Christmas Program

Our little star sang in her school's Christmas program this week. Her class came running down the aisle dressed in red robes singing some version of a traditional Christmas song like tiny gospel singers.

It was really cute, they were all waving their arms in red robes and shouting, not singing, the lyrics. When they got up on the stage, Athena looked around and around for us and when she found us she would not stop waving and elbowing her friends to point out her family of four beaming at her from the fifth row.She had a rapt audience in the form of her sister Zoe who insisted on standing on a chair (so she could see everything) and applauded her every moment.

John Patrick didn't really know what was going on but he sure was cute rocking the Christmas sweater vest.

Underneath that red robe, the kids were asked to dress in their "Christmas best" and Athena looked pretty in a red dress, sparkly sweater and jingle bells bow. So, she allowed some posed photos by the fireplace.

Zoe also wanted to be festive too. And she brought her camera to take pictures of the event.

But the real highlight of the night was the new heels Daddy bought Athena. She's growing so fast she doesn't fit into any of her fancy shoes anymore, so a new purchase was necessary. These were the only pair she wanted, she asks to wear them everyday. Zoe loves the "hee haws" too (aka "high heels") and the moment Athena took them off, Zoe asked to borrow them, ah little sisters!

A Bath of One's Own

Being the middle child, it's rare when you get the bath all to yourself. Usually there's a bossy older sister in there with you, stealing your toys and taking up the best possible space. Or worse, a gross little brother who likes to gnaw on your leg and who could very possibly spit up chunks of spinach in the bath water.

So when the opportunity presents itself...enjoy. Linger until your fingers turn pruney, lay on your back and float, pretend to be a mermaid, sing songs to yourself and refuse, simply refuse, to get out...no matter how cold the water may be.

"Mamma!!"

John Patrick said "Mamma!"

He's been playing with the sound for a couple of days now and there have been one or two unverified attempts - "unverified" meaning only I heard it. And in our house it doesn't count as an actual first word unless it is witnessed by more than one person. (Chris still contests Zoe's first word as the only other person in the room was YiaYia and he says her hearing is suspect which should disqualify her as a witness.)

Today when we went to pick up John Patrick from the church nursery he said "Mamma" clear as day when the volunteer placed him in my arms. I heard it, Chris heard it and I even checked with two of the ladies in the room who said they heard it too. So "Mamma" it is. John Patrick's first official word.

I'm going to put a big bow on him and stick him under the tree this year. He is the best gift!

Christmas Countdown

Christmas is coming!
The countdown has begun...
Are YOU ready?

Guess who wants a drum set for Christmas? And, yes, she did fashion her toys and stacks of books into a makeshift drum set, then tried to get her siblings on guitar and vocals so they could "rock."

(P.S. Guess who is NOT getting a drum set for Christmas...before you all get any ideas...)

The Great Feast

The Great Feast

(or John Patrick's First Thanksgiving and Chris' 34th birthday)
Top Fifteen Memories of the Holiday Weekend

15. The leftovers, of course
14. The most delicious 21 pound turkey (Chris' first, btw!)
13. Mmmmmm gravy.
12. That mega bottle of wine we just had to finish before bed.
11. Ian stumbling awake (way too early) grumbling "I'm going to need some Tylenol" the morning after polishing off said bottle of wine.
10. Handmade turkey place cards for each seat.
9. Four little girls all dressed up like princesses.
8. And poor Daisy (the dog) dressed up like Cinderella.
7. Spending three days and two nights with every room in our house packed with guests.
6. Meeting Corey's new girlfriend Katie and welcoming her into this family of friends.
5. The boys actually playing football in the backyard.
4. Alaine actually cooking!
3. A guitar shaped birthday cake. (Credit goes to Zoe for her great idea
to make said guitar cake for her Daddy.)
2. John Patrick falling asleep in Corey's unlikely arms who proclaimed
him "warm and cuddly like a Koala bear."
1. Celebrating and creating memories with friends who are like family.

My Ginormous Baby

Seriously, he's the size of an average 18 month old! Forget that, he could beat down an average 18 month old or at least sit on him until he said "uncle." At his last Doctor's appointment (over two weeks ago) he was 31 and a half inches and nearly 23 pounds.

He's not even nine months old.

Not only is he large (and in charge) but has six teeth coming in at once. The bottom two popped through last month, now his two front and incisors are all coming in at the same time plus two more on the bottom.

He'll be eating steak by Christmas.

And probably be dancing by New Year's. He's pulling up on everything, baring weight well, not steady enough to take a step but much closer to walking than my girls were at this age.

