Christmas prep -

We had lots to do to prepare for Christmas.....

Picking out the Christmas tree, with everything going on this year we abandoned our cut your own tree tradition and went to Aldrebrook with Grandpa to grab a pre-cut one.

Not too shabby -

Making gingerbread houses at the library with our friends -

Checking out the decorations at the zoo -

Dressed up and ready to go for Christmas celebration at school -

So excited to perform (last performance at the Circle School) -

Making Christmas cookies for Paige's school celebration -

Visit with Santa at the firehouse -

 Luke asked for Legos and a remote control car -

 Paige asked for makeup and nail polish -

 Anne and Darrick came to celebrate Christmas with us a little early -

 Paige loved her vest, Luke was busy working on his new Legos -

Santa photo shoot -

Making cutout sugar cookies for Santa -

 Spreading the reindeer food -

 So excited, got to open gifts from Uncle Dave on the eve -

 Mary Katherine Gallagher -

 Getting ready for the big guy -

 Christmas eve waiting for Santa to come in our new jammies -

Celeb

Paige is becoming a local celeb.  She made the cover of the Dartmouth Chronicle for her visit with Santa.  She also made it for her Tgiving performance (not sure why they are printing that one now)

Someone's Five!!!

Hard to believe that it has been five years.  Where did the time go!?!?  With everything going on, more this year then the average Christmas madness, we were thrilled to stop and celebrate our little princess turning five today.

Found the presents as soon as she woke up -

 

Sophia the First microphone set, we may regret getting her this but she LOVES to perform so we thought it would be perfect for her -

 And she wasted no time putting it to good use -

 Mimi came to celebrate with us too.  We had dinner and ice cream cake followed by some presents -

 Such a big girl -

Maxwell

The kids were worried that he wouldn't come but luckily Maxwell was able to find us at the temporary house this year.  As in years past, he was up to his usual antics.  I think Maxwell is sillier than the usual elf.  Looks like he enjoyed finding new places to get himself into in this house.

Checking it out for when Santa makes his trip down -

 Just enjoys being upside-down I guess -

 Got into the leftover Halloween candy, bad elf!

 Made a friend for himself, he must have been lonely -

 A little swing for himself -

One day he even wrapped himself up, kids had a really hard time finding him this morning -

Accosting the angle???-

End of an Era....

Last day of school for both kids before the Christmas break and before they move to their new schools.  It was bitter sweet for Jay dropping Luke and the carpool gang off for the last time at St. Phils this morning.  Jay loves starting his day with the 5 and 6 year olds. 

Luke's classmates made him a scrapbook as a goodbye gift.  Very cute!  We love his teacher Mrs. Baker, she has been so great for Luke this year.  Luke absolutely loves his school.  Mrs. Baker emailed me to tell me that Luke was so cute as he was saying goodbye to his classmates, thanking each one for his scrapbook and telling them all that we were moving so that his daddy could be closer to the lake and fish.  Jay has been talking up this lake that will be walking distance to our house, apparently Luke thinks this is the reason for our move...HA! 

Paige also had her last day of school at Children's Circle today.  Both kids had parties for the Christmas break which was a good distraction, I'm sure.  We said goodbye to the teachers after five years there. 

Neither Luke nor Paige seem too upset about the move.  Paige told her teachers that she was going to meet new friends and be in a new school.  Luke is excited to ride the bus.  He went to visit his new school earlier this week.  He got to check out the classrooms and see the rest of the school. 

Both kids are excited to FINALLY be in our new house and have all their things back and get settled in their new rooms and of course to get Marley Man back.  

Ali Update (week 3!)

Ali girl is doing well, such a good little baby.  The kids are still so thrilled with her...novelty hasn't worn off yet :)

Some of the latest pics of the three -

 Luke and his littlest girl -

 Still lots of sleeping -

 Check out the mop on this one.  I still can't believe how much hair she has and how dark it is (dark for one of our kids anyway!) -

This and That....

Luke: Mom, do you know what is really cool? It is really cool that I am not old enough to get arrested.

Not sure if this statement should worry me or not.
 __________________

Luke: Paige, do you like books because your name is page like the page of a book.

Paige: Don’t say that Lukie, I don’t like to be the page of a book!
____________________

Luke broke his Lego airplane when playing with it and was very upset.

Mommy: Luke, do you want me to help you put your Lego set back together?

Luke: Mommy, you will sad if I tell you this but I will tell you anyway. Daddy is like a lot better at doing the Lego sets than you are. Does that make you sad? I want to wait for daddy to be home to help me.

Mommy: That’s Ok Luke, I understand.

_____________________

 Paige nursing her baby -

 fashionista ready for school -

 Fashionista ready for shopping -

 Luke, reading his Pat the Bunny book that his teacher gave him to Ali -

 

What do we do on a December weekend when it creeps to 50 degrees?  Play outside of course -