Sunday, February 7, 2010

She did it!!

The Potty Party was a success!!!





There were several bribes used today to get Grace to start using the potty. However, I made a huge deal every time she did go to the bathroom, and I told her over and over how proud I was of her. Somewhere in the middle of all of this she asked me, "Mama, are you proud of me?" And I for the 100th time told her I was, and she beamed. While I know that the bribery played a role in Grace being potty trained, I do think she was so just happy that she made her mom and dad proud of her. I love that.

My only concern now is how I'm ever going to leave the house since Grace needs to go to the bathroom what seems like every 1/2 hour and the she proceeds to sit on her potty for twice as long.


No complaints though. I'm down to only changing one set of diapers a day. Thank goodness!!

It's been a long day, and morning is coming all too quickly. Why isn't there enough time in the day?!

P.S. - The Italian and I saw Avatar tonight. We were both pleasantly surprised with how good it was.

P.P.S. - I need to go and iron church clothes now because this is the best time of the day to do that in case you were wondering.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Second Wind

Why is it that I walk around so tired all day long. So tired that in fact some days I start to think I might have a serious illness. So serious that maybe I should go to see a doctor to find out what disease I have. Mid way through that thought I start to yawn and my head hurts and realize that more than likely I'm not sick. Most likely I'm just tired.



Right after I have all of those thoughts I just mentioned, I tell myself I have to get to bed earlier. Then as my kids crawl in bed and fall asleep, and I hear the silence resonating in my house, and I swear it's like I was never tired. I have a rush of energy. You'd think I just woke up from an 8 hour night of sleep as opposed to dragging my feet all day feeling so tired that I thought at times I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to go on.


I don't know what I'm going to do about this. Sure, the simple solution is to go to bed earlier. Sometimes life isn't simple. I've decided the solution to my night time dilemma will be like lots of other things in my life. The complete and total opposite of simple.
Those are my thoughts for the evening (or wee hours of morning if we get technical), but I did want to share a couple favorite pictures and quotes from the past couple of days.

Grace woke up in the middle of the night having wanting me to take her with me when I took Ashley home. She was obviously in the middle of a dream so I coaxed her quickly back to bed so as not to wake George. Just as I got back in my bed, I heard George start to cry. And then Grace said,
"George, don't cry. You're going to get a new car. Stop crying."
This made NO sense, but John and I had a good laugh about it and all the other crazy things that go on in our house in the middle of the night.

Then today I was at Target buying stickers for Grace and George. A really important outing. It had been a rough morning, it was rainy/wet outside, so I decided to be a nice mom and let Grace and George walk up and down every toy aisle. As we walked down the train aisle, George found a Thomas Train Puzzle that he thought we needed. I told him to put it back. He kept walking down the aisle with it. I asked again, and he said,
"Want buy. Want buy. Want buy!!!!!"
Totally awesome that George didn't just say "mine" but he knew that we needed to "buy" the puzzle. And this is why the toy aisles are usually completely off limits.
One more parting thought....
If this doesn't make a 3 1/2 year old want to pee in the potty, I'm not sure what I'm going to do.
Good night!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

George LOVES John

Every morning George asks first for "Dada" and then when he realizes that John is at work he cries. I find it touching really. George just loves having John around.

For the past two days, at nap time and bed time, George has especially been sad when he realizes John is at work. Yesterday at nap time I asked if he wanted to hold a picture of "Dada" while he slept. He immediately smiled and stopped crying, and then stared at the picture while he was going to sleep.

Blue Bear, bottle, and a picture of John



Then tonight John is in LA. I'm not sure George believed me as I was telling him that Dad would be back soon. I helped him look out the window to look for John's car. He was sad, so I offered him another picture.

Blue Bear is resting on John's picture, and George has his hand on it.

Now at this early hour of the evening, well, early for me, I'm off to bed!!

Saturday, January 30, 2010

The rain let up for a day or two.

We rejoiced when the rain finally stopped on Wednesday here! As soon as we could get ourselves ready and out the door, we were off to the park.





Please note that Grace is wearing pants. Normally she only wants to wear dresses, but two times this week as I was telling her to get dressed she selected pants. Maybe she's growing out of dresses? Or maybe not. As soon as we got home on both days when she had on pants, the FIRST thing she did was change out of her pants and into a nightgown. I don't blame here. I prefer my jammies too!






