Sledding

It was sooo cold over the Christmas break, but we braved it anyway, and went sledding. Lilly LOVED it. She could have stayed there all day. Claire, not so much. She liked it ok, then unfortunately she crashed into someone, and wouldn't go down again. So, she just sat with me and got cold. They looked cute in their snow gear. Love those little bugs!!
 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Day

What a fun morning!! We had a proud parent moment that morning. We were certain Lilly was going to come out and flip out and just start ripping open presents...but she didn't. She actually didn't react initially to the doll house, the only thing she cared about was finding the present under the tree that was for Claire from her. It was really, really sweet. But, as soon as that was over, it was a free for all! Claire was a little slow on the wrapping paper, and was still trying to wake up, but once she got the hang of it, she loved it!
Anton was so sweet, so thoughtful and so generous yet again. Both to me and the girls. We adore that guy.
The girls favorite toys: the Minnie Bike and the Mulan doll.
Such a perfect morning! I wish I could keep my kids from growing. Christmas is so magical with them!
 

 

 

 

Christmas Eve

I love Christmas eve...almost more than Christmas day. It's hard to put my finger on why I love it so much. Each year, we have the tradition of doing something with just our little family. I love it. I cooked a traditional turkey dinner, we made cookies for Santa, read Christmas books, and the girls got to open each one present  - jammies of course! Once we got the girls all settled down and in bed, Santa's "helpers" got to work. Holy smokes, turns out doll houses take a long time to put together. It was such a fun night!
 

 

 

 

 

Preschool Program

Lilly got sick right before Christmas, and as usual, it wiped her out. I was so sad she was going to miss her Night Before Christmas party at school, that I took her for the last 10 minutes so she could sing to us, and so she wouldn't feel so bummed out about missing all the fun. I loved her elf hat she got to wear! She also was loving her new red shoes...just like her mom, that one! It made me a little sad thinking this was her last Christmas party at her preschool. I just love that preschool.
 

 

 

Christmas Festivities

Christmas festivities according to my phone...
1. Went downtown to see the lights, and we picked a beautiful night. It was stunning, and not very busy since we went early evening. The girls loved it!
2. Got our Christmas tree! Lilly loved helping us set up Christmas, and Claire has really enjoyed taking ornaments off the tree and pulling the hooks out. :)
3. Santa brought Elf on the Shelf. Big hit at our house. BIG hit! For mom and dad, and for Lilly & Claire!
3. The Woodward family did a service project with the refugee program (Refugee & Immigrant Center) my Dad is involved with. It was really fun, and also very humbling. The two girls I was in charge of basically grew up in a refugee camp in Tanzania, and have only been here for 5 years. They were absolutely darling. We put together boxes for each girls family which were filled with tons of food and some sort of a present (DVD's, games, crayons etc.). Then, we went and picked them up from there homes, brought them to the church where we were putting together boxes, and they performed some of their native dances for us. Unbelievable dancers! Lucky guy, Anton, got pulled up to dance. I thought he would faint from sheer terror! It was hysterical! From there, we took each girl to buy some shoes. You can see my dad in the bottom picture buying the shoes. What a guy. I became emotional during the dances, thinking about what hard lives some of theses girls have had and how sweet of my father to try and make their lives a little bit better. Whether it be helping with college tuition, rent, or simply having our family do a service project for them. I am so proud of the man my dad is.
I am really looking forward to the next week or so until Christmas!
 

Claire Bear

Here is what Claire has been up to, according to my phone pictures...
1. She LOVES the snow. Although, she isn't good about keeping her "glubs" on, so her little fingers freeze.
2. She always has the most random outfits on. I always get her dressed, and she always finds some random accessory to put with her outfit.
3. She is Potty Trained!!!! Wooohooo!!!
4. She is hysterically funny, and oh so very naughty. She makes me laugh every day.
5. At the moment, she really wants her independence. Doesn't want to sit in the cart at the grocery store, doesn't want to hold mom's hand in the parking lot, doesn't want to be told what to do. Ever. It's super fun on mom. Super fun.
6. She is really fun to talk to, and is very animated when telling stories. She, like Lilly, has a little lisp...it's so cute.
She drives me crazy, but honestly, my life would be so incomplete without her. She is a ray of sunshine, and could put anyone in a good mood. I absolutely adore and love her more than I could ever begin to describe. I think she gets close to 500 kisses a day from me. She is my little love bug.
Love you precious little Clairey Beary!
 

Lilly Bug

Here is what's going on with Lilly, according to my phone pictures...
1. She has found a new love of sponge rollers. And, let me tell you, she has the hair to do it with it.
2. She is loving preschool. As am I. It is so good for her. Although, I am not sure I am ready for next year, when she will be gone everyday. I love all the little "projects" that she brings home. She gets so tired of me always taking her picture in them.
3. She had Claire have finally turned a corner. They are actually friends!! Praise the heavens above! They play so cute together. It is really fun to see their love for one another grow.
4. Lilly is still WAY into Princesses. Believes 100% that they are real. So, when Disney had Sofia the First on, we snuggled with with popcorn and our blankies and watched it. She asked that night while going to bed, "Mom, do you think Aurora will visit me tonight". I love her innocence.
5. I took her on a Mommy / Daughter date to see the play Mulan at a near by jr. high. She didn't love the play, but loved everything else...being with mom, without Claire, getting skittles, she got to wear pretty lip gloss. It was a fun night.
She is the sweetest little bug. She absolutely melts my heart. There is no way I could love her more than I do right now...she is so very precious to us.
We love you Lilly Bug!