It's New Years Eve ...

Here we are on the last day of 2012 and I am determined to get one more post in before 2013.  Let's see if the kiddos will cooperate and give me enough time to do so. The time is now 4:54 and Sabrina is already tearing me away from the keyboard demanding a tissue. Break 1 ...

Okay, what has happened this month, this year ... let's start with December and see if I can recap the year. That may have to wait til January's post.

The month started with me trying to be creative (idea from Pinterest,*gasp*. I know, you're shocked.)

It's okay, you can say it, creepy. I agree.






Then we had our 4th annual Breakfast with Santa. And this year, we actually got pictures. Unlike year 2 with just the twins. Coolness went away by that Saturday, yes, they are in shorts and I took Nicolas' pants off because he was so hot.



We braved the Christmas Tree Lighting in Town Square, sort of. Didn't actually stay for the lights, because that would have been madness for me with all 4, alone. We had to get out and end that day on a positive note and we succeeded. Funniest part for me, was when a woman who was with what I assume was her daughter and grandkids, saw me walking from the parking lot with Nico & Rina in the double stroller and Livvy & Mia flanked on either side. She boldy asked "could you have any more kids?" in a British accent that made it all the more humorous. I replied "I guess I could." That made me giggle myself right out of my funk.

9:40 pm ... Can I finish this before midnight? Challenge extended.

 We attempted the Nutcracker this year at the Stafford Center. And it has been decided, it will be another 2-3 years before momma tries to take them to the Houston Ballet. Sabrina and I spent most of our time in the lobby. Then we attempted a good cousin group picture and came up short. But it was entreating to watch.

 Nicolas was the baby Jesus at one of the live Nativity shows at Sugar Land First United Methodist Church. This is where the girls to school and MOPS. It was a special night for us all.

These are just a few shots of my extremely goofy girls at Old Navy. They have now joined the masses in posing with the creepy mannequins. Mia being true to form, decided that this particular girl's zipper needed fixing. 

On our second visit, they both got brave and both thought they should take a ride on the dog's back.

As we walked around, they were like "mom what about this one?" And Mia has a little more sass in these poses.

Of course, that brings us to Christmas Eve and Day. We had a great time with my family on Christmas Eve. Much to my family's chagrin, the girls have revived karaoke at this gathering. What can I say? It's in their blood.

Christmas morning at home, opening gifts. Ever since our trip they can not get enough Disney, in any form: princess, Mickey Mouse clubhouse, Lion King, Tangled, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella ....

Christmas afternoon with the Imperials. Daddy was trying to get them to dance to Psy ... no dice.

I think that's about all I'll get. I will try to do a recap of highlights in January. Happy new year to all, may 2013 bring many blessings.

My handsome Nicolas, 5 months old.

O Christmas Tree

I love that the twins are old enough to understand Christmas this year. They are full of questions, singing Christmas carols, telling stories. They use the phrase, "it's about Jesus". Just as well known now, is the presence of Santa. They understand it's a time to spend with family and celebrate what we have in our lives. So, they were the ones who requested to decorate the tree with "little balls", for some reason, they are not taking to the term ornament. 

So goes the tradition of telling stories about each and every ornament that we put on the tree. Some did not survive the trek up and down from the attic and that made me sad. Daddy has strict instructions to keep them in the garage, like we did before.

Here's a sample in no particular order.

Erin and Angela, our girls weekend when you were in Dallas and I was in Amarillo. Sniff, broken. March 2003.

Little stockings given to Sidney when he worked at Lasik Plus,  while I was pregnant with twins.

Not original ornament, that one broke but the this is the original ribbon
from our  wedding day favors.

My first Phi Mu ornament, probably circa 1994.

While we were still newlyweds we spent New Years in Atlanta while Sidney completed
a rotation there during his 4th year in Optometry school.

2007 The first year in our new home, our first house.
 Pottery Barn sold the perfect ornament to commemorate that big year.

Tea kettle Suzanne added to my collection,  straight from her trip to China.

Our 7th anniversary December 2006, spent in Jamaica, when I defied the "no days off  last day before Christmas break" rule.

Paris, June 2002 ... to celebrate Sidney's graduation from Optometry School.

Washington D.C.,  November 2006 - quick visit to Vishal and Bhavana, pre-engangement.

Boston - December 2004 - 5th anniversary get-away

Marks my first girls weekend - Charleston, S.C. with Kristin and Heather ... 1997?

