Twelve Days of Christmas. . .Finally!!

I have wanted to do this for so long and I decided, unilaterally, that this year was going to be it. So, with a can of pears in hand, we started 12 days before Christmas and launched our secret missionon the innocent Rampton family: Marcus and Rebecca and their two kids, Jack and Eliza (they are the same ages as Isaac and Lucy). It was really fun, though the drive was long. Logistics also got sticky when one night I was going over to the Rampton's house already for a movie night with Rebecca. I thought I was being so sneaky, calling her when I was on my way, telling her that I had forgotten the movie so I had to head home to pick it up and then I'd be back. My thinking was that she wouldn't expect me for some time. So, I made the drop, and hid in the bushes for what felt like a very long time, all the time worrying that their uber-nosy neighbor was going to call the cops on me. Later, when I found a tick on me during the movie, I tried to play it off when they asked me where I got the tick. They asked me if we were the secret santas, but I think I improvised well, telling them that I'd always wanted to do it, but Daman never wanted to. Marcus still suspected me though. I guess I should have stayed longer in the bushes. We did alot of improvising with our little drop-offs, but I think they were really fun, and Rebecca said it was her kids' favorite part of Christmas. Here is the basic rundown:(each also came with a corny note, but I can't remember all those particulars)

1st day of Christmas--can of pears
2nd day: Dove and turtle chocolates
3rd day: Loaf of french bread
4th day: ring pops. . "calling" birds. . ring, ring. . . I know it was a stretch, but it is impossible to find Peeps in December!
5th day: can of pineapple rings
6th day: duck beak whistles
7th day: a super cool blue jello pool with a cardboard swan--we didn't have time to make seven swans. This is the only one that got captured in photo:
8th Day: A half gallon of milk (from the milking maids)
9th Day: A puzzle of little girls dancing
10th Day: super bouncy balls (Isaac drew frogs on the balls so they would be like leaping frog-princes)
11th Day: kazoos We actually had to combine the 9th-11th days because we got behind. We wrote a little story about how the dancing girls, leaping lords, and piping pipers all got together for a party and got lost for a few days. . .

And the 12th day. . . sad to say it never happened. Terrible, but with family in town we never got to the last delivery. But, this was definitely our most solid Secret Santa adventure ever, and the kids had a great time doing the stealth deliveries. We will definitely do it again!

Santa Clause is Coming to Town!

Not great quality. . .but the point is, little ones got to sit on Santa's lap! We also met him again (this guy gets around) at this adorable toy shop in Southern Pines. He took at least five minutes with each kid, and whispered in their ears to to directly to their mother, give her a hug, and tell her they love her. That guy earned his cookies.

Cutey-Pie Emma

Dad brought home some prizes from a work party, where he had successfully stuffed the most balloons into pantyhose and put them on his head. What a cute reindeer you make!

I just love this hairstyle! :)

The Force is strong with this one. . .

And this one. . .

Goodbye Miss Dean!

This year brought several changes for us! You had to go to full-time childcare/preschool since I started teaching. You started at Cybered, and after a traumatic weekend of crash potty-training you started your experience there (I really wish they had mentioned that you could have worn pull-ups!) Miss Dean was a little prickly at first, but we soon learned she just had her own way and you really loved it there. And they loved you! You learned so much there, tracing, connecting dots, and were really challenged and happy. It was a great fit for you.
But, some spots opened up in the childcare center right by my school. It was cheaper and convenient, so we made the switch. They are incredibly loving there and you get lots of hugs every day! You are so incredibly verbal and bright and you were challenged more at Cybered, but next year you will be back in a more formal preschool and I'm sure you will learn lots.

Goodbye Cybered!

You didn't have a great experience at Cybered. This was your last day with your teacher, and I can't even remember her name! She didn't reach out much to you, even when you were having a hard time with the transition. We moved to Vass Lakeview Childcare and have had a much different experience! They love you so much, hug you every single day (multiple times) and are so excited to see you. They might not be as much of a "school" as cybered, but they teach you that you matter and that is what matters most!

Happy Summer!

Eating ice cream and playing in puddles. . .life doesn't get much sweeter!
Collecting the candy tossed during the Pinehurst 4th of July parade!

Playdough snakes and dragons, oh my!

This is pretty much where we have lived all summer. You have learned to swim all by yourself, and jump into the deep end with courage and style!

The Aquaduck!

On the last night of the cruise, Daman and Lucy went to the on board waterslide at 11:00pm and rode it over and over and over. It was the only time that there wasn't a long line. Isaac rode it a few times too. It was really fun, travelling the length of the boat and going out over the ocean as well. The line was often really long--wish we had discovered the magic hour of 11:00 earlier!! Maybe next time. . . .

Oh please, let there be a next time!!

Aargh!!!

