Turkeys and More

There were many events surrounding this year's Thanksgiving.  First, Adeline had her annual Thanksgiving celebration at school.  This year, it was a more mature event where the children acted out the Pilgrim's voyage and feast.  Miss Lois went through the story of the Pilgrims and paused to ask many questions.  Each question was answered by Miss Adeline.  There were a few answers that only she knew and, to my amazement, she gave those answers in a loud enough voice for all the students and parents to hear.  Such progress in the volume department.  Here is a picture of Adeline and her classmates boarding and traveling on the Mayflower.

Later in the week, I volunteered in Savannah's classroom during her Thanksgiving celebration.  Our local school district has a "no outside food," policy which makes feasting a little difficult.  Instead, students traveled to different stations throughout the second grade classrooms.  My station happened to be corn husk dolls which we made out of raffia.  Let me tell you, if you are ever asked to help students make these dolls, say, "NO."  It was very labor intensive with about five knots for each doll.  After tying all of those knots for about 35 five second grade girls, I was tied up in a knot!  Regardless, the girls walked away very proud of their new found friend.

Adeline came along with me this day and was running out of patience by the time I decided to break away from tying to take a picture. 

The next day we were off to DC to celebrate Thanksgiving with good friends.  Our Thanksgiving was bliss.  There was no stress, great food and lots of down time with friends and family.

Instead of frantically preparing food all day, Heather and I got up and ran a 5 mile Turkey Trot.  The men took the kids to the water front to feed ducks which means we all got some sun and 65 degree weather in us before heading back inside.

We didn't start dealing with food until 1:00!  Low stress, was the name of the game.  We all put together a few dishes and viola, we had ourselves a meal!  This man cooks a mean bird. . .

The most remarkable event of holiday was my girls' growing affection for Kate's dog, Monte.  My girls do not like dogs whatsoever.  Sometimes Lila can warm up to dogs but Savannah is always fearful.  Adeline's fear is more than fear and falls under her sensory umbrella.  Have I mentioned that she is scared of her own cat?

Magically, Monte has moved into all three girls' hearts.  Savannah and Lila couldn't get enough of the big dog who was just as content to ignore the world under the kitchen table.  Miss Adeline was the last to turn but before we left, she was a Monte fan too!  Why can't all dogs by like Monte; calm, sedate, and loveable?

Before heading home, we took in a Christmas light show and carnival with Kate's family.  The girls had a great time.  It was a Ferris Wheel First for our family when we were given the opportunity to all ride together.  It ended up being one of those special moments where I want to freeze time and reflect on my amazing family.  Oh why can't we freeze time?! 

Eventually, we had to pack it up and head home.  The goodbyes were awful.  The little girls cried such deep sobs when realizing that they wouldn't see their Baby Kate for what seemed like a very long time.  As we pulled out of the parking lot with crying girls, I smiled.  I knew we had done something right for my girls to love Kate so deeply. 

Our family continues to grow with good friends!

Wow!

I feel the urge to never post again so I can always come back and see the previous post right at the top of my blog.  Reality tells me that the posts must go on!  That is, if I want to remember things in chronological order. 

Before I get too serious about documenting holidays and all their happenings, I feel inclined to share a tidbit about People Magazine.  While trying to get the Christmas tree settled into the corner of our family room, Adeline picked up this People and gave it a good look. 

Adeline:  Hey this looks like my daddy.  Is this you dad?
Lila:  Where?  Let me see.  Is that Daddy?
Savannah:  It does look like Daddy.  Who is it?

Happy 29th Birthday, QTE!

 Dear QTE,

Well, another year has passed, and another birthday is here staring us in the face.  As a child, birthdays are all about presents and cake and fun.  At some point as we progress through life, however, birthdays become more focused on celebrating the wonderful qualities of the individual rather than showering them with gifts (which is still fun, though).  I think you and I can safely say we have reached the latter stage.  So, I guess it’s a good thing you have so many wonderful qualities we can celebrate today, on your 29^th (and then some.!.!) birthday. 

• You are an impressive woman – You are smart, confident, funny, attractive, and healthy.  I am proud to have you by my side as we travel through life.
• You are the best mother my girls could have – This statement is true for so many reasons I won’t be able to do it justice here.  In short, you live for them, and they live for you in return.  You are their constant advocate in every aspect of life, and I know that there is no other woman in the world that will make them better people in the end than you will.
• You are the friend to whom I always turn – I know I’m not always the most talkative guy around, but when I have a something exciting or distressing on my mind, you are the person with whom I need to share it with.
• You are still the wife I always wanted – After 10 (almost 11!) years of marriage, I think any couple would be lying if they said they hadn’t had their share of ups and downs.  With all the stuff life has thrown at us over the past 5 years or so, I know we have.  But one thing remains the same at the root of it all.  I love you.  That will never change.  No matter what life brings. 

Here’s celebrating you, QTE.  I’m lucky to call you my wife.  Happy Birthday.  I hope you have a great one!

Love,

Alex

Lila's First Book

It is so nice to see Lila follow in Savannah's footsteps at times.  Recently, she has taken to making books.  I remember when Savannah started this phase.  I think this phase must be prompted by the discovery of the stapler.  Both girls started writing books after learning how to staple.

