So Shoe Me

Christmas 2013

We had a great and busy holiday season with the kids.  We were able to have a nice Christmas eve and Christmas day with family and friends. 

AMELIA

The weekend before Christmas we went to a holiday party with our friends Cary & Dimitri.  Amelia, the ever social butterfly, immediately made a BFF and didn't want to leave.

On Christmas day, Amelia played Santa and handed out all the gifts.  W have a very generous family and group of friends so we were opening gifts for the better part of the morning!

Amelia and Antonio -

HARRIS

Harris is still my big sweet little Santa.  He is so funny talking up a storm.  He loves "Melmo" and jumping and dancing and playing peekaboo.  He loves to pick up every phone and says "Hewooo. How Are you?" 

He's a big sweetheart and hugs all his brothers, even if they just bit him.

He is not, however, a fan of candy canes apparently. 

LAWRENCE

This look on Lawrence's face is Lawrence to a T.  Mischevious smile, photo blurry from his constant movement.  Lawrence is hopping all over the place, loves to pretend he's an airplane and fly around the room, and is talking up a storm.  He says "I love you" and gives you kisses all the time.  He also bites.  A lot, but I'm hoping this is just another temporary molar issue. 

He also gives the best "angry face."  He truly lets you know if he disapproves.

\

He was the only one brave enough to get close to Santa (second time around).

ANTONIO

Antonio, is my big blue eyed boy.  He still is the most independent.  He takes whatever toy he wants, and tries to get into the corner with them.  He loves "Melmo" and doggies (he calls them "ow-wow"), he loves balls and making baskets and throwing balls. 

He had fun at the holiday parties, but was happy near the tree, and away from Santa.

This face is pure Antonio.  One eyebrow cocked upwards and I see him thinking as he looks to the side "Ah-ha.  I have a bag, and it is all mine.  I see a corner over there where no one is and there are no brothers to bother me.  What's that brother doing behind me?  I am going to sneak away while I can."

All the kids:

The few seconds of them enjoying the elves singing Christmas carols before Harris burst into tears.

All the Elmos were hung by the Christmas Tree with care.

Yeay!  More presents!

FIGHT HUNGER BOWL - GO HUSKIES!

 

The boys are looking forward to the UW Husky Fight Hunger Bowl v. BYU tomorrow.  Boys are practicing their game faces.

Lawrence will not tolerate a loss.

He's hoping for a win!

Gingerbread house day

Fashionista

Amelia has always really cared about her clothes.  She's always been very particular about what her outfit looked like, and had very strong opinions (since she was THREE) about what she liked to wear.  Needless to say, the uniform at her school now is highly unimpressive.

We used to have such debates about clothes that I laid down a rule that if Amelia wanted to pick her clothes she had to lay the outfit out the night before so that there was no fighting over the outfit the next day.  She still hated this, complaining "what if I change my mind about what I feel like wearing tomorrow!"  Such a good point but I didn't want to let her know so.   She got around the rule by laying out multiple outfits the night before.   Here's a video I took from that time:

  

You can tell from her snoring this is before her tonsils were out!

The other day I wasn't feeling well and was laying in bed and she found my Vogue magaine.  She started flipping through it and she has more commentary about the magazine than I could believe.  When we watch movies, she asks questions every minute.  When she reads the magazine she has a comment every page.  I started taking down notes because they were hysterical.

Ooh!  Can I read your fashion magazine?

I love to look at lipstick.

I love to watch you put on lipstick

This magazine is massive.

My new favorite word is massive, there are so many uses for it.

Who is Jimmy Choo?  He has a funny name.  Choo.  Choo.  Choo-Choo!!

The person taking this photo on the dock must have gotten splinters.

This girl looks like Caroline.

This is cute, it's like a peacock.

This mascara looks like a butterfly.

This ring is massive!

This model looks like from another era.

Ooh i love the word "rouge" it sounds fun.

