They're amazing - just ask us!

You can also ask any grandparent or aunt and they'll tell you tales of the wondrous and amazing things our girls are doing. We show them off occasionally and do make them perform (BAD parents!) but try to keep ourselves in check. We always say, one minute you think you've got a genius and the next they eat a bug. Well, we think these two are pretty great but, we're supposed to, right? You be the judge. For example, did you know.....

....Hallie can ride a two-wheeler? She also can read some signs around town, knows which direction we need to turn to get certain places and asks where we're going based on the landmarks she sees. She can print her name as well as her sisters' and mom's and dad's. She learned how to cut her pancakes herself and learned what 'bite-sized' means. She prefers pink but includes blue as a favorite in deference to us. She speaks very plainly and is quite polite and articulate. She loves school and seems to be coping well with the sudden loss of her teacher. Most recently, she learned about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (though she doesn't always get the order right) and pre-sold 16 boxes of See's for her fundraiser. That's 384 candy bars, folks. See us if you need chocolate. We recently went on an ABC photo safari around town and found about half of the alphabet in our local landmarks. After about half an hour of popping in and out of the car, she repeatedly reminded me that 'D' was for Denny's. She still LOVES, I cannot emphasize enough, L-O-V-E-S her sister and marches right past me to get to her when she gets home from school. She is sweet, encouraging, gentle and concerned and calls her 'sweetie pie'. She still reminds me every day of what my duties are to be in her absence. What would we do without her?

Did you also know.....
....Anna looks for her toes when they're inside her jammies? Or, that she doesn't sleep through the night because she has incredible thoughts of genius that require her to dictate them to us in the middle of the night? She can sit up for several minutes and takes it in stride when she tips. She just rolls over and looks like she intended to do it all along. She eats cereal and veggies and is about to partake in the joys of liquefied fruit. She somehow manages to roll herself around the room and gravitates toward the VHS and DVD boxes. One minute, she is in sight, and the next..she has rolled where we can't see her. She likes to reach for and grab toys and books and really seems to enjoy being read to.
It's amazing how long she will remain attentive when a story is being read. Sometimes Hallie invites her to hear her bedtime story and she can listen for at least half of most books. She will go down awake for a nap in her crib - as long as Hallie isn't home and will patiently wait in her bassinet while mom gets a shower - she has not cried once. She laughs hysterically at anything Hallie does, and by that I mean SHRIEKS and laughs until she cries. Well, in all fairness, Hallie IS pretty funny. She likes to see herself in the mirror and will take the little mirror off her baby gym, lie on her back and admire the face that looks back at her. Look out!

The next photo session is up and coming. These portraits are from November (3 month shots) so the truly amateur photos below show just how big they've grown.

It had to happen some time!

Why was this picture chosen? To match the look that is about to be on the reader's face, of course. That's right, folks, we've waited long enough! It was time for Anna's first trip to Disneyland. I mean come on, it's been almost five months! If not for the holiday decorations, we would have waited, but Hallie wanted us all to go see her favorite "It's a Small World" all decorated for Christmas. She should know - it's not a terrible idea. After all, she went at 4 1/2 months for the grand unveiling of the then new "Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh" ride. Hallie thought that it was about time for the whole family to go anyway. She always misses the others who stayed home. So, being the savvy passholders who know better, we drove to Disneyland on one of the first days into the new year.

Now, with the addition of California Adventure and Downtown Disney, we have lost the best thing about the journey to Disneyland. For the most part we have stopped reminiscing about how we could just park (hoping for Alice or Bambi rather than Winnie the Pooh) and RUN! Up the main aisle, down the concourse, past the information booth and directly through the turnstiles. We like DCA and the Downtown Disney district so we slowly accepted the change and remember that Disneyland was always supposed to be changing. This tolerance does NOT apply during the weeks of winter break. Instead of casually approaching the front gate with the ticket booths coming closer and closer into view (and no, at this point, we would NOT have run) we drove up to the long lined entrance to the parking structure at 10:24am. We were willing to arrive with the crowds because who wants to get up to be there before 8am on a vacation day with a baby who doesn't yet sleep through the night? We knew there was a risk involved and we were willing to take it. So after parking - granted we were on a freshly opened level, so were near the escalator - and waiting for the tram, checking bags and waiting in the actual entrance line, we found ourselves inside the gate at 11:24. Yup, by the hands of the happy Mickey clock on the train station, we were shown that it took ONE HOUR (sorry, am I shouting?) from getting off the freeway to get into the park. We were only going to stay about two hours anyway! Now subtract the time to convince a four year old that a bathroom stop is going to occur regardless of her opinion and a diaper change and we should have just turned around and gone home.

