Merry Christmas!

Okay, so I have been slacking.  Things have been a little nutty with Christmas and all.

The last week of school was crazy. I was running around trying to wrap up all loose ends before the kiddos were out of school. I got it all done and was even able to sew presents for all the staff of the school (compliments of the sunshine committee, which I co-chair). I made some extra tissue holders for family as well.

The kids pre-school did a wonderful job organizing a Nativity play in the worship space with a milk and cookie reception afterwards.  Rebecca was frankincense during the play and Tyler was a donkey.  They both sang loudly and did all the motions.  Ryan was able to take a few hours off work to come and watch so I didn't have to worry about taking pictures and videotaping at the same time.  Each class made presents for their parents which were homemade and extemely special.  Tyler made an ornament for the tree and a reindeer pin, as well as a Christmas tree tee-shirt that his whole class wore for their Happy Birthday Jesus celebration the next day.  Rebecca made us a book/calendar for the year with her handprints creating a scene for each month. It was laminated and bounded. 

The same day of the play, Tyler got his first stripe in karate.  It is a yellow stripe on his white belt.  Mr. Scott (his instructor) invited all the parents to watch his class do a demonstration of their skills.  Ryan and I were really impressed with all that he has learned so far.  That same week, Rebecca also earned a medal in gymnastics for her session.  She loves going and is trying to learn how to do a cartwheel.  She practices it all the time.  I hope it pays off for her soon so she stays encouraged.

During that same week we had our MOMS Club family Christmas dinner and a moms only ornament exchange.  Both of those events were lots of fun.

Ryan and I went to our supper clubs Christmas party. Adam and Kelly hosted it again this year. I think this is their 3rd year hosting.  They changed locations this year to their neighborhoods clubhouse and it was so nice.  We had lots of room for the food, games and gift exchange.  Every year the party coordinator (Adam) comes up with games/contests for us.  This year it was a gingerbread house making competition.  Matt won and I can't remember who placed 2nd and 3rd. I think there was another game planned but we got started abount an hour late so we'll probably play it next year.

On the same night of the party, Jill and Ryan hosted their annual cousin sleepover.  They have all the Galasso and Strange cousins over 1 year go over and spend the night.  I know that they plan all kinds of fun activities for the kids and this year they came home with crafts.  My kids are still talking about how much fun they had.

My side of the family was spending Christmas in New Jersey this year.  We celebrated early with them.  The kids each got a barbie jet, imaginext batcave, and little people airport.  These have been much played with toys once we opened them.

The week of Christmas was also a crazy week for us.  I hosted a Christmas party for our book club one night and a margarita and mexican happy hour dinner for my girlfriends the next night. Both were very different affairs but each was a lot of fun.  I was lucky that Ryan came home to cook our fajitas and watch the kids for us during the happy hour. It was just what us moms needed to have a minute to enjoy ourselves during this busy season.

We spend Christmas Eve and Christmas night at Ryan's parents house. The food was great(as always). The kids ran around crazy (as always) but mostly got along great. On Christmas night, they put on a show for us.  It was very sweet. Madison was the director and I suspect the writer as well. It is great how all the kids listened to her and did a great show for us.  She plays the piano and played some Christmas songs for us. All the kids sang the carols as well.

Our kids all received lots of great presents this year.  Rebecca got lots of accessories for her barbies and easy bake oven. She also got some games and an MP3 player.  Her favorite gifts were her Barbie jet, Barbie cruise ship, and tickets to see Annie with all her cousins.  Tyler got some games, a nerf gun (which is Ryan's favorite present), and an Artic Cat which is a power wheels toy. His favorite gifts are his monster truck/gator (what he calls the Artic Cat), his batcave, and his pirate ship.  Jason got a play center and tee-ball set from Santa.  He definitely loves the tee-ball set the most.  He also jumped right into the ride-on toy before anyone else could.  We are so thankful for all the presents we received. Thank you!

We went to lunch the day after Christmas with Ryan's Aunt Carol, Uncle Vinnie, his cousins and their kids.  We haven't seen them all of them in a long time (although we did get to see some last year) so it was really nice to catch up. Hopefully when the weather is nicer, we can plan a bbq in the new backyard and invite everyone over. It will be easier to talk than at a restaurant. 

