Eat Your Heart Out New England.......

It's 5pm, and we're still playing outside!

Holiday Fun with Friends

This time of the year is the best! Everyone seems extra happy and friendly, lots of parties are planned, and so many fun things to do. I love it!

We have been doing our fair share of holiday celebrating and spending lots of time with friends. One night for Hanukah we started off at a party held in the center of town (the next town over), and it was super fun! I was very excited because it advertised that the kids would get to make giant candy menorahs. Giant was an exaggeration, but we still managed to make a menorah-ish looking thing made out of candy in the few moments we had that Emma wasn't trying to EAT the supplies. We met Emma's friend Lexi there and table-hopped doing all the activites before rushing out to make it to Marcy's Hanukah celebration, where I tasted tsimmis for the first time!

Emma & Brooklyn reading with Marcy's dad. Actually, Emma was trying to make a run for it towards the candied peanut bowl.....but they were reading before I took this shot and it was oh so cute! You know you have great friends when even their PARENTS will play with your kids!

Hanukah with Daddy! Felix made it home by the 6th night of Hanukah, and Emma got to open her doctor's kit that night. She loved it, and tested out all the tools on Felix. This fancy kit even came with a beeper!


Love! I put Levi down in the bumbo, and Emma did all the rest herself. Adorable.


Emma got a trampoline for the last night of Hanukah. I think she likes it...
-airborne-


Emma had a very special playdate with Samantha at our house while Samantha's mommy went to an appointment. I had the brilliant idea to make cookies with the kids right before naptime. It was awesome.


The good thing about having a daughter that loves to eat, is that usually, it keeps her out of trouble (also helps with potty training....more on that later)! See below:
We went to a great family holiday party at Sarah's house the other night and had a fantastic time enjoying the evening together with the extra company (and helpful hands) of the husbands! Look closely in that crib....that is Declan, being smothered by teddies and books thrown in by the girls. But where is my sweet, innocent little Emma???

....dominating the bowl of goldfish


enjoying some girl talk over dinner


twins.

Moving on....

Saying goodbye to Matti was a lot harder than I had expected it to be. I figured I would welcome the peace and quiet, the no barking, not having to chase him around the dining room table after he stole Emma's food causing her to have an unnecessary tantrum, being able to leave Levi alone on the floor for a second, not having my legs licked the moment I get out of the shower, being able to have people come to the door without having to juggle the kids and holding him back/quieting his bark so I can hear them, etc. the list goes on and on and on......

Yet, somehow, saying goodbye was heart wrenching. I couldn't let him go. Physically handing him over (just to Felix who was driving him to his new home), my arms felt weak. It was awful. And I expected to be over it within a day. It has been over a week and I am still sad, but it is getting better. I am sure I will always have a hole in my heart for him, but it was still the right decision.

And these two little loves certainly fill my heart right back up! In fact, Emma was in my arms as Felix drove off with Matti, and she gave me a big hug and said "there, I feel'd you all better mommy."



well, hello there Felix Jr.!

Edaville

A few weeks back we went to Edaville to enjoy the holiday season and get a chance to see the lights and displays (rumor has it this is the last year Edaville will be open).

The day was absolutely perfect. A bit freezing, but perfect! We went on a Monday night, so it was completely empty with no lines for any of the rides.

Our first ride was the carousel, and Emma was frieking out. From the moment the horse started moving she had a death grip on the pole and wanted off.

Our favorite part was the train ride through the fields with all the awesome displays. We were warm and cozy in there, which was also a plus!


Emma putting on a brave face while on the flying dumbo ride. Even I got a little queasy on that one!


Felix agreed to join her on the much milder caterpillar ride....perfect timing since we have been reading a lot of "the very hungry caterpillar" lately.




I'm glad we were able to go and see what it was all about, and I think we went a great time of the year, but I probably wouldn't go back- a little pricey and kind of far away for such a quick trip. But yeay for family time!!!!

Heartbroken.

We decided it was best to find Matti a new home. I've been crying about it for weeks, but we found a great new "mommy" for him, and it truly breaks my heart as this becomes a reality.

He will get a lot more love and attention in his new home than we can give him now at this point in our lives. I feel sick with guilt, but it is best for both of us. And I don't regret a thing, because we had the best years together when I could give him all the attention he deserved.

I will always remember the amazing love & affection, the happy welcome home greetings and kisses, and how he was so protective of me. He will always be mine.

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year! Felix & I were so excited to host our very first Thanksgiving in the house now that we finally have a kitchen!

Emma & her turkey table decoration


The Dressel family & Hicks family came to celebrate with us. That means, 6 adults, 5 kids, and way too much food.

Emma & Caroline "decorating" the window with our window cling menorah while we were busy finishing up in the kitchen.


Nice & cozy! Everyone brought lots of homemade food and the table was filled to the rim with so many goodies. Sitting at the table all together was a bit tough, with each kid wanting to get up at a different time to play, use the potty, go to sleep....you name it! Yet somehow, we all still managed to eat tons of food and enjoy great conversation. This even marked the first time using our china dishes! And I even spent too much time the night before folding our cloth napkins nice & fancy into little pockets to hold the silverware. I'm pretty sure Felix didn't even notice.

I just noticed in the picture....apparently Mike was more comfortable using the kids plates!

So what was on the menu?
The Hicks brought the Turkey, the most awesome stuffing ever, and sweet potato pie!
The Dressel's brought cornbread casserole, fresh rolls, pumpkin pie, and trust me - a delicious potato dish, even though it didn't quite cooperate in time for the meal.
We made pigs in blanket, apricot topped brie, and fruit with pumpkin dip for the not-necessary appetizers. Also made my very first ham, broccoli cheese casserole, and fresh roasted green beans, followed by cheesecake bites, eclair cake, and turkey cookies for dessert.

Beware of calling a cookie a 'turkey'. It was quite disappointing when Emma came dashing to the table for some "turkey" dinner the next night.

Oh sweet creamy heaven.


Two baby boys with their Daddys

We had a great time. It is always nice to spend time with everyone's family together and the kids played so nicely in the playroom. I think a good time was had by all!

post Thanksgiving festivities- note the turkey cookie in hand.

I fell asleep on the couch after everyone left. It was a hard sleep- the kind where I don't even remember falling asleep, and didn't even wake the whole time Emma was talking to me telling me to open my eyes. And when I did wake? The kitchen, dining room, and playroom....were spotless! I guess Felix wanted to remind me to add "wonderful husband" to my list of what I am thankful for this year.

We have so much to be thankful for.....



(an at-home photo shoot using the self-timer on the camera is extremely difficult)