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Getting this year's tree - aka
The Tree That Would Not Stand Straight |
Oh, December - you were highly anticipated and over too quickly. I think the shortened
Thanksgiving - Christmas window this year made it seem like it all flew by in a blink. Thankfully we got plenty of good times in...I got to lead Lily's class in the creation of handprint snowflakes and snowflake stamper wrapping paper (her class is the best!), headed up the Giving Tree and got all the wishes granted, the last day of school started 2 hours late thanks to the only snow Seattle will likely see this winter (Lily put an ice cube in the toilet, wore her jammies inside out and put a spoon under her pillow to ensure snow - and made sure everyone knew she should get full credit), Jen and Lee came for dinner and re-introduced us to the joys of Yahtze, took Lily and Ella to the Nutcracker at PNB (she thankfully took this year off from ARC's production), Chris and I got dolled up for Nick and Steph's annual party (this year: Boardwalk Empire), my entire team + families came to holiday brunch at Casa Lowe, I got to take TWO FULL WEEKS OFF, and best of all the Lynch family came up after Xmas through New Years. Whew - that's a full month!
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Sweet Yveline had us wrapped around
her wee fingers |
Christmas itself was lovely - we went to the candlelight service as usual on Xmas eve and afterwards Lily decided to shake it up (literally) and leave Santa something more creative than cookies, instead making him a fruit smoothie, served in a cocktail glass and garnished with cookie sprinkles. The reindeer or course got carrots and everyone was happy. Xmas morning Matteo discovered the joy of unwrapping and nearly imploded over the car/truck bounty. I think Lily was nervous - we only let her ask Santa for two things and to share her other wishes with the kids in the Philippines. Getting those wishes granted plus the Kindle Fire and presents from the family on both sides left her feeling like a very lucky girl. My favorite, though, was Christmas dinner. I love having cousins so close and am very grateful we again got the pleasure of Tommy T's company...although perhaps I shouldn't have accepted that second Manhattan. Chris and I are definitely done having kids, but we sure did love the added Xmas bonus of cuddling sweet Yveline.
Matt, Shari and Ella coming to visit was awesome. Ella and Lily were immediate friends and hit it off far better and faster than I could have imagined or hoped. You know you have amazing, special
friends when you can live in separate cities for 12 of the 15 years of your friendship, but when you talk and see each other it is like no time has passed at all. The only bummer was our failed attempt to see snow followed immediately by our failed attempt to see fireworks (angry fist shake at fog-shrouded space needle).
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12/24 this arrived - the quilt I had commissioned made up
of Lily's clothes 0 - 5 years. The flood of memories made me
cry - no wonder she feels so suddenly grown up! |
At year end I get pensive, and this time it's all about the leaps my kids have taken the last 12 months. Lily seems so grown up all of a sudden, in particular when I drop her at school and watch her walking to the front doors. When did that happen? I'm both excited for her and scared for her - I wish I could control her future but know part of her growing up is giving her guidance and letting her go. The latter will be tough. Thankfully, though, that time is still a ways off - she is still the little girl who comes in to cuddle with me weekend mornings, who loves her bunk perch, who watches Dora with her brother (despite saying she doesn't like it) and who adores anything to do with farts.
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| Showing Paco how Monster Truck houses are made |
Matteo is likewise growing and developing by leaps and bounds. He's now delighted by doing things for himself, from building "monster truck house" with magnatiles to diligently cleaning up after himself. Just when I worry that he isn't very verbal and is perhaps falling behind, he surprises me with word strings and expressions I didn't think he knew how to articulate. He still remains my cuddly boy, which I am so grateful for. When I walk in the door he will run up to me, wrap his wee arms around my legs, yelling "MAMA!" before toddling off again. When reading or watching something, his preferred perch is my lap, where he settles in like I am a barcalounger - and I am more than happy to accommodate him. I truly hope he never loses his lovey ways. And I'm not too worried about him growing up too fast....he still runs in circles announcing "Matteo!", slides along the floor on his back while chanting "garbage trucks", snatches the cracker basket at school and takes of running while laughing maniacally, prefers to carry no less than 5 binkies around the house, and when asked by Chris if he could put his food in his belly, responded with a sly smile and shoving pancakes down the inside of his jammies. Nope, no worries he'll be a grown up too soon.
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The greatest Xmas card pic ever. I may never send
a card again - doubtful it can be topped. |
Before I get too mushy or go on too long, here are the quotes:
Lily on Matteo: When Grandma asked her why Matteo taps his head with his binky (he's done this as long as he's had control of his arms, but I've never really thought about it), Lily responded: "It means he is thinking."
Matteo: "GARBAGE TRUCK HOOOOOUUUUUSSSSEEE!!" His name for a magnaile creation complete with separate compartments for his trucks and preferably several stories high to accommodate binkies and occasionally shoes.
At the doorbell ringing before Christmas
Lily: Santa?
Me: No, UPS
Chris: Same thing
"Careful mama!!" When I demonstrated for Matteo it was ok to walk across the jungle gym bridge.
Me, reading Rapunzel: "The forest animals fell in love with her"
Lily: "I think just as friends"
Happy 2013 and let's go 2014!