George of course had to carry a car and good old Blue Bear under his left arm. That little Blue Bear has been by his side since he was gifted it by Kristina and Elise in the hospital the day after his heart surgery. It goes everywhere with us!



video



Then because it was feeling like summertime again in California, and because we like treats in this house, we headed to Ikea for an ice cream cone. Watching Grace and George eat ice cream is sweeter than the ice cream they are eating. I of course had my fair share of George's ice cream cone. Watch the video and see how small his bites are. Too funny!





I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but one of the funniest things Grace say is,




That's okay. It was an accident. Everybody makes accidents.





She uses it all the time. Some times to try to get herself out of trouble. Sometimes when someone else is in trouble.





While that saying will probably remain my favorite, on Friday morning Grace woke up before George for the first time ever. I should have been asleep, but unfortunately I unplugged the Carbon Dioxide monitor out of the wall some time on Thursday, and it woke John and I both up way too early Friday morning, and I couldn't fall back asleep. I'd been up WAY TOO late Thursday making a jumper for Grace, and I decided since that I should have her try it on, so I could get a picture of her in it. So, I told Grace I made her a new dress, and she asked me if she could see it. I said sure and went to my sewing room to get it. I brought it to her on the couch, and she said





Wow. It's beau - TI - ful!!





I started laughing. I loved that she loved what I made. I then asked her if she wanted to model the dress for me. She needed to know what modeling was. Luckily I had moments before been watching my recorded copy of Project Runway. I showed her the runway show, and she then agreed that she'd give it a shot.





I set up two towel in the kitchen to be the catwalk. As Grace watched me get things ready, she said,





I hope this is going to be fun!





I'd say it was fun. See for yourself.





video



You can find out more about this little number at Made on Maple.





George's vocabulary continues to grow, but the funniest thing he says all the time happens when he wants to do something. Like if you ask him, "Do you want to go to the park?" He'll respond:



YEA!! I duuuu!!"




Just like his vocabulary, George continues to grow. Today we set up his toddler bed, and he happily took a nap in it, and so far he's soundly asleep for the night on it. He did wake up early from his nap and immediately come out of his room which kind of has me worried, but it was time for the real bed.



Now the crib is empty. What should we put in it, Italian?????

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

What happens when it rains and rains and rains?


Grace dressed up, George crying. A typical scene from our house.

We go a little stir crazy. If you live in Seattle or any other city that has a lot of rain, I wonder how you do it. I lost count of how many days it has been raining, but all I know is that my kids and I need a day outside soon. A little break would be nice. Just a little sunshine tomorrow. Please. Just a little.

While inside a lot we do things like...




Make waffles together. Have you ever tried to make waffles with two toddlers that want to do everything. It's comical really. Truly funny.





George blows his nose. He won't let you wipe his nose without a struggle. No, he wants to do everything by himself. I think he learned that from his sister.





Arts and Crafts. It's an obvious activity, but today to switch things up I decided to shower in the morning hours. That means I left 2 toddlers unsupervised in the house for approximately 10 minutes. I'm trying to not let them watch t.v. all day long, so I opted to just let them play. George greeted me after my shower with red paint all over his shirt, and then I started yelling "Where's the paint? Where's the paint? Where's the paint?" To which sweet little Grace E. replied

"That's okay (sounds like o-tay) Mama, it was an accident. Everyone makes accidents."



Too bad I left the Arts and Crafts supplies on the counter where with a chair they could be accessed by Grace who then passed it off to George. Luckily, all the spilled paint ended up on George.







Outfit changes are a must. (I feel like I just said this last week, and I'm sure I did, but I'm not going back to look through my posts now. Just know that it has seriously felt like Groundhog Day the movie here.) What kills me is that Grace will wear short sleeves or just a shirt, but then she is cold because it is winter, and while we aren't freezing cold like some parts of the world, we do have to run our heater all day long, and so long sleeves and tights/leggings/pants are appropriate. However, my daughter is a Californian. You know one of those crazy Californians who wear flip flops in the winter because they have to prove how Californian they are. (The Italian is so rolling his eyes right now as he is reading this.) I mean not all Californians are like this. Just mainly Southern Californians. (That was for all my So Cal buddies and the Italian himself.) The picture I captured of Grace says it all. Short sleeve dress with gloves and slippers. As corny as the tiger outfit is to wear around the house, I prefer it to this outfit because it is warmer.






