Merry Christmas

Savannah's Program

While snow fell quietly outside the Meeting House, Savannah's class put on a short but sweet holiday program.  They were joined by the preschoolers and Kindergarteners.  Savannah was very excited as were her friends.  The girls had a chance to tell me about it the day before while making the gingerbread houses.  What is interesting, is that it was much shorter, more simple and much less involved than preschool programs.  Yet, these kids were very excited.  They took their roles seriously and carried them out well.  It is always nice to get a little Quaker perspective such as this during the madness of the holidays.  Keeping it simple pays off!

Here is my sweet Savannah on stage.  I had to include their gingerbread song because it was very cute and perfect for this very LIVELY class.  The focus is off but you can still see the children holding their gingerbread cookies.  Of course, T. Connie had them all bake their cookies beforehand because she would never buy them from a store!

Gingerbread Houses with 1st Graders

I decided to invite all of the girls from Savannah's class over to make gingerbread houses.  All but two showed up which put eight lively girls around my kitchen table.  They were all so very cute.  Some were precise, slow and accurate.   Some ate more candy than they got on their houses.  Regardless, they were all thoroughly entertained and happy to be spending the afternoon with Savannah.  I was thrilled because my sweet, quiet girl had the opportunity to host such a fun activity.  She clearly felt special. 

I learned a few things that I will incorporate for the 2nd Annual Gingerbread House Party.  The girls don't really care about constructing the house; they just like to decorate it.  I will have them all built when they arrive.  Second, I will just use the frosting out the cans instead of making Royal Icing.  Yes Melissa, you were right!

Other than that, it was a very easy and painless get together.  The girls had fun and the clean up wasn't bad.  Here a few pictures of the girls and their houses.

The before. . .

The after. . .

Lila's Christmas Program

Lila's Christmas program was last week.  I was apprehensive about her performance for a variety of reasons.  Most of you probably don't remember the drama from last year. . . falling off the stage while doing the potty dance because she WOULD NOT go to the bathroom at school.  Thankfully, we have overcome that hurdle.  Second, while Lila's November conference was very positive in terms of academics, her social skills lagged behind.  She does well with peer to peer interaction  but rarely participates in movement activities, singing or any other kind of activity where she feels that she might be caught in the spotlight.  She doesn't fully participate in music class.  She is a self conscience girl!  We continue to struggle with ways to boost her self esteem. 
Keeping this in mind, we slowly worked Lila up about her program.  We got her excited to sing for us and she even mentioned, a number of times, that she was going to sing loud.  Lila Grace was thrilled to put on her pretty Christmas dress and even tried to sneak a tiara into the ensemble.  I dropped her off at school while she was all smiles and went back to collect Daddy, Grammy, Papa and a sick Adeline to watch her performance. 

When Lila walked into the sanctuary, she was still all smiles and even stopped to give me a hug.  She took her position on stage and continued to smile.   Here is a clip of her first song.



Needless to say I was thrilled.  Not only did I think she was pretty darn cute, she was SINGING!!  Better yet, she stopped mid song and gave me a, "Hi Mommy!" shout out.  Daddy got one too.  It was so cute. 

Lila sang each and every song.  She caught me mouthing the words to Frosty the Snowman and I got a quick frown, a point and shaking of the head.  It was clear that this was her show and I was not allowed to participate.  What really got me is that she stuck to her word.  She sang loud on a couple of the songs.  Never did I think I was going to be the parent of the loud singer.  It just isn't in Savannah and Adeline is incapable of projecting herself.  I don't find loud kids that appealing and, luckily, Lila only belted it out a couple of seconds during two songs.  For those few seconds, I was pretty proud even though I typically cringe when my she is overly loud. 

Here is a clip of my loud singer.  It takes about 20 seconds to get there.



Here she is with her two best buddies Vincent and Hayden. They have had the pleasure of growing up together.

Lila and her wonderful teachers!

