{259/365} Merry Christmas! The magical day began at 9am, luckily we have excited yet sleepy kids who don't wake us up at the crack of dawn. Santa was nice enough to leave Emily the Jamba Juice maker and Jewelry Design DS she was desperate for and Liam received his Little Einstein piano and Plex microphone. In addition to the Santa gifts, Emily was in shock when she got the iPod Nano and pink dock/dual alarm clock that she didn't even know she wanted! The look on her face was priceless when she found out we loaded it up with a ton of songs including both Glee CDs, HSM 2 and 3, Mamma Mia AND All the Single Ladies! LOL We ended the morning with Frank's delicious Emeril Breakfast Bread Pudding and by 1pm headed out to Frank's family in Staten Island. As always it was a really busy day and once it's over we can hardly believe it ever happened!Monday, December 28, 2009
Friday, December 25
{259/365} Merry Christmas! The magical day began at 9am, luckily we have excited yet sleepy kids who don't wake us up at the crack of dawn. Santa was nice enough to leave Emily the Jamba Juice maker and Jewelry Design DS she was desperate for and Liam received his Little Einstein piano and Plex microphone. In addition to the Santa gifts, Emily was in shock when she got the iPod Nano and pink dock/dual alarm clock that she didn't even know she wanted! The look on her face was priceless when she found out we loaded it up with a ton of songs including both Glee CDs, HSM 2 and 3, Mamma Mia AND All the Single Ladies! LOL We ended the morning with Frank's delicious Emeril Breakfast Bread Pudding and by 1pm headed out to Frank's family in Staten Island. As always it was a really busy day and once it's over we can hardly believe it ever happened!
{259/365} Merry Christmas! The magical day began at 9am, luckily we have excited yet sleepy kids who don't wake us up at the crack of dawn. Santa was nice enough to leave Emily the Jamba Juice maker and Jewelry Design DS she was desperate for and Liam received his Little Einstein piano and Plex microphone. In addition to the Santa gifts, Emily was in shock when she got the iPod Nano and pink dock/dual alarm clock that she didn't even know she wanted! The look on her face was priceless when she found out we loaded it up with a ton of songs including both Glee CDs, HSM 2 and 3, Mamma Mia AND All the Single Ladies! LOL We ended the morning with Frank's delicious Emeril Breakfast Bread Pudding and by 1pm headed out to Frank's family in Staten Island. As always it was a really busy day and once it's over we can hardly believe it ever happened!
Thursday, December 24
{358/365} Christmas Eve and all is calm. This year Emily wrote her note (a bit late as usual but somehow she always gets what she wants) and a note from her brother as well. We leave out the cookies, milk and carrots each year to show Santa how much we care. To be perfectly honest, I thought Santa could use some coffee with that milk. I mean, he starts off on that sleigh so darn early and travels non-stop. Milk is nice, but I think caffeine could really do the trick. (Actually he could probably use a little eggnog but I don't want to promote drinking and driving). Thanks in advance Santa, we are looking forward to seeing what goodies are left under the tree...
{358/365} Christmas Eve and all is calm. This year Emily wrote her note (a bit late as usual but somehow she always gets what she wants) and a note from her brother as well. We leave out the cookies, milk and carrots each year to show Santa how much we care. To be perfectly honest, I thought Santa could use some coffee with that milk. I mean, he starts off on that sleigh so darn early and travels non-stop. Milk is nice, but I think caffeine could really do the trick. (Actually he could probably use a little eggnog but I don't want to promote drinking and driving). Thanks in advance Santa, we are looking forward to seeing what goodies are left under the tree...
Wednesday, December 23
{357/365} It's hard enough to lose a loved one during the holidays, but losing my dad only five days before his 57th birthday was like rubbing salt into a wound. :( I decided years ago, rather than mourn his death on this day, I would celebrate his life. As I always do, I went through my box of memories, looking at old notes and smiling as I took a whiff of Old Spice. I also decided to look through my "family memory" scrapbook that I put together in 2007. It took me years to get through it without breaking down but when I was finished, I made three copies (one for myself and one for each brother), each containing memories about our grandparents, parents, our house growing up, our dog, etc. Now I can look at this page with a smile on my face to go with the tears in my eyes. How lucky I was to have such a funny, intelligent and loving man as my father. We may have lost him seven years ago, but his memory will never fade away.
{357/365} It's hard enough to lose a loved one during the holidays, but losing my dad only five days before his 57th birthday was like rubbing salt into a wound. :( I decided years ago, rather than mourn his death on this day, I would celebrate his life. As I always do, I went through my box of memories, looking at old notes and smiling as I took a whiff of Old Spice. I also decided to look through my "family memory" scrapbook that I put together in 2007. It took me years to get through it without breaking down but when I was finished, I made three copies (one for myself and one for each brother), each containing memories about our grandparents, parents, our house growing up, our dog, etc. Now I can look at this page with a smile on my face to go with the tears in my eyes. How lucky I was to have such a funny, intelligent and loving man as my father. We may have lost him seven years ago, but his memory will never fade away.
Tuesday, December 22
{356/365} I have such fond memories of making cookies as a kid. Our favorite was a simple sugar cookie dough with a "secret ingredient"...sour cream! We would pull out all of the cutters and sprinkles and have a grand old time decorating! We also had a fantastic cookie press that was beyond old but worked like a charm. (Sadly, it broke a few years back and we have yet to find another). Tonight Grandma Eileen came over to keep the cookie tradition going. Out came the pans, cutters and sugar and the fun began. It was Liam's first time decorating and he had a ball! Emily was in heaven as she made her sugary works of art, sneaking sprinkles along the way. A great time was had by all and we can't wait to do it again next year.
