2009 Wrap-Up!

I heard that my good bloggy friend, Jo-Lynne at Musings of a Housewife was hosting this bloggy carnival to recap the year's events through my blogposts. So, I decided this would be a fun way to end this year. I chose one post from each month and the links are below! Have fun looking back, I know I did!

January

Happy Birthday, my sweet angel.

Cate's birthday is one the 4th of January, so our new year always starts off special! Unfortunately, this year, my grandmother also passed away on her 2nd birthday, so it was a bittersweet one. This was my birthday post to her!

February

Apparently, I am morphing into another creature.

This was one of my favorite posts of the year! Kids say the darndest things!

March

Bedtime stories

It's great to see my kids as loving siblings. This moment just melted my heart.

April

Easter in the Park

We took the kids and all of our family to Walt Disney World for Easter this year. Some family friends joined us to. This was a vacation to remember, for sure! This is just one of the many posts I did about that special trip.

May

Let's all go to the movies!

Cate's first time to see a movie in the theater! A fun day out with the kids.

June

Who's at the front door?

Well, you'll just have to read this one to understand! So cute.

July

Just one more slice of pie.

This was a big part of our summer....good and bad! As many of you know, this little dream didn't end the way we wanted.

August

In Memory...

As stated above, things didn't end the way we had hoped for...sorry for the downer, but again, this was a huge part of our summer.

September

Lazy Weekend Ride

This was a much needed family outing. Simple yet meaningful! I was also very proud of my photography in this post (if I might brag!)

October

You ate how many???

Oh, the things kids do to make you question your parenting skills! And it happened twice in one week for me! I can laugh about this now!

November

Zebras

As I said for February...kids say the darndest things!

December

Six

Max turned six a couple of weeks ago....six! I can't believe it. My how time flies.

___________

Speaking of how time flies, yet another year has gone by! I hope all of you have a safe and happy new year!

See you next year!

Santa's Nice List!

On Christmas Eve, the kids left out cookies and milk (and as you can see, Santa enjoyed them!) and sprinkled "Christmas Dust" in the snow! The glitter and sugar will sparkle in the moonlight and help Santa find our house and the smell of oatmeal will guide the reindeer!

Max had asked for the Emperor's Ship from Lego Star Wars and Cate asked for a Tea Party. So, as you can see....they must have been on his Nice List!

On Christmas morning, we went up to get the kids so they wouldn't see what they got on the way down the stairs to get us. As they caught the first glimpses on the stairs, it was priceless to see the looks on their faces!

Upon seeing Santa's handiwork on the Lego ship, Max told his daddy, "It's a good thing that you didn't have to build this, it would have taken you forever, like 20 hours!" That right there is a a sure sign that he still believes. And FYI...it actually only took "Santa" 10-12 hours.

Cate immediately started serving everyone tea and pushing her cart to each person in the room.

After they played with those gifts for about 20 minutes, we looked in our stockings. The kids got videos and other fun little things, I got new dish gloves from William Sonoma and some Dr. Peppers, Matt got jumbo packs of gum and new white t-shirts!

We then opened some more gifts from Matt's side of the family and family friends. Once that loot was opened, we had the traditional Cinnamon Monkey Bread and got ready for Mass.

After Mass, we headed over to my brother's house for more food and gifts from my side of the family! Stay tuned!

A low key Christmas Eve

This year, our Christmas Eve was a tad different than in years past.

We didn't go to Mass on Christmas Eve, we opted to go on Christmas Day.

We didn't get dressed up in our Christmas best, we saved that for Christmas Day.

It snowed....in TX, the first White Christmas for the area since 1926.

We just relaxed...

Max helped with the preparations which made him feel very special.

Matt made the traditional Italian "Feast of the Seven Fishes" even though we don't make all seven.


The family gathered for our low-key, relaxed, not dressed up dinner while it snowed and snowed and snowed outside.

After dinner, the kids opened a gift from their cousins, as per instructed on the cards. It was matching Christmas pjs. We had a very impromptu photo shoot and then they set out cookies for Santa and sprinkled "Christmas Dust" on our snowy white lawn.

Were they on the Nice List? Well, stay tuned to find out!

Merry Christmas

His work is almost done!

After tonight's rendezvous back to report to Santa, Moby Dick will stay at the North Pole until next Christmas! We have sure enjoyed seeing where he'll pop up each day!

See you in 2010, Moby!

No Snail Mail Required - 2009

O Christmas Tree!