I feel like this accelerated growth is all to spite me for wanting to cram him back into his 3-6 month jammies and snuggle him for a few minutes longer.

But, it is unstoppable. Time marches on and my baby is going to be six feet tall by summer.

He's busting out of his 12 month jammies, literally...

All Quiet on the Western Coast

Why no blog post, lately? Well, I left my camera in my sister's purse last weekend and have to wait for her return visit to get it back. D'oh. No one wants to just see just words on here, you came for the cute kid pictures. Well, you'll just have to wait another 24-48 hours.

Here's an old pic just for fun. And, no, this is not John Patrick with fake eyelashes in a dress, this is Athena circa August 2005. Isn't the resemblance uncanny?!
Thanks for checking in. More soon.

Twofer Baptism

On Sunday November 8, 2009 we baptized two of our babes. Family from all over the country came to celebrate this special day with us. There still remains a lingering feeling of love and warmth in my heart as I write this as it was an exceptionally wonderful time shared with loved ones.

Grandaddio and Grandma Andree, Katie and David, Baba, Mimi and Stu, Uncle Ron and Aunt Barb, Josh and Heidi, Stephanie, Uncle Craig and Aunt Val and Uncle Jim and Aunt Fran were all with us for the service and then an informal brunch at our house. I apologized in advance to Pastor D for Zoe's reaction (as it is not easy to baptize a three year old) but he is a pro and everything went off without a hitch. "I was baptized!" she later told Yiayia on the phone "He wet my hair."

John Patrick fell asleep during the service but woke up just in time to be the center of attention. He went willingly to the pastor and did not make a peep when dunked and dampened.

We had always intended to baptize Zoe in her first year of life, just like we did with Athena, but Katie (Zoe's Godmother) had a big battle with Leukemia that year and although she told us to go ahead with the baptism without her, we promised her that Zoe would be baptized in her arms.

And so she was.

We celebrate not only this special blessing for our children, but also that Katie was there with us and 100% healthy and vibrant again.

As I was part of the "show" I took like six pictures. The rest I had to rely on the photo capturing abilities of friends and family. I'm kicking myself for not getting near enough photos of our family together that day.

Forgive me and know that you are all in my heart! Here are some of the photos that capture brief moments of this memorable day and some of the lovely words from the cards we received.

"Wishing your family all the joy of Heaven as you celebrate this special day.""Because you are the very sweetest kind of dream-come-true!"

"May God bless your new son!"

"Arise, shine for your light has come and the glory of the Lord rises upon you!"

"God's finest blessings to you on your baptism day.
You are a beautiful child of God whom we love dearly.
May Jesus remain in your heart and be your strength and comfort always."

"This is a most special day for you, your baptism.
God is anointing you and blessing you. You are His child."

"We shall work to make all your wishes come true"

"In celebration of all good things that have come to your heart."

"May God bless you always!"

It was a lovely, lovely, lovely, lovely, lovely, lovely day!
Thank you everyone who came and made it so special.

The problem with older sisters

HalloWEEEn

There's a "wee" in Halloween for a reason, it's just so much fun! We had a relaxing day hanging out at home, watching movies and listening to Halloweeen music.

Athena learned how to do the Time Warp.

And we baked some very special cookies.

I made a lovely potato soup for dinner that was cooking on the stove all day. After dinner, around six or so, we started to get ready to go Trick-or-Treating. Zoe wanted to be Cinderella, her third costume if anyone is counting. Athena was once again a Greek Princess - that costume is really worn at this point.

Because it was a "special" dress up day.
I put a tiny bit of makeup on the girls.
They were both soooo excited.

And away they went. The Dude and I stayed home to man the fort, while Chris took the girls around the neighborhood. We have the BEST neighborhood for Trick-or-Treating. Quiet streets with lots of small kids (not too many teenagers) participating.

Afterward we routed through the spoils taking out anything sticky or yucky or peanuty.
The things that were not deemed appropriate (and that Chris did not eat) were thrown back into our candy bowl and redistributed to late Trick or Treaters (he he he).

It was really out of character for Zoe to be Cinderella. That's usually Athena's favorite role. But keeping with her personality, she was a crazy Cinderella, spinning and spinning and spinning like mad and then collapsing on the floor and waiting for her prince to kiss her.
What a fun day which is extra special this year because it is followed by MY favorite day of the year, Day Lights Savings, so far I've slept in, blogged and it's still only 8:14!! What have you done with your extra hour today?