Moving on because this is getting rather random. Little George Balena was happy as can be this afternoon when Big George Earnest decided to gift him some cars from the beloved movie Cars. This is George smiling with delight and saying "cheese" just for you Big George. Thanks for having a kind heart and sharing with Little George. It made his day.





video


And to end this post that is as crazy as I feel due to too many days inside with rain outside, I giave you a video. A favorite from a rainy day last week that for some reason I want to have on my blog, so I can watch it from time to time to remind myself how much fun we have here.


Peace out my friends!

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Growing Up




Yesterday Grace told George to go and get her something. I think it was a toy or a book I can't remember. He ignored her, and she said,




"George, go and get the ______ or I'm going to start counting. One, two, three, four, five. George, hand me the ________ or you are in big trouble."



On one hand I think it is hilarious that she acts like a little mom and mothers George and uses all my good lines, and on the other hand I sometimes think she's a little too bossy!

George and I have spent the past 3 nights (!!!!) on the couch during the middle of the night. He's also been resisting laying down in his crib at naptime and bedtime. Today Grace and John went to the Children's Museum and I knew George was tired, but he was crying and fighting laying down in the crib. I told him he could either sleep in the crib or Grace's bed. When I pointed to Grace's bed he giggled. My little boy, no longer a baby even though Grace still calls him Baby George, is a toddler. He's currently asleep on his mattress on the floor and his toddler bed is on the way.

I guess my kids can't stay little forever. I told Grace to promise me she would never grow up, and she told,

"Oh, but Mama, I have to grow up."
Why?! I know they do, and every stage so far has been just as entertaining and enjoyable as the last if not more, so I know that growing up isn't a bad thing, but time just goes so quickly.

I have a million other thoughts on why I don't want my kids to grow up and all that I don't want to forget, but we have 9 a.m. church tomorrow, and it's going to be painful if I don't end this now!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

It's Raining. And a BIG Announcement!!

There isn't much to say about the rain other than to say that it has been falling from the sky for three days straight, and as I listen to it hitting the ground outside right now, I'm wondering what we are doing tomorrow. The forecast is predicting rain through Friday. Probably a lot more of this...




Playing with our new Christmas toys. Thanks Baby Waverly for Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head.







Racing cars and fighting over the same lame matchbox car when we seriously have 20+ cars!!






Dressing up, or course!





Arts and crafts. Could Grace look any happier that I took out the markers for like the 100th time in one day?!?




And maybe an excursion or two depending on how desperate I get. We went out briefly today. Unfortunately for George, he doesn't have a rain coat, so he got to wear Grace's from last year. Sorry George!



Now for the BIG announcement. Did anyone think I was pregnant??? For now that is NOT my big news.

I am however moving ALL of my craftiness to a new blog, so I can keep this blog for our family history of sorts. So, if you are interested in following me on my creative adventures that take place way too late into the evening come to


My best friend, Annee, and I are collaborating on this blog to showcase all of our creations, review tutorials and books, and just give you all our hot tips on sewing and such.

Come join us!!

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Sustained

This weekend is a long one, and for that I'm most happy. It will be nice having John home tomorrow. He went snowboarding all day Saturday, and my mom left as well, so the reality of being all by myself without help kicked in for the first time in a month last night. I'm okay with tomorrow being a holiday.

John goes to the mountains.


Today was a rainy day so after church we hung out inside all day long. John was tired from boarding yesterday, so he got to take a long Sunday snoozer. This meant Grace, George, and I had lots of time to play.
George trying to be like Grace.

Grace trying to be like John.

