The Best Christmas Ever

We have had such a memorable Christmas it is hard to know where to start.

On Christmas Eve we invited Aunt Anita and Great Gram over for dinner. Drew and I then went with them to a church service. Drew was somewhat patient but sighed audibly several times. He really enjoyed the candlelight portion of the service, but he became a little too excited and started dropping wax everywhere. So Anita and I blew out our candles and Drew's. Clever little guy kept lighting his candle off Great Gram's and blowing it out. After she started to hold her candle out of his reach he decided to participate in the singing of "Silent Night." Let me say now that Drew does not know the words to "Silent Night" but that did not stop him from singing. Loudly;)

Christmas morning was fun. Santa left some Yo Gabba Gabba plush figures in Drew's stocking. Mirra got a veterinarian set with a plush puppy. After opening up all their gifts Andy happened to notice a note that Santa had left for Drew. He said that he couldn't fit Drew's gift under the tree so he left it in the garage...



It was a little too cold on Christmas day to take it out for a spin but we managed to today. We found a vacant parking lot and Andy pushed Drew around some cones for a while just to work out the kinks and get Drew used to it before we fire up the motor and turn him loose.

Back to Christmas...we headed to Grammy and Papa's house for lunch and met Uncle Bee there. Turns out Santa had visited their house as well because he left a handmade baby doll bunk bed for Mirra there. I think Santa has a happy, handy elf that goes by the name of 'Papa'. Drew put his Yo Gabba Gabba guys on the top bunk and Mirra quickly remedied that by throwing his stuff on the floor so her baby doll could have the top bunk. She didn't seem to mind that Drew then took over the bottom.

You know that song "All I Want for Christmas"? It should be Mirra's theme song because she had two cuspids pop through this week. Not really a fun highlight of the week, but a bit ironic you must admit.

We headed back home Christmas night, but returned to my parents' the next day. We had a family dinner for my dad's side on Friday night and celebrated Saturday with my mom's side of the family. It made fora busy weekend but it was nice to see so many family members that we don't have the opportunity to see much during the rest of the year.

My mom doesn't like it when I say my kids are spoiled so we have agreed to say that they are very fortunate. We hope that in addition to all the generous gifts they received that we have created some memories that will last awhile.

New Additions to the Family

No. We are not having twins. If you thought that you haven't been paying attention. I only have the patience for my two existing cherubs.

Drew received a fish tank from his grandma last weekend. So last night we added 4 new fish to our family. According to Drew they are all named Dorothy.



He also received a set of racing flags (made personally by Grandma) and a flag stand that his Grandpa Miles made many years ago. Very cool. His new remote control car was also a hit with the "big boys."

Mirra got a tea party set, luggage set, and telephone among many other things.

We also spent an evening with our friends Jamie and Lea and their kids. They are renovating an old farmhouse with a wonderful history. They have done a lot of work already and preserved so much of its character. We were also excited to meet their new daughter, Ava. Mirra was facinated with the baby. She seemed to think Ava was a live doll.



So we had a wonderful weekend to start off our Christmas holiday. We hope yours is full of memories and joy too.

Silence is Golden?

When you are the parent of a toddler you know this is not true. Silence usually means they are doing something they shouldn't be and you will be spending the next half hour cleaning up whatever experiment had them so quietly enthralled.

HOWEVER....I was cleaning up the kitchen after dinner and Mirra wandered off and was suspiciously silent for some time. Amazingly, I found her in her room like this.




She is starting to talk even more now and is replacing some of her signs with spoken words. She knows lion, cat, tree, cheese, Laci (Grammy & Papa's dog) up, help (up and help sound the same you just have to look at the context). She is also putting together two-word phrases like "all done" and "hi Dad".

Show Time!

Drew had his very first program last night. His gym school had a short holiday show where each of the classes performed a few songs. Drew is in the back row on the far left. He seemed to have a really good time but did have to battle with his reindeer antlers throughout the show.



This video is pretty shaky but you can actually hear Drew singing in this one.

Me Want Cookies!

Drew and I drove to my parents' house after our second Santa adventure. Our purpose: cookie baking! Drew was very involved this year. He is my little baker. Whenever I make a cake he wants to help pipe the icing.

Drew freaked us out when his mouth suddenly turned blue, but fear not, it was only food coloring.

