mb

december daily : 12.21.11.

today was the first of two preschool christmas programs for C.  she has two - different ones no less - as she's technically a part of two classes.  two days of the weeks she's in 3-4 year old class and one day she's in a 4-5 year old class.  the experience of being in both has been awesome for her and we all continue to love the education she is receiving.

today's program included a nativity where C was an angel.  oh my...  of course her daddy think she's always angelic.  there were also many songs with actions included.  i was thrilled to finally see an actual performance of a song she's been singing around the house the past couple of weeks that i wasn't familiar with. 

afterwards, we received gifts that she had made for us during school - a potholder with her handprint and name that she had written as well as a christmas ornament with her photo on it.  she also received gifts from her two teachers including a handmade doll and a handpainted ornament as well as a water squirter toy that has already been deemed for bathtub use only.

december daily : 12.20.11.

it's always a good day when the man in brown delivers a box.  it's even a better day when it's an expected surprise!  today we received a box from andy's uncle bob and aunt joan that had a label on it that said "open immediately and enjoy!"  you don't have to tell me twice!

after the girls woke up from their naps, it was box opening time!  L looks less than thrilled as she was done with photos and wanted to see what was inside the box already.  inside?  the best family gift ever!  small packages of homemade pancake mix, a christmas tree pancake mold, a pancake pen (something i had picked up once or twice in the store but had put down beacuase i didn't "need" it) and two different bags of homemade candy.

love that it was a gift that was so thoughtful for a family to receive and one that we can all enjoy together.  i definitely will be reusing this idea for others in the future!

december daily : 12.19.11.

after bath time, i told the girls i had a surprise for them.  it seems that santa knows my e-mail address and had sent the girls each a video message.  i love that the big guy has embraced technology!

they each loved watching their videos of santa finding their files in his large book and seeing photos he had included of them during different times this year.  lucky for them, both girls were deemed a part of the good list.

here's hoping they can live up to the name of the list these last few days leading up to christmas.

december daily : 12.18.11.

the annual sunday school christmas program.  the perfect excuse to buy the girls their very first christmas dresses.  coordinating, but not matchy matchy.

C didn't have a very large part.  the two and three year old class entertained by participating in the group songs of "away in the manger" and "go tell it on the mountain."  complete with actions.  and very loud singing.  by far the most entertaining part of the program.  a short but very sweet way to celebrate the true reason of the season.

and to think next year both girls will be participating...

december daily : 12.17.11.

the first ever dance recital.  not ever having taken a dance class when i was young, one does not realize everything that goes on before said recital must take place.

at 10:30 friday night, i was on the sofa adjusting the straps of C's costume so that they fit properly.  they were so long i think i took in at least 2".  then saturday morning there was hair to style, make-up to apply and of course, a costume to put on.  her class did a dance to an eskimo theme song so it was only fitting that we woke up to a half inch of snow that morning.

for her first time, she did well.  she danced during the first part and the end but seemed to take a break in the middle to turn around and gaze at the props decorating the stage.  when i asked her later what her favorite part was, she mentioned the candy canes hanging from the ceiling.  go figure.

december daily : 12.16.11.

in the past couple of years, i've usually not gone to many of andy's visiting professor dinners as there are several and with the cost of babysitting i decide to stay home with the girls.  plus the locale where they usually are held generally doesn't have the best food ever.

tonight, however, was a different story.  andy knew when he asked me if i wanted to go that i'd jump at the chance as it was at one of my favorite restaurants downtown.  one that is quite pricey and we've only been to once or twice since we've lived here. 

the evening did not disappoint.  time together out on the town and amazing food.  sunchoke soup, hanger steak with chimichurri and a scrumptious chocolate ganache with brandied cherries.  and absolutely delicious date/work night.

december daily : 12.15.11.

there's an amazing group of (mostly) women that are part of a significant other organization. significant others of residents to be exact. within the larger group are smaller groups that meet each month - three of which i belong to are bible study, playgroup and girls nite out. it's a great time to connect with others in a situation similar to mine in that they get what your husband does. although it still amazes me how different one residency is to another.

tonight i was able to sneak out and get together with the other girls of the nite out group at a pizza place that's been on my "to try" list since i first heard of it when taking a prenatal swim class when i was pregnant with C. and it didn't disappoint! it also happened to be jordy's birthday - a young one of the group as she was only turning 25. she also happens to be one of our two highly treasured babysitters. two of the other girls, crystal and erin, i met through bible study when they moved to town a few years ago and i recently met jen when i took her a meal and found out she lives just down the road.

a fantastic night filled with laughter and great pizza. what more could you ask for in the middle of the hectic holiday season?

december daily : 12.12.11.

the bulk of christmas cards finally out the door and to the post office.  on the busiest mail day of the year no less.  such a relief to say farewell to get these 100+ cards sent on their merry way.

this year, andy's mom took our holiday photo as we never got a professional photo taken.  a photo of the four of us at the pumpkin patch with one girl on each of our shoulders.  it couldn't have been more perfect.  and then there was the annual letter to write.  and addressing and stamps.  and stuffing envelopes and sealing them shut.  for the most part, this is my holiday tradition to complete.  this year andy helped by folding letters and then sealing envelopes.  the girls helped by decorating the outside of envelopes before they tired and went on to another activity.

although it's a time intensive project, there's no better reward than receiving holiday greetings in the mailbox nearly every day in december from family and friends scattered throughout the country.

december daily : 12.11.11.

tonight when we went upstairs to read the girls a book before bedtime, we found we had a visitor.  meet jack, as named by C.  sent to our house by santa to watch over everyone and report back to the north pole each evening on who has been naughty and who has been nice.

a truly magical experience with C who was mesmerized, especially because jack make his first appearance in her room and on her tree.  let's hope that jack can work his magic and help the girls pick up their toys these next few weeks.

december daily : 12.10.11.

no tears this year, we're just showing a bit of tummy.  i decided to test the waters at breakfast this morning and brought up the subject of going to see "ho ho" after naps.  surprisingly, both of the girls seemed excited by the fact.

after naps, we headed out to see the guy in red.  i LOVE this santa as there he sits on his chair and there is absolutely no other employee types milling about trying to sell you photos.  you simply walk up to the very short line - i think there were three people in front of us? - and await your turn.  there's no one to rush you through your experience and you're able to take your own photos.  it's nothing short of magical.

C was ready to share her wish with santa - a blue guitar - and was eager to share other great ideas with her sister such as a trumpet.  not sure where that one came from.  when i had asked L what she was going to tell santa she wanted for christmas she said a tiger.  thinking there might not be enough room under the tree for that wish.