I FINALLY sat down to post Christmas pictures and this is what happens three minutes into it:
Addie’s reply to my gasp? “Don’t worry mommy, it’s just us. We are having fun!”
We’ve been snowed in for three days and are all going a little crazy.
We are trying to take advantage of all the fun holiday activities in a big city, but just can’t seem to get our act together. I try to remind myself that some things just aren’t compatible with a toddler and preschooler, and, before I know it, we will all be iceskating together in coordinating sweaters and knitted hats (in my dreams…). On the other hand, some things are just better with an enthusiastic three year old. Who else would get this excited every. single. time. they see the Space Needle? Addie sees this thing out the car window on a very regular basis and still requests to see it every time I ask her if there is something special she’d like to do.
If you haven’t seen Boz: A Wowiebozowee Christmas, then you are certainly missing out. We’ve seen it. A lot. In fact, one day the hot chocolate scene really got to Addie and she really needed some to accompany her movie watching. My lame-o version of hot chocolate with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles didn’t cut it. We needed marshmallows so Addie could be just like Boz. So we bundled up and sang about marshmallows all the way to the market. Thankfully, our trip was a success and I even convinced Addie that Ovaltine is the real hot chocolate mix.
This past weekend, Daniel and Addie went on a special date. Addie was super-excited when she found out they were going to ride the bus downtown. The actual destination did not matter. Daddy and the bus were the only things she needed for a perfect afternoon.
Despite the excitement of the bus, the Christmas carousel ended up being a pretty fabulous destination.
Tomorrow, Addie’s dance class will put on their own little version of The Nutcracker and I think I am more excited about it than Addie. She is just happy spinning to Barbra Streisand’s version of Jingle Bells for hours. The song stays on repeat in our house. If you’ve heard it before, than you are appropriately cringing right now. Even Carter requests “bee bells” and any version besides Babs’ just won’t do. My college roommate, Elizabeth, gets much joy out of my girls’ obsession because I banned this song (her favorite) all three years we lived together.
And, as I sit in Starbucks finishing this post, a child just started singing Jingle Bells. What an appropriate way to end…
We’ve officially lived in Seattle for six months now. While there are plenty of days I feel like such a stranger to this place, it’s nice to look at how far we’ve come, how many new things we’ve done and how many great people we’ve met since moving here in June.
The biggest hit this fall has been Addie’s dance class. She loves every single second of galloping, jumping, spinning and gliding. This girl was born to be on the move and Miss Lynn’s Creative Dance Class is her favorite 45 minutes of the week.
Carter does not like to be sidelined and it’s a very strenuous 45 minutes for me to keep her entertained and off the dance floor while continuing to offer approving smiles to Addie’s watchful eye.
And how have I not posted pictures of our trip to Hilton Head? I’d forgotten what humidity feels like and it was wonderful to be reminded. Despite a rocky trip on the way there and the loss of our iPad just before the six hour flight on the way back, we had a great time with family, friends and the sun.
Addie’s first trip to the dentist went extremely well and she somehow left with an entire bag of toys from the treasure chest. (She looks just like my did in this picture).
Addie is full of questions and I find myself answering anything from “Do pistachios have noses?” to “Can we put Carter in a basket and throw her in the ocean so a princess will find her?” (inspired by baby Moses). The questions are both hilarious and exhausting. Especially since Carter is talking at lightning speed and adding her own commentary now. For example, she now disagrees with music choices in the car and offers alternatives “How ’bout, PUPPY SONG!” No, no, no. How ’bout BUS SONG!” The little tid bit even has her fair share of time-outs and offers a “sorry” afterward. She is not even 18 months old!
Thanksgiving pics and Christmas fun to come…
I’m referring to Seattle. The city where the sun doesn’t shine 8 months out of the year. This recent iPhone picture is proof that the sun is shining everywhere but here:
As I’ve quickly learned, there is absolutely no use waiting around for the rain to let up. So, in an attempt to maintain sanity, we headed to the zoo this morning.
