Bronx Zoo

Another great visit with Uncle Scott -- this time with Uncle Josh too! -- at the Bronx Zoo. 

Christmas 2014/James is 3!

Another delightful Christmas and birthday:  homemade pizza Christmas Eve after the 4pm Mass with Nana and Grandpa, followed up by cookie-eating and singing holiday songs; on Christmas morning, James woke up in the morning claiming that he still wanted to stay 2 years old; the kids slowly opened their presents, which was awesome for enjoying each present; Nana and Grandpa came over for brunch (quiches, sweet breads, fruit) and then birthday cake; a full day of playing (James always in his PJs while Alma changed outfits every few hours); Mexican food dinner. 

December 2014 Photo Updates

 Visiting the Nativity scene at the Bethlehem library, a yearly tradition

 Joshua traveled to California for a week and the kids and I sent him lots of photo updates (here's bedtime)

 Yearly family Christmas photo on the front porch

 Alma and I went to my work to see Santa Clause -- she wasn't convinced it was a good idea to sit on his lap ... so we sat on this blow up sled instead

 We wanted to get a live tree this year to eventually plant in the backyard.  Without any luck finding one that cost less than $150(!), we went with an adorably tiny fresh cut tree.

 Alma in her Alma College shirt from Uncle Scott

The kids helped me to stuff and stamp the yearly Christmas cards.  They are always such enthusiastic and happy helpers with projects.

Alma turns 5

A little glimpse ...

... into Alma's school day.  This video was taken last year.  What a cute nugget she is!

Bestie and a Cutie

Such a great visit from "Aunt Erica" and her 7-month old cutie, Sierra, this past weekend.   Erica is such a dear friend -- we met in kindergarten and have been good friends ever since.  I don't know what I would do without her love and support through all of these years.  She is simply the best and I'm so grateful she took the time to come out here with her youngest.  Sierra is the happiest baby and we all LOVED having a little one crawling and cooing through the house. 

Even though I was under the weather -- my yearly allergies/cold which involves losing my voice and a horrible cough -- we were able to visit the zoo, go to a swim class together, go for a long walk and get lots of time catching up together.  Such fun!

Uncle Scott

Uncle Scott popped by again for a fun visit.  We all adore him -- Joshua and I especially love the special relationship he is developing with Alma.  This visit, he kept her home from school to walk downtown to a bookstore and go out to lunch. 

Here's the boys with the kiddos watching Pixar shorts before bedtime. 

Halloween 2014

 Waiting anxiously for 6pm when the first trick-or-treaters would come knocking on our door.

 Cinderella-getting-married and Superman, as envisioned by the children themselves

 It is amazing how many details of past Halloweens Alma remembers.  Exactly where her glass slipper slipped off her foot last year, who gave which types of candies, etc.  James was a little apprehensive all day about how the evening would unfold, not remembering the process from year's past.  However, once we started going to neighbor's houses -- with him happily yelling "Happy Halloween" or "Trick or Treat" when neighbors answered their doors and then excitingly reporting to the rest of us the treat given -- he obviously loved it.  In typical James fashion, he spent the evening marveling at everything with running commentary: "People are so kind."  "This is a good place to cross the street, Mom." (letting me know that I made a good choice) "I love Halloween."

For the past few weeks, we have been talking to a new neighbor about how he was going to be dressing up as a wolf for Halloween.  The kids were excited about the prospect.  After we planned our entire outing around visiting their house and when we finally saw him sitting on his porch, James refused to cross the street to get any closer.  The neighbor took off his mask and Alma happily went over with me.  She was thrilled to see him put the mask back on -- such a brave difference from year's past.  She is very interested in theater and the idea that people can change who they are but that they are still kind people underneath. 

Overall, a very fun evening with neighbors and Nana.  Now we just have to see if Alma will be Cinderella again next year, which would put the number at four times in a row!