Christmas Eve

Another beautiful sunshiney day here in Sunny Florida. I do love Winters here. I have not at all missed the cold air from NY and if I could just discover that wormhole here on Earth that allows us to live here in Winter but continue about our daily lives in NY I would be one happy Mama. We spent the morning at the park down the street again then came home and put together our annual gingerbread house with Abuelita after lunch. This particular house's "glue" was not very sticky, and as soon as Abuelita let go of the foundation it collapsed. Oh, well. The photo op was fun and Ben pretty much ate the entire house - minus the decorations which he ever so deliberately removed (after ever so deliberately placing each one!!). Em ate the decorations and could have cared less about the cookie. Two peas in a pod, I tell ya.

Don't let go, Abudiba!

We celebrated Christmas Eve the Batter way (different from my family's traditions) with a yummy seafood dinner (cooked by Chef Daddy) and then opening ALL the family gifts (leaving gifts from Santa Claus only for Christmas day...). While Daddy cooked the late afternoon away, the kids and I watched more Veggie Tales by the light of the tree.

Mommy pic! Mommy pic!

Chef Daddy is our superhero. Abuelita loves when Daddy comes to town as she is relieved of her kitchen duties and gets to sit back and relax and entertain the kiddos while Daddy takes over the kitchen. Daddy is always happy to cook - especially when he can move around in the kitchen that is sized to fit more than one person at a time.

He cheffed up a YUMALICIOUS Italian Seafood soup. I ate at least four bowls of this goodness!!

Wanna come over??

After dinner we opened gifts. These pics are not in order and I cannot seem to be able to edit them. Ben got a wooden train that he very happily glued together then painted. Ever since starting preschool this fall he has become quite the Picasso. Love this kid.

I think I'll name it Thomas.

Em was very excited to open a present with the BRAVE doll, Merida. Abuelita had given her the movie for an early present when we arrived so the doll would be more appreciated. She-so-smart.

Mom, can I dye my hair red?

Em has also spent the past few days glued to the piano. She "plays" very well, plucking out actualy notes versus banging down of the keys. I think we will start lessons in September!! The piano she is playing has been gifted to her by Abuelita. As soon as we move out of the penthouse we will make the request for it to be sent North. :)

Sing us a song you're the Piano-Em.

The before they open the gifts pic:

CHEESE!

Daddy and Em doing the mosaic that Ben gave Em for Christmas. Hooray!

Matching chin dimples.

The kids went to bed pretty easily at around 8:30 excited to see what Santa was going to bring them when they woke. The rest of us enjoyed watching the various Christmas programs on TV until past midnight. Oh, wait, Mommy and Grandpop "tried" to enjoy the holiday programs while Daddy and Abudiba had an intense political debate for a good solid 90 minutes. Ahhhh, religion and politics - and we weren't even at a bar. :)

Sunday Florida Funday

We played the day away in the beautiful weather here in sunny Florida. We started out the day at the park down the street. Moments before this pic was taken Ben swung out too far, lost his grip and landed smack/flat on his back. It did not knock the wind out of him completely, but was a solid jolt. We snuggled a bit to calm him down. He kept saying, "I wanna snuggle with footprint blankie." (his security blanket - compared to Em at this age, when something like this would happen to her she would cry and say, "I'm done here. I wanna go home.")

Park time!

After lunch Em went last minute shopping with Daddy and Abuelita leaving Ben to hold down the fort here with me and Grandpop. We used up all the bubble mix,

Bubble time!

we played with the ducks,

Duck time!

and we raided Abuelita's shipping supplies to build all sorts of stations and tunnels, etc.

When is it NOT train time?

The kids went to bed just after 8 last night without a peep and slept past 8 this morning catching up on the must needed sleep they missed out on due to airline delays!

On the road again

We choose to give the warm weather a try this Christmas and leave the cold behind. Yahoo FL in Winter! 70s and sunny and no humidity.

The usual flight we take here generally gets us in in four hours door to door. Our usual flight was not offered and we ended up with what was supposed to be a 50 minute layover in Orlando. Yep, supposed to be. Our whole trip was delayed and ended up taking 10 hours door to door. But our kids are blessedly good travelers and they made the best of the three hour plus layover - it helps that Orlando has a shuttle train between terminals and we rode that sucker at least 10 times. :)

Gramma Lou, the headphones were a hit w Em, Ben...not so much. They did spend a lot of time coloring on the plane. Lets just say the next time someone needs to puke on that flight they will be delighted to hurl into a brightly decorated hand puppet bag.

We didn't arrive to Abuelita's house until about 1am. Ben fell asleep on the connecting flight. Em was awake until just before we pulled into the driveway. Yikes!

Our Piccasso

It was VERY windy taking off. Ben was shaking! He grabbed my hand and wouldn't let go. I wasn't complaining.

