people that I wanted to.  But nonetheless, the Bean home was just what I needed.  We all needed it.

The flight to Boston was quite horrendous.  We had to keep swapping babies.  The baby on my lap was always still and quiet and I would watch Andy struggle with the squirmy baby he had.  So we would switch and as soon as  that baby, the baby that was once still was now squirmy and vice versa.  In the end, they really did quite well considering the amount of time they were kept from walking, running and playing.  The trip back to Cleveland was redeeming.  They both slept the entire time. 

The kids learned the word "hot" while at the Beans' house.  They have two Woodstock Soapstone stoves (my former employer).  But they equate the word hot to hot food.  So when they got too close to the stove someone would yell "hot" and they would blow - as if to cool it off.  So now back at home, while cooking dinner this evening, I opened the oven and said "hot" and what does John do?  He blows on it. 
Here are a few pics from the weekend.
Here are a few pics from the weekend. 

Olivia giving Elinor wagon rides

  

Andy and John

  

John loving the Italian dinner

Thanksgiving bellinis

 Gracie the entertainer

Licking the plates clean.

Off to Olean this weekend to see Peter and his family in town.  Cannot wait to see my nephews.  It's been a while.

One last photo of my  very pregnant sister-in-law (which you cannot see) with her niece and nephew. 

 Great picture!

Thanksgiving trip

Tomorrow we leave to see these special people...  who I am so thankful for.

This picture was taken ages ago.  I know Jamie's hair is a bit more salt & pepper these days. 



The travel day will be long but I know that we will be welcomed with open arms at our destination.  

The diaper bag will be stocked with all  kinds of snacks and toys and books.  I am hoping that I can keep whichever baby I have on my lap, still and quiet for 1.5 hour flight.  So, if you are on a 3ish flight from Cleveland to Boston tomorrow.... I apologize in advance for any unpleasantness. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Expressing Dislikes

They don't especially like their new winter hats.. and they do not like being confined in the car seat while wearing their new winter hats. 

Night Owl

I absolutely love this little one with all of my heart... 

but I wish she would quit waking at 2 am for a couple of hours.  We are at our wits end when this happens.  She won't come to bed with us.  Sometimes she wants to walk around for a bit.  She likes to be rocked and does fall asleep that way... but as soon as we put her back in the crib, she starts to cry ... very hard.  By the time she finally does fall asleep, neither Andy or I can get back to sleep.  Needless to say.. it was another short night of sleep last night.