December Celebrations and Snow

 Painting snow while the blizzard was churning outside and Seth was sleeping

 Blizzard of December 26th 2010

 Right in the center of his trians.  He did this on his own. 

 More train fun

 Not so much fun in snow.  Not a winter boy.  He is on Team Mommy!

 This little snow bunny could have played outside all day

 Daddy pulling her on the sled

 Her favorite gift and the only thing she really wanted and asked for

 Rapunzel, Rapunzel Let Down Your Hair

 Flynn is coming to save you Rapunzel

 Noah's Ark Shape Sorter is another favorite gift

 Seth got a personalized step stool/chair with trains

 He likes it  A LOT

 Just hanging out on Christmas Eve

 This boy melts my heart 1000 times over no matter what he does

 Gingerbread Girl looks like a present on Christmas and she is a gift everyday

 At Mohegan Sun for Christmas Dinner

 At Mohegan Sun with Papa

 Playing with new wind up toys

 My two blessings and bundles of joy

 Happy Girl with her reindeer that sings "Shout."

 Dressed up for Christmas at Mohegan Sun

 Admiring the Christmas Tree at Mohegan Sun

 She loves Gingerbread Houses

 Hard to get a picture together

 Seth is happy with Papa holding him to watch the waterfall

 Ready for dinner.  Are you going to be well-behaved?

 The girls

 The boys 

 Grandson and Grandfather

 Nobody makes me smile like my sister

Proud of her Light Brite creation

We had a wonderful time with our winter celebrations and have more to come for New Year's.  My dad came on Christmas Eve and we went to Sakura Garden for Japanese Food.  Delicious and fun.  Then on Christmas nigth we went to Mohegan Sun and ate at Tuscany and toured the Gingerbread House and looked at all the decorations and did some shopping for Christmas items at 50% off and buy one get one free at Lush.  We had lots of fun and good times and memories. 

On Sunday, it started to snow and then entire tri state area and New England were under blizzard warnings.  We ended up without that much snow, but tons of whipping wind and snow drifts up to 17 feet.  So we bunkered down on Sunday afternoon and evening.  Rich stopped at the food store and Starbucks so we were set for the storm.  Luckily it cleared out by late morning on Monday and my dad had a safe ride home.  Rich took the kids out to play in the snow and the verdict was that Savannah loves it and could have stayed longer and Seth wanted to come in as soon as he went out.  He cried when the wind blew and did not even try to touch the snow.  He did not like walking in it either.  I think I have a buddy in not liking snow, but the jury is still out.  We will see as he gets older, but he has never liked the wind.  Mommy "saved" him and brought him to his warm and cozy trains. Savannah had a ball making snow angels, walking, running, and sledding. 

For New Year's we are heading up to the mountains of Massachusetts for some ski lessons for Savannah and snow tubing, magicians, and music and then fireworks and a balloon drop at the stroke of midnight.  It is a fun filled family celebration to ring in 2011.

Rich has completed his last weekend call forever (we hope), since he is changing to full time urgent care in 2 months. He was on for 3 nights straight and rounded in the hospital for 5 days.  He was at the hospital before 6 a.m. every day and the beeper was very busy and he was interrupted every night.  We will be so relieved when overnight call is a thing of the past.  We are so excited for his new opportunity.

Savannah is doing wonderfully in school and with all her activities.  She continues to love dance and is going to start gymnastics this week.  Her swimming instructor's schedule has changed, so it does not coincide with our schedule any longer, so she will not be taking swimming lessons for awhile, but will now start gymnastics.  I think she will love it, by the flips she does off the couch.  She is a fantastic big sister and Seth idolizes her. 

Seth is learning and developing at such a fast pace. He is so smart and curious.  He seems to have turned 2 early, with his favorite words being no and more.  And, if he doesn't get his way, watch out.  He is into everything and the world revolves around him.  A typical toddler.  He is lucky he is SO cute. 

Happy and healthy 2011 to everyone. 



21 Months on the Trolley

 Is loving his new table with roads and paths and he is playing with Savannah's pink vehicles, but that is ok.

 Now onto his Cars truck.

 Winterfest at the Trolley Museum

 Loving the lights and it was a "warm" evening for December in New England

 Amazed at the lights on the Trolley ride

 Turning the trolley and we got a photo while the lights were on.  We lost Savannah's gloves so she is wearing Daddy's and Seth wanted no gloves, no hat, and take his jacket off on the trolley.

 They had Santa in the museum after the trolley ride, but Seth wouldn't go near him.  Savannah is here whispering her wishes. 

 Love how Savannah is patting Seth's head.

 The train exhibits in the museum were great.  Seth was mesmorized.

 Our little engineer figuring out his Thomas toy.

 What to do with packages that just arrived

 Make steps

 Take a seat

 Arrange them

 Climb up them

 Carry them and move them around the house (these are very light).

 I crack myself up.

 Stacking time

 Lots of fun with boxes

My sister is not here so I can even play with her doll stroller.

It is hard to believe that 6 week old baby we brought home from Japan what feels like a moment ago is 21 months.  To celebrate, we had a warmish evening on Saturday and we took the kids to Winterfest at the Trolley Museum.  they have the lawn lit up and blow up snowmen, Thomas, trees, etc. They also have a train table, coloring and an awesome train museum/exhibit (it isn’t big, but they did a great job with the electric trains and decorating them). We couldn’t tear Seth away. The store has Melissa and Doug and Thomas. They also have live music, Santa and popcorn, cookies and hot chocolate for a $1. All the kids get to see Santa and get a gift (Savannah got a Slinky and Seth got a little book about elves).  We went on a trolley ride through the valley and the houses, trees and bridge were lit up and decoated for Christmas.  They sang Christmas Carols on the trolley ride.  It was really fun and great for young kids because it isn't too long.  Considering the place is totally run by volunteers, they did a really nice job. It was worth it.

Seth is also enjoying his new activity table with roads and streets and places for his planes, trains, and automobiles.  He is such a fun child and is playing in such a sophisticated manner.  His language is growing day by day and he is starting to combine words.  He is showing interest in potty training and doing big boy things.  He is smart and curious and full of love.  He will climb and be a rough and tumble boy, but then loves to cuddle.  His newest thing is what I call "no stuffed animal left behind."  When he wakes up from his nap or in the morning you can't only take him out of the crib, you cannot leave a single stuffed animal or blanket in the crib or his gets hysterical.  There is always a reason for what he does.  We think he is going to be an engineer because he has to figure everything out and his is very exacting and intentional with all his does.  And, like from day one, his smile and little dimple will melt your heart over and over again.

Would really like to know who let that baby below go and grow up?

We love you Seth!