Strangely, our mood was not turned and we pressed on. The goal... no, wait...first, we had to buy hats for the fiftieth time since we keep buying them to keep in the car and they somehow NEVER stay in the car. They should have punch cards for the number of hats you buy - then these might have been the free ones. Anyway, the goal - Small World, maybe eat and, go home. What do you suppose happened? Any of you familiar with Murphy's Law want to buzz in here? What? Too good to be true! It's a Small World appeared to have NO line! Knowing what the crowd should have looked like and knowing our luck as we do, our step slowed and the wheels began turning in anticipation of the decision whether to stay or call it a loss. The ride was flanked on all sides by pastel blue clad people, in boater's hats, letting us know that the ride was down and crews were working on it. They estimated that it would be up again by about 1:30. SIGH. Still, we did not get grumpy - good for us! It was now about noon and we thought we'd try to get some lunch - just to give them a chance to get back in our good graces, you understand. Ever tried to find a table at an amusement park at noon? Usually, we eat at 11 when the restaurants start serving to ensure fewer crowds and a table of our choosing. We really needed to kill time in hopes of getting Anna on that ride. For whatever reason, no one (relative term) was eating so we grabbed a table and let the dad go off in search of food. Hallie and Anna and I enjoyed people watching and the girls were very patient. We had a leisurely lunch surrounded by, for the most part (another blog another day), polite, mindful families having fun. Even with a kids meal and a bottle (Anna's, not ours) to finish, we couldn't stretch it out until 1:30. So with a gulp and a prayer to Walt, we set out to meet the children of the world (for the millionth time) and pretend that the version of Jingle Bells played in the ride ACTUALLY masks the never leave your head theme song we hear the other 10 months of the year.

Well, the pixie dust was sprinkling on us for, as we neared the ride, we saw the line beginning to form and we jumped in. We waited for a short time, boarded our boat and were off. Now,I try hard to take non-flash pictures when I can so as not to spoil the ride for others (who are flashing away, in case you're interested) but it is IMpossible to digitally capture an infant who is seeing all those lights and hearing all those sounds for the first time. Well versed on infant photo etiquette, Hallie smiled patiently in my direction each time, as I snapped away in hopes of one shot that was not the pale, pinkish blur of a rubber necking baby. She seemed to like it all - she loves lights of any kind so we figured we were pretty safe with this one - and only fussed when we sailed past a speaker that blared the fanfare and refrain of the holiday soundtrack. We emerged once again into the bright winter sunlight, put the fiftieth hats on, and made for the Mickey cartoon theatre and the exit. Hallie didn't complain one bit, she was so proud to tell Anna what she could do soon and how they would ride together, which made for very proud parents! Anna just had that wonderful, blank look of a 4 month old the entire time, but she didn't cry - woo hoo! We'll be back before she can say M-I-C-K-E-Y.
PS They actually give you a free button at City Hall if it's your birthday, honeymoon or first visit (see Anna in above photo) but you have to know to ask.

December 21st-January 1st.......

........Otherwise known as The Big Blur
'Twas four days before Christmas when the marathon began, the coordination of visits to include all the clan. With a family so large all vying for time, would Christmas be hectic or nearly sublime? I don't think there's anyone who can't answer that, after 11 years of marriage, we almost have it down pat. It was busy that's true, but we got it together and as each year passes it seems to get better.

For us 'Christmas' dawned on December 23 with gifts from Granny and Grandpa under the tree. They brought them of course, and no thanks to I-15, just before dinner arrived at the scene. Candyland, a hot meal and then the unwrapping left us quite full and happy, all the while laughing. Clothes for the girls and some great DVDs-needless to say the family was pleased! The cookies came out - forget those new pounds, 'cause a good time was had with hugs all around. At the close of the night, the grandfolks went forth and left us to play as they continued up north.

December 24 brought brunch with Grampa Chuck. Yes, more food, fun and presents and imagine the luck! Under the tree was TMX Elmo-even when toy stores had no more to sell though. New baby toys and a turtle that shines stars - it's been blazing constellations every night so far. We giggled at Elmo and played with the toys and generally enjoyed all that great Christmas noise. After Grampa went home, we took a quick rest, then got ready for church - donned our Christmas best. The Christmas story was shared in scripture and song, and when it was over before too long, we went out to the courtyard for a special surprise. There were animals there to pet - just the kids' size! After seeing the cow, sheep, goats and hens and a dab of Purell for a post barnyard cleanse, we said good night to Grandma and went home to our beds, while the gameplan for the next day raced through our heads.

Christmas morning had arrived - we were halfway through, and it was baby's first Christmas. What would she do? She slept pretty well and gave us a break so we actually slept before Hallie was awake. She came in and told us - politely, I might add, that Santa had come-"Come on, Mom and Dad". She was excited to see the gifts under the tree and that Santa had enjoyed the milk and cookies. Santa brought the Dora house and doc kit that was hoped for, penguin bowling for Anna and quite a bit more. After opening the gifts, what seemed a hundred or so, we had to get ready again, it was time to go. Off to Auntie and Uncle's for Christmas brunch, and a few dozen more gifts, we had a hunch. The girls opened toys, books, DVDs and games, Hallie was quick to read the tags for the names. A nice time at brunch, then to Grandma's Hallie goes, a visit to Rose Hills then home to cook potatoes.
Grammie arrived around 2:30/3:00 and we daydreamed of dinner-it was prime rib, you see. Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Mike hosted Christmas dinner this year. We enjoyed good company and feasted with cheer. Another round of gift giving came after we dined, a more loving family would be hard to find. Then we packed up the sweaters, gifts were in boxes or bagged, and we drove to see Christmas lights though little eyes sagged. We oohed and ahhed at the elaborate displays, then headed home - a pleasant end to our Christmas days. What we could manage, girls and gifts came inside, no trick to guess which fell asleep on the ride. As the night wound down and we tucked them in tight, we cherished the memories as we kissed them goodnight. Our Christmas was magical, as Christmas should be, and we look forward to the many more we shall see.
The holidays were delightful with family so near, we wish everyone great joy in the coming new year.