Here are some of my favorite ornaments. Some for their beauty, some for their sentiment, some for the memories behind them!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Yesterday was Cate's very first Christmas program.

The theme of the program was Happy Birthday, Jesus. Each child wore a costume that represented one part of the birthday cake for Jesus. Cate was one of the "candles" which represented that "God is the Light of the World".

It was so cute to watch them at this age. They talked, some cried, some laid down on the steps in the middle of the program, some put their costumes over their head. Cate even picked her nose at one point (real proud moment for me, let me tell ya) and used her "spot" as a telescope.

They sang Happy Birthday to Jesus, Jingle Bells, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

At the end, each student was given a gift from St. Nicholas which they got to open with their parents.

I was beyond proud of my little performer! Broadway...here she comes!

The Big Man in Red

As many of you may recall this post recalling all of our Santa experiences up to last year.

I still love looking back year to year and see how the kids reacted and those priceless looks and stories.

This year was a little different. Since Max's birthday party was a Polar Express theme, we arranged for Santa to make an appearance. This was going to be our "Santa pictures" for this year. I mean, why go to the mall to see Santa and pay to get those pictures, when he would be at our home and I could get my own pictures?

My plan worked...well, at least it worked half-way!

As you may remember, Max was in absolute awe that Santa came to his birthday party! And we got the best photo of this little encounter. I will never forget it.

However, Cate sat on my lap for most of the other kids' pictures, but when it came close to being her turn to sit on his lap in her pajamas and tell him her wish, she overheard the subtle announcement that birthday cake was about to be served and it was a lost cause after that!

So, being the scrapbooking/blogging/sentimental mom that I am, I couldn't NOT have a photo of her with Santa this year. Plus, I knew this year she would be all about sitting on his lap and letting him know that she wanted a "tea party". Therefore, after her Christmas program today, the two of us headed to a local mall to see him.

As expected, she ran right up to him. She told him that she was two (holding up both forefingers) and about to be "fwee" (or three in Cate-speak) as she does to most everyone she greets! Then, she hopped up in his lap and began to tell him all about the "tea party" she so desperately wants him to make in his workshop!

Then, the most priceless photo was captured...and yes, unlike my original plans, I had to pay the fee to get it....but totally worth it!

26 of 52 - Excitement

This is just how excited she was to go to a tea party!

For more photos of MOM, click the button above to go to Forever in Blue Jeans

More Tea, Please!

This week, I learned that good things come to those who wait!

From the day I found out that I was going to have a little girl, I dreamed of dressing her up (complete with accessories), playing house, ballet recitals and having tea parties with her.

On Saturday, the latter finally came true. Now, I have had pretend tea parties with her before then, but this was a REAL tea party.

A friend of ours organized a mother/daughter Christmas tea at a local tearoom for several of us. Two of the little girls going were Cate's friends from her preschool. She was so excited to go to a tea party, especially since that has been a main focus as of the last few months. You see, a "tea party" is what she is asking Santa for!

So, that morning, we got up and she gladly got all gussied up and even asked to wear her "shiny shoes" (black patent Mary Janes). She was beyond excited...can you tell?

Now, I had no idea what to expect. Would we be drinking out of real china teacups? Would Cate like the tea? Would this fulfill this fantasy that she has been dreaming up and talking about?

Well, yes, yes, and yes!

I was a little nervous about her dropping the dainty china teacups, so we would barely fill the cups with much tea at all, but they would drink it so fast and want more. So, we told them to ask nicely, like little ladies, "more tea, please!" By the time, we got our food, they had uttered those words so politely quite a few times.
The little girls were served pink rose tea. I think it might have been pink lemonade, but I am not sure as I didn't try it. They also ate a little tea sandwich in the shape of a Christmas tree, a fruit kabob, some mini muffins, and a chocolate covered pretzel stick. The moms were served our choice of tea (I chose black currant iced tea), cucumber tea sandwich, a creamy chicken soup, fresh fruit and quiche.

We had so much fun watching the girls giggle and act like little ladies!

So, yes, I learned first hand that good things do come to those who wait!

For more "What I learned this week" visit Musings of a Housewife!

Polar Express

After a year of planning (he decided on this theme as we finished his party last year), the night finally arrived.

I sent out an invite asking the kids to come in their pajamas to watch the Polar Express in 3D. We cleared away the coffee table and put out some blankets and pillows for them to lounge on the floor and couch. They all arrived and quickly took their seats as the movie began. They were a little loud at first and kept asking me to turn it up. I told them that if they would be quiet, they would be able to hear it better, too! Did I mention that it was 23 kids ages 5-8? So, you can imagine the noise level. During the movie scene where hot chocolate is served on the train, we also served the kids hot chocolate and popcorn.