{356/365} I have such fond memories of making cookies as a kid. Our favorite was a simple sugar cookie dough with a "secret ingredient"...sour cream! We would pull out all of the cutters and sprinkles and have a grand old time decorating! We also had a fantastic cookie press that was beyond old but worked like a charm. (Sadly, it broke a few years back and we have yet to find another). Tonight Grandma Eileen came over to keep the cookie tradition going. Out came the pans, cutters and sugar and the fun began. It was Liam's first time decorating and he had a ball! Emily was in heaven as she made her sugary works of art, sneaking sprinkles along the way. A great time was had by all and we can't wait to do it again next year.
Monday, December 21
{355/365} When December rolls around, it's time for baking! Each year I make a bunch of my "staple" cookies, the same cookies we made as kids. Corn Flake Macaroons, Split Levels, Round Ball Cookies, Coconut Delights and Sour Cream Sugar Cookies. (Those are the kind you cut with cookie cutters and the sour cream adds a bit of something that's just so delicious)! I also like to try something new. Last year I made a lemon square while this year it was orange oatmeal cookies. I don't have as much time as used to so my Mom makes the most time consuming (Split Levels)... and I am so grateful! All of this baking is so involved, and I often wonder why I do it... but then I think, what would the holidays be without the cookies!!
{355/365} When December rolls around, it's time for baking! Each year I make a bunch of my "staple" cookies, the same cookies we made as kids. Corn Flake Macaroons, Split Levels, Round Ball Cookies, Coconut Delights and Sour Cream Sugar Cookies. (Those are the kind you cut with cookie cutters and the sour cream adds a bit of something that's just so delicious)! I also like to try something new. Last year I made a lemon square while this year it was orange oatmeal cookies. I don't have as much time as used to so my Mom makes the most time consuming (Split Levels)... and I am so grateful! All of this baking is so involved, and I often wonder why I do it... but then I think, what would the holidays be without the cookies!!
Sunday, December 20
{354/365} I'm quickly realizing that just because a toy has a lot of colors or sounds or giant bells and whistles, it doesn't necessarily mean it's the most exciting toy for our kids. I remember having "Lincoln Logs" as a child and building away with such simple materials. As I wondered through Toys-R-Us last week, weaving through the aisles of "bells and whistles", I came upon a section of "Animalz". These are sweet little Eco-friendly, sustainable, recycled, hand-made, wooden toy animals that are the cutest darn things I have EVER seen! Liam took to them instantly, even giving his monkey a ride on the lions back! Being the obsessive, compulsive person that I am, I have no doubt that I will purchase several more of these farm/jungle creatures for Liam to enjoy.
{354/365} I'm quickly realizing that just because a toy has a lot of colors or sounds or giant bells and whistles, it doesn't necessarily mean it's the most exciting toy for our kids. I remember having "Lincoln Logs" as a child and building away with such simple materials. As I wondered through Toys-R-Us last week, weaving through the aisles of "bells and whistles", I came upon a section of "Animalz". These are sweet little Eco-friendly, sustainable, recycled, hand-made, wooden toy animals that are the cutest darn things I have EVER seen! Liam took to them instantly, even giving his monkey a ride on the lions back! Being the obsessive, compulsive person that I am, I have no doubt that I will purchase several more of these farm/jungle creatures for Liam to enjoy.
Saturday, December 19
{353/365} On December 19, 2002 my 13 month old was quietly asleep in her crib while Frank watched TV and I scrapped Emily's first year. My brother Mike called around 10:30pm and that call would turn out to be the worst call I've ever received. My dad collapsed on the dance floor at this company holiday party...shortly after I was told that he couldn't be revived. That was it...my dad, the rock of our family...was gone. There are still no words to describe the horror of that day or the literal numbness that I felt for a year afterward. How life would never be the same, the changes that have taken place in our family and that constant little empty feeling that still remains. On this day however, I chose a photo of my babies...a representation of all the good things in life. Each year on the Saturday before Christmas, the local fire department comes around with Santa on their truck, handing out candy canes to all of the wide eyed kids. THIS is what life is all about and on the worst of days when my mind wanders to the sadness of December 19th, I try to replace that image with the faces of the three sweetest little angels a mommy could have. :)
{353/365} On December 19, 2002 my 13 month old was quietly asleep in her crib while Frank watched TV and I scrapped Emily's first year. My brother Mike called around 10:30pm and that call would turn out to be the worst call I've ever received. My dad collapsed on the dance floor at this company holiday party...shortly after I was told that he couldn't be revived. That was it...my dad, the rock of our family...was gone. There are still no words to describe the horror of that day or the literal numbness that I felt for a year afterward. How life would never be the same, the changes that have taken place in our family and that constant little empty feeling that still remains. On this day however, I chose a photo of my babies...a representation of all the good things in life. Each year on the Saturday before Christmas, the local fire department comes around with Santa on their truck, handing out candy canes to all of the wide eyed kids. THIS is what life is all about and on the worst of days when my mind wanders to the sadness of December 19th, I try to replace that image with the faces of the three sweetest little angels a mommy could have. :)
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