Cheeks! Cheeks! Cheeks! We love to snack on cheeks.

Our conductor and his super model in training big sister.

I lied.

Yep. I lied. I thought I was on the road to healing but I am not. I still tear up at least 10 times a day. I still hug my children for one second longer than usual. I am extra forgiving when they do not listen, do not eat, do not go to bed and stay in bed...

I have read so many amazing stories this week of heroism. Of teachers who threw themselves into the line of fire in attempts to save their students. I have read eulogies from parents who are burying their 6 year old children.

Today was a very special day.

I dropped Ben off at preschool early and rushed to Em's classroom holiday celebration. They had a class / parent sing along, then we chowed on some yummy cookies (thanks, Daddy!) and then made a fun reindeer craft. It was one hour of goodness in which I got the honor as a class room parent to present Mrs. Shannon - Em's teacher, the gift from our class. This woman is incredible. She has a gigantic heart. She relates to each and every kid in the classroom on the level that they need. She challenges them, she accepts them, she encourages - praises - and recognizes their every effort. We are blessed to have her as Em's teacher and knowing the events that took place in Sandy Hook last week, it took every ounce of discipline I had to not start bawling while presenting this woman our holiday token of gratitude. Mrs Shannon, if you ever stumble across my online journal and read this post, Thank you once again for all that you do...

Em whispered to me, "Mom, you gotta get a picture with me and Mrs Shannon."

From Em's party I made a mad dash to Ben's preschool for his Holiday party.  The 3 year olds sang three songs for the parents - the first of which Ben sang loud and proud.  The 2nd and 3rd - not so much, he stood there and picked his nose eyeballing the gingerbread houses he knew he was going to get to decorate after the whole singing crap was over. 

Decorate the house and then eat the left overs! That's how I roll when no veggies are involved!

The only vegetables Ben will consume...

Every year our ownership of holiday movies grows as we receive gifts from so many family members. Every year my kids latch onto one movie in particular and we end up watching it over and over and over. This year is was Frosty Returns - the dumbest movie in the history of movies, but my kids love it and John Goodman plays Frosty so at least I can close my eyes and be entertained by his voice (he is an accomplished musician).

Recently though we stumbled across a four pack of dvds that we were given by someone - Veggie Tales. The kiddos are hooked. Ben asks every night after his bath, "Mom, can we watch Veggie Tomatoes?"(One of the lead vegetable characters is a tomato.) It cracks me up. The shows are rather ridiculous in my old lady opinion but they all have a nice message... so Veggie Tomatoes, it is!

My mental sanity is slowly healing after the horrors of last Friday. Today I was all - hurricane Sandy, Sandy hook - what's up with Sandy this year? May she rest in peace and may 2013 bring us all happy healthy times...

I did bawl my eyes out for 1 minute and 57 seconds today watching the artists from that tv show The Voice sing my favorite song ever "Hallelujah" and dedicating it to the 27 new angels watching over us. If you haven't seen it, find it on my FB and make a point of watching it. You, too, will cry, but it will be a good hearty heaving cathartic cry which I think I really needed to put me on the road to healing.

Speaking of crying and vegetables, Ben only ate a waffle with peanut butter, half a pancake, some cheerios and some omega 3 soy crackers today - probably for a total of 400 calories. How is this kid 42 pounds and a powerhouse?

It's beginning to look a lot like...

We had our yearly Christmas "party" with our best pals last night. We exchanged gifts, made cookies, decorated a gingerbread house - then promptly gave it a skylight by removing one section of the roof so we could divide it into four and EAT IT! Good times, good times.

PRESENTS!

Our yearly Gingerbread house with our pals...

I woke up this morning knowing that Em would be demanding the "craft of the day" or Craft del dia - as we call it here in the penthouse. I've seen the Sharpie craft on Pinter*st a few times and decided to give it a whirl. We hit up the Dollar Store and bought the very LAST white plate and mug on the shelf - it was meant to be! We came home and started decorating them with our beloved Sharpies, then baked them for 35 minutes at 300˚ and - Wala! A decorative serving plate for cookies, etc., and another mug for me - personalized by Emma. It has "I love you!" written all over it and she drew a pic of our family. Totally totally awesome.

Sharpie ART!

sick sick sick

I can't even begin to count how many times today I simply had to stop and take a deep breath and try (mostly not succeed) to keep the tears at bay.

That school in CT was in a quaint sleepy little town just like our sweet village. The fact that the Kindergarteners took the brunt of it and Emma is in Kindergarten surely does not help.

Our elementary has good security, I believe. All exterior doors are locked except the main one into the office. You cannot even get into the preK / K wing of the school without being buzzed in by a secretary. Our students are constantly being reminded to not open doors for anyone - everyone MUST enter through the main office doors.