Oh this girl looks like Nicki Miniaj if she was a cute girl.

YUK.  This Miss Dior perfume is too strong.

I do NOT like this camoflage jacket.

She should wear pumps not flats.

I love red, it's such a formal color.

Oh look at this nail polish.  Which one is your favorite?

This doesn't look like a dress.  It's like a shirt with no pants.

They should have cut these sleeves off.

What's the difference between coffee and espresso?

Can we use this ticket to order more magazines??!!! 

Ewwww who wants to look at feet?

Is "Essie" a real person?

These people are dresses like Charles Dickins people.

Why do these models look angry?  This page says Field of Dreams but they all look angry.  They need more polka dots.

Never ever change, Amelia:

December Memories

Looking at those photos of the boys with Santa made me go back and see Amelia when she was about their age with Santa.  When she was 8 months old she sat HAPPILY on Santa's lap:

When she was almost 2 she was not happy to sit on Santa's lap so we got a solo photo of her that year:

Also - the boys turned NINETEEN MONTHS yesterday!  Every month a milestone!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

 

We were so lucky to be invited to my friend's house to celebrate Thanksgiving.  Every good holiday evening should start with a fabulous (and strong) festively colored martini.

My brother and his wife Brook came to spend the holiday with us.  Amelia was thrilled to have all of these lovely ladies in her life on a day when we are so thankful for all that we have.  I was mostly thankful that I was not responsible for anything other than wine and cheese and that I have friends good enough that they invite my whole crazy brood to their beautiful home for the holiday.

Julie - the best holiday cook ever and a wonderful friend!

After the Thanksgiving holiday, we took the kids to a Santa Brunch - a great opportunity to try and get a photo of the boys with Santa.  Many of you have seen some of the highlights of the photos of the boys, but here is the full set.  Unfortuntately, my camera had NO memory left when we arrived at the Santa Brunch - so all photos are iPhone classic.

LAWRENCE:

"Oh dear god, what is happening?"

Full on lower lip action for the win!

HARRIS

Harris, giant baby #2 is already wearing out Santa.

"Maybe if I twist to the side I can make a break for it!"

Here, Harris is signing with his little hands like crazy "ALL DONE! ALL DONE!"

ANTONIO

Antonio has the best cry face.  And he's the loudest...

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!"

"Mama!  Save me!"

And here's my angel girl - she wouldn't sit on Santa's lap but she posed next to him and showed her brothers how it is done.

After the kids photos, we went to sit in the other room and the boys were happy to be far far from Santa.  However, he did a loop and came into the room where we were.  The boys immediately started waving and pointing at the door and shouting "bye bye! BYE! BYE!!!"  Santa wasn't hurt and got the hint.

 Amelia wrote letters to Santa on her own behalf as well as on behalf of her brothers:

Amelia's letter:

Antonio:  Dear Santa, I want a Steeler's binky and a ball.  I also want a pair of gloves and new socks.  Love, Antonyo (sic)  :-)

Harris letter was a little deep and sad: I want (Dear Santa) a bag, a hat, a book, and a friend.  I am lonely.  I do have my brothers and my sissy but I want to have a friend not a sibling.   Love, Harris.

For Lawrence - Amelia apparently incorporated a bit of his sassy attitude, and recognizing his intelligence.  Mr. C., I want some math flash cards, a blanket, a pen, and new pants.  Your baby, Lawrence.

We rounded out the holiday week with a party at a friends house.  The boys wore their new cozy sweatshirts.  I think this photo perfectly captures each of the boys' personalities. 

Antonio (red) :  hmmmm... is there something over there for me?  Is it a ball?  Please say it's a ball for me.

Lawrence (yellow): I think I can jump out without her noticing and run and get that ball. Bwaa-ha-ha.

Harris (green): I am so happy.  I am just a happy happy boy.  Maybe someone will give me a ball.

Happy Holidays to all!!!