We finished up at our house then loaded up the van to celebrate Christmas with parents in Longwood. We ate lunch then the present opening began.
Ben was a great opening this year
This pink princess parasol was a hit
Ben got an enormous Cars blanket. Before opening every gift though he would say “Choo choo?” Finally, he did open a choo choo.
A new Wii game for Mom and Dad from Jason and Nikki.
Rosemary and Grandpa
Ben and Grandpa
With baby #3 due just two weeks after Christmas, we ended up having a very fun, albeit something of a whirlwind, Christmas break with family since I was pretty hesitant to be gone from home for too long.
We kicked things off with celebrating Christmas at home on the morning of Christmas Eve. Before heading to bed on 12/23, Jonathan and I moved all the gifts out (which had been stored in the baby’s crib so as to keep curious little eyes and fingers away) to under the tree. Growing up, it was always fun seeing the tree filled in the days before Christmas, but with the kids, we figured we still need to wait a few years before we were ready to keep wrapped toys under the tree.
The kids came and woke us up at 7 am calling, “Wake up, it’s Christmas Eve!" A few years ago, Jonathan taught Rosemary how to read a digital clock and gave her the instructions that she couldn’t come get us until her clock said 7. She follows that rule everyday…even on Christmas apparently.
After we were all together in the living room and had Pandora playing some Christmas music, the kids started opening gifts. Rosemary went right for the biggest box.
Ben opened his bat and ball first.
Hiro from Aunt Nikki & Uncle Jason
Barbie and the 12 Dancing Princesses from Nikki & Jason
A Thomas board book from Nikki & Jason too
And our gift to ourselves, a Wii and Wii fit.
Rosemary was excited…so were we. We’d had it for a week and I wouldn’t let Jonathan hook it up. Instead I wrapped it.
I tried to get a cute jammie pic…this was the best I could do. Rosemary wasn’t going to set those binoculars down.
Recently, Rosemary’s started asking some really good (and sometimes pretty big) questions. In addition to “Is Santa real?” we’ve gotten quite a few theological questions, “How old is God?” “When was God born?” and “Does God have long or short hair?” as well as some regarding what heaven will be like. For instance, yesterday she asked me if there would be statues in heaven after she saw one of St Sebastian and all his arrows.
Today’s question, however, brought tears to my eyes. Today she asked if there would be phones in heaven. I told her I didn’t think so because we wouldn’t really need them. This made her very sad and when I asked why she responded with, “How am I going to talk to you then when I miss you and you’re in heaven?” Wow.
Later today, she had me cracking up though. We did our Publix run and the kids did great. The high schooler who helped us out to the car said that kids like this made him want to have kids when he’s older. I was praising Rosemary and Ben about their behavior and told them what he’d said. Rosemary smiled then said, “Well, he’s gonna have to get married first.” Glad that lesson’s sinking in. :-)
Rosemary’s Christmas program was this past week. Programs are always pretty interesting with Rosemary, we’re never quite sure what to expect.
This year, all the kids were asked to dress as angels, shepherds, or animals. Teachers sent home letters asking for the costumes a week before they were needed, which seemed like a tight turnaround time considering all the stuff that’s going on at Christmas (let alone being 8 months pregnant). But thankfully, one of my mom’s coworkers mentioned using an old tablecloth to make an angel costume so that’s what we went with. We didn’t have wings or a fancy halo, but it worked.
Getting ready for the dress rehearsal.
Lining up for the program.
Ben sat and watched his sister and clapped after every song.
Signing to Silent Night
“We Wish You a Merry Christmas”
Afterwards we celebrated with birthday cake for Jesus’ birthday
Rosemary and her teachers, Mrs. Davies and Mrs. Gamewell
We enjoyed watching Rosemary dance on Tuesday night at her Christmas party. There were cookies and the girls did a short routine to the Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy.
It was a free dress night, but Rosemary insisted on wearing her usual ballet clothes.
Rosemary and her buddy, Hannah
Jonathan and Ben were there for the party too
Rosemary with her teacher, Miss Sharon
Earlier today, Rosemary and I went to see the ballet Cinderella. We were both very excited. I saw the Nutcracker for the first time with my aunt when I was about Rosemary’s age, so it was fun to take her to her first real ballet.
We got a quick picture with Ben before heading out. Ben was enjoying some chocolate birthday cake from Wyatt’s birthday party that we’d been to earlier that morning.
Rosemary and I arrived at the Phillip’s Center over an hour before the show started because we needed to pick up our tickets and I had been warned that if we didn’t get there early, we might not even get in. She waited very patiently in line before we were able to go in and find our seats. Almost as soon as we got there we saw a few people that we knew. In the end, we ran into over 10 people we knew! We can’t go anywhere in Gainesville without seeing friends!
The ballet was fun and I think Rosemary really enjoyed it. I was so proud of her. Although there was some squirming, she did great for sitting and watching the ballet for over 2 hours. She sat on my lap for most of it and the baby was kicking so much, Rosemary could feel it. We decided she must have been dancing to the music.
After the show, we went to meet all the princesses.
While waiting in line to go into the performance, Rosemary was given this poster. She asked all the princesses to sign it for her…she just walked by any princes that were there.
Meeting Cinderella and her prince
The wicked stepmother
One of the wicked stepsisters
The ice princess
The fairy godmother
A very happy little girl!
Our small group hosted a baby shower for one of our member’s daughter who is having a little girl at the end of January. Ben and I picked up the paper goods while Rosemary was at preschool one day. The party store had Ben-sized carts so he pushed that little thing all over the store.
Such a helper! But if it was up to Ben, there would have been way more stuff in that cart.
I made her a pocket sling and a little hat. (while I was at it, I made matching ones for our baby girl too).
The party was at our house, but everyone pitched in and brought food so it was easy prep. I just had to do a fruit bowl, cheese, and the cake. Cakes aren’t my thing so I went simple with chocolate and pink polka dots.
I didn’t take any photos during the party. I’m horrible about doing that. But afterwards, Ben helped Jonathan pick up the paper lanterns from outside. He came inside wearing them. He cracks me up!
We spent Thanksgiving weekend this year with my family in Longwood. It was everything that one can hope for from Thanksgiving, good food, good company, lots of rest, and some shopping too.
We never leave Gainesville on Wednesday night, we always wait until Thursday morning to avoid the mass exodus from town so we got to Longwood around 11 am. Mom had all the food ready to go and in the oven.
The table is all ready
Jonathan carved the turkey…
while Ben intently watched.
Mom got the casseroles ready and we all loaded up the table and ate at about 2 pm.
Everything was so good!
The next day, Mom and I hit a few stores. We didn’t go crazy and get up to be there at 4 am (or earlier!) so we managed to avoid most crowds and really got most everything we went out after.
The kids stayed home with Jonathan and Dad for the most part. Jonathan and my dad spent a good amount of time playing Wii and as a result, the kids got to play some too.
Ben was pretty funny to watch.
And what trip to Grandma and Grandpa’s is complete without a dip in the spa
Two super happy kids!