Maui, June 2008 just before our "last" IVF procedure (#5) ... it worked!
Knocked up with not 1 but 2 babies.

Phi Mu ornament collection continued.

Philadelphia, November 2006 where the teacher in me loved our time at Independence Hall and seeing Liberty Bell.

Seattle, December 2005 6th Anniversary get away ...
best crab dinner I have had to date!

London, June 2002 Sid and I took the train from Paris for the day.

Bermuda,  August 2007 trip before school year,  after failed IVF #3.

Bahamas, March 2006 Spring Break trip, a surprise trip from Sid.

March 2005 - Ireland ... love, love, love this country.

Another Phi Mu ornament,  ribbon broke, now hang it by a hook.
Still haven't figured out how to fix the one that looked like old Headquarters.

International Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque 2002

While I recounted each place we visited or event, Livvy and Mia would ask, "Can I go there?".  I promised we would. We have made quite a future family vacation list. Happy decorating to you!

Pictures from Disney World 2012

Click here to view these pictures larger

Disney Vacation 2012 - Helpful hints

Castle lit at night, before fireworks.

Day 1 Main Street

Or should I say 1st Disney Vacation? We are hooked, officially. We had a fabulous time with our 3 little ones under the age of 4. Yes, I said great time. Was it easy? No. Were there tantrums? Most definitely. But so worth it to see the looks on their faces during parades and meeting the characters up-close and personal. I can't wait to go back for the next trip with all 4. My husband may disagree. He got a bit flustered when the crankiness set in.

Ferry ride to Magic Kingdom

Lunch time, Day 1

That being said here are my tips for an easier time while at such an overwhelming place.

1. Bring a night light, if your kid is a young one. I thought about it but forgot. We stayed at World Quest Resort, our "room" was a 3 bedroom apartment. So, just like at home, the girls each got their own rooms. But the rooms were dark. Had to leave the bathroom light on and doors open. Not a big hassle but night lights would have made it better when they woke up in the middle of the night in an unfamiliar place.

2. Bringing your own stroller is worth it. Again, if your kids are young. It is A LOT of walking. Yes, you can rent them but the one feature the rentals don't have is reclining backs. Sabrina, my almost 1.5 year old, slept while we wandered or ate. She would not have done so if she had to stay sitting up.

Girls tired at end of night waiting for fireworks.

3. Speaking of eating, don't be shy packing your bag with food & drinks. Outside food is allowed, even coolers but no one is crazy enough to drag that around the park. Also, my husband made the best purchase while we were at the grocery store, Ziploc bags. No, I am not kidding. Stash a bunch in your bag/backpack. If your kiddos get distracted, let's face it there are endless distractions at Disney, they won't eat much when you are paying inflated prices for your food, especially at the character meals. Put those chicken nuggets in that ziploc and when they are inevitably hungry 1 hour later, you have something more substantial than snacks to feed them.

Notice they are paying no attention to food on table.

Again,  food is the last thing on their minds.

4. Let the park photographers take your pictures. They are in the best spots for a great background and they will still take a picture with your camera. The picture card they give you has a log-in code. So you can check them out online at your convenience. I didn't discover this til day 2. They are pricy but would be worth it if your camera battery dies, like mine did.

Taken with our camera by an off  photographer that was on a break. 

5. Check out the parades. There is one in each park about 3 and Magic Kingdom had this dance party several times a day. We stopped several times. Each time caught different spot and girls warmed up to the participation part. Plus, their waving was priceless.

Mia pointing, Dance Party

Livvy waving at 3 pm Dream parade

Livvy, Dance Party

6. You can get a fair amount of souvenirs before you get there for a much more cost efficient price. We bought our autograph books for $6 at Winn Dixie. Granted they are a spiral notebook and not bound book type that you could get in the park. But our girls are 3. While they cherish these now, they most likely will not survive the year. I will buy the nicer ones on a future trip.

Livvy rarely let this autograph book out of her grasp.

If you see something you really like, buy it. Don't hesitate. I browsed too long and left the store on Main Street without my trusty Christmas ornament. I had to leave due to a meltdown.

http://www.magicalearscollectibles.com/Disney-Photo-Christmas-Ornament--2012-Mickey-Mouse-Icon--2-x-2-_p_938.html  

Now, will have to pay shipping to buy it because I didn't make it back and I didn't see it in the outlet stores on the outside of the park.