It is such a delightful time to see the things they love most collide with their learning. Savannah's first story was about Bunny and Lila's is about ducks.  Lila loves ducks and is now able to put them into a simple story.  She took the time to draw out each of the three scenes. I am very proud of her for having a beginning, middle and end to her story that included a conflict and a solution.  This is something that is very hard to consistently produce at this age and I hope that she continues to develop logical story lines with a problem and a solution.  I also liked how she kept the number of ducks straight when adding the friend duck and then taking him away. 

Here is her story.  She had me write the words but I just wrote what she said and where she wanted me to write it on the page. 

NYC Baby!

Savannah I got to visit New York again this year.  This was our second annual trip to see the Rockettes and wander down 5th avenue and through Time Square.  It was another perfect trip.  How fun it is to spend an entire day in the city with my big girl who never threatens to cry, complain or sour any moment of the day.  Savannah appreciates the trip and understands that she is privileged to have such an experience.  We can't wait to go back next year.

Here is a run down of our day.

First, we went to Rockefeller Center to see the Christmas tree, even though it is always surrounded by scaffolding this time of year.  Savannah remembered that there is a Lego shop right off the ice skating rink so we went in and admired the impressive Lego displays. Below, Savannah is standing in front of a display of Rockefeller Center. 

 

Next, it was time for Radio City Music Hall and the Rockettes!  Radio City Music Hall is so pretty this time of year.  The show was just as good as we remembered and both of us enjoyed the 3D component that they added this year.  We both agreed that the classic cannon skit where the Rockettes fall down in slow motion, is our favorite part of the show.  

After the show, we met up with friends and headed down 5th avenue to FAO Schwartz.  It was Savannah's first time in the store.  She enjoyed the supersized items they had for sale as well as the floor piano.  We got to see the piano show which showcased songs that Alex plays for the girls at home.  It made the show that much more impressive for Savannah.  Before we left, Savannah and her friend gave playing the piano with feet a try.  

Here is the song that Alex plays most for the girls.  The ladies (the one with glasses just had eye surgery) had a rocky start but ended up doing an amazing job.  

Savannah giving the piano a try.

Nerds anyone?

We dined with our friends right off of 5th avenue for a much needed rest and refueling.  The girls enjoyed our window seat and fancy glasses.

We said goodbye to our friends and made our way into Time Square.  The bright lights and enormous billboards are impressive and can only be fully appreciated in person at night.  The sidewalks were packed with people but Savannah didn't mind.  We forged ahead and enjoyed every minute of it.

Thank goodness for a bus ride home where we were able to watch movies and sleep.  Twelve plus hours out of our house is always exhausting but when that time out of the house is spent in NYC at eight years of age, a nap on the ride home is always welcome.

Until next year. . .

 

Twins but so DIFFERENT!

Lila came downstairs with the above drawing.  She explained that the orange paper was a drawing of Adeline and the red paper was a drawing of herself.  Adeline is astronaut Jet (Adeline has moved past calling herself Sam and has taken to the name Jet) with her helmet, plain clothing and boyish hair.  The other drawing is of Erika, a princess Lila has named herself after.  Erika is sporting a fancy long dress, fancy princess shoes and a beautiful up-do.

I often try to explain how different my twins are.  I think these drawings sum it up nicely. 

About a week later, Adeline tried on her Christmas dress with, surprisingly, very little push back.  I convinced her that she would like spinning in it because the skirt would look cool - I couldn't say pretty or beautiful because that would turn Miss Adeline off immediately.  As I suspected, Adeline loved spinning in her dress.  I think it was close to a novelty because the girl never wears fancy dresses.  When taking the dress off of her, I saw the wheels turning in her head.  Next, she walked over to Lila's side of the closet and asked if she could wear Lila's pink dress - perfect for twirling.  Alex and I were shocked.  Lila seemed pleased to share her dress and Adeline laid it out to wear for the next day.

The next day rolled around and Adeline wasn't thrilled with her choice of clothing.  I made her stick with it and I am so glad I did.  She was so cute in her twirly pink dress and bow.  The Belle does NOT like pink or bows, and yet, it looks so good on her.   I used to think she was going to be my dainty, girly-girl.  Somehow, she has grown into the opposite.  While I love her unique style of caterpillar shirts and jeans and her imaginary  persona, (think astronaut Jet) I loved seeing her twirl gleefully in the driveway while waiting for her bus!

To close this post, here are Lila and Adeline dressing up at Charlotte's house.  Can you guess which one is Adeline. . .

So Very Thankful

There are no words to express my thanksgiving when I look at my girls. They are happy, healthy and bright shining lights in a sometimes chaotic and stressful existence. This last month has been even more busy than the last, even though I didn't think it was possible. Now we are entering into an even more busy time of year which easily draws us out of our home, running in every direction. It is my hope that as we try and navigate through this holiday season, we keep our focus on that which we are thankful for. It is so easy for me to get wrapped up in the inch of dust that is covering my house from the construction of our basement, the one day sale that saves me $15.00 on the requested Christmas gift or the must see Christmas event that drags us out of our house longer and later than we should be.

This season, I hope to focus on my girls and give them the gift of my time and love.

I do love them so!