We learn by example in this house.
As I was playing with Grace and George, I thought about a talk I heard today in Sacrament Meeting. The speaker talked about the scripture Psalms 55:22 "Cast your burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee." The woman talking explained how sustain means to support or to hold up. It doesn't mean to take away. This caused me to reflect.
I don't have any large problems in my life at this time. But, I find it challenging to live in my small house. Sometimes I get really frustrated and upset about it. I can say mean things and act a little crazy when I'm in the middle of my day and I feel like my house is shrinking and there is never enough space to put everything.
But as I sat in Sacrament Meeting, listening to this talk and thinking about my silly problem, I realized two things. One, I have friends and there are others in this world whose challenges are far greater than mine. And, two I've been sustained while living in my little cottage.
My house might be small, but we've been fortunate enough to redo several things in this house making it quite comfortable.
There is no guest room, but just ask my mom who lived in my laundry room for 6 weeks after George was born how comfortable the laundry room is. It's small, really small, but it's big enough to provide some privacy and a space to sleep.
Even in this small space, I have my OWN space. I might not have my own closet (Grace, George, and I all share a closet), but I have the laundry room that is all mine. There is a gate, and no one goes in there expect me. The space is mine to do what I want.
I might not have tons of walls, but the Italian loves me enough to let me hang whatever I want wherever I want it.
I would love for Grace and George to have a play room, but my kitchen is really big for the size house we have, and there is plenty of room to share the space with the toys. Not my favorite option, but at least I had the option.
You can't run around inside my house so well, but I live in an area where year round we generally have nice weather, so we can go outside all the time.
So my problem isn't that big. I'm still hoping that one day we will move on to a larger house, but my hope and prayer for more space hasn't gone unnoticed. I've been sustained. I truly believe this.

While my trial of lack of space can't compare to others trials or even trials I've had in the past, it is something that troubles me, and I believe I have a Heavenly Father who cares about the things that trouble me, and He sustains me. And for that I'm so grateful.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Bahama Mama

My mom has been here all week. When my mom is here she says things like:

"Just relax. Stay calm. Don't worry about anything."

But then she says things like:

"Okay, what's next? What do you need to get done now?"

See she wants me to stay calm, but she knows that I'm happiest when I'm productive. Unfortunately being productive doesn't always allow for me to relax and stay calm.

While painting the kid's room, running errands, picking up a new rug, sewing new window treatments, and just working at a rate that is NOT realistic with two kids without help....

My mom has fully been engaged with Grace and George. Truly a blessing to have her help.

video

She taught Grace the First Article of Faith. (Candice, if you are reading this, just know that my mom wanted me to email you to see if you still have jems to glue on to Grace's primary bag when she recites this on Sunday. If not, I'm to get gems. I'm going to cross my fingers you will still be offering the small incentive.) Thank you Grandma Blanche for helping Grace with this.

Grace loves having Grandma Blanche around to entertain her and teach her new things.

George loves Grandma Blanche as well, but for some reason when she walks toward him he puts his hand up and starts chanting things like "mine" or something that sounds like "get back." My mom likes to tease. I have a feeling George might not like being teased so much.

Now that I've done everything that I wanted to get done today to feel productive, I must go and watch Project Runway. I love that the new season has already started!!

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Being Balena means...



The princess went to her first day of Sunbeams today. Don't ask me where the time went. I can't believe how old Grace is, and I'm a little sad about it all. However, Grace had a fabulous time today. I feel very fortunate to belong to a church where people selflessly give of their time and talents to create a loving environment for my children, and they do it without compensation. I'm very blessed and grateful that Grace's first day went so well.

As for George, well let's just say he wasn't so happy to be dropped off at nursery today. He ended up accompanying John to his Sunday classes. It's good Father and Son bonding time, right?

Being Balena for the Italian means working all day long in the yard yesterday. I looks beautiful. Thank you, Italian Stallion.

As for me, the Greek Goddess (ha!), I'm still in a little shock that my 3 week vacation is over, and that life at home started back up without missing a beat. Full of laundry and dishes and normal household chores. Luckily my Bahama Mama decided to join me for the week. John was supposed to be in the big city of NYC this week, but work changed the dates on John. Good thing we all get along!

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Letters to those I love.

Dear Mer,


Grace, Mer, and George

I miss you. I held your picture all night long 2 nights ago. My mom laughed when she came to soothe me back to sleep at 4 a.m., and I was clinging to this picture of you.




I hope to see you soon.


Love Your Cousin,


George




Dear Italian Stallion,





May I please have a Claw Foot Bathtub in our next house? I love them.



Love,

Your Wife


Dear George,



You kept me up all last night. Please don't do it again. I think I get a new gray hair every time we have nights like this. I'd like to keep my natural brunette look as along as possible.

Sweet dreams,

Your Mama


Dear Grandma Bev,



This morning at breakfast I told Grace and George that we only had 2 more days left at Grandma Blanche's. And then Grace said, "Oh, yea, and then we get to go to Grandma Bev's." I think Grace thinks she's on a tour of her Grandma's houses.


Love,

Grace and Liz


Dear Grace,


You may look like your dad, but you set up shop in Grandma Blanche's house like I set up shop in our laundry room. Great minds think alike. I guess we don't have to look alike to be related.

