Holiday Happenings

 

 

We've been very busy with holiday-related activities the last couple of weeks. First, Miles had his Christma "performance" at school. He was a little bit of a goofball when he saw me and Matt's parents in the audience, but he did a great job with all the motions. He didn't seem to be singing, but he was definitely moving his mouth to the words. Overall, I think he did great.

We also went down to Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier with Christy and Kali again. Paige was a pretty big fan of the Ergo for the first hour and a half or so. Then she wasn't.

The girls loved the rides. The crazier, the better. Miles, not so much.

He was happy to stick to the inflatables that he knows and loves.

We made a noble effort to get this shot.

We also went to a gingerbread house decorating party at our friends', the Corsellos'. The kids decorated for about ten minutes, then all ran around together for the next hour. It was fun. And yummy!

Paige and Matt hung out together while we were at the party.

Brooke is really into pre-literacy lately and it's fun to watch. She needed help spelling Miles and Paige.

Then, the day that we left for St. Louis, Brooke had her Christmas performance at school. They played bells, signed "Silent Night", and sang a couple of songs. She took it really seriously and also did really well.

BFFs!

With her friends, Annika and Kate.

After her performance, we grabbed lunch with Jamie and Brian and headed for St. Louis...

Santa!

Yesterday, we made our annual visit to Santa at Medinah. We were not optimistic about getting a shot of all three with  no one crying, especially since Paige missed her morning nap, but they actually all did relatively well.

Miles was a little skeptical, but at least he didn't cry. I actually think he was excited to meet him. Don't let the steely demeanor fool you.

I LOVE this moment that Jamie caught between Paige and Brooke. And Miles' expression that's happening at the same time. Ha!

Santa photo dump.

In typical Brooke fashion, she decided to throw a curveball in what she wanted to ask Santa for when we were on our way there. I had told her no "Barbie Dream House" (I think she only wants one because she's seen commercials for it. She doesn't play with Barbies yet.), so she said she wanted a "Barbie Dream House Car." Again, I put the kabosh on that one. Bah-humbug. She settled on accessories for Isabelle and matching clothes for her, Isabelle, and "Rose" (the random baby doll that she decided to bring with her in a sling that morning). She keeps us on our toes! Miles stuck to his story and asked for a "blue beep beep". Done.

We got a couple pictures of all the family that was there (can't wait till Bri's big enough to join next year!). Miles somehow made it into the girls' picture. And I don't think he was too excited about it.

Don't Brooke and Miles look thrilled to be there?

Next, we went to the Oasis for crafts and face painting.

Brooke was pumped to have a "princess Elsa" face-painting job; although she politely pointed out to the lady doing her face that Elsa is actually a queen.

Brooke ran some errands with me that afternoon and her face lit up anytime someone complimented her makeup.

Miles was very happy with his baseball, too.

As usual, this little lady was a trooper.

Brooke with her "sweetheart," Rose.

I love this one!

It was such a fun time as usual and so special to be able to share it with family. Let the Christmas celebrations begin!

December Happenings

We've had the usual December fun and busy-ness around here lately. I've made an effort not to overcommit this season and thankfully it seems to be paying off. I feel like we've been able to enjoy a fair amount of quality family time and are really trying to remember (and teach the kids) about the real reason we celebrate Christmas. In the meantime, the kids are their usual charismatic selves.

I've noticed that I take quite a few pictures of the kids at breakfast in the morning. I think that's because that's the time when all the kids are contained and (relatively) happy and I can really sit back for a few seconds and realize how blessed I am...then a few minutes later, someone's crying and we're rushing to get out the door, but it's a sweet moment while it lasts.

Brooke and Miles entertaining themselves with storage cubes.

Loving on Paige.

Another time they were playing together well. I think this was a "show" they were doing for us. Half the time, I don't think Miles is sure of what the plan is, but he's happy to follow suit.

Our little troll doll. Her hair will not stay down unless it's super-dirty.

And there is ALWAYS something in her mouth, usually her hand. Still no teeth, though. She's still hit-or-miss on sleeping through the night. Good thing she's so cute.

The hand in the mouth makes meal time extra fun (and messy!).

We've also had fun loving on Baby Bri.

Brooke has been really into musicals lately. She loved the live "Peter Pan" performance on NBC a couple of weeks ago (we had to fast-forward a few of the "scary" Captain Hook parts) and Grammie Deb and Grandpa Brian took her to "Mary Poppins" in Aurora last week.

She loved it! She keeps asking me to read the playbill and actually went to bed with it that night.

Maybe she has a future in musical theater? At any rate, it'll be fun to go to musicals with her as she grows up.

We took a family outing to Cosley Zoo's light "display" the other night.

The weather was really mild, so it was actually fun to walk around.

The kids had a really good time. Matt was "underwhelmed," which is surprising because he's such a spirited Christmas-celebrator (it's like pulling teeth to get him to listen to Christmas carols). I kept reminding him that it's free.

Paige is at the awkward stage where she's not stable enough to sit in carts or high chairs, but wants to be a part of the action. I carry and hold her a LOT these days. She like the Ergo so I have the feeling we'll be getting more use out of that.

There was a middle school band playing Christmas carols so the kids took the opportunity to bust a move.

They finished the night by running through the Christmas tree "maze" (the rows of trees that were for sale).

It was a fun night! (Miles is at the "You want me in a picture? I'm going to run away!" stage, so we did just a shot of the girls.