Santa Came

I couldn't believe that I got up before the kids Christmas morning. Around 7:00 I actually whispered to Brett that I couldn't sleep any more because I was so excited. I just love seeing the excitement on the kids faces. Madison and Caitlin spent the night camped out on our bedroom floor because we had several house guest - AKA grandparents and uncle Ryan.

I tiptoed out of the room to get the coffee and cinnamon rolls going for everyone. Brett said that he woke the girls up and said to them to check and see if Santa came. Both girls looked out the bedroom window and said that they didn't know. Brett asked them how they could tell if he came. Caitlin layed back down and said that she was tired. Madison ran out of the room towards the Christmas tree. Before her screams stopped, Blake and Caitlin were already around the tree. We let them open their stockings and wake up Oma, Grandma, Papa and Ryan. Opa was already up waiting for us.

This morning was going to be a little different because Brett had a very busy day of work ahead of him. We needed to do a super fast present opening. The kids were up for it. Santa always wraps all of the kids presents in their own paper so that they know who it is for without reading the tag. Actually, Santa doesn't have to do any tags that way!!!! We told the kids to each pick a present that they wanted to open. Brett had them sit back down and he counted, 1-2-3 OPEN!!!!! We did that with all the presents.

After presents, Uncle Ryan made us a great breakfast. Opa and I, opened and assembled all the presents and poor Brett had to head off to the hospital.

We spent the rest of the day playing new games, building legos, eating, sleeping, and playing with all the new toys. It was so relaxing.

THe kids patiently waited for everyone to get up and pour a cup of coffee!
They were hunting for all of their presents.
Waiting for daddy to let them open.
Zhu Zhu pets were a big hit this year.



They were so cute how they sat staring at Brett waiting for him to say 1-2-3 OPEN!!!!!

My Three Little Chipmunks

My kids have been the biggest Alvin and the Chipmunks fans for about 2 years now. We have every movie and CD. Brett and I have their little voices permanently engraved in our memories. Blake really wanted to be Alvin for Halloween, but I don't sew and I couldn't find him one on Ebay either.
They are constantly putting on shows in the basement for me. Blake is Alvin, Madison is Simon and Caitlin is Theodore. Blake was kind enough to tell me that Caitlin isn't fat like Theodore!!!!! I am Dave and Blake loves when I yell, "ALVIN". It has been really funny over the past few years how they act and perform like the Chipmunks.
So, last night was a treat for all of us. We took the kids to the new movie. I was going to watch the kids. They were so excited. After loading them up with popcorn, Icee' s and candy, the show was underway. Caitlin looked over at me and said, "Aren't I great in the show". She really loves pretending that she is Theodore. I heard Madison say several times, "There I am".
It was so cute to watch their smiling faces and Blake's dance moves at the end of the show.
Brett and I also had a great time.

Family Traditions

I love family traditions. It is so much fun to be making them with our own family of five now. We have a tradition with our family that the kids love.

We take them individually out shopping for presents for their siblings. They are so cute about it. I then help them wrap it and they hide it in their room. Blake and Madison hide them under their beds and Caitlin in her closet. This year Caitlin was really into it. She got Blake a dinosaur. After it was wrapped and in her closet, she kept telling me that she had to go up and check on Blake's dinosaur. I had to keep telling her that it was a secret for Blake and that she couldn't tell anyone what it was.

We let them give them to each other Christmas Eve. They are really sweet about it and are great at getting each other what they like. I think that they know each other better than I do...

Blake and Madison were trying to negotiate deals this year. I heard phrases like this, "I will get you this if you get me this". They actually didn't even tell each other what they got.


Caitlin as Mrs. Claus

Big Brother and Little Sister
Oma and Caitlin - I just love this picture of these two!
Madison bringing her gifts down to give to her brother and sister. They love running up and giving their gifts.
I just love Caitlin's face in the background. She opened up Tinker Bell from Madison.

My sweet "little" boy

Blake still loves dinosaurs!!!!!

Blake is so grown up now. His two big, crooked front teeth just keep catching my eye. I sure hope they come in nicer looking real fast.

He takes his own shower, gets himself dressed, prepares his own food (most of the time), reads me books at night, builds amazing lego creations, and reguires much less of me. It has been kinda sad that he is so grown up.

Last night he reminded me that he is just the sweetest little boy at heart. After we read each other books and I climbed up the bunk bed ladder to kiss him goodnight, he started talking about how much fun the bus is. I started asking him questions about why and what he likes about it. He told me all these boys that he sits by. He then told me that Madison never keeps her promise about sitting by him. He said that she always changes her mind once Alina or Olivia get on the bus. I asked him if he ever sits with those two girls (they are very good friends of ours). He yelled, "NO WAY"!!!!!! I only sit with boys.

So, I guess that he is still my little boy after all. I am so glad that he isn't into the girls quite yet. I'm sure that time will be here before I know it!
I just love this little boy.