Sickness and Holidays 101

I feel like I am falling behind in all the experiences I want to give my kids during the holidays.  Oddly, I have come down with a pretty bad case of Bronchitis and am experiencing many of the same lung function issues that plagued Adeline during her first couple years of life; well, probably just a taste.  While sitting down I feel pretty good and my head spins with all of the activities I want to do.  Once on my feet, I feel like I can't catch my breath and am light headed and wheezing through my very inflamed lung tissue.  Very strange.

To top it off, Adeline is a puking queen with a fever that hits 104.  Her heart rate reached 200 which is well over any doctor's comfort level.  She is requiring much more attention than usual and has canceled, for the second year, our overnight trip to Hershey.  Best laid plans. . .

I guess that is what God is trying to teach me this season.  It isn't about what we check off the list but about how we check the list or if the list needs checking at all.  I will admit that I have pretty high standards during the holidays.  It isn't about having the perfect tree or gifts but it is about have the perfect EXPERIENCES with my family.   Having fun in Hershey was top of our list and I was rather sad that we weren't able to go.  I have been feeling like I am not getting my time in with my girls this holiday because I have been sick and barely able to do the day's work.  No extra curricular activities for me.

Waking up Saturday morning was hard because we were supposed to be on our way to Hershey.  Instead, Alex was cleaning up puke while I was trying to find an activity that I could do with Lila and Savannah that would feel special to them.  I didn't come up with much because everything requires the energy I don't have.

I settled on baking cookies.  I was going to bake with both Lila and Savannah but Grammy and Papa took Savannah for a special morning out.  Lila was pretty sad that she didn't get to go which made me really nervous about our success at cookie making.  My patience was limited and Lila can mope like the best of them.

Without going into a play by play description, Miss Grace and I had a great time.  Lila understood that I was sick and told me time and again that she was my helper.  She told me that she wasn't going to make a mess, fall off the stool, or wiggle.  All three things really drive me mad!  (evidence that she is thinking about how I feel and how her actions impact me)  She was wonderful and her patience was amazing.  We made dough, cut out cookies and then decorated them without a moment of frustration.  She can be such a delight when she isn't. . .okay, I shouldn't type that.  In her defense, Miss Lila is growing into a very SWEET and GOOD girl.  She doesn't spend all of her time sucking my patience dry any more.  She actually refuels me and showers me with love.  More importantly, she gets how her actions impact others now and is learning to live outside of herself.  Something we firmly believe in.

Watching her play in the flour reminds me of what a tactile girl she is.  She may be Adeline's twin but she is NO Adeline when it comes to touch!


So my lesson is learned. We may be sick and the holidays may not be meeting my previous expectations but I can create moments out of much less than a trip to Hershey.   These are the moments that remind me how lucky I am and, hopefully, make my girls feel loved.  I am fortunate to have had this one with Lila. We really connected.  I continue to marvel at how far she has come, not only as a one pound miracle but as a sweet and loving member of our family.

Miss Lila Grows Up

Lila Grace loves her long hair.  She often runs her hands down her hair in a wave-like motion telling me that her hair is so long.  Long it was.  I loved indulging her.  When looking at all four of us girls, long hair is a common trait.  But, Miss Lila, strangely, looks better with a short cut.  I hated to do it and wondered if she would cry.  Luckily, I only got, "Is that my hair?  I want it back on!" when she looked down after her cut.

She got the full treatment and felt very special while Miss Mia hacked off her long locks.  Here she is before and after.  

P.S.  Why do I find it hard to leave a salon with my child's hair on the floor.  I feel as though I have to mourn the hair we leave behind.  Weird, I know. . .

Daddy Turns 40 - gulp!

It is a fact.  As much as I complain about our kids getting older, we are doing the same thing.  Alex and I just celebrated our birthdays back to back earlier this month.  Mine was less eventful as it was an insignificant number; for now anyway.  I thought long and hard about how to do something special for Alex.  It is really hard to get away because we don't have family in the area and when family is here, it is a lot to ask to have them take care of the girls on their own.