I’m not so sure Carter saw much of anything from her waterproof pod. Here is some proof that she does, in fact, enjoy her life far more than depicted on this blog. I need to work on that…
There was quite a bit of singing leading up to the debut of Mary and her Little Lamb on Halloween night. The girls had two very different takes on the classic, but both played their roles well.
Addie:
Mary had a yittle yam
Yittle yam, yittle yam!
Mary had a yittle yam whose quiche was white as snoooowwww
Carter:
Mumble mumble AM!
Mumble AM!
Mumble mumble AM! mumble mumble nooooooooo
Addie invited some traditional tea party guests to her very nontraditional tea party. Check out the Toca Tea Party app. We love it.
My dad was always telling me to “take a deep breath” whenever I would get worked up or frustrated. I find myself reciting this phrase a million times a day to both myself and Addie. I count to three so often that Carter knows to finish my “one” with “two, FEE!”
I have many pictures to post of our trip, halloween, and generally sweet moments, but I feel nothing captures the essence of everyday life like the above photo!
My worst travel fears became a reality this past weekend. We missed our connecting flight and had no other option but to wait 24 hours for the next flight from Dallas to Savannah. After a three hour wait for our luggage and a thirty minute wait for the shuttle bus, we collapsed in the hotel room.
Despite the crazy circumstances, we were able to visit my cousin Megan and her kids. The great thing about having Catholic and Puerto Rican relatives is that we have a cousin in practically every city!
We are now safe (and sane) in Hilton Head…
or 18 minutes to the nearest Chick-fil-a from our condo in Hilton Head. I did not realize how obsessed I was with this place until I lived in a Chick-fil-a-less state.
We do, however, have an Ikea. Which would you choose? Chick-fil-a or Ikea? I am torn.
In a little over a week, the girls and I are going to Hilton Head to spend time with family. We are incredibly excited to see everyone and to get our feet in some East Coast sand. I think it is crazy we can travel from snow-capped mountains and Canadian TV stations to moss-filled trees and alligators in one day.
On the other hand, traveling with a one and three year old is a daunting task. I compare it to giving birth without an epidural. It seems like a good idea, until you are in the midst of the pain. And when it’s all said and done, you feel quite cocky and proud of your accomplishment, but secretly wish for drugs, lots and lots of drugs, and swear you will never do it again.
I am in the “this is a good idea” phase of travel preparation and believe I can make it an enjoyable experience if I just plan, prepare, and plan some more. I need this to work.
Here’s a peek into my very large carry-on bag:
The Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Apptivity Case
A friend traveling a 22 hour flight with an 11 month old lead me onto this. Will it be the miracle it seems to be?
The TRAYblecloth Airplane Tray Activity Cover
This thing is bigger and better than our beloved Snack Trap. I may order another one before we leave.
I admit $16 bucks is a little pricey for tupperware, but this will get a lot of use in our family. It’s big enough to fit our favorite Veggie Booty snack and there aren’t multiple lids to lose.
I am hoping to keep Addie busy making Cheerio necklaces and reading various versions of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, her current favorite. The cousins sent a fabulous book just in time for our trip. It’s somewhat large, but worth the bulk. We are hoping it will create Magical Moments for us.
Carter gets a few household items such as a lint roller, Post-It notes, and a box of tissues. I am really going all out for her.
Last, but not least, there is the faithful Trunki.
This thing is a fabulous way to spend time during a layover, but a pain in the butt to store during the flight. I have a love-hate relationship with the Trunki.
Is am considering bringing a bag of Dum-Dums for my girls to hand out to fellow passengers to win over their affection before the tantrums start. Is that legal?
For myself: 1/2 of a Dramamine pill. Just enough to prevent me from barfing on my children, but not enough to render me unconscious.
Daniel is our official escort. He gets to endure the flight, but does not get to stay for a two-week vacation. When I start to feel guilty about this, I remember he will have two solid weeks of sleeping in late, and I don’t feel as bad.
Are there any other preparation junkies out there? What am I missing?