One night was "Pirate Night" on the ship. We broke out the fake tatoos, bandanas, and summoned our fiercest snarls. They had a pirate party on the deck, until a storm rolled in. But, we were able to squeeze in the fireworks just before the downpour started. It was pretty cool, actually, because there was lightning in the sky right before the fireworks. Knowing Disney, they probably did that on purpose.

The fierce bandit Emmisma and her first mate Da'man.

Steering For Trouble!
The lovely Madame Morgen and charming the locals

Ike (in cognito)

A pooped pirate.

(This happened regularly at dinner because we didn't eat at 8pm, and after a busy day of playing and sun, Emma was wiped out!)

Princesses EVERYWHERE!!!

The Disney Cruise is like the best parts of Disney World with all the bad parts taken out. You get to meet characters, but you don't have to wait in line in the blazing sun. We lined up early one morning and the girls got to meet all the princesses at once! Emma was bummed that Rapunzel wasn't there, but it was still a wonderful tour. Lucy hit her standard one arm out crazy pose with each princess and Emma was just so excited that she was hugging everyone. . even the photographers. The princesses were so beautiful and gracious, not rushing the girls along or anything. It was really a special, fun morning. Too bad we didn't get a decent picture beyond the cell phone snaps. These don't do any of the princesses justice, especially the cute shorter ones.

Splishy Splashy Fun. . . and even free ice cream!

There was water everywhere! (Which makes sense. . .we were on a boat) We swam on the boat and we swam at Castaway Cay. The weather was wonderful. . until a funnel cloud appeared. Morgen showed gumption by running a cruise sponsored 5K around the island first thing in the morning. She was hoping for a Mickey t-shirt or something, but mostly it was just for fun and a chance to feel less guilty about (another) free vanilla ice cream cone. We played in the ocean, Isaac had his first snorkeling adventure with Mom (we saw a sunken submarine!) and splashed in the water park as well. It was such a wonderful trip!!

Lucille Ball isn't the only funny Lucy!

Lucy,


You crack me up. The other day I was brushing your hair in the bathroom (you HATE that part of your life) and suddenly I heard a funny little "toot toot" sound coming from the general vicinity of your bum. I smiled and said, "What was that?" With an impish grin you shrugged and said, "It was a little woodpecker!" Then you lifted your finger as if you had a small bird pirched there and said, "See, this is my little woodpecker" and you started petting it. It was hilarious! You are really clever and creative.


We had an absolutely fantastic time on the Disney cruise. You met princesses, ate ice cream, had chocolates waiting on your pillow every night, and thoroughly enjoyed being with Daddy again. This seperation has been hardest on you in some ways. Sometimes I've found you just crying because you miss him so much. It is pretty heartbreaking. But, you certainly enjoyed him on the Cruise! The last night you two stayed up together and rode the aquaduck waterslide over and over together from 11:30 to midnight. You've talked about that ever since the cruise. I am pretty certain that was the highlight of the whole trip. Of course, twirling with princesses was a pretty big highlight too.


On the last day of the cruise, you tied your blanket like a cape and flitted about, announcing that you were Tinkerbell and were there "to make all your dreams come true." Unfortunately, my dream of getting back on the boat for another month didn't come true. I guess you didn't have enough pixie dust for that one.


Another time when I asked you which swimsuit you wanted to wear, you said you wanted the one that has stars and stripes (like an American flag) "because God bless America!" What a crack-up. I am hoping to get you into a preschool soon, I am sad that you haven't had anything really all your own. Isaac has played sports and done some homeschooling clubs, but you haven't had anything steady. I am not sure how much longer we will be down here in NC, but it could be for several more months. I'm hoping to make the best of it. We are all learning alot about patience. Sometimes you really strain mine. You get awfully angry and say some pretty mean things to all of us. I have found ignoring the bad behaviors as much as possible and pointing out the good stuff, helps alot. I have a feeling that things will get much easier for all of us when we are back together as a family. I love you Lucy, you are a wonderful light in my life.

On to the Boat of Dreams. . .

Let the Blissful Adventures Begin!!!
Schmoozing with Goofy before we board.

Big Boy Having Big Fun

Is that Babe Ruth?????

Shortly after getting this uniform, we realized that you have the same uniform number (14) as Troy Bolton from High School Musical. Awesome!!!!

The Mighty Warriors

Malcolm Blue Farm Bluegrass Festival

We did facepainting and then paid just 3.00 a piece for unlimited moon bouncing. There were no crowds, so you guys had the whole place to yourself. It was an awesome day!!

A Flashback. . .

You and the Easter Bunny. You are almost as big as he is!!! This was in Vienna, right before we decided to make the move to NC. It was a flashlight Easter egg hunt. Quite the adventure!

Never Mind.

I never made the printing out pictures in an album happen. So, I'm going back to the first plan. I still really like doing the kids blog, but I'll keep doing this one, keeping it very simple. Then I'll print it out at the end of the year. So, let's catch up.

