Family Brunch

December 22nd, 2013

We spent the morning at the Biddlecom's.  Aunt Margie and Emily were there visiting, so we had a lot of fun catching up, eating, and chasing children around.  Christian and Lindalee were in heaven playing with their big cousins.  Lucy was quite the babysitter and I was actually able to relax and chit chat for more than a second. 

Cousins!

Where did Lindalee go!?

Lucy and Riley helped the kids open their Christmas gifts.

A baby doll for Lindalee and rescue trucks for Christian!  Lucy and Riley did well.

Thankful for a morning filled with family!

Grandma and Grandad come to visit

December 21st, 2013

They are here!  We spent the morning prepping for our airport adventure.  We were able to sneak in and surprise Grandma and Grandad before they got their bags.  Both kids {and grandparents} were very excited and happy.  It also put a smile on all passersby who witnessed the 'reunion'.  

Lindalee was excited to see her grandparents and probably equally as excited to carry their luggage.  It might have taken a little extra time, but that determined little girl carried their bag from the baggage claim to the car.  Nineteen months going on nineteen years.

We ventured into Chinatown for an authentic Vietnamese dinner.  

On Saturday, we spent a beautiful morning at the North Point Park. 

We had fun showing Grandma, Grandad, and Daddy {how has he never been?} one of our most favorite places, the Museum of Science!

Christian is taller than Elmo!

Beautiful view of the city

We were excited to go to the lightning show.  I haven't taken the kids on my own because I was nervous about how Lindalee would do.  With the first lightning bolt, she started screaming and we had to leave.  The boys stayed and enjoyed it.

Little runner Lindalee

There was an exhibit focused on pressure.  You could lay down and press a button and a bed of nails would {painlessly} lift you up into the air.  It looked scary, REALLY scary to Lindalee.  She did not like it one bit.  

Worried little mommy, Lindalee

At dinner the kids enjoyed a mac-n-cheese pizza.  

Lindalee couldn't have been happier!

Christian ate so much pizza he got a bellyache

Pizza daze

Thankful for fun adventures with our visitors!

Christian "ate a stick"

December 18th, 2013

I went into the kids room to sleep around four this morning.  It helps Chris sleep better without Christian waking up, coming into bed with us, and kicking us until we get out of bed.  I crawled into Christian's bed and he said, "Mommy, I ate a stick!"  I tucked him back in and he drifted back to sleep.  When he woke up this morning, he told me again, "Mommy, I ate a stick last night.  It was an allergic stick.  I'm sick."  He went on all morning about eating a stick.  Despite Chris and me telling him it was just a dream, he insisted it was real.

The kids had a BIG treat last night of watching {part of} a movie.  Since Christian was "so sick" from "eating a stick", he convinced us that if he finished the movie, he would be better.  I think it worked.  I haven't heard anything more about "the stick".

My little 'helper'

Mommy's attempt of a "hummus bath" for dipping veggies.  It turned into a hummus bath for Lindalee.

Christian ate it like a big boy, but had to be a little silly by dipping his finger in the hummus.  "Mommy, take a picture of silly Christian!"

This evening, Christian asked when Grandma and Grandad were coming to visit.  I told him that they would be here in two days.  He said "Oh, mommy, that is too long, they need to come tonight!".  He insisted on calling them to tell them that they needed to come and visit TONIGHT.  He was a bit disappointed that he couldn't convince them to come sooner.  He will be one happy boy come Friday at 11:00!  

While Christian was on the phone with them, Grandma was talking to him about all the fun things he's been doing since we have moved.  She asked what his favorite thing to do in Boston was.  I melted a little when he replied confidently, "Meme and Papa's house".  Meme and Papa won over Christmas tree lighting's, museums, parks, the aquarium, and all the other fun things we've been doing in the city.  So sweet.  That boy sure does love all of his grandparents.  And they all love him right back!

Thankful for the love between the children and their grandparents!

More snow!

December 17th, 2013

Come February, I'm sure I won't be posting pictures every time it snows.  For now, it's exciting and magical.  I'm beginning to think that my children {especially Christian} are half child and half snowman.  No matter how wet and cold they are, they have huge smiles on their face and are happy as can be.  I have to bribe them to come inside when I can't feel my fingers anymore.  They are hardcore.