We just received an email from our superintendent expressing his sincere belief that our school is a safe zone but expressing how we all need to be on guard at all times and to not complain when you may have to walk just a little further to access the main door or wait in line a little longer while the secretaries ask to see your i.d., etc.

It is just so very sad. Emma and Ben of the future reading this, we love you so very very much and will absolutely do our very best to keep you and all of your friends safe from harm.

Weekend roundup.

Ben's ear pain has magically disappeared without the use of antibiotics. Hoo-ray!

We had a relaxing weekend - the calm before the storm, surely. The few things that stand out are: Daddy took the kids to Walmart Saturday evening to grab a few things. I got to be at home ALL BY MYSELF for about an hour - another Christmas miracle. Upon their return, I gave the kids baths. Emma, who is just like me when it comes to giving gifts - could not contain herself with her secret knowledge that they found a white dress at Walmart that they wanted to give me for Christmas. Lucky me!! Hahaha. But it was really adorable, she was all "you can't tell Dad I'm telling you this" - it is 90% the reason I usually don't shop until the 24th! 90% I cannot keep a secret and 10% I don't have the space to hide/stash the gift.

This morning I woke up with a sweet tooth. I googled a simple sugar cookie recipe and then cut the ingredients in half knowing we wouldn't actually eat the cookies - the fun is in the making of them and then the decorating of them. I pretty much hate cooked cookies. Yes, you read that right. In all honesty that should read, "I pretty much hate cooked desserts." You see, I love to make the desserts, then EAT THE BATTER RAW / lick the spoon / lick the bowl vs eat the finished product. Yep. So do you. Admit it. You are safe here.

This morning the kids and I made sugar cookies, a 24 cookie recipe that yielded just 12 cookies because I ate approximately 12 cookies raw. Don't judge me and don't be concerned for my health - raw egg and all - the way I see it is, "I am one good stomach flu away from my ideal weight." (The Devil Wears Prada) - or as I like to think of it, "I am one good food poisoning away from my ideal weight." The pre-cooked recipe was delicious!! After cooking, they were hard and gross, Emma and Daddy wanted nothing to do with them, but Ben ate them!! Go figure. To make visual matters worse, I picked up a can of frosting that said "Holiday Vanilla" which to me means WHITE frosting that I can color to my hearts desire. Nope, it was puke green (see below) and when I added red food coloring to it, it turned purple... Not the most attractive cookies, but we had good fun making and decorating them!! (Hey, Henry's mom. Want some cookies???)

Do you see what I see?

The best part of the above picture is in the bottom left corner. YEP. Daddy succumbed to a late night infomercial and bought us a Nutribullet. WE LOVE IT and are giving our beloved juicer away. Get one, dear readers. Your life depends on it. FOR REAL.

The next blurry pic is of me walking out the door to the office Saturday morning. Ben made me a necklace of tinkertoys and was ecstatic that I was actually going to wear it to work.

Ben is a jeweler!

We felt the need for some good NY pizza for lunch today and ended up at Little Joe's. We usually order it and take it home to chow, but Ben and Emma get a huge kick out of staying at the pizzeria and eating at the tables so we decided to eat there today. Yum. Yum. Yum. Is all I can say. I had two slices because I am a pig (and I ONLY had 12 sugar cookies for breakfast) - an eggplant slice and a Gramma slice - square piece with sauce, a slice of mozz, roasted red peppers, with a drizzle of pesto on top. OOOOOhhh, so delicious. Emma ordered a mushroom slice and Ben, of course, had a plain slice.

Don't rush me!

Ear Week at preschool and in the home.

Ben's preschool learned all about "ears" this week. Ben took the lesson to the next level...

Ben and I were out the door early enough to hit the bank, Walmart, and BJs before his 11:30 "library school." When we pulled into the bank parking lot he announced, "Mom, my ear hurts."

Hmmmmmm.

We took care of our bank chore, me observing his behavior a little more closely. He was still as playful as ever, didn't feel warm, but was *slightly* whiny. We hopped in the car for 3 minutes for our drive to Walmart. I kept glancing at him in the rear view mirror and I could tell his ear was definitely bothering him. By the time we left Walmart he was whinier even after running into a good pal of his. I needed a BJs quick run for fresh goods and couldn't really skip it (besides it shares a parking lot w Walmart) so I figured I'd see how he does there and then make a decision about a doctor visit...

While waiting in line at BJs he wanted he to hold him and snuggle him - not his usual m.o. when we are out and about. Something was definitely up.

I called the pediatrician from the car but she couldn't see him until 4:30 (it was 11:30). So, I made the decision to take him to Stat Health which is one of those urgent care places. Now let me tell you about Stat Health. I have lived here on the island for 2 1/2 years now and still haven't chosen a G.P. because I love this clinic so much! You walk in without an appointment, sign in and wait your turn. I've been there on crazy busy days and still only waited 45 min max. A Doctor you have never met before comes in and checks you out, diagnoses you and sends you on your way with what you need. It's that simple.

