This Christmas was certainly filled with highlights.  The girls really loved their Hello Kitty rolling luggage from Lolo and Lola, the snow shoes they received from Tito and Tita, the plush My Little Ponies that don't leave their sides (thanks Josh and Jen) and the whoopee cushion (aka "Tooter aka "Whoo-she Cushion") that somehow found it's way into their stockings.  Ay, Santa.  Our neighbors may be able to attest to the girl's love of their new karaoke (Mimi).  Yes, it can be heard from the street.  Who knew that they both would feel the need to warm up their vocal cords before 8 a.m.?  Daily.  The new library tote bags and sensible boots from Mom and Dad understandably received a lukewarm reception.  The promise of new magazines and membership to a book club from Uncle Jim and Aunt Judy were heartily endorsed.  Mail with their names on it?  Better yet, fun reading material?  Yes, Please!  It was also a tremendous Christmas Eve.  The girls, along with a few neighborhood families had a visit from Santa himself before he had to hop on his sleigh and begin deliveries.  Parents red-cheeked from the Manhattans and kids giddy with anticipation, it was a perfect lead up to the big day.   However, I think the pinnacle of the Christmas celebration was when the Glow Pets were opened.  Ella actually wept with happiness, Vivian of course followed suit.  I can only liken the scene to the height of Beatle-mania.  I know it made Jerry so very happy that he trekked to eight different stores late one night last week in search of these rainbow, plush, light-up unicorn pillows.  Oh, how I cringe just typing that.  Earlier in the holiday shopping season, Mean Mommy actually walked by a display full of these hideous creatures, knowingly letting my children's dreams die in exchange for preserving just a wee bit of aesthetics in an already lost battle of home design.  Lesson learned.  Point, Jerry.  I realize that we may only have a few more Christmases left before the girls realize who is behind the stockings, wrappings and half eaten cookies left for Santa.  Promise to embrace whatever is their little heart's desires next year.  Pink, purple, gaudy, glitter and all.

It was a Christmas celebration the girls will not soon forget.  Lunching 95 floors above a city bustling with last minute shoppers, harried taxis; a city lit with holiday buzz.  When Jerry's parents said that they wanted to take a break from the annual Christmas Eve party at their house our minds started reeling with the possibilities of an alternate celebration.  Unfortunately, Jerry's idea of a family trip to Maui was quickly nixed.  However, lunch at the Signature Room seemed a possibility.  Thank you Lolo and Lola for a wonderful, wonderful time.

Ella tries her hand with the camera.

Enough snow fell today to build another sled hill in the back yard.  It was the best type of snow day you could ask for.  Just barely freezing.  Hoping we have a season full of days like today.

It was all fun and games until....

Santa channeled our elf at the house and inquired about the girl's recent behaviors.  

Two weeks ago, the day after Viv underwent a double root canal (remember that tooth trauma in October?), Ella started to complain of pain in her mouth.  Oh no, I thought, no more dental emergencies.  But upon further inspection, we saw that her tooth was loose and her permanent tooth was peaking out from behind.  Tears sprung to my eyes as I remembered waiting for this little baby tooth to erupt in her first months of life.  It's moments like these that can catch you off guard as a parent and can knock the wind out of you.  It's funny what one little tooth is capable of.  Tonight as she took her first bites of dinner, she came running into the room with a bloodied mouth and smile.  She shared her gaping-holed, mangled mouth with the entire dinner table (Lolo, Lola, Titos and Titas) and they so willingly obliged to inspect and managed not to lose their appetite.  She chose not to put the tooth under her pillow tonight and instead opted to share her little beauty with the class tomorrow.  The Tooth Fairy is now waiting on stand-by.    

Cookie Decorating with Mimi and Aunt Sandbox

The snow plows have joined the UPS trucks buzzing up and down our street and it is officially starting to feel like Christmas.  Cookie decorating at Mimi's house with my cousin Amy only sealed the deal.  This year, the girl's were shown some pretty fancy rolling, cutting and baking techniques.  We mixed a rainbow of sugary frostings which may have led to a flurry of giggle fits and rounds of "I one the sandbox...I two the sandbox..." in the backseat on the way home.  

 

Lolo and Lola,
This was an effort to capture your five "grands" in one picture.  We had four willing and happy participants (pretty impressive ratio if you think about it) just waiting to make a nice picture for their grandparents.  Your daughter-in-law connected a bit too much with the yummy golden sun light shining through this field (and right into the lens)...therefore some washed out pics.   I know we'll capture another one soon.  Until then...enjoy!

Giving Thanks

 

 





 

Ella,

Here you are next to your big girl bed.  Your luche libre mask hangs from the wall and your bed is adorned with your stuffed animals, "Sunna" and "Puff".  Your glasses are off which is rare for you.  You've grown self-conscious without them on.  You are beautiful with and without them and I wish I knew a way for you to absorb that information.  That girl that called you "freaky" when you took them off has overruled anything your Mom might be able to tell you.  I wish I could take the words away for you but the best I can do is help you figure out what to do with them.  I love you.

Mom  

Her handprint hung proudly at school.  Next to each hand, the teachers wrote what each child was thankful for.  We saw several "Gods", with "Mom and Dad" a close runner up.  Vivian is most thankful for "hugs and kisses" also known as the famous stall tactic that she employs each and every evening as she hangs from the stair banister.  Jerry and I can never turn her away no matter how many times this occurs.  I guess we're pretty thankful for the same thing. 

Piles of leaves waist high have now been dragged off by dump trucks.  Got one last jump in before the streets cleared.

Oak Park Halloween Parade

Dentists and parents across Oak Park silently cheered as the skies remained dark and drizzly almost the entire day.  For approximately ninety minutes the rain relented allowing us just enough time to stop by our favorite neighborhood houses and say hello before heading over to the Berg house for Elsa's annual birthday festivities.  The girls carefully chose ten pieces of candy.  The rest will be left for the Candy Fairy who plans to make a visit once everyone is asleep tonight.  These pictures were taken over the weekend at the Oak Park parade.  Once again we go the cardboard box route (p.s. in case you're wondering...did NOT hold up well in the rain).  Thinking next year we go with something a little more weather resistant.  About fifteen minutes into trick or treating last night, our Pink Robot ditched her body and was just walking around with her helmet. 

An Attempt at a Family Photo

The first of the leaves to fall.  Five minutes later were the first snowflakes to fall.  Autumn where did you go?

First Dance Class

I don't know how many dance classes Vivian has observed in her three years.  Last spring we spent hours watching her sister prepare for her recital.  Viv always sat patiently, watching her sister behind the double-sided mirror.  Today it was finally her turn.  She burst into the class with pent up rhythm.  She free-styled while waiting her turn in line.  She spun and pranced, twirled scarves and smiled for the entire forty-five minutes.  We were so proud.

Ella Explores Cartoon Art

Because nothing screams children's Halloween party like bloody shards of glass in your cupcakes!

Cousins have moved to Oak Park

Judging by the amount of hotdogs we had left over (not many), I'd say we had close to 40 people over to our house last Friday night.  We had prepared for 50.  It is fair to say that Jerry and I are certifiably crazy.  We scraped together some costumes for the kiddos, lit a fire, made a pot of mulled wine, popped some popcorn and hosted an outdoor screening of "The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown".  Afterwards the kids ran around in the dark, tulle and capes flying.  Tinkerbell and Merida almost had their wigs catch fire and a princess had to have her dress cut free from tricycle spokes, but other than that it was a great evening.