Love,

Mama

Dear Stephenie Meyer,









I finished Breaking Dawn, the last of the Twilight Saga, this morning. Around page 500, I had two thoughts. One, I never realized that you spelled your name with an E instead of an A. (Stephenie as opposed to Stephanie.) Second thought, would it have been possible to shorten the last book? At page 500 I still had 250 pages left. I finished it, and overall I enjoyed the Saga, but I really think the last book could have been slightly shorter. I have a feeling this might not make me too popular with all your fans.





Sincerely Yours,





Elizabeth Balena







Dear Scottish Rite Children's Hospital,




Could you please let Grandma Blanche be a cuddler in the NICU? She's going to keep making all the babies blankets and taggies until you let her. Just give a break already and let her hold the babies.





Sincerely,





Grandma Blanche's Daughter







Dear Pa,





We'll miss you while you are away on business. Hurry back and be safe.





Love,





Grace and George



Dear Vacation,




Do you really have be coming to an end?? It's never long enough. CA here I come!




Love,




A Southern Transplant

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Saved the best for last.

We are at my House in the South. We came to celebrate Christmas for the 3rd time. With each celebration Grace is more and more convinced that Christmas is going to keep happening week after week. Little does she know this is the final celebration for a whole year!



My mom requested that we all be attendance at her house for the holidays, so WE (my family plus Grandma Beverly, Uncle Doug, Aunt Sarah, and Cousins Mer, Max, Jack, and Luke) all came into town. Uncle Mike and Aunt Sher and Baby Waverly live locally so they didn't get in on the fun of actually staying with us all!



We celebrated Christmas Eve and Christmas day all together. Pa started us off with Puppy Dog pancakes for breakfast.





Grace liked the whipped cream. George liked the fork.








The cousins played and watched movies during the day.








And, true to the Markos traditions, we all went Christmas caroling on the 28th of December. Of course we only went to one house and they are dear friends so they don't think we are too crazy.






Then back to Grandma and Grandpa's to open presents.






(Princess Grace and Prince George) Made out like bandits, BUT I have to say that my favorite gift that was given this year was from



Baby Waverly



to Cousins Mer, Max, Jack, and Luke. They got this little game called Rockband 2 for their Wii. Let's just say it brought the inner rocker out of me, and I couldn't wait until the kids went to sleep so I could keep them awake with my singing/screaming. Awesome gift. If you know of anyone who is looking for a lead female singer in a rock band, I'm available.




Our time with our cousins and Grandma Beverly was short, but packed full of fun. Grace went to see The Princess and the Frog with the bunch, and John scored us all tickets to the Largest Aquarium on Earth which meant nothing to us because we weren't that impressed. I'd say the best part of the aquarium was that we didn't have to pay for it!



Now that our cousins are gone, and the Italian Stallion had to go home to go to work, Grace, George and I will spend another week on vacation in the South. I'll try to watch after the girl with the butterly backpack,








And this adorable boy,








Oh, and hopefully finish the Twilight series. I finished Eclipse last night, so I now I'm down to one more book. Too bad I'm not a teenager or that would sound a whole lot cooler!



Happy New Year!!!!

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Time Check




10:15 p.m. on the REAL Christmas Eve - George wakes up for the first time of most likely many needing reassurance that he's okay.






10:00 p.m. - Grace is STILL awake and needs to be warned that Santa might not stop at Grandma Balena's house if she doesn't fall asleep SOON!






7:30 p.m. - George is put to sleep on the bed that John and I are supposed to be sharing because he WILL NOT go to sleep in the port-a-crib that is his. This means I'll be sleeping on the couch. Not a bad thing because this also means that I might not have to get up through the night with little George!




video



7:00 p.m. - Santa makes a guest appearance spreading some Christmas joy and surprises.








6:30 p.m. - Grandpa Balena tells of the gift of the Savior being born on Christmas day after John and Arthur read from Luke the story of Christ's birth.





6:15 - 6:30 p.m. - We sing a variety of Christmas songs while Grandma Balena plays the piano. Then Abuelita, John's step grandma, sings Santa Maria on the Karaoke machine.




4:30 p.m. - Company is arriving and I'm so hungry I think I could eat the whole turkey that just came out of the oven.