Towards the end of the movie, the kids were getting restless, so I made a call to the North Pole (aka my neighbor's house) and spoke to the jolly man himself (aka my neighbor's dad) and told him he could come earlier than originally planned! At this point, I was needing some peppermint schnapps for my hot chocolate!!! Did I mention that it was 23 kids ages 5-8? He snuck in and took a seat as I rang his sleigh bells to get the kids attention. They all ran into the living room to find Santa sitting right there! We let each child sit on his lap and tell him their wishes for Christmas. He then gave each one a silver bell (just like in the book/movie) and had them shake it to see if they heard anything. If they did, that MUST mean that they BELIEVE in the Magic of Christmas!

My brother told me after the party, that he overheard Max tell one of his friends, "I can't believe that Santa came to my birthday party!" That comment right there (even though I didn't hear it first hand) made all the planning and stress totally worth it!

After each child spoke to the man in red, they made their way into the kitchen and we sang Happy Birthday and served the most beautiful and tasty cake! My best friend had done it again! She is so talented and I was very pleased with the design!

When it was all said and done and the kids had all left, it was a huge success! My son loved it, the kids had a great time, the other parents were nothing but complimentary, and it was OVER! Did I mention that it was 23 kids ages 5-8?!

At the end of the party, he hugged me and told me that it was the best party ever, and when we asked him what his favorite part of the movie was, he said, "All of it!"

Now it was time for a drink! Next year....I will NOT be doing a home party!

Believe!

Choo Choo

It has become a family tradition ever since we moved to Texas. The Trains at Northpark. We took Max the very first Christmas we had here in Texas. That was probably at the height of his love for all things that chugga chugga choo choo! He was purely mesmerized by all the ding dings and whistles and clanging. After we took him that Christmas, he wanted to go back in January and we had to break it to him that it is only on display during the holidays. The next year (2008), once it became obvious to him that it was close to Christmastime, he asked to go. Of course we obliged. So, when he brought it up this past Saturday, we headed out once again!

It is a fabulous display of model trains that depict different areas across the country. There is a rustic country scene with a farm and prairies. Another scene is a carnival and circus. Of course the center of the entire display is the Dallas skyline. Among other cities represented are New York City, complete with subways, San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge, and then Washington DC and the White House Christmas Tree!

The proceeds from ticket sales go to benefit the local Ronald McDonald House. This was the 11th year at Northpark Center. So, as long as it keeps coming back each Christmas, we will keep going! Good fun for a good cause!

Speaking of trains...tonight is Max's Polar Express Birthday Party. I can't wait to share all the details and pictures with you.

25 of 52 - Trains

Not that it looks like it, but Cate really did have fun at the Train show at a local mall! I'll post more about it later.

For more photos of MOM, click the button above for Forever in Blue Jeans.

WordFUL Wednesday - Santa's Hat

This hat is one of my prized Disney possessions. Each year when we decorate the house, Matt will usually wear it. However, this year, my little elf decided it was time for him to take over the honors. I think it suits him well!

For more Wordful Wednesdays, click on the button below to visit SevEn cLoWn CirCuS!

SIX

Gosh, has another year gone by?

Max is SIX today.

I can hardly believe that he is so big! This little wonder has brightened my world in ways that I can't imagine. So, in honor of his SIXth birthday, I am going to post my SIX all-time favorite pictures of him!

1. His 6 months pictures. My brother gave him this wagon on his very first Christmas and we thought it would make the cutest prop. His smile is just priceless.



2. He loved these pajamas. One night we were just giggling and dancing after bathtime and he was so proud of himself. We called him "SuperMax" when he wore these.



3. This was the first time he held Cate. He didn't want to do it for the first week or so, but when he finally did, he was so tender and loving with her. We used this as our postage stamp for her birth announcements and I still have it framed!



4. This was taken at dinner out with family shortly after Cate's birthday party. He put on my brother's hat and I captured this face!




5. On Max's first trip to Walt Disney World, we rode Goofy's Barnstormer over and over and over again. I will never, for as long as I live, forget the excitement on his face or the sheer joy in his giggles. I am so glad that I was able to get a picture of it.


6. This past summer we went to what has become a new family tradition ever since moving to Texas, the July 4th parade. I love how this picture captured Max in the moment watching the parade!


So, Happy Birthday, my little SIX year old! I love that smile and you more than you know.