Like Mommy, Like Daughter

Caitlin loves gymnastics!!!! This is her second year of classes. She is absolutely so cute and pretty good at it as well. She cracks me up because she talks and laughs at herself, especially on the balance beam. This week, the parents were able to come in for class and take pictures and they received a certificate for their hard work. Caitlin is just the most smiley kid. I just love watching how happy she is with not a care in the world. I so wish that my life was that easy!!!!!! I have already been working with her on back handsprings.

Her high five award was "being brave on the bars"

New York City

Brett and I escaped the blizzard and had an amazing time in New York. It was one of my favorite adult outings! However, trying to get there was a little crazy.

Thankfully Grandma is always willing to watch our three kids. She is amazing. She came down to our house and took care of the kids for 4 whole days by HERSELF... She even survived. The kids had two snow days while she was here. Poor Grandma.

Brett and I flew out of Detroit Thursday morning. So, I had this great idea to get the kids to bed Wednesday night and drive up to Brett's parents' house. I figured that we had the suburban and the roads couldn't be that BAD. The roads were horrible and even Brett was stressed about the drive. 94 was closed two different times from bad accidents. We could hardly see at all most of the drive. We safely made it after a very long drive. Brett kept reminding me of my horrible decision to do this. I figured it saved us from trying to do it in the morning and missing our flight. I didn't want anything to keep me from getting away for a few days.

We were delayed slightly because of the high winds. We made it to New York. I also got very bad air sickness and was in bad shape by the time we touched down. Thankfully Brett was there to help me off the plane and get something to eat and drink as quickly as possible.

We stayed at the Westin right at Time Square. We were able to eat great food, see Rockefeller Center, the big Christmas tree, shop, eat more great food, Broadway show "Billy Elliot", walk through Central park, shop, eat even more and Brett surprised me with a wonderful hot stone massage. I felt like the most pampered lady there. It was amazing to just sleep in and do whatever I wanted. I definitley need to be working out extra hard this week after my laziness and eating.

It was nice to get home and see the kid's smiles and feel their little hugs. I think that they missed us.

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Time Square

Another "sick" weekend

Well, the kids got their H1N1 mist on Friday morning. I was so excited to get this done and out of the way. We have definitely been hit hard by sickness the last few weeks.

In the middle of Madison's horseback riding lesson, Caitlin said that she was tired and wanted to be held. I thought that that was a little strange for her, but loved the cuddle time. She is growing up and rarely lets me hold her anymore. We went right from horseback riding to the pool. Madison had a swim lesson. Caitlin was pretty wiped out, but I was just hoping it was becuase we were so busy today. When we got into the pool area and Caitlin was in a winter coat and boots and STILL shivering, I knew that she was sick AGAIN. The pool area is so hot and humid and she was freezing. She looked horrible. Thankfully my good friend was there and offered to bring Madison home after the lesson for me.

Caitlin feel asleep in the truck on the drive home and slept for 3 hours. She woke up miserable and ready to go to bed. The next day was even worse. I have never seen her so out of it. She wouldn't move, sit, eat, or drink. She just layed on the couch helpless. By the evening, she was perking up a little.

Blake had a birthday party and Madison did errands with Daddy. I actually stayed home with Caitlin and cleaned. She is doing much better today!!!!!

Brett went fishing on Sunday and I stayed locked up in our house. I was hoping to get to the gym, but Caitlin wasn't up for the child care. Another day of trying to find something to keep these kids busy, so I don't go crazy. Did I mention that I am not feeling so well either :(
Thankfully Blake loves playing Zoo Tycoon and he hung out on the computer most of the day.

New York City here I come in 4 days!!!!!!!!! I so need a break from these 4 walls.

Barn Dance

Blake's second grade class had a musical last night. It was so cute. Each 2nd grade classroom had different colored t-shirts and performed songs. The kids were "doing music class on stage". We were able to see what kinds of activites and learning experiences they have been doing this fall.
Blake was so cute when he came walking out on the stage. He kept waving and waving and waving. He actually sang this year. When it was his classes turn to "dance", he did all the right steps with a big smile on his face.
Again, we are so happy that he is having a great experience at Mattawan Elementary.

Here is a picture of all the different classrooms on stage. Blake's class is wearing the red shirts.

Are you kidding me????

Well, Brett is on call once a week. That means that he is called all night long from doctors, nurses, and patients. I used to have a hard time sleeping through it, but am just getting used to it. EXCEPT last night. I don't know why, but I just couldn't sleep through all the calls.
Let me tell you about this one call. Actually, when Brett hung up the phone, I started laughing and did say, "Are you kidding me"???? Long story short, it was this crazy lady calling from home trying to get Brett to just listen/counsel/help her. Brett was so professional and kept saying, "given that it is 3AM, AND we are talking on the phone, there is not much that I can do for you" She just wouldn't let Brett off the phone and he calmly kept saying that he couldn't do anything over the phone for her... The thought did cross my mind that I should just get on the phone and yell at her to just go to the ER or call 911 if she was that bad!!!!!!!
Brett didn't think that it was as humorous as I did.