The Greatest Story Ever Told

When you have children, no holiday season is complete without the annual 'Holiday Program'. Whatever the holiday being featured, it is sure to be the sweetest, dearest and most comical twenty minutes of December (well, other than your kids playing with the boxes the toys came in, that is..) Our Church Preschool Nativity was no different. We had the privilege of being stage parents to a versatile little actress. One night she was to play a sheep and the next night, Mary. A diva in training, she preferred her role as Mary but we convinced her that being a sheep one night might be better than being a sheep both nights. In a glorious production, the children sang their way through the Christmas story, complete with handheld jingle bells, though I don't remember a lot of sleigh travel in Judea.

The two year olds were wide-eyed stars who either cried, yawned (as Hallie did) or sucked their thumbs. Graced with another year of maturity, the three and some four year olds were angels (wearing new wings this year, I might add). Much like the seniors in high school, the pre-K children had finally worked their way to the top of the heap. Basically, this means that they had costumes that took more than a minute to put on and they probably wouldn't cry. They were cast as sheep, shepherds, wise men and the Holy family. And so it came to pass that, led by the teachers, the children paraded in - the littlest and most flighty held by the hand. They gathered around the little manger and obligatory baby doll. {note: Mary, not being allowed to pick up her own baby at home REALLY would have been okay carrying in the baby Jesus down the aisle}
To announce the Good News, they sang 'Go Tell it on the Mountain' followed by 'Mary Had a Baby'. 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Christmas Star' led the way to the stable and 'Away in a Manger' told us of the baby's first night. At that point, the telling of the story was done because the bells were passed (which Mary immediately dropped and had to dive under the manger to retrieve) and the loud, joyful, seriously lacking in rhythm ringing began. After the quick collection of the bells, the children wished the audience a merry Christmas, in song, and posed for the cameras. It's not hard to guess that the photo session lasted nearly as long as the program as, class by class, the parents were invited forward to capture every memory. Each tear, sneeze, yawn, wave, and squirm are forever captured on the memory cards of everyone's cameras. Access to all pictures is required in order to get the real feel for the evening because, of course, each parent's photos of their child holds the toddler's brief flicker of attention. It's a well known fact that every one else has pictures of your child picking his or her nose and pulling on their hats.



The beauty of Hallie having reached the age of four is that she 'gets' Christmas. Yes we have more work to do now in terms of making sure Santa does his job but, Hallie knows why we celebrate Christmas and understands the message and meaning of Christmas. She can switch with ease between the stories of Jesus and the stories of Santa Claus and knows that the latter is the person who keeps the spirit of Christmas going by acting like Jesus wanted - being kind and giving, and loving everyone. Pretty good for four, I think. You know.....when the world gets too scary and I need a reminder of how it should be...I'm going to her.


For a simple version of the Christmas story watch the clip below. Enjoy!

Santa, the deer and all that North Pole Stuff

It has been suggested that I have somehow caused Hallie's proclivity toward relishing Christmas. Hey, I'm not a fanatic and, though I don't grumble about the mall decorations displayed before Halloween, I concede to waiting until after a certain December birthday to get a tree (never mind that it would dry out anyway) and I wholeheartedly agree that the Christmas music should start after Thanksgiving. So, I'm not hopeless, right? Dear Hallie has come by her love of Christmas honestly and I don't do anything to encourage her further - not really, anyway. Believe me, she is well versed on all things Christmas and if you can get her to sit still long enough, she will fill you in on what you need to know. Here are her thoughts...
On reindeer: "Reindeers fly and they eat hay. They also leap out and play and they stop so Santa could give the presents to happy little children named Hallie (when pressed she includes Anna and Mommy and Daddy). They fly onto the roof pulling Santa's sleigh."




On Santa: "He lives at the North Pole. Santa delivers presents and loves to ride his reindeer all the time. Before they dash away, he calls all his reindeer by name. Elves make the toys and he lives with Mrs. Claus."


On Christmas Trees: "Christmas trees grow from seeds. You get them from the Christmas Tree store and then what you do with them is put it on top of your van. Then you take it home. Then you decorate it with ornaments and a star and lights. Then you go to sleep. Santa Claus comes and brings you presents and your mom and dad have to wake you up when Santa's gone."

She clearly recognizes all the symbols of a secular Christmas and, at this point, sees them as decoration for celebrating Jesus' birth. She has synthesized all the information beautifully. She can distinguish that the two Santa's she saw are different Santas (which is why she asked each one for something different) yet she knows there is one other Santa who pulls the Christmas Eve shift. It's perfectly logical to her and I wouldn't mess with it for the world.

I think she gets it better than we do.