Snow = Happiness

Yes, I look ridiculous, but I get colder much faster than these crazy kiddos.

Lindalee eating some snow.  I think it might be her favorite food.

Bad, blurry picture, sorry. {I think I was shivering so violently that it was out of focus}.  This is Christian and his friend crawling through the snow {in the dark} after 1.5 hours outside climbing snow banks and having snowball fights.  Seriously, he has got to be part snowman. 

I can complain of being cold, but watching the kids have so much fun is worth freezing for.  I'm thankful my kids can experience the magic of snow!

Girls' morning

December 17th, 2013

I put Christian into his little program for a couple hours this morning.  It was the first time he's been in awhile.  The three of us have a great flow going during the days, so I've selfishly wanted him all to myself.  I thought it might be time for Lindalee to have me and all my attention for a morning.  Plus, I was really looking forward to some 'girl time'.  Christian has a thing for stealing the show and I felt like Lindalee deserved to be the star, if only for a couple hours.  

We dropped Christian off at school and before we were out the door she was crying, "Bra-bra!".  The tears and crying didn't stop there, they continued on and off for the entire three hours Christian was there.  Apparently, I am not nearly as fun and exciting as big brother.  Thankfully a webcam with Granddad and a play-date with a little friend helped take her mind off from how boring I am.

I was able to capture a little smile between the cries.  

Despite being forced to acknowledge how I am not nearly as much fun as big brother, I am very thankful for some special 'girl time' with this sweet little lady.

Trains, friends, and snow!

December 15th, 2013

Another fun filled weekend!  We started the morning off in Lexington at a model train show.  It was much smaller than Chris and I had imaged, but the kids enjoyed it, which is all that matters!

Christian had a chance to "control" the train as it drove by

Patiently waiting for the next train to pass

Why do children constantly need to put their hands in their mouths?  Yuck!

Enjoying a little treat with daddy after the train show.  Christian LOVES the weekends because daddy doesn't have to go to work.  He says weekends make him "so happy".  Daddy's boy?

Both of the kids took amazing naps.  I was especially grateful because that evening we were headed to a get together at the Maybaum's.  Believe it or not, Christian and Lindalee can be pretty miserable to be around if they are not well rested.  We had a fun {late} night and enjoyed some good food, wine, and company while the kids completely trashed their beautiful apartment.  

Christian and Lana have become good friends.  He has the wonderful knack of finding very cute little girlfriends wherever we are.

We woke up Sunday morning to a winter wonderland!  The kids had a great time playing outside.  It's amazing how the cold doesn't seem to bother them at all.  

Christian's "snow dog wearing a party hat"

"King of the Mountain!"

Lindalee cuddling and reading with "her baby" after a fun romp in the snow.

Thankful for a fun weekend full of good things!

Celtics Game

December 13th, 2013

Exciting night!  Christian went on a "dude date" {what Christian calls time with him and Daddy} to his first Boston Celtics game.   When Chris told him where they would be going, Christian was bouncing all over the place {literally} with excitement.  In Virginia, Chris started bringing Christian to UVA games, on a very regular basis, when he was only six months old.  When we moved to Charlotte, they frequented the Bobcats arena.  We were a little nervous, moving to Boston, that ticket prices might be a bit much to keep up with Christian's love of the sport.  Thankfully, Daddy was able to find some affordable tickets.

I had Christian all dressed {in green} and ready for the game.  Right before he left he said his favorite basketball team was the Charlotte Bobcats and he wanted to wear his jersey.

Poor Lindalee was NOT happy that the boys left.  The fifteen minutes between them leaving and her bedtime was torture. She cried, "Bra-bra!? Dada!?" until she passed out next to me in Christian's bed.  I think they need to do a better job of sneaking out next time.

At every game, Christian looks forward to a hot dog and popcorn. 

At North Station ready to head home.

Despite my desperate attempts, Christian didn't nap today.  He kept insisting he would take a nap at the basketball game.  He had a great time there, but was ready to leave before it was over {thankfully, it would have been a really late night if not}.  When he got home, he told me it was "such a great game" and he had "so much fun".  

Thankful for "dude dates"!