A different kind of New Year's

Well, there's no doubt about it. New Year's Eve just isn't what it used to be. We've stopped pretending otherwise. Still, rather than stay at home and fall alseep in front of the TV by 11, we decided to catch up with Tracey and Brillo who share in our dilemma.

The happiest moment for the kids was probably a tie ... either the full-out gorging on Oreo's, or the sprinting up and down their hallway that ensued once the sugar-rush kicked in. We only gots pics of the former.

Snow Yeti

We returned to Boston to about 18 inches of snow. Heaven. Pure bliss. Nirvana. To Pip. Vivie is not so convinced. She generally prefers to observe the fluffly white stuff from the warm indoors. Meanwhile Pip simply can not get enough. He literally needs to be dragged back inside kicking and screaming. Each day he treks outside happy can be with Daddy and returns about 2 hours later crying his eyes out. "I DON'T WANT TO COME INSIDE!!!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWmVXdVGDes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z41mtiHMpHI

Here he climbs the HUGE snow mountain deposited fervently by our complex's snow-dozer happy maintenance men.


Jumping from the snow pile:


Dodging a snowball in his snow fort:


Sliding down the show chute!

The Stone's!

What an awesome visit to the Stone's! Much to our surprise the Cantin's arrive just as we did, so it was a loud and happy visit with all the kids singing, banging, running, and playing together.

I need to get myself acquainted with photoshop. Otherwise I am never going to own a group shot with more than 2 kids smiling whist facing the camera. Here are my best two ... out of like 10 attempts.

Uncle Phil!

Phil is officially Uncle Phil! I suppose he was before on my side of the family, but Suzanna makes it official on his blood side too. Look how comfy she is snuggled up with her warm and cozy uncle!

Visting Uncle George!

We also got to visit Uncle George, Aunt Jen, Al, Rhiannon, and Ever. We were supposed to be pummeled by a massive blizzard during the time we were there, but as always seems to happened whenever we brace for a big storm ... it fizzled. Barely a dusting!!! Sheesh.

Never-the-less, our visit was not a disappointment. Al officially beat Phil at his first-ever game of Risk. Note, Phil is perplexed.


Rhiannon was cute as ever. And Ever was too quick to get on camera. I am going to have to do a better job at capturing that little man on film!

Christmas Day

Joy! Phil and I were awokem to the pounding of four little feet down the basement steps. SANTA CAME!!!! Chirstmas is a long, happy day when you have toddlers. They not only wake at 7am, but they don't waste any time on boring cartoons or breakfast. No, it's an all-out blitz for the next 12 hours straight.

Pip could barely contain himself to wait for all the slow-moving grownups to organize themselves by the tree. We convinced him to keep himself busy by organizing presents in piles for each recipient. Finally it was time to select his first gift and he chose the biggest box.

Yay!


Vivie, meanwhile, was a bit overwhelmed by the sheer size of her pile. She opened a few but decided it was all a little much. Despite all our efforts to get her to open them all, she flat-out refused to continue on. She actually left a pile of about 4 presents un-opened until about 7:30 that night and even then only opened them because Pip was going absolutely insane staring at her pile of wrapped gifts.


One gift that did get opened early was these fairy wings.


And this is what was in Pip's big box. He's officially an archer. Or maybe an elf.

Pip also got several LEGO ships, cars, and trucks from Santa. Mostly he delegated the building of these to Daddy but on occasion he would help out in their construction.

Whenever we are away from home, eating normal meals is a challenge. I think Pip ate only craisins for Christmas dinner. Lots of craisins.

Vivie and I found an opportunity to cuddle with Suzanna, who was a true sweet pea!

Christmas Eve

We were back in PA for Christmas, spending lots of time with family. We were so happy to have Uncle Mike around this visit. Pip and Viv really gravitate to him ... hint, hint Uncle Mike!!

Here Pip shows off some loot he and Daddy found rumaging through the attic.


And he helps Vivie with her arts.


We made snickerdoodle muffins in the silicon snowflake muffin pan Grandma Bresler sent us and left them out for Santa. We were very careful to put them far enough back that Harry couldn't get them!


After attending Christmas Mass, we were back at home for a little festive celebration with Suzanna, Jen, and Matt.

Finally it was time for bed but Pip and Vivie were still not tired. Too much excitement! Vivie insisted on sleeping in her Christmas dress. And jumping on the bed. We had to actually separate P & V to get them to sleep, but despite all this naughtiness, Santa decided they made the good list and brought them loot anyway.

Children's Museum with friends

Just before Christmas we were able to schedule a playdate with both Aislinn and Katie to hit the Children's Museum. To my great surprise, Chase and Aislinn had not been before. When Pip heard it was an option he jumped all over it and was quite excited all morning. We didn't stop for the whole 4 hours we were there and all of us fell asleep in the car afterwards (I waited until we were safely parked in the garage).

Here Pip and Chase generate a little electric.


Vivie found this little painting program on the computer in Peep's room that worked with a touch screen. It was the perfect marriage of art and media. She stayed put here for a very long time.


Meanwhile, Pip also stayed true to his character and preferred real things he can touch and feel. He bopped back and forth between the sand and water tables.


We managed to snap a quick pic of everyone together having a little snack.

Normally the 'body bubbler' doesn't work for us, but this time it was amazing! Here's Pip inside a big bubble column.

We even got Aislinn and Vivie to join him while Tasha pulled the rope! Success!

Passed out in the closet!

Cute Vivie. Today I hosted Mom's Group and it was a whirlwind of activity. Pip and the boys tromped all around under the guise of all sorts of dragons, fighters, ghosts, soldiers, you name it. Vivie dressed as Snow White the whole time and vascillated between playing rough with the boys and doing puzzles and games with the girls.

At some point, though, I realized I hadn't seen her or heard her in a bit and began to panic. I searched all her regular hiding places and didn't find her. Janel opened my closet and found this ...



Poor girl went in there for some peace and quiet and fell asleep!


Meanwhile, Pip was thrilled about the first snow of the season and was out on the balcony, hammering away at a large ice chunk that had frozen out there!

Mom's Group Christmas Party!

It was time for the Mom's Group Christmas party already! This year I hosted at the complex clubhouse, which actually worked out pretty well. The kids were WILD, but a nice, happy sort of WILD that didn't involve hurting each other or property, as long as you accept that pillows were made to be thrown.

After running like greyhounds for a while, I cornered the kids for a round of "Balloon Santa". Pip was forced to be my guinea pig since all the other kids were not exactly signing up for this crazy lady's wacky plan.

He has to don a large red footie-PJ outfit and all the kids stuffed little balloons inside to make him nice and fat. Then we zipped him up, attached the wide, black belt, and put on his beard and hat. Ho, Ho, Ho!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRgdfYB2kdI

Later we convinced our three Dads in attendance (two other Dads wisely sidled in late) to be decorated for our Christmas Tree. I thought the triad worked nicely to create a fully three-dimensional effect. Note this tree drinks beer ...


and rotates!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttgiv9wYGnQ

After the games it was time for Secret Santa. Pip got a semi-automatic Nerf shooter gun. This was a hit. That last sentence is an understatement.

Pip corralled all the kids to eat dinner behind the sofa in their secret place!

Finally, we loaded the kids into the theater where they watched Classic Tom & Jerry. It was really cute to hear them laughing from across the hall!

Vivie, though, was too transfixed with this toy to be bothered with the movie. She did every frame quietly without stopping to look up once. Thankfully, she was fully recovered from a rather serious burn she suffered when she touched the gas fireplace. All things considered, she is fine now and hopefully won't ever touch the fireplace in the new house!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkWaFW3UT80

Hello!

Well, we'll officially crossed a threshold. Pip and Viv know how to answer the phone. Go ahead, give us a call and see what happens. Last night I called home as I was leaving work and this is what I got ...

ring, ring ring ...
Pip: Hello?
Me: Hi Pip! How was your day?
Pip: Daddy's poopin on the potty with a magazine.
Daddy (faintly from the background, concerned): Pip, who is it?
Pip: Mommy!
Daddy (relieved): Oh, ok.
then the conversation continued.

Today Vivie answered when Mommy Janel called and had a nice little conversation of her own before passing the phone to me. It seems like an important rite of passage so honestly, it's kinda cool. But it does give one pause when you're home alone with the kids and need to use the bathroom.

Gingerbread and the Star Wars Bow and Arrow Prince

Wednesday we decided to tackle gingerbread in preparation for a decorating activity at the Mom's Group Christmas party this weekend. It actually turned out pretty well. Pip was sorely disappointed that it's dark color was not indicative of chocolate, but Vivie happily licked the beater without complaint.


Later we cracked open our first issue of the AWESOME Highlights magazine that Aunt Jenny sent us. Thanks Aunt Jenny!! It's really a winner. We found directions for homemade crowns, which we made -- of course in red (Pip's favorite color). Pip has decided he's also very into bows and arrows and fashioned a quiver from his Halloween bag and arrows from hangers. He then asked to be properly addressed as "Star Wars Bow and Arrow Prince" for the rest of the day.

All hail Star Wars Bow and Arrow Prince!!!


Here the Prince and Princess get married.