Lucy Catch Up!

A move to North Carolina has put a major pause in my journaling for you guys. But, back to business! It has been a busy couple of months. We are living with Grandma Lulu while Daddy gets his private practice up and and running in Vienna. Every time you pray, for the last few months, you have prayed that we can stay together. I am hoping that prayer is answered soon! The other day you said a long, sweet prayer about wanting Daddy to be with us, asking that we can move back to Virginia and have fun with Daddy. I had to fight tears after you finished. This has been hard on you. You are such a tender, loving little lady Lucy. I am ashamed to admit how many times I've lost my patience and hurt your feelings. I am determined to do better.
We've had some fun adventures here, though. We go to the pool almost every day and you LOVE it! You have learned to swim, basically teaching yourself. You started with some arm floaties, but then took them off and started treading water and hopping along and now you can swim! Yesterday you swam across the deep end all by yourself! We have a great time at the pool, playing dolphin and jumping in over and over and over.
You also love having a little nightstand by your bed. It has become quite a little treasure spot for you. There are so many funny little trinkets and things in there. Under your bed is also a hiding place. Your pet stuffed bunny, bunira, sleeps under there, along with other stuffed animals and prized possessions that you want to keep safe.
It has been an exercise in patience working with you and potty training. Some days you do really well, but sometimes you don't pay attention at all and have several accidents a day. It really tries my patience.
But, hands down, you are the best cuddler in the family. You just cannot get enough tickling. Your arm, your belly, your back, your legs. You are a major ticklebug. But sometimes you get so squirmy it is hard to tickle you!
I love you so much Lucy. You have such an active imagination, playing kitty, puppy, dolphin, or mermaids. I love our conversations. Lately you've been talking about the resurrection alot. You gave me some dress-up jewelry and told me I could keep it until the resurrection. So generous. And you were making up songs about Jesus and how we will be happier when we die because we can live forever. You make up wonderful songs and I LOVE to watch you boogie. You shake your little hips and show off your funky moves. It is very entertaining.
You are a wonderful girl, Lucy. It breaks my heart when you say that you think you are dumb, or stupid, or the worst daughter ever. I am sad to think that you might feel such things about yourself. I think you are fantastic, and I am going to do a better job helping you know that.

My Freckled Friend

You LOVE that you have freckles, and especially love that you and I are sort of the only ones that have them, like we are a secret club. You have an adorable sprinkling of freckles across your face and while Lucy and Emma are bronzing this summer, you just keep getting more speckled. . . and you love it. So do I. Back when I was pregnant with you I had a dream about a freckled little boy that was a wonderful combination of me and Daman. My dream has come true! You have your Dad's fantastic smile, my eyes, but a humor all your own.
Today I sat around and played legos with you for a good chunk of time. It was wonderful. Your imagination astounds me. You build and create, solving problems you make up and coming up with all sorts of different designs and contraptions. It is really fun to spend time with you Isaac.
We leave for the cruise on Friday!!! I can't believe it is really going to happen. I am most excited to be together as a family for four whole days! We've been down at Grandma's house now for over two months, and it is getting tough. We all really miss Dad and are anxious to be together again. I have applied for a teaching job and have an interview in a couple of weeks. If I get the job we will be able to move back up immediately!! It will be fantastic. Luckily, the high school schedule is such that even though I'll have to leave really early, I'll be home before you are done with school. And we'll have all the same holidays. I think it will be great. Let's hope I get the job!
We had Caroline come and visit a while back and you two had a funny conversation. She was saying that you're not that much taller than she is, "only a quarter" taller, she said. You said "No way, Caroline, I'm going to get a quarter right now and show you I am more than a quarter taller than you!" I cracked up. You are really clever Isaac.
We've been enjoying listening to the Harry Potter books on tape since we've been here. It has made it fun to be in the car! And this weekend all the Harry Potter movies have been on television. I made pumpkin pasties and butterbeer for the celebration. We had a wonderful time. You want to have a Harry Potter party when you turn eight. I can't believe you will be 8 in less than 6 months! That is incredible. You are growing up so fast and sometimes I feel like I am worrying so much about what you'll become that I forget to love and enjoy who you are. I'll work on that. You work on getting more freckles. Love you Isaac.

Emma. . in Pictures

All dressed up for a tea party with Claire and Alli Baker. It was a huge success, complete with lemonade, mini-muffins, fruit salad, and sliced cucumbers. And even party games!
Summer Fun watching Isaac play baseball!!

What a beautiful bride!!!!!! (But not for awhile missy. . . )

Back in Vienna, having a flashlight Easter Egg Hunt. It was great fun, even though initially the idea of setting a bunch of little kids free in the dark with flashlights looking for candy sounds like asking for trouble. You even met. . .

Happy Hoppy Easter!!!