Noon - John and I get back from buying our last Christmas present, and I offer to put George down, so I can sit in the bedroom next to him and read New Moon. I have 200 pages left, and I will have it done by tomorrow night for sure!




10:00 a.m. - Grace and George are playing with ALL the toys in the house and just enjoying the extra room that Grandma's house has to offer.






8:00 a.m. - George finds 2 cordless phones to walk around with. He found these the first day we were here, and now the phones have to be hidden so he can't find them and call anyone.



6:30 a.m. - George wakes up. I'm on the couch in the family room next to where he and John slept (see above for more on that), and I'm exhausted because I stayed up reading New Moon and the couch put a kink in my back, so I'm not feeling too rested. George wants to watch cartoons. I don't protest, and since I can't fall back asleep, then I decide to pick up New Moon. (I'm hoping to finish the book by Saturday night, so my Italian Stallion can take me on a date to see the movie...he's just dying to see a tweeny bopper, vampire, romance movie. Maybe I'll get him a Three Wolf Moon Shirt to go wear on our hot date! )


I hope you all have a Very Merry Christmas!!
I must get back to my book now!!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Merry Christmas

Did Santa come to your house?? Granted I never know the date, but I do know that we actually celebrated Christmas a week early. It was necessary because we are traveling, and I wasn't interested in hauling toys back and forth across the country. I just decided that Santa was coming here a week early, so Friday night was our Christmas Eve.

We started the day by making an Agenda. I never do this, but Friday we had a lot to accomplish and I needed to keep us on task. Surprisingly, Grace kept asking me what was next and wanted to make checks next to what we'd done. I guess kids do crave structure. Or at least that's what I always preached to my student's parents!



We made cookies.

George watched because he was afraid if he abandoned his cars and train someone would take them.



Friday night we started the tradition of caroling at our neighbors. Granted we are no heavenly host, and we can only manage to sing Jingle Bells with our limited vocal abilities, but it was fun. Not only did our kind friends video tape us, but they also invited us in for apple cider which sweetened the night!


video


After our caroling, it was time to nestle the children all snug in their beds, while Santa and Mrs. Claus set to work making some Christmas magic. As I took the presents that needed to be wrapped out of hiding, The Italian started wondering if we had the right presents. He was telling about memories of his childhood Christmases, and off he went to Toys R Us to revisit what Grace and George needed.


John returned with a dollhouse as tall as I am, and George now has more trains and cars then his little hands can hold. John was like a big kid with the new toys and wanted to make sure that everything was positioned just right. He tested out all the trains, the tracks, placed the stuff animals on the dollhouse, put a Christmas elf on the doll bed, etc. At 2 a.m., I finally had to say we have to go to bed. Enough!!


Lastly, Santa had to have a little snack.

George helped us get up bright and early Saturday morning. Having just laid down after our final prep, John and I were exhausted. I tried to get George to come lay down in my room. No such luck. It was time for Christmas!!!

Warning: We have fluorescent lights because supposedly the earth is warming and these lights are going to stop that from happening?!? They take FOREVER to warm up. Sorry for the poor lighting! Also, please note, and it is hard to see, but Grace picks up a half eaten cookie from Santa's plate and eats it. She'll do anything for a cookie.

video

George loved his train set and the new trains to go with it. We've already been through 2 or 3 batteries for the electric trains.

At first I was worried that the dollhouse was a little too much for Grace. However, she can't get enough of it. She's told me that it is her favorite present more than once now, and when I moved it to the kitchen (our playroom), she needed me to move all of her other presents around it.

While I was thinking we should have a minimal Christmas this year, I'm so glad the Italian thought differently. I love that the kid inside him took over and made our Christmas so grand. Love you for that Italian.

One Christmas morning down, 2 more to go!! Get ready Grandparents, here we come!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Grace and George


I love her because of the curls, the pose and the slippers. And because while she and George were having drinks together this afternoon, she "taught" him how to blow bubbles in his drink. Really she just got up from her side of the table after blowing bubbles in her cup, to then do it in George's cup. George just laughed, and I did too.


And, I love him, because he walks around the house these days pulling up his sleeves, because his dad comes home from work with his cuffs undone and his sleeves rolled up. George wants to be just like his dad. I also love him because he crawls up in my bed (when he's not suppose to) and pulls the cover up over his head, and giggles until you find him. When you pretend like you can't find him and say, "Where's George?", the giggling turns into full on laughter. I love that.

Love these two!!!