A Very Merry Christmas!

We had a fabulous Christmas this year! Lots of family blessed us with their presence (and presents :) including Grandma (in town from Cape Cod), Auntie Sarah, Papa, and Aunt Cookie. Also on hand to celebrate was CeCe, Uncle Craig, Auntie Gretchen, Cousin EJ, Grandpa Bill, Uncle Colin, Aunt Kathy, woody, buzz light year, and bullseye.

The Christmas eve celebration was kicked off with our traditional appetizer spread. Everyone brought their favorites and we ate and drank enough to feed a small country. There was everything from Brie to chicken wings to some fancy clams. It was all so delicious!



Earlier that day, one of our little fellas was causing some trouble. We thought it would be Josh we'd have to worry about getting into the presents. We were wrong! Little Jamison was the culprit we had to watch out for. He was playing in the family room Christmas Eve morning when we heard a loud rip... he had crawled his cute little tush over to the gifts and decided it would be fun to open one and boy did he open it. He must be the smartest 7 month old on the planet because the gift he opened was labeled "Jamison." Later that day, he managed to get his paws on yet another gift (also labeled Jamison, confirming my reading suspicions.)

Back to Christmas eve... The boys had loads of fun with their cousin E. They gave lots of hugs and kisses and attempted to show him the ropes, just as they do for little J. We got some unique pictures of all of them together including their brand new big boy chairs from CeCe and Aunt Cookie. Their playroom is now equipped with theater style seating for their viewing pleasure.

After eating and drinking ourselves sick, it was time to head to the land of presents. It took us about an hour and a half to get all of the presents opened. I grew up in a family where each person would take a turn opening a present and we would all watch so it totally flips me out when everyone starts tearing into everything. I caught myself a few times trying to restore the order in the room. I've got to admit, I am a bit of a control freak when it comes to that. It's just not an option to miss someone opening a present.

Thank you to everyone for all the fun and thoughtful gifts. I’m pretty sure we need a bigger house to contain all these toys.

Before heading off to dreamland, the boys had to get everything ready for Santa and the reindeer. They were very particular on which cookies Santa liked, how much milk should be in the cup, and how many carrots the reindeer will need. So cute!

Christmas day was equally fun. We awoke and headed downstairs to see what Santa had delivered. They must have been really good boys this year because boy did they brought in the loot, including shave kits, hockey sticks new jammies, and the requested "black" Spiderman. Later that day, I made my first prime rib, on my own. The pressure was on to prepare this $100 slab of cow but I tackled the challenge with gusto. It turned out fantastic! Whew, what a relief!

Honorable mentions: Auntie Sarah spent the whole day with us in her new jammies she bought just for the occasion; ; Cece's yorkshire pudding... yum!!!Jack had has first shave and I was shocked to see his "man" face as he was doing it.  What?  Do they teach this in the womb???

We did indeed have a very merry Christmas but we missed those who couldn’t be with us - including Uncle Adam, Auntie Camille and family, our Florida family, and Grandma and Grandpa Swenson who were undoubtedly watching from above.





The Great Decision

It feels like just yesterday our first born baby boy made his way into the world.  Jack had a mind of his own even then when he decided to break his little water balloon three weeks early and come out sunny-side up. Fast-forward exactly 4 years, 11 months and our little man is gearing up to turn 5 and head to kindergarten.  How is that possible?

So.... here is the big decision.  Here in our state we have a little concept called open enrollment.  Every household has a "neighborhood" school but you are not required to attend your neighborhood school.  You have the option to open enroll to any of the district schools or even choose another district.  We knew we wanted to stay in our own district because it is excellent but which school?  I was sure he would end up at Lake, which is not our neighborhood school, but after touring we [I] left feeling underwhelmed.  Sure, it's an excellent, award winning school but where was the energy???  I've learned to consistently rely on my gut-instincts and knew instantly that this school was not for our Jack.

Off to the next school.  This is our neighborhood school and I was sure we wouldn't like it.  Couldn't have been more wrong!  They had the energy befitting of our little energetic Jack.  Unfortunately, Dad couldn't make it to this one but boy did he get a very excited earful post-tour.  When I get really excited about something I tend to rival even the best auctioneers - and this, and that, and they do, and then, and, and, and... he had to remind me a couple of times to slow down so he could at least understand every 4th word.

One last tour to go and honestly, I was hoping to hate it so the decision would be very clear.  As I pulled up to the school, it was obvious that would not be the case.  As I walked in the door I thought to myself "oh crap, we ARE going to have a decision."  It was different from the other schools in that it is a Magnet School of Arts & Science - an award winning magnet school at that.  I was blown away at numerous points of the tour but a couple of the top moments were seeing a bunch of 1st graders working on Mac Book laptops and a full wall of Kindergarten Monet paintings.  You could have told me Monet was the president in Kindergarten and I would have believed you and these kids are painting Monet.  It was truly impressive.

The big decision..... drum roll please..... the Magnet school!  This school has an unbelievable energy, so much opportunity, and is so fitting for Jack.  He is a little budding artist (takes after his Mommy ;) and thrives on hands-on science activities. It's perfect!  But there's a catch.  Due to demand, we have to enter a lottery for the available spots.  We will know by February 11th - one day before Jack's 5th birthday.  What's meant to be will be, but a few crossed fingers couldn't hurt.

Who would have thought Kindergarten would be such a decision?!?  What's going to happen when we choose a college?

Like the New Layout?

Sooo... I am a girl, and I have three boys.  Why do I always have to use boy colors?  The new layout is just for Mommy.  I was in desperate need of some girlishness!

I've been seriously slacking on posts but I am back on track now.  I have some fun updates to come included Christmas, Our Super Baby, and The Great Kindergarten Hunt.  Thanks for staying tuned... I promise it won't take this long to post again.

More to come in the next day. xoxoxoxo