Our good friend, Theresa, was able to join us which made the day even more enjoyable. The only downside is that I have gained about 4 pounds in the last 48 hours from all the quality control.

The Gear Head Santa

Last night Drew decided that he wanted something different for Christmas: a Yo Gabba Gabba present. He wasn't particular, but it had to be Yo Gabba Gabba. He had his coat on and wanted to go find Santa right then so he could tell him. We told him we didn't know where Santa was that night, maybe Florida or California. We then suggested he write Santa a letter, which he did. But that wasn't completely satisfactory. So on our way to Grammy and Papa's house today we stopped at the mall.

Virginia, I believe in Santa Claus because for the second time this season we didn't have to wait in line to see him (despite the 20,000 cars in the parking lot). Drew sat in Santa's lap and told him he wanted a Yo Gabba Gabba present. Then Santa asked what else he wanted. Drew replied "a Wall-E present." Santa acknowledged that then asked what else Drew wanted. Drew was silent for a moment and Santa said "I know there is something else you want." (This guy really IS magical, I think). Then Drew answered "a quarter midget."

"Oh, are you a quarter midget driver?" asks Santa, intriqued. I told him not yet and asked if Santa liked quarter midgets. He told me he did and that he even helped out at local tracks. Then Drew starts talking about what the racing flags mean and since no one is in line behind us Santa started quizzing him.

The whole experience was so cool. Merry Chirstmas Santa!

Deep Thought of the Day

Bunk beds were great in theory, but changing the sheets is a pain in the bootie!

Oh, Christmas Tree

Drew didn't have school Friday so I took the kids to the library to meet Nicole and Colin. After lunch we headed to the mall and saw Santa Claus. To my utter amazement we were the only ones in line. Drew told Santa he wanted Wall-E and a quarter midget for Christmas and to swim with fishes. No, we haven't let him see The Godfather. When asked what his little sister wanted he answered "ladybugs." Maybe because Mirra was a ladybug for Halloween.





Today we brought home and decorated our tree. I still can't fathom why all the light strings worked last week when I pulled them out of storage and tested them but when they were put on the tree some mysteriously didn't. Oh, well. Drew had fun helping me with the ornaments and was very happy to put all the presents under it.


Once the tree was completed we went outside to try to make the most of the little snow we had. Drew, Andy and I had fun sledding, but Mirra was more interested in her rice cake. She had no complaints while being pulled around, but she was definitely not enthused. Probably because she won't keep her mittens on and her fingers are coldy.

Yes, He's Taller

"He seems to be getting taller." I heard this of Drew many times in the last couple of months. And indeed, he grew 2 inches in four months.

Daddy's Girl

Only after watching the video did we realize it sounds like MJ is saying "over there" and "what are you doing?"

Mirra is now 18 months old. She is 23 lbs, 1 oz. and 32 1/2 inches tall. Her height is in the 76th percentile. I think she will take after her dad and be tall. She is spitting out new words every day. Today the new word was 'shower' as she paid me a little visit during mine.

"I wish I had his energy"

I can't tell you how many times I have heard this about Drew...or how many times I have thought it myself. But what I wish for most is his enthusaism. My son can get so excited about the littlest things....a song, a hug, a book. We pulled out all the Christmas boxes and started setting up decorations last weekend and he was almost giddy trying to 'help' me put things in place. We will get our tree and visit Santa this weekend and I can't wait to see his reaction to all of that.

I even wish for snow days now because I know sledding with him and sharing hot chocolate afterward will be so much fun!

He has an amazing memory. And he can remember a wide variety of things like dialog from a TV show he saw weeks ago or even the order of animal appearance in the dolphin show at Sea World. He had not seen the show in a year and he knew when the whales were going to jump up! He can even determine our destination in the car based on the ramp we take to get on the interstate. He knows Grammy and Papa live one way and the museum is in the opposite direction. I remember being 15 and thinking "I need to start paying attention to how to get to my grandparents' house so I will know how to get there when I get my license." I was never attentive to those kinds of things.

We have started trying to teach Drew the states. He can now point out Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Florida, Texas, Arizona, California, Washington, and Oklahoma ("watch sprint cars at the Chili Bowl"...something he and his dad are going to do this winter).

I love to watch him with his sister too. He can still be tough on her and hates to share but he loves to make her laugh and tickle her. The sweetest sight to me is when they hug and pat each other on the back and Drew will say "I love you, Baby Mirra."

