Two weekends age we had invited cousin Kathy up for a sleepover with Annie. As a last (and good) minute decision we also invited cousin Gabe up too for Sam. The boys got along really well together. They played trains together and had a fun time taking a bubble bath together! (of course spraying each other and dumping water on each other is always a blast!)

Mark and I had taken the kids bowling Saturday night. Surprisingly even though Gabe is only three, he really enjoyed bowling two games. He alternated using the ramp or just pushing it between his legs.

Here Sam, Gabe, Annie and Kathy all stretched out to watch Mark bowl a frame. Mark ordered a new bowling ball and is picking it up this upcoming weekend. It smells like blueberries. According to current research, smelling a pleasant smell right before you bowl helps you focus. I'll let you know if it works! :)

Sunday morning after church all the kids wanted to play with moon sand. I am personally not a fan of moon sand for any of you reading this and thinking of purchasing it. You have to keep it in a container, it's messy (like fine powdery sand) and it does not stick together like play-dough. But, the kids enjoy playing with it once in a while, and then we get out the Dustbuster and they vacuum up their mess.

All in all it was a great weekend with the cousins! We will have to do it again sometime!

Our Church Play

A couple weekends ago, on the Epiphany, our church celebrated with a children's play during the two services. Annie had attended all the practices on Tuesday nights, but kindly refused a speaking part. She really just likes to get on stage and sing. One day when she gains more confidence, she will be a wonderful performer (with speaking lines).

The 3-5 year old stood (or sat) on the risers for their singling parts. They waved stars for the manger song and used kazoos for another song. I think that Sam might take a speaking part next year, he has no fear!

At the end of the play all the kids were invited up to the front of the church to sing and dance. It was a great way to celebrate the full story of Christ's birth!

Sam's 5th Birthday

Sam celebrated his 5th birthday on his actually birthday this year, January 3rd. He woke up on that Sunday morning and Annie was very excited to be the first one to give Sam a present. She had picked out for him two of his favorite books from school: pinkalicious and purplicious.

We had a lunchtime birthday party for Sam and all his cousins and neighbors arrived in costume (Sam's request). I was grateful to get another wear out of the Halloween costumes! Annie dressed as a ballerina, Sam was Batman. The kids really enjoyed being in costumes all day!

As was tradition, Mark decorated Sam's birthday cake. Sam had a variety of birthday themes that he picked out...Star Wars invitations, Spongebob cake and goody bags...costumes at the party. Ah, the mind of a 5 year old...

Sam loves being 5. Often that he is how he introduces himself now "I'm 5!". I am still trying to figure out where to put all the presents from Christmas and his birthday...

Christmas 2009

We had a Rockin' Christmas!

I have to say, this was one of my most relaxing holidays yet! I was less stressed during this holiday season- first time since I have had kids. The couple of days leading up to Christmas were funny- Annie kept waking up earlier and earlier everyday awaiting for Santa to come. She is usually my 8 o'clock sleeper! Her 1 year old fish died that Monday too. My parents arrived the Wednesday before Christmas, in the snow. We greeted them warmly and had Giordanno's stuffed spinach pizza for dinner. YUM! On Christmas Eve I took Annie to buy a new fish before heading off to Megan and Jay's house for a day of festivities.

You can't really see Sam's vest here, but it's a t-rex eating a candy cane. So cute! Here are my two beautiful munchkin's all dressed up for Christmas. Annie was even more excited when she realized that Santa came on Christmas Eve night and not Christmas Day night. Sam still has no concept of time, so if he sees Annie excited he just joins her! These were the best ages so far for Christmas. Almost 5 and 6.5- the kids just "got" all of it- from the birth of Christ to all the Santa hullaballo!! Just perfect!

The kids and all their cousins were great at Megan (Nana) and Jay's house. Previous years had led us to mass chaos and disorganization, but this year we sailed on smooth waters. After the kids opened presents we adults had grab bag. It was supposed to be a funny gift for 20 dollars. Mark and I got comical gifts (racing Grandmas on wheelchairs and a shower gel dispenser that was a 8 inch nose) but somewhere in electronic communication no one else got that memo and everyone else bought pretty nice and mild gifts. No fun! ;)

My favorite gift was my new bowling ball from Mark. In honor of all the women I treat at work, and for my paternal grandmother...this is the battle I choose to fight. :)