Ben was not at all thrilled about the prospect of seeing the doctor - but the kid was a champion when the dude walked in the door and let the doc check out his nooks and crannies. His ear was indeed red, but the doctor thought it may be viral as he is getting over a cold. He prescribed Motrin for pain and gave me a script, but told me not to fill it until Sunday just in case it cleared itself on it's own.

In and out in 20 minutes.

I do love our pediatrician when it comes to well visits, but when it comes to sick kids (and parents) I demand immediate gratification and this health care center gives it to me!

Soooooo,

Do you remember that train table Ben has so desperately wanted for two years that we finally caved in and purchased from Craigslist, I mean asked Santa Clause for and he dropped it by early? Remember how Ben played obsessively with it for 3 days straight? Well, now he could hardly be bothered with the table itself - but he plays with the various pieces that came with the table (bridge, sheds, tunnels, mountains, hills, etc) all over the house just as he used to (and still does) with his old tracks. It turns out it wasn't so much the TABLE he wanted but the GOODIES that he always played with ON THE TABLE. I could probably sell the table and keep the goods and he wouldn't even notice! (See pic below)

But I won't ditch the table just yet. Our play dates love it and Emma gets a lot of enjoyment out if it - believe it or not - designing new tracks and making up fun stories. It cracks me that I didn't figure this out before purchasing the table. I really should have understood his request. Whenever we went to a store that sold the goodies, he would always request one - but they are like $25 bucks a pop, so I was like, NOPE. Needless to say, we absolutely feel we got an incredible bargain with the fancy table and all the goods for $75.

Mr.Conductor on the FLOOR!

Girl Talk

I go into the office every Wednesday evening after dinner to teach a class. Emma often sits on the toilet and watches me apply make up and we chat about this and that. Tonight's conversation went exactly like this.

"What's that?"
"It's called mascara."
"Why are you putting it on your eyes?"
"Well, I use it to make my eye lashes look longer. You and Benny have nice thick long eye lashes like Daddy, so you don't need to use it."

I then grabbed my electric toothbrush and brushed my teeth. Mid - brushing Em asked, "Why do you have an electric toothbrush?"
"Because I like the way it cleans my teeth."
She contemplates that while I finish brushing.
"Would you like an electric toothbrush, too?" I ask.
"Yes."
"Okay, maybe you can ask Santa for one." (I am thinking stocking stuffer...)
"But I already saw Santa."
"Well, maybe you can write him a letter?"
"Hmmm, how do you spell 'Dear'?"
"D. E. A. R. Maybe your can write something like, 'Dear Santa. I would like for you to give me an electric toothbrush for Christmas instead of a dollhouse.'"
Without hesitation and with a great amount of teenage sass, she simply replied, "Ah, NO."

Saturday goodness

It was a grey misty bone chilling day on the island today. Instead of walking around the village for the Dickens Festival freezing our fingers off, Em and I decided to hit up the local ballet school's matinee Nutcracker while Daddy and Ben stayed home and did boy stuff - you know, watching college football. The ballet school brings in 3 professional dancers for the major roles and I gotta tell ya, at first I was all - why would you hired professional dancers, give the local talent a chance to shine! After seeing the performance I must admit they professionals were AMAZING to watch and I believe really elevated the desire of the local gals to push themselves to practice harder resulting in extraordinary performances across the board. It was a two hour show with a 20 minute intermission. Em got a little wiggly here and there, but mostly enjoyed watching the show. It certainly did not hurt that one of her school's Kindergarten teachers (not hers) that she adores played the toy maker in the first act. He was a joy to watch and reminded me again just how lucky we are that (most of) our teachers are so committed to the local community. Em asked lots of good questions throughout the performance like, "Why are they dancing in dust?" (Fog in the dream scenes.) "How do they make the dust?" (With a fog machine.)

The Nutcracker!

Last night Ben would not eat dinner. Surprise! Daddy was intent on him eating just one piece of tortellini (which if you recall was ALL HE WOULD EAT about a year ago) or he would lose train table privileges. "I don't like it! It's yucky!" He said over and over through heaving sobs. At his wits end, Daddy starting breaking down the elaborate track that I built the other day and putting it away in the train table drawers. Benjamin starting shaking! He was so sad and upset. (Mommy was a little shaky and sad, too - it took me forever to built that dang setup!) When he finally calmed down, he ate some raisins and went to bed semi relaxed. He was up at 6:22 this morning and tiptoed into our room so as not to wake Daddy and whispered to me sweetly, "Mom, can I built a new track on the train table?" Yes, buddy, you can. And he did!! That kid recreated a sizable chunk of the track from memory all by himself before any of us got our lazy bums out of bed. Stud.

Rebuilding complete!