After a couple of months of debating, I took the risk of purchasing the very coveted Duke vs. Michigan State basketball tickets.  They were very hard to find!  Pulling the trigger meant that Mommy and Daddy were going to Durham sans kids!  Luck would have it that the game was on Alex's actual birthday, the same day that my parents were flying into town.  After going back and forth with friends, I thought I had enough help lined up to see my parents through but. . . lo and behold, Alex's parents decided to drop in for a surprise visit as well.  I think it was more of a surprise for them than us.  While intending to spend time with their 40 year old baby boy, they instead, tended to his children.  It was fantastic for me because I was confident that four grandparents could handle three girls.  It was the official green light.  We were going away!

I waited until the night before to let Alex in on the secret.  Charlotte's family came by for a birthday dinner that was shared with Alex's parents as well.  I had a cake made that said,"Go Duke."  Before lighting the candles and presenting it to Daddy, all four girls, yes Miss Charlotte too, threw on some Duke wear.  It was very sweet watching them walk into the room while singing to Alex.  Savannah was a little nervous holding a cake of burning candles but she did it.




Here is the actual spilling of beans.  Which, by the way, Savannah was able to keep under wraps for an entire month while I was trying to train her how to tell her Papa how to drive her to school etc.  



He was pretty surprised.

Here he is with all of the girls.

Here we are center court! We had a great time. Best of all was spending two days together without the rat race of our crazy life. I love my kids more than anything but taking a break from Mommy and Daddy and remembering what it is to be just Alex and Sara was really refreshing.

Stockings. . .

While she was supposed to be taking her Pull-Up off and putting her pants on, she decided to wear this instead.

She provides the laughter in this house!

The Christmas Picture

I was trying to think of a way that we could make the holiday picture easy this year.  I asked the girls to stand in front of the tree so that we could try a picture in order to get a feel for what it would look like.  WHY do they all smile and stand so sweetly when they are posing for a practice picture?  WHY weren't they wearing their pretty dresses with their hair done?  WHY will I never be able to replicate the pose???? 

WHY does my oldest keep growing up when I tell her stop?

A Moment

We had one of those moments, when we stand back and realize how lucky we are, while decorating the Christmas tree this year.  I have been having many of these lately and feel like I still can't comprehend how fortunate my family is.  It all could be so different, that I do understand.

This year, when pulling out the ornaments, I took a big deep breath.  I had been told all day how excited my girls were to decorate the tree.  I knew they planned to hang the ornaments and I worried what kind of disaster the experience would be.  I figured there would be grabbing, dropping, complaining, and a lack of patience on my part.  I was surprised when I realized it was going to be an ENJOYABLE experience.  My girls are growing up!

It seemed like I didn't have to tell the girls to be careful or to wait their turn.  The just did it.  There was no need to be the one to hang their ornament first or the one to hang the the most ornaments.  They were just happy to be around the tree as a family.  I often heard the girls helping each other find a hook or see an ornament that they knew the other would like and hand it over.  There was a moment when I had tears in my eyes.  My sweet loving girls were interacting just as I had dreamed.  They were loving, kind and joyful.  It was absolutely amazing!

The girls told me time and time again how beautiful they thought my ornaments were.  There kindness was overflowing.  Lila even felt the need to come up and kiss me from time to time.  It was really cute when they all stood back and looked the tree.  They were very proud of the job they did.  There was an obvious cluster of ornaments at the bottom of the tree but it just made me smile. 

 We ended the night with some therapeutic belly time which strengthens the twins' core and shoulders.  It was magical as we passed the snowman stacker around and watched every family member take their turn while using the tree a source of light.

These girls are so good!!!

Holiday Happenings

It has been a crazy past couple of weeks.  We have been gearing up for the holidays while trying to keep pace with our hectic everyday lives.  Here are a few events worth reporting.

The girls made their annual trip to see Santa.  Sadly, Savannah thought that she was too young to make Santa a gift this year.  In years past she has made sure that she brings Santa gifts in fear that he is the only one that doesn't get one on Christmas.  Savannah did make sure we stopped to get Rudolph some glowsticks for his harness so she isn't too old just yet.