Well, I think I have caught you all up.  I hope each of year had a Merry Christmas or whatever you celebrated.  And I hope you have a Great New Year!

Rebecca's 5th birthday party

We had a joint party for Rebecca's birthday with her friend Brett.  We had the party at INK in Gainesville and probably had about 50 kids there plus the parent(s).  It was a little crazy but we didn't have to leave anyone out so it was great. 

Rebecca had a great time.  There is so much to do at the place.  It seemed like all the kids were enjoying themselves.  I know Tyler really liked it as well.  I'm not sure about Jason because as soon as we got in there he took off running.  I have no clue who watched him the whole time but I think it was mostly Pop Pop Tom.

Feeding all those people was a little hectic. And I grossly underestimated the amount of juice we needed for all those kids.  Oh well...I don't think anyone died from having to serve their kids water from the fountain when we ran out of juice.  Rebecca's crown cake came out well. I wasn't really sure I would be able to pull it off but I am glad I tried it and didn't call Publix on Thursday like I was contemplating.

And the gifts, Rebecca's friends got her the most wonderful gifts. Lots of barbies, jewelry kits, oven stuff for her easy bake oven, a microphone, games, arts and crafts stuff and her favorite gift....a chef's apron with her name on it.  Our friend Judy made it for her (I mean sewed it) and then had it embroidered with Rebecca's name on it.  It is adorable.  She put it on immediately and wore it until bedtime.  When she got up this morning, she wore it all day until she had to leave for a friends house. 

Thank you everyone who came to the party. Check out the pictures on our shutterfly site.

Backyard project

Last week Ryan embarked on a project to level our backyard. I must admit at first I couldn't really imagine how it would look.  But now that it is completed, it looks great.  In the spring, we will have to have a party to christen the new yard.  I will post some pictures soon.

Girl's sleepover

Last Friday night Rebeca went to a sleepover at Grandma Beverly's house.  Grandma Beverly is not her actual grandma but her cousin Libby's grandma.  Rebecca started calling her that a long time ago and Tyler followed suit.  Anyway, Grandma Beverly had a sleepover for lots of little girls.  They went on a horse and carriage ride, saw Santa Claus, and then played at the house. Rebecca had so much fun.

She now wants to host a girls sleepover at our house...

Life is short so take some time to say I love you.

Two things this past week hit me really hard. But first I want to say that we are so lucky to be part of a great preschool and its community.

On Monday when we got back to school after Thanksgiving break, I learned of a teacher at the school who lost her grandson to SIDS. He was 7 months old.  Her son had to make the heartbreaking choice of taking his son of life support.  His baby.  I've spent so much time over these last couple of days trying to come to peace with why this was His plan. Gods...I mean. An innocent baby. I've always thought that God only gives us what he thinks we can each handle.

Today I learned of another heartbreaking death. A mother at our preschool passed away in a car accident yesterday. It was raining, her car hydroplaned, she went into the other lane and was hit head on.  In that instant her whole families lives changed. Her sweet daughter, my R's friend, will grow up without a mother. I've have been trying to wrap my brain around this. But I can't. I'm not sure this will ever make sense to me.

Life is so short. That instant can happen to any of us. Be sure to take some time every day and tell everyone important to you that you love them.  Show them. Hug them. Never go to bed angry. You never what may change.

Rebecca's Birthday

Monday was Rebecca's 5th birthday.  We celebrated at her school with cupcakes for her class. Her teachers gave her a hat to wear which she did almost all day. After school she had gymnastics.  Her whole sang Happy Birthday to her which was really cute.  Ryan and I told her she could pick what she wanted for dinner. I was completely expecting to be eating chicken nuggets at McDonald's but she wanted chinese chicken and soup.  This is code for sesame chicken and sizzling rice soup.  So we went out for a nice birthday dinner with both sets of grandparents, our family, and her cousin Libby.  Ryan bought her a cookie cake (another favorite) which we enjoyed at the restaurant.

She got lots of phone calls from the family members she didn't get to see and was excited to hear their voices on the anwering machine.

On Sunday we are bringing her to the American Girl doll store. She is going to get some outfits for her bitty twin. She is so excited.  I'll update you guys after that...