Sunday, December 20, 2009

the Hugger

4 more days 'till Frisbee the Elf on the Shelf goes back home (at least for a while).
4 more days 'till the threats of "behaving or Santa will not come" just don't hold as much weight.
4 more days until we realize the space we have in the mini-van is still not enough when you have to pack clothes and presents.
4 more days until our girls are beaming from ear to ear with the excitement of Christmas.

It's hard to tell who is more excited for Christmas. Mom & Dad or Charlotte & Maeve. There is just something wondrous about leaving cookies and carrots out for Santa and his reindeer the night before. Something magical about watching your kids rip through presents buried under the tree on Christmas morning. We are thankful for what we have and if you took all the gifts and boxes away, we would still be blessed with the best gift ever, our family.

Maeve has been practicing her I Love You's lately and it melts our hearts. Today while sitting on the couch next to Charlotte, out of the blue, she looked at her big sister, and said, "I love you Charlotte" and proceeded to give her a giant hug. Charlotte in the meantime kept watching television, like nothing happened. I on the other hand was ready to break down at the love this kid has for her big sister.

Maeve is a love bug. A lot of people say that about their kids, but for Maeve it is true. She loves giving hugs. Loves being held. Loves being carried around the house. She doesn't get glued to a television. She gets glued to your chest, resting her head on your shoulder, squeezing you as tight as her little body can. She is, for lack of a better word, a hugger. My hope for Maeve is that she always stays a hugger. That she will always prefer the warmth of a hug over the bright lights of an exciting television show. So we take the hugs she gives us. We cherish them. Never knowing if she is going to grow out of being a hugger.

Monday, December 07, 2009

Happy 4th Birthday Charlotte. We cannot believe you are 4. The time flew so fast and you are such a little grown up girl.
You had fun picking out the theme to this birthday. We all went to Target to look at the plates. You saw this beautiful plate with a fancy (as you call it) dress and had to have it. When mom told you it was for a wedding you said "then I am going to have a wedding birthday" and that you did. You also love my little pony so we added a little of that to the party as well.
You and mom picked out your dress at Mom's favorite store Nordstrom. You were so excited to wear it. Nanny made you a veil from some of the decorations. You flapped your arms in such excitement when you saw yourself all ready for your party.
We couldn't be more proud of the little girl you are. You are a sweet daughter always telling us how much you love us. You are very patient with your little sister. You ask every morning if she is sleeping b/c she is who you want to see when you get up. You are caring, silly, enthusiastic, animated, quirky, passionate and intelligent. Happy 4th Birthday Charlotte, we love you so much.










Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Thanksgiving


We made the road trip to Vermont for a great Thanksgiving. Charlotte loves being at Nanny and Grampa's.



This is Uncle Bob's birthday cake. Charlotte could not wait to get her hands on this cake. She must have asked 452 times if it was "time" for cake.


Trying to get a decent picture of mom and Maeve. Did not quite work. Never managed to get one of the girls in their cute dresses, maybe next year.



We were all glad to meet Jackson. Maeve and Charlotte just loved him.


Alex and Maeve cooking a turkey dinner..yum!


Charlotte, Grampa and Dad went Christmas tree hunting. They found the perfect tree.


However, Charlotte was determined to cut this one down. Luckily for us, she didn't manage. It was a pretty sad looking tree.


Grampa and Charlotte having a blast together as usual.