Fashion Plate

Andy handed me a Brooks Brothers catalog yesterday and told me that he found the look he had been trying years to achieve. On the cover of their Resort Wear insert were these stunning pants.




And just in case you can't wait they also feature corduroy pants with embroidered holly leaves for Christmas. Both can be yours for the bargain price of $246 plus tax and shipping.

Gobble Gobble

We had a nice Thanksgiving at my parents'. We joined my brother and his girlfriend, Amy, her kids, my Gram, aunt Anita and cousin Ryan.























I braved the Black Friday crowds to get a few good deals. After two stores my car battery died and I had to wait for a good samaritan to give me a jump. So I drove home, traded vehicles, and went back into the throng. Fortunately I got the two busiest stores out of the way first and scored some good deals. My awesome husband also gave me the opportunity to try to catch on some rest that afternoon.

Economic Stimulus

Well, we are doing our part to help the economy.

Last weekend I gathered with the women in my mom's family (without kids) for our annual holiday shopping extravaganza. We all get together each year and start Christmas shopping and enjoy time together while eating obnoxious amounts of food. I tell myself that I walk it all off at the mall. Yeah, right.

I told Drew I was going to leave for a couple of days to help Santa. He said "Santa gives (me) Wall-E present."

I had fun and actually saw Santa. I love when I can find a perfect gift for someone and I found a few good ones, I think.

Andy also just got a new chainsaw. He now has to deal with that Sycamore that fell in the yard a couple of months ago. And I got a new camera. I am still trying to figure out how to download to the computer though so don't hold you breath for new photos. I also found new phones. We were so frustrated with our GE ones. If you take a deep breath the connection would get fuzzy. I bought AT&T 6.0 something and they are very clear. So if you call us you won't have to listen to a symphony of static anymore.

To celebrate the season here is a song from Drew's class:
A turkey is a fu-u-nny bird
His head goes wobble, wobble.
He only says one fu-u-nny word
Gobble, gobble, gobble

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

The Two Foot Tall Tornado

Mirra's observational inquisitiveness phase is officially over. Everything she touches must be disected if possible. Every shelf must be relieved of its inhabitants. Every tissue box must be emptied and and its contents shredded and balled up all over the floor.

Wednesday night Mirra finds the baking soda. Thursday night she finds the flour or powdered sugar. I'm not really sure but it was white, powdery, and EVERYWHERE.


















Drawing with markers. Even her tongue was blue.



















Her first painting experience. Not as messy as you would expect.




















Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a climber. Thankfully she has not figured out how to climb out of her crib. That day will come I'm sure. For now she takes every opportunity to climb on the kitchen chairs. The other night I was sitting on the floor next to her picking up the box of crayons that she had dumped for the second time that night and she took a header toward the hardwood floor. I'm not sure how, but I caught her before she hit. She was completely unfazed and climbed right back up. Sheesh!

You've Heard Rumors, But Never Seen....

The Triple Woo!




















I was schooled by Drew's teacher, and my friend, about these little pony-holders called woos. I do not posess the woo-talent. My attempts at woos are not this pretty. But Jennifer, the Woo Wizard, produced this triple woo 'do.'

Mirra has a few more words and signs. She can sign 'medicine' (yes, we are teething again) and 'bunny rabbit.' She has signed and said 'apple.' She has spoken 'outside', 'blue', and 'purple.' Yellow seems to be her favorite color. AND we found out at Halloween that M&Ms are her favorite candy. Kind of cute since those are her initials.

Drew's Milestones

Drew 1 week old

Drew has adapted to 'gym' well. When he returned from vacation he was greeted with "we missed you" and from one little boy, "you're awesome!" I think that the boys stick together since there are a lot less of them than girls in that class. He also gets along with the girls though. I had to pick him up early last week and as he left he gave one little girl a hug while being hugged by another little girl who wanted a hug from him too. I found out today that he and this girl, Savannah, are good friends and hold hands a lot in class. Rico Suave!

He still loves his other preschool most. These are the kids he will go to school with and that he is familiar with from last year. It's amazing to see your child develop relationships like these.

His speech is continuously improving. He had a drought during vacation, but has been making up for it since being home.

He still loves racecars. Most specifically quarter midgets and sprint cars. Stock cars, not so much. Like father, like son I suppose. Drew is even going to be a quarter-midget racecar driver for Halloween.

He has a developing interest in animals, especially since our trip. "Jellyfish have no bones." He has two cat buddies in the neighborhood that seek him out to play.

He likes music and right now his favorite song is "Hot, Hot, Hot." Recently he has been requesting me to sing "You Are My Sunshine" to him. The funny thing is that I used to sing that to him as a baby to calm him down.

Thanks to Word World he likes to spell and often asks how to spell words. He independently wrote out 'dust' yesterday.

He loves his baby sister, but doesn't like to share his toys with her and totally expects that she share all her toys with him. He has no problem taking things out of her hand. This can actually be a good thing. Like when he took away the crayon she intended to use to write on the TV screen and the choking hazzards she seems to find. I expect that one day when she gets bigger and he least expects it she will thump him for taking her stuff. Having been that overbearing oldest child, I could warn him but he won't believe me anyway.

Drew also has a talent for impersonating character voices that he hears. Combine this with his flair for the dramatic, his love of attention, and his impressive memory we think this kid could end up in the performing arts. As long as he doesn't end up class clown...

Drew 5 years old

Mirra's Milestones

9 months

Mirra is rapidly exhibiting her personality. She has a lot of it for someone so small. She is going through a hitting phase, especially when she is told 'no.' She recently stopped her latest pinching phase. She decided it wasn't so much fun if I pinched her back. Takes a stinker to know a stinker, I guess. She screams bloody murder now when Drew takes something from her. Unfortunately, this doesn't deter her brother from snagging her stuff.

Her speech has made a great deal of progress. In the last two weeks she has said: basket, lights, please, horse, Jason, book, this, Blackjack (the name of the neighbors' cat) plus several more that I can't seem to remember while under pressure to write them here.

She even walked up to Andy the other day, looked him in the eye and said "let's go play." I'm still amazed about that one. Had to be a fluke, right?

She is not adapting well to her morning program. I think it is because she still likes a morning nap and she can't do that with 7 other kids running around. Most likely we will have to pull her out at the end of the month. Her needing that morning nap makes it difficult for me to go grocery shopping with her while Drew is at school because she is especially cranky and impatient sitting in the cart. So I am working on a new plan.

She can show us where her nose, eyes, ears, mouth, tummy, toes, and hair are.

She loves to kiss, with sound effects. If I kiss her on the cheek she will kiss me back multiple times. Melts my heart for sure.

She can identify the written letter 'O' and she likes to draw. She loves to find a pen and paper and walk around like she is writing things down. She also seems to think she is right-handed. I thought one of my kids would be a lefty like their dad, but they both have proved me wrong. Won't be the last time I am sure.

16 months

Sea World

We had two great days at Sea World. We went Saturday evening and saw the Shamu night show, which was fun. Aunt Diane got Drew a "light stick", which thrilled him.


We went back the next day and fed dolphins. It is an unbelievable experience to feed these animals and see them that closely. I really can't explain it but highly recommend it if you have the chance. I was really proud of Drew because he picked up the fish and fed the dolphins himself. He was so excited!

We saw sea turtles, dolphins, sea lions, penguins, rays, beluga whales, walrus, and orcas of course. Andy took Drew on the Atlantis boat ride but he was not a happy camper for that one.

Sea World had a great "Spooktacular" event with a trick or treat trail and characters along the way for photo ops. Diane filled a bag for Mirra, which we all just split since candy is not good for toddlers (wink, wink).




Early in the day Grandma and Aunt Diane kept the kids so Andy and I could ride the roller coaster. The line was non-existant. So we went twice. That will have to take care of our thrill fix for the year.

We watched the Sea Lion show and the Whale and Dolphin Show. The dolphin show was the same one we saw when we went last year but it is, in a word, phenomenal. It involves many dolphins, two whales, birds, divers, and even a condor when he decides to cooperate. Drew amazed us when we sat down for the show and he started talking about the whales right before they made their appearance. He remembered from last year. He also remembered the layout of the park.

Sea World also has a great kids play area with stories of nets to climb and slides and rides for the pre-school set. To wrap up the day we took the kids there and suited up Mirra so she could play in the splash pad. Poor kid spent most of the day riding in her stoller or on someone's hip. She had a blast once she got used to the idea.