The girls were so excited and came with lists in hand.  They know exacly what they want Santa to bring and made sure to point out each item.  Santa listened carefully but was a man of little words.  It was sort of disappointing.  The girls jumped up in his lap and smiled for the best Santa picture yet.  Leave to me to not make it home with the picture.  I can't believe I sat it down somewhere when it so cute - the cutest one  to date.  Ugh!

Next on the Savannah's agenda was a Christmas craft. Luckily, I was able to pull some odds and ends together which helped each girl creat a cute Christmas tree. I was really suprised at how percise each girl was with their artwork. It is a sign that the little girls are getting older.

Adeline got creative and made her favorite - a Baby Einstein caterpillar.

Savannah's tree took on a life of its own. I didn't help her create the scene at all. She drew it, colored it, cut it, and taped it up all by herself. I find it pretty amazing.

Now that we had Christmas trees made of handprints, it was time to and get a real one.  We all managed to have fun though.  The girls liked riding the train to the trees even if it was super cold. Well, I should say that Adeline and Savannah enjoyed themselves. Lila said that she was sick that morning and by the time we got her to the tree farm, it was clear she didn't feel good.

Thanksgiving 2010

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year.  The Anstine family was kind enough to host us yet again.  We may be changing our last name because we certainly feel as if we are part of their family.  I recognize how lucky we are to have such wonderful friends who surround us with love not only on the holdiays but during our daily lives as well. 

Here is a picture of us after dinner.  I look at it and realize all the wonderful blessings our family has been given over the years.  Four years ago, we ate Thanksgiving dinner with Lila and Savannah at home while Adeline was still in the NICU.  The following weekend, Adeline was faced with a true fight for life.  We weren't sure if we would ever bring her home at that point.  I am overwhelmed when I think about it.  Especially, when I have a picture such as this four years later. 

Lila's Pow Wow

While Lila has visited Adeline's classroom a number of times, Adeline had never visited Lila's until now.  Lila's teacher was nice enough to allow Adeline to come to Lila's Pow Wow because I was the volunteer parent for the day.  It was a lot of fun watching the two hang out together in a typical classroom environment.  I have to say that Adeline fit right in.  She tried to sing and dance with the others and was very good at following all of the directions.  I guess this is what it feels like to have your twins go to the same school.

Glasses and Thanksgiving Party.

Adeline is finally wearing her glasses.  She must see better with them on because she never takes them off.  She is on a loaner pair of lenses because they had to special order the ones we wanted with an anti-reflective coating.  Many of the pictures below will show why it is important to have.

Adeline's Thanksgiving party was on Tuesday.  Daddy stayed home while Lila and I attended.  Or that was at least what we planned.  I was a few minutes late to the party so the students were all sitting around in a circle when I arrived.  When I walked through the door, one of the teachers told Adeline to turn around and see who was here.  Adeline jumped up with a huge smile that immediately turned to tears.  She only saw disappointing Mommy when she really wanted to see Daddy.  Boy was she mad!  I told her Miss Lois was going to sit her in time out if she didn't settle down and she responded with, "But I want Daddy here!"  It broke my heart to see her disappointment so I got on the phone and Daddy hopped in the car.  Working from home really helps at times like these. 

Later, I was told by Adeline's teachers that she was expecting Daddy.  I was also informed that when the teachers say that the students are going to take something home and show mommy, Adeline always corrects them and says she is going to show her Daddy.  Looks like I am a second class citizen in my Belle's eyes.  It doesn't hurt my feelings because I know that the best gift I can give my girls is a strong relationship with their Daddy.  I would say that all three are well on their way but Miss Belle has sealed the deal.

Moving on to the party. . . Lila and Adeline had a great time together.  The teachers are always good at including Lila and since two of them service her for OT and SLT services, Lila feels at ease.  The girls sang and danced.  What was most remarkable was that when the class was singing a song, Miss Lois stopped singing and let the kids finish the last line of the song.  Well no one continued except Adeline.  She powered up her big girl voice and charmed everyone in the room as she finished the song solo style.  I was pleased that she projected herself in front of many parents she didn't know.  She is NOT my shy child.

Here are some pictures